The GLP-1 pill is still prescription-only, but the new form of the pill can make it more easily accessible and easier to take than the once-weekly or once-monthly injection<\/p>\n
In this article, we lay out all the facts about the new GLP-1 pill, where you can get a consultation and prescription for it, and any side effects you need to know about.<\/p>\n
LifeMD Weight Care<\/a>Accepts insurance: The program is not covered by insurance. However, GLP-1 medications may be covered depending on your insurance plan.Consultation fee: noneAvailable medications: Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Ozempic, Contrave, Orlisat, MetforminEditor’s take<\/p>\n LifeMD offers several weight loss medications for as low as $0 copay. After taking a short quiz to determine insurance coverage and eligibility, you can access GLP-1 treatments, a dedicated doctor, and care teams to support you on your journey.<\/p>\n The company offer rush shipping to give you access to treatment as soon as possible.<\/p>\n The Wegovy pill is another option for the injectable GLP-1 medication. Though Rybelsus has been on the market since 2019, its primary use is to help manage blood sugar levels in adults who have type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n This oral GLP-1 pill can be a helpful alternative to those who are looking to take a GLP-1 to aid in weight loss, but do not like needles. The dosage of the pill and the injection<\/a> increase the longer you use it; however, the strength and a few other key points make the Wegovy pill different from the injection.<\/p>\n The short answer is: kind of. Both the injection and the pill contain the same main ingredient, semaglutide; however, there are a few key differences.<\/p>\n Because of the new pill formulation, people who are breastfeeding are advised not to take this pill<\/a>. In particular, salcaprozate sodium (SNAC)<\/a> is used as a coating to help the medication survive in the stomach and be absorbed into your bloodstream instead of being dissolved by stomach acid.<\/p>\n Novo Nordisk\u2019s pill Rybelsus<\/a> has the same warning, as the pill also contains SNAC. While there are currently no studies on the presence of SNAC in human breast milk, there has been a study on rats that shows that there is a concentrated substance of SNAC in the rats\u2019 breast milk. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen a substance is present in animal milk, it is likely that the substance will be present in human milk,\u201d the FDA says<\/a>. \u201cBecause of the unknown potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant due to the possible accumulation of SNAC from breastfeeding\u2026 advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n The GLP-1 pill must also be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. You must wait to eat, drink, or even ingest other medications for at least 30 minutes after taking the Wegovy pill. This ensures the pill has time to enter the stomach without anything obstructing the absorption.<\/p>\n Otherwise, the pill is also an aid to weight loss. It\u2019s still suggested to stick to a reduced-calorie diet and daily movement to help lose and keep off the unwanted weight.<\/p>\n Is the GLP-1 pill as effective as the injections?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering, do GLP-1 pills work in comparison to the injection, the answer is yes. In a 2024 study<\/a>, researchers found that the effectiveness of the oral semaglutide and injectable semaglutide were comparable. They noted that the Wegovy pill had a greater reduction in blood sugar, while the injection had greater effects on weight loss.<\/p>\n However, the authors said \u201cthere were no statistically significant reductions in HbA1C or weight between the two formulations.\u201d The study concludes that both forms of semaglutide were beneficial for blood sugar management and weight loss.<\/p>\n Comparing the GLP-1 pill and injection<\/p>\n Medical Perspective<\/p>\n Now that there is a pill available for weight loss, if people choose to switch from injection to pill, what is the process of doing so? Are there any adverse effects or things to consider about the switch?<\/p>\n Switching from injectable semaglutide (Ozempic\/Wegovy) to the oral Wegovy pill is straightforward under medical supervision. Consult your prescriber to determine the starting dose based on your current injectable level, then wait 7 full days after your last injection before beginning the pill, with titration as needed to minimize side effects. <\/p>\n Side effects mirror the injectable, primarily GI issues like nausea, but may intensify temporarily during the switch. Reversion to injections is easy if needed.<\/p>\n \u2014 Andrew Cox, PharmD, MBA<\/a><\/p>\n