Australia Approves Wegovy Tablets for Weight Management

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved four strengths of Wegovy tablets for weight management, marking the first time a GLP-1 medicine in tablet form is approved specifically for this use in the country.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a medicine that mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.

The tablets are intended for adults with obesity or those who are overweight and have weight-related health conditions, as well as some individuals with cardiovascular disease.

The tablet must be taken daily on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, with a 30-minute wait before eating or drinking anything else. It includes an absorption aid to help it work effectively despite stomach acid.

Both the tablet and injection versions show similar weight loss rates, with the tablet achieving 14% body weight loss over 64–68 weeks and the injection showing 15% reduction. However, the tablet requires daily adherence and strict timing around meals.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and constipation, while less common but more serious side effects include kidney injury, pancreatitis, and gallbladder problems.

Higher doses increase the severity of side effects, and doubling the dose is not recommended. The TGA will finalize packaging, production, and pricing before the tablets are available in Australia, expected by the end of the year.

Wegovy tablets are not currently subsidized through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), so patients will likely pay the full cost, similar to the weekly injection, which ranges from A$250 to A$450 per month.

The TGA has approved Wegovy tablets to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, with lifestyle changes recommended to avoid muscle loss and prevent weight regain after stopping the medication.