The United States Approves a First Tablet Version of a Leading Treatment for Weight Loss

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a first tablet version of a leading anti-obesity treatment for patients looking to lose weight, announced the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk on Monday. This approval is expected to facilitate access to these already popular weight-loss treatments in the U.S., which many experts consider revolutionary for weight management.

Originally developed for diabetes, treatments such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound mimic a gastrointestinal hormone (GLP-1) that plays a role in appetite regulation.

Initially available as injectable solutions, they are now being adapted into tablet form for easier administration.

"Wegovy tablets," named after Novo Nordisk's flagship injectable treatment, thus become the "first (...) oral GLP-1 treatment approved for weight management" in the United States, the company stated in its announcement. U.S. health authorities had previously approved another tablet version of these successful treatments, but not for weight loss.

Due to the significant weight loss they can induce, these treatments have gained considerable popularity in recent years, especially in the U.S., where about 40% of adults suffer from obesity, a chronic disease.

However, their very high cost, which can exceed $1,000 per month in the country, makes them inaccessible to many patients.