Which weight loss pills are approved in the UK?
As of November 2026, two weight loss tablets are authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK. A third option, generic liraglutide, is an injection and is listed here for completeness.
| Medicine | Type | MHRA authorisation | Routine NHS use for weight loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) | Daily tablet | June 2026 | Not available at the time of writing |
| Orforglipron (Foundayo) | Once-daily tablet | August 2026 | Not available at the time of writing |
| Generic liraglutide | Daily injection | Listed in trade press; check the MHRA database | Not found |
Authorisation means the medicine is licensed for a specific use. It does not mean the NHS will pay for it. Check our NHS guide for Northern Ireland for the current position.
What is the Wegovy pill?
The Wegovy pill contains oral semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the Wegovy injection. It is taken once a day rather than once a week. It is a different medicine with its own licence and dose schedule, so do not swap doses between the pill and the injection.
The MHRA authorised the tablet in June 2026 for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to 30 with at least one weight-related condition, alongside diet and activity changes. Novo Nordisk says it is the first daily GLP-1 weight loss tablet approved in Europe. Trade reports describe the dose as increasing in steps, with at least a month at each step.
In the OASIS 4 trial, people on the tablet lost about 13.6% of their weight on average over 64 weeks, compared with about 2.4% on placebo. This is a secondary summary, so check the trial paper for the exact figures. The tablet is available privately on prescription and is not on the NHS at the time of writing.
What is orforglipron (Foundayo)?
Orforglipron is a small molecule tablet taken once a day. It is a different type of medicine from semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are peptides given by injection. Lilly markets it as Foundayo.
In August 2026 the MHRA authorised orforglipron for weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. The licence also covers type 2 diabetes. The UK label describes a dose increase from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg, with at least one month at each step.
NICE is preparing guidance on orforglipron for overweight and obesity, which is due on 18 November 2026. Check the NICE website for the published version and its recommendation on NHS use.
Is generic liraglutide a weight loss pill?
No. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 medicine given as a daily injection, and it is sometimes described in online guides alongside tablets. Trade press reports that a generic version, sold as Biolide by Biocon, has been authorised for chronic weight management in the UK, as a generic of Saxenda.
Generic liraglutide is currently available privately through prescribing services. Check the MHRA product database for the current licence before you buy, and check that the provider you use is registered. Our buying guide explains how to check.
Which weight loss medicines are not yet approved in the UK?
Two promising medicines are not authorised in the UK as far as we could confirm at the time of writing.
- CagriSema combines cagrilintide and semaglutide. It has been submitted to regulators in other countries, but the UK submission status has been reported inconsistently. Check the MHRA website for an updated position.
- Retatrutide is a triple agonist still in clinical development. Lilly has reportedly planned to file for approval in late 2026, and commercial estimates for UK approval are later than that. It is not authorised in the UK.
The MHRA has seized illegal retatrutide and tirzepatide pens in recent raids. Any product sold as retatrutide and offered for sale in the UK is not an authorised medicine. Do not buy it.
Are weight loss pills as effective as injections?
Trial results for tablets and injections cannot be compared directly, because the populations, designs and lengths differ. The Wegovy pill trial reported about 13.6% average weight loss at 64 weeks, and the injection trial STEP-1 reported 14.9% at 68 weeks. Orforglipron's main trial used a different formulation from the licensed tablet, so do not compare it with the injections.
Some people prefer tablets because they avoid injections, but tablets still cause gastrointestinal side effects, and they still need a plan for dose increases and maintenance. The choice should be made with a prescriber who knows your health history. See our explainer on how injections work for the mechanism behind the injectable options.
How can you check a weight loss tablet is authorised?
Authorised medicines are listed on the MHRA product information database, and each licensed product has a patient information leaflet. Before you take a tablet, check that the name and strength on the pack match the prescription, and that the manufacturer named on the packaging is the company that holds the licence.
If the packaging is missing, the labelling does not match your prescription, or the tablets look different from what you expected, do not take them. Speak to a pharmacist straight away. Keep the packaging so that the pharmacist can check the details.
How do you buy weight loss pills safely in Northern Ireland?
Weight loss tablets are prescription-only medicines in the UK. A legitimate provider will assess you before prescribing, ask for your weight and height, and tell you about side effects and contraindications. Be wary of any service that sells tablets without a consultation.
- Check the pharmacist is registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) if the pharmacy is in Northern Ireland. For pharmacies in Great Britain, check the General Pharmaceutical Council register.
- Avoid unregulated websites and social media sellers. The MHRA warns that prices that look too good to be true, or "miracle results", are warning signs.
- Keep the packaging, leaflet and batch details, and report any suspected side effect through the Yellow Card scheme.
The comparison page lists providers and what each one says about delivery to Northern Ireland, so check the details before you order.