Wegovy pil
Semaglutide · GLP-1 · Novo Nordisk
The Wegovy pill is the tablet form of semaglutide, the same active substance as in the Wegovy injection. On 14 July 2026 the European Commission approved the pill as the first GLP-1 pill for weight management in the EU. It is not yet available in the Netherlands. Once the pill reaches the market here, our doctors will assess whether it fits within the treatment program.
- Prescription-only once available, after assessment by a doctor
- Part of a program with a lifestyle course
Daily tablet
Semaglutide
Novo Nordisk
Where does approval stand?
On 14 July 2026 the European Commission approved the Wegovy pill (a daily tablet with 25 mg semaglutide) for adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition. Novo Nordisk plans to launch the pill in more countries in the second half of 2026; there is no date for the Netherlands yet. Until then, the Wegovy pill is not available here, not even with a prescription.
This page is updated as soon as there is official news.
How to take Wegovy pil
A tablet asks for a fixed moment in the day, and here that is not a detail. Take it at another moment and your body absorbs too little of the active substance.
- 1
On an empty stomach, on waking
One tablet with a sip of water, after a night of at least eight hours without food.
- 2
Half an hour of waiting
During that half hour, no food, no drink and no other medicines.
- 3
Then breakfast
After that half hour you eat and drink as usual. The same time every day helps.
Why that half hour?
Semaglutide is a peptide, and stomach acid breaks peptides down. That is why the tablet contains a carrier that makes absorption through the stomach wall possible. Eating or drinking during that half hour disturbs that absorption. Rybelsus, the semaglutide tablet already registered here for type 2 diabetes, asks exactly the same for exactly the same reason.
This is how it is set out in the European approval. The instructions that will apply in the Netherlands will be in the official patient leaflet.
Four strengths, built up in steps
The European approval covers four strengths. Starting low is clinical guideline: your body adjusts and side effects stay limited.
1.5 mg
Starting strength
The lowest of the four strengths, to let your body adjust.
4 mg
Building up
The first step up, once the starting strength is well tolerated.
9 mg
Building up or maintenance
The second step up. If it suits you well, this can also stay your regular dose.
25 mg
Highest strength
The dose used in the OASIS 4 trial.
The European Medicines Agency approved these four strengths. In which steps and over how many weeks a doctor builds them up will be set out in the Dutch patient leaflet.
Your treatment is more than medication alone.
- Medical intake and guidance by a Dutch doctor
- Online lifestyle programme on food, exercise, sleep and stress
- Tailored treatment plan with a dose that suits you
- Discreet home delivery, chilled and delivered fast
What is the difference from the Wegovy injection?
Same active substance, different form. The difference is in how you use it.
| Wegovy pill | Wegovy injection | |
|---|---|---|
| Active substance | semaglutide | semaglutide |
| Administration | a tablet every day | one injection a week with a pen |
| When to take it | on an empty stomach, then wait half an hour | not tied to food or drink |
| Strengths | 1.5 mg to 25 mg | 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg |
| Needles | none | a thin needle, usually barely noticeable |
| Storage | at room temperature | in the fridge until you start using the pen |
| Status in the Netherlands | approved in the EU, not yet available | available on prescription |
You will deliberately not find weight loss percentages side by side here. The tablet and the injection have never been compared directly in a single trial, and separate studies cannot be weighed against each other. Which form suits you is something a doctor considers with you.
Possible side effects of Wegovy pil
The side effects of the tablet resemble those of the semaglutide injection. Most complaints are in the stomach and intestines and are often temporary, especially in the first weeks and after a dose increase.
- nausea
- diarrhoea or constipation
- vomiting
- stomach ache
- reduced appetite
More serious side effects occur less often, such as gallstones or inflammation of the pancreas. Always read the official patient leaflet and report complaints to your doctor or pharmacist.
Who is Wegovy pil intended for?
- Adults with obesity, meaning a BMI of 30 or higher
- Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have a weight-related condition
- Always alongside adjusted nutrition and more exercise
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding
- With certain thyroid conditions in the family
- After a previous inflammation of the pancreas
This list is not complete. Once the pill is available in the Netherlands, a doctor weighs your situation, your health and your medication use before writing a prescription.
Who checks this page
This page was written and checked by the Lean Clinic medical team. We rely on what the medicines regulators publish and on published research. If anything changes there, we update the page.
Lean Clinic B.V. · AGB 22222155
View the sourcesStill deciding between treatments?
During the online consultation the doctor advises what suits you best.
Frequently asked questions about Wegovy pil
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Read our articles about medical weight loss, lifestyle, nutrition, medication, obesity, exercise and healthy living.
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