Introduction
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an impactful drug, commonly used for weight loss. Up until recently, it was only available in an injectable format, However, now it is also available for UK patients in a tablet form. Both contain the same active ingredient so target the same biological mechanism, but have certain differences in convenience, side effects, and pricing. Here is a no-nonsense comparison of the two drug modalities.
Quick Comparison
| Tablet | Injection |
Frequency | Daily | Weekly |
Dosing range | 1.5mg → 25mg | 0.25mg → 2.4mg |
Storage | Room temp | Fridge |
Avg weight loss | 13.6% (64 wks) | ~15% |
Price | From £79/mo | From £59/mo |
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Similarities
Wegovy is one of the more popular GLP-1 agonists alongside Mounjaro. Both the tablet and the injection contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide. Semaglutide is a peptide your body naturally produces, making you feel full. By interacting with GLP-1 receptors, it signals to your brain to suppress your appetite.
Both the tablet and injectable format of Wegovy require gradual dosing: starting at a lower dose to familiarize your body with the drug, gradually increasing to higher doses, where the weight loss effects could come quicker.
Wegovy tablets and injections must be prescribed by a physician, and are available in the Emerald Weight Loss programme.
How each is taken
The Wegovy injection is a simple procedure. It's a weekly injection at any time of the day. It does not require you to fast or amend your lifestyle in any other way. However, the medication does need to be refrigerated.
The Wegovy tablet offers more comfort, as no injections are required. Instead, you take a tablet every morning on an empty stomach. It's important to wait 30 minutes after taking Wegovy before you eat, drink, or take any other medication, otherwise, Wegovy may not absorb properly.
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Dosing schedule differences
Both the Wegovy injection and the tablet prescriptions increase their dose gradually over time. The Wegovy tablet starts at 1.5mg and increases monthly to 5mg, then 9mg, then 25mg.
The Wegovy injection starts at a significantly smaller dose but also increases monthly: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7mg, 2.4 mg, and 7.2 mg.
The injection starts at a significantly lower dose, as the absorption of the drug differs depending on how you take it. It does not mean that there is a significant difference in how effective the drug is.
Side effects
Most side effects experienced on Wegovy are mild and manageable. They also tend to soften over time. The tablet form, reportedly, affects the gastrointestinal system more, whereas the injections tend to target many bodily systems. Some commonly reported side effects include:
Nausea (especially mornings)
Bowel problems (diarrhoea or constipation)
Feeling bloated
Heartburn
Headaches or dizziness
Feeling tired
Most of the above are easily manageable. Here is an article on how to do so and when to seek help.
Convenience & lifestyle fit
Each Wegovy modality can clearly support different lifestyles. The Wegovy tablet needs to be taken daily, however, it's significantly less painful than a weekly injection. It also does not need to be refrigerated, so it enables you to travel.
On the other hand, the injections are taken on a weekly basis. But they require fridge storage, which could make traveling harder.
Pros | Cons | |
Tablet |
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Injection |
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Availability and pricing
Whilst the Wegovy tablet has been available in the US since the beginning of 2026, it is a newly approved drug in the UK. It is therefore not yet available through the NHS. However it is already available through private clinics such as Emerald at £79/mo.
The Wegovy injection, however, is already an established NHS and private pathway. Emerald also offers it for £59/mo. Here's how to check you're eligible.
Conclusion
The right choice comes down to how you live. If needles put you off, the daily tablet takes that worry away. If a strict morning routine is hard to keep, the weekly injection fits better. And if you've used a GLP-1 before, how you responded then is a good guide.
Just remember that individual response varies. The trial figures are averages, not promises. Your clinician knows your history and can guide you better than any headline number.
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