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What are oral GLP-1s?
The pill-form alternative to weight loss injections, explained.
What's in the guide?
Orals, tablets, pills, call them whatever feels right. This guide gives you the facts from the clinicians who work with this every day, including how the medications work, what they cost, and a rundown on side effects and regain.
What the evidence shows
Real trial results: up to 13.6% body weight loss in 64 weeks.1
Special considerations
Some oral GLP-1s require a particular morning routine to unlock the medication's full effect.
Week-by-week journey
From your first dose to month six and beyond.
Side effects
The common ones, the rare ones, and what actually helps.
Maintenance
The three habits that make your results stick.
of adults in the UK have a needle phobia*
average weight loss on 25mg oral semaglutide¹
average weight loss on 36mg orforglipron²
tablet per day as a standard dose
Can you get oral GLP-1s in the UK?
Oral GLP-1 tablets aren't currently available in the UK.
Before becoming available, they would need approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). If approved, further guidance from NICE would determine NHS availability.
We’re anticipating June or July for Wegovy, and end of 2026 for orforglipron. At present, Wegovy injections remain the only semaglutide formulation licensed for weight management in the UK.
In the meantime, Numan provides access to licensed, MHRA-approved weight loss treatments alongside structured clinical supervision, regular monitoring, and behavioural support. If new therapies become available in the future, being under ongoing clinical care ensures you're in the strongest position to discuss next steps safely and appropriately.
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What's coming?
Two phase 3 trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine have reported results for oral GLP-1 treatments.
OASIS 4 (307 adults, 64 weeks): Participants taking oral semaglutide 25mg alongside lifestyle support lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight, versus 2.2% with placebo.1
ATTAIN-1 (3,127 adults, 72 weeks): Participants taking orforglipron 36mg alongside diet and activity guidance lost an average of 11.2%, versus 2.1% with placebo.2
Both trials enrolled adults with a BMI of 30+ or 27+ with a weight-related health condition. Results are averages from controlled settings. The individual outcomes varied, and the two trials cannot be directly compared.
| Weight loss achieved | Semaglutide tablets¹ (25mg) | Placebo | Orforglipron² (36mg) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥5% body weight loss | 76% | 31% | — | — |
| ≥10% body weight loss | 60% | 14% | 54.6% | 12.9% |
| ≥15% body weight loss | 47% | 6% | 36% | 5.9% |
| ≥20% body weight loss | 28% | 3% | 18.4% | 2.8% |
New oral GLP-1s
Know the difference
Same receptor. Different molecules. Different practical requirements. Our guide covers both in full.
Overview
A peptide molecule that needs a carrier (SNAC) to survive stomach acid. Requires a strict morning protocol to work, but produces results comparable to the injection.1
How it's taken
Take on an empty stomach with up to 120ml of water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications. Stored in room temperature.
Special considerations
The active ingredient is semaglutide, which is the same molecule found in Wegovy, the injectable GLP-1 treatment. It has been shown to achieve average weight loss of up to 13.6%.1
Overview
Orforglipron doesn't need any specific timing or fasting restraints, to absorb properly. Take it with or without food, at any time of day.²
How it's taken
Orforglipron requires no fasting. It has dose-dependent weight loss ranging from 7.5% to 11.2%.2
Special considerations
Orforglipron is a small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is a new class of treatment. Unlike semaglutide and every other approved GLP-1, it's a non-peptide compound: not structurally derived from the GLP-1 hormone itself.2
What to expect
The journey, in four steps
Oral GLP-1s builds over time. Here's how:
WEEKS 1-4
Building the habit
Low starting dose. Establishing the morning routine. Most people don't notice dramatic changes yet.
WEEKS 5-8
Appetite shifts
Appetite starts to reduce. Smaller portions feel satisfying. Dose typically increases during this phase.
WEEKS 8-16
Consistent progress
Most patients see steady, measurable weight loss. Titration continues toward maintenance dose.
WEEKS 16+
Full effect
At maintenance dose, weight loss continues. Most trials show full effect after a few months.
FAQs
Your questions answered
KNOWLEDGE
Learn more about our weight loss treatments
References
*Internal data
Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, Duque do Vale R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(11):1077–87.
Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, Alfaris NF, Ciudin A, Yokote K, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(18):1796–806.
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