On December 22, 2025, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s once-daily Wegovy pill (25 mg semaglutide), the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity. 

Approval was supported by the OASIS 4 phase 3 clinical trial, which followed 307 participants without diabetes for 64 weeks. Results showed an average 16.6% weight loss when combined with a reduced calorie diet and exercise, and around 14% weight loss with the pill alone, compared to about 3% loss in the placebo group. 

Safety and tolerability were similar to injectable semaglutide, with the most common side effects including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. 

Novo Nordisk is expected to launch the pill in the U.S. in early January 2026. A starting 1.5 mg dose will be available through pharmacies and telehealth providers, with a cash-pay price of $149/month.

How this may impact your weight loss program

Until now, GLP-1 weight loss programs in med spas have largely revolved around injectable semaglutide (Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Eli Lilly's Zepbound). 

For patients who are hesitant about injections, the convenience of a daily pill lowers barriers to starting and staying on the medication long-term. This convenience could increase adherence and expand your potential patient base.

An oral formulation removes the component of training patients to administer the medication, freeing up your practitioners' time to focus on patient education, lifestyle counseling and monitoring outcomes. A move into prescribing oral medication may increase the use of telehealth and virtual follow-ups for your weight management patients.

Appeal to consumer interest

The approval comes amid social media hype around GLP-1 drugs and next-generation agents like retatrutide, which influencers tout as “GLP3” promising even greater weight loss. While retatrutide and orforglipron are still undergoing clinical trials, demand is clearly high for cutting-edge weight management solutions. 

Med spas that position themselves as trusted, compliant providers will stand out in a crowded market.

Medical weight loss services are becoming a core part of aesthetic wellness offerings, and the newly-approved Wegovy pill will make it easier to integrate medical weight loss into your practice without the logistical complexity of injectables. 

For more coverage on semaglutide and tirzepatide GLP-1 use in med spas, visit our medical weight loss resource page, Medical Weight Loss in a Med Spa Practice, and explore online training for GLP-1 medications in a med spa practice with AmSpa Masters: Medical Weight Loss with Taylor Siemens, NP.