- People with overweight or obesity who switched from an injectable GLP-1 weight loss medication to the Wegovy (semaglutide) pill lost an average of 4.1% of their body weight over 3 months.
- After 3 months, about 2 in 5 participants had lost at least 5% of their body weight.
- The proportion of participants with obesity decreased by 21.6 percentage points, from 87.1% at the start of the study to 65.5% after 3 months.
The study is among the first real-world analyses to examine weight loss and treatment experiences among people who switched from an injectable weight loss medication to oral semaglutide (Wegovy).
However, while real-world studies like this can provide useful insights into how treatments work in everyday life, these findings do not prove that switching to the Wegovy pill caused the weight loss.
The results have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
This was a retrospective cohort analysis evaluating weight change, treatment adherence, and patient satisfaction after people switched from injectable semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) to oral semaglutide for weight management.
Participants had no history of diabetes or bariatric surgery and had an average baseline weight of 221.6 pounds (100.5 kg) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 34.5 kg/m2.
Participants switched from an injectable GLP-1 medication to oral semaglutide between January 5 and February 7, 2026. There was no requirement for how long they had used an injectable medication or how much weight they had lost before switching.
Participants were required to use oral semaglutide regularly for 3 months and self-report their weight within 30 days of starting treatment and again at the end of the study period.
After 3 months of taking oral semaglutide, participants had lost an average of 4.1% of their body weight, or 8.8 pounds.
At the 3-month mark, 2 in 5 participants (40.7%) had lost 5% or more of their body weight.
The proportion of participants with a BMI of 30 or greater also decreased by 21.6 percentage points, from 87.1% at baseline to 65.5% after 3 months.
Most participants (82.4%) reported at least one treatment improvement. Around 69% reported better-fitting clothes, and around 51% reported eating healthier.
Betul Hatipoglu, MD, Medical Director, Diabetes & Metabolic Center at University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, who wasn’t involved in the study, told Healthline that, “These findings are encouraging because they suggest that some people can continue losing weight after switching to oral treatment.”
However, she also noted, “I would view this as promising early evidence supporting another treatment option, rather than proof that switching improves results.”
Mir Ali, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who wasn’t involved in the study, noted that because the oral medication is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, less of it reaches the bloodstream compared to the injectable form.
However, oral semaglutide can still be effective for weight loss.
“While studies show that the injectable form is more efficacious, current findings demonstrate that the oral version is also effective for weight loss,” said Ali.
Some people may prefer the oral form for ease of use and transportation because it does not require refrigeration. However, it must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating, Ali told Healthline.
“Both formulations can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Taking a pill does not eliminate those risks,” Hatipoglu said.
Hatipoglu also said factors to consider include how well your current treatment is working, side effects, your comfort with injections, your daily routine, cost, and insurance coverage.
She added that the decision should be made with a prescribing clinician, who can help plan the transition and monitor your response.
“Both options can be effective, so patients should discuss the risks and benefits of each with their provider. Ultimately, these medications are tools to support a healthier diet and lifestyle, and patients who make these fundamental changes achieve the best results,” said Ali.
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