Pharmacist-led · GPhC registered
Wegovy tablets,
explained by your pharmacist.
UK approved
Oral semaglutide
Once-daily tablet
The UK's first GLP-1 weight management tablet has been approved. Balance Pharmacy is preparing a pharmacist-led consultation service — available online or in branch — for eligible patients who would like to understand their options.
- Once-daily oral tablet — no injection
- Reviewed by a qualified UK pharmacist
- Online or in-branch consultation — your choice
Prescription-only medicine. Registration does not guarantee treatment — suitability would be assessed by a pharmacist.
The medicine
What is the Wegovy tablet?
Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss and weight management in adults. It is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, as part of a wider lifestyle approach.
- Format
- Once-daily oral tablet
- Taken
- On an empty stomach with water
- Alongside
- Reduced-calorie diet and physical activity
Results at a glance
What the clinical study showed.
Headline figures from the 64-week Wegovy® pill trial of 307 adults living with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition — alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
0%
Average body-weight loss
Adults taking the Wegovy® pill lost on average 14% of their starting body weight over 64 weeks, compared with 2.4% on placebo.
~0 lb
Average weight lost
Roughly 15 kg from a 235 lb (~107 kg) average starting weight — alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
0%
Lost 5% or more
More than three in four adults on the Wegovy® pill lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with 31% on placebo.
0%
Lost 20% or more
Around one in four adults achieved 20% or more weight loss, compared with 3% on placebo, in the same 64-week study.
In the same study, adults also experienced improvements in waist size, cholesterol and blood sugar. Some adults experienced an increase in resting heart rate.
Source: Wegovy® (semaglutide) pill 64-week medical study of 307 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) and at least one weight-related medical problem; adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded. Individual results vary. UK availability, indications and suitability differ — any treatment would be subject to clinical assessment and prescription by a pharmacist or clinician.
How the dose builds up
A gradual, once-daily schedule.
The tablet dose is stepped up over roughly three months so the body has time to adjust. The prescriber decides when — and whether — to move to the next dose based on response and tolerability.
1.5 mg
once daily
Days 1–30
4 mg
once daily
Days 31–60
9 mg
once daily
Days 61–90
25 mg
once daily
Day 91 and onward
Illustrative schedule. The prescriber personalises dose and timing based on individual response, side effects and clinical judgement — not everyone reaches the highest dose, and some people stay on a lower dose long-term.
Who it may be for
Suitability is always assessed individually.
UK approval
"Semaglutide tablets may be prescribed to adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition."
Final suitability
"Depends on individual medical history, current medicines, BMI, risk factors, and a pharmacist or clinician assessment."
A neutral comparison
Tablet or injection?
Both forms are prescription-only and require a clinical assessment. Neither is inherently better — what's appropriate depends on the individual.
Oral
Tablet
Weekly
Injection
- How it is taken
How it is taken · Tablet
Swallowed as a tabletHow it is taken · Injection
Self-administered injection- Routine
Routine · Tablet
Once daily, on an empty stomachRoutine · Injection
Once weekly- Consultation
Consultation · Tablet
RequiredConsultation · Injection
Required- Prescription
Prescription · Tablet
Prescription-onlyPrescription · Injection
Prescription-only- Suitability
Suitability · Tablet
Clinical assessment neededSuitability · Injection
Clinical assessment needed
Flexible appointments
Choose how you'd like to speak to us.
Two ways to start the conversation with our pharmacy team.
Online consultation
Speak to our pharmacy team from home via a secure online consultation platform. A convenient option if you cannot easily visit the branch.
- Secure video consultation
- Pharmacist-led assessment
- Convenient from home
- Clear next steps if suitable
In-branch consultation
Visit Balance Pharmacy for a private, face-to-face consultation with our pharmacy team.
- Private consultation room
- Local pharmacy support
- Face-to-face guidance
- Ongoing support available
Why Balance Pharmacy
Pharmacist-led care, your way.
The advantage of speaking to a real pharmacist — online or in branch, from a team your community already trusts.
How it works
A simple, unhurried process.
Led by your local pharmacy team — no online funnel, no pressure.
01
Register your interest
Complete the short form and tell us whether you prefer an online or in-branch consultation.
02
We contact you
Our team will contact you when appointments become available and explain the next steps.
03
Choose your consultation
Book either a secure online consultation or an appointment at our branch.
04
Pharmacist assessment
Our pharmacy team will review your suitability and explain appropriate options if the service is right for you.
Side effects & safety
What to know before you speak to us.
Like all medicines, semaglutide can cause side effects. We believe in being upfront — so you can make an informed decision with your pharmacist.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered.
Pharmacist-led care
Curious about oral weight management?
Register your interest and Balance Pharmacy will be in touch when consultations open — online or in branch.