In the OASIS 4 trial, adults taking oral semaglutide 25mg lost on average 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this.
That headline figure is a useful benchmark, but it is an average across a clinical trial — not a promise. This article explains what the Wegovy Tablet is, what results are realistic, and the practical habits that influence how much weight you actually lose.
What is the Wegovy Tablet?
The Wegovy Tablet contains the same active medicine as the Wegovy injection — semaglutide — but is taken as a once-daily tablet rather than a weekly injection. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist: it mimics a natural gut hormone that controls appetite, so you feel fuller sooner and for longer, and the stomach empties more slowly.
Because you eat less without constant hunger and cravings, most people naturally reduce their calorie intake. That sustained calorie reduction is what drives weight loss over time.
How much weight can you realistically lose?
The clearest evidence comes from the OASIS 4 trial. Adults on oral semaglutide 25mg lost on average 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this.
To put that in everyday terms, someone weighing 100kg who matched the trial average would lose around 16–17kg over roughly 15 months. Some people lose more, some less — genetics, starting weight, diet, activity, sleep and how well you tolerate the medicine all play a part.
It helps to think of these numbers as a guide to what is achievable, not a fixed target. The trial figure reflects the full maintenance dose reached gradually and combined with ongoing lifestyle changes.
Why lifestyle support matters so much
In every trial, the medicine was given alongside dietary advice and increased physical activity. The medication makes it easier to eat less; the lifestyle changes decide how far that goes and how well you keep the weight off afterwards.
Without those changes, results tend to be smaller. This is why a good weight-loss programme is about more than a prescription.
How the dose builds up
You do not start on the full dose. The Wegovy Tablet is titrated gradually so your body can adjust and side effects are minimised:
- 1.5mg (starter)
- 4mg
- 9mg
- 25mg (maintenance — the maximum licensed dose)
Weight loss is usually gradual across these steps rather than sudden. Reaching the maintenance dose typically takes a few months, which is why meaningful results are measured over many months, not weeks.
The one rule that affects your results most
How you take the Wegovy Tablet directly influences how well it works. Take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with a small sip of plain water only.
Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other medicines. Taken with food, the tablet is absorbed far less effectively — meaning both weaker results and wasted medication. Building this into a fixed morning routine is one of the most important things you can do.
How does the tablet compare with the injection and Mounjaro?
People often ask whether the tablet loses less weight than injections. The trials below used different designs, durations and populations, so these are cross-trial figures — not head-to-head comparisons. They are shown for context only.
| Treatment | Highest licensed dose | Average weight loss | Trial period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) | 25mg once daily | 16.6% | 64 weeks |
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | 7.2mg weekly | 20.7% | 72 weeks |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | 15mg weekly | 22.5% | 72 weeks |
In all cases: Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this. The best treatment for you depends on your health, preferences and a clinical assessment — not on the biggest number in a table. You can see the full range on our treatments overview and weight-loss injections pages.
What to expect month by month
Early weeks are mostly about getting used to the medicine and moving up the dose. Appetite changes are often noticeable before the scales move much.
Steadier weight loss usually follows as you reach higher doses and settle into new eating patterns. Progress is rarely perfectly linear — plateaus are normal, and your prescriber can review your dose and habits if things stall.
Who is it suitable for?
UK eligibility for the Wegovy Tablet is the same as for the injectables. You may be suitable if you are:
- Aged 18 or over, and
- Living with obesity (BMI 30 or above), or
- Have a BMI of 27–30 with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.
It is not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding; have type 1 diabetes; have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2; have a history of pancreatitis; have severe gastrointestinal disease; have an active eating disorder; have severe liver or kidney impairment; or are allergic to semaglutide.
The Wegovy Tablet is a Prescription-Only Medicine. It is available only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber, who will decide whether it is clinically appropriate for you. A prescription and a specific outcome can never be guaranteed. You can begin with a free eligibility check at start your consultation.
Side effects to be aware of
Because it contains semaglutide, the Wegovy Tablet shares the GLP-1 class side-effect profile. The most common effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite and fatigue. These are often strongest when starting or increasing the dose and tend to ease over time.
Serious but rare risks include severe allergic reaction, acute pancreatitis, severe hypoglycaemia (particularly with certain diabetes medicines) and severe gastrointestinal disease. Seek medical help if you experience severe or persistent symptoms.
If you experience a side effect, you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. Reporting helps monitor the safety of medicines.
Looking ahead
Other once-daily options are emerging. Foundayo (orforglipron) is a small-molecule GLP-1 tablet that can be taken any time of day with or without food. It was authorised by the MHRA in August 2026, but we do not supply it yet — we intend to offer it once we are able to obtain it.
If you would like to understand which option might suit you, or read more general guidance, visit our blog or get in touch.
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Weight-loss medicines are prescription-only, are not suitable for everyone, and are prescribed only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber. Individual results vary. Always speak to a UK-registered pharmacist or doctor before starting or changing any prescription medication.
