Prescription weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy have dominated headlines in recent years. But thanks to the arrival of the Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 licensed for weight loss, some of the best weight loss results are now possible as an alternative to GLP-1 injections.
The Wegovy pill joins established weight management tablets such as Orlistat and Mysimba, and another oral GLP-1, Foundayo, is expected to be available towards the end of this year. But with more weight reduction tablets that actually work than ever before, choosing the right treatment isn't always straightforward.
In this guide, we compare the best weight loss tablets in the UK, explaining how they work, what results you can expect, and how newer GLP-1 tablets compare with older weight loss medications.
View weight loss tablets currently available or sign up for updates about new GLP1 tablets.
Please note: Orforglipron (Foundayo) is not currently licensed in the UK and all information below is purely for educational purposes.
In this article:
What weight loss tablets are available in the UK?
What weight loss pills are coming soon?
Who can take prescription weight loss pills?
Do weight loss pills actually work?
How quickly do weight loss pills work?
What are the side effects of weight loss tablets?
Which is the best weight loss tablet for you?
Considering weight loss tablets?
What weight loss tablets are available in the UK?
Your current options for oral weight loss medications in the UK include the Wegovy pill, Orlistat, and Mysimba, all of which work in different ways to support weight loss.
Wegovy pill
The Wegovy pill is a new oral weight tablet. It contains a medicine called Semaglutide, a GLP-1 and exactly the same active ingredient used in Wegovy injections, but in tablet form.
Clinical trials have shown an average weight loss of 14–17% of baseline, making it the most effective weight loss tablet available in the UK (1). It achieves this weight loss by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 to help you:
Feel fuller with smaller portions
Think less about food
Slow down digestion
Over time, this leads to gradual, sustainable weight loss.
The Wegovy pill has very specific instructions. To help the body absorb it properly, it must be taken:
First thing in the morning
On an empty stomach (8 hours after last eating)
With a small amount of water (no more than 120ml)
At least 30 minutes before food, drinks, or other medications (2).
Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
The most effective weight loss tablet available in the UK based on clinical trials, achieving between 13.6-16.6% average weight loss (1). | Strict instructions on how to take the Wegovy pill correctly, which some people may find hard to follow consistently (2). | |
Contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy injections in a convenient tablet form and is broadly as effective. | Digestive side effects like nausea and vomiting are very common, with 74% of people in trials reporting digestive symptoms (1). | |
Provides a needle-free way to access GLP-1 weight loss medications. | Most expensive weight loss tablet currently available in the UK. | |
An appetite suppressant tablet that helps people feel fuller for longer and changes the way people think about food. | The Wegovy pill is not currently available on the NHS and can only be purchased privately. | |
Clinical trials have shown it can also improve blood sugar control and cardiovascular health. | ||
Oral Semaglutide has been licensed as a diabetes drug (brand name Rybelsus) since 2020, so it has a fair amount of real-world data. |
Orlistat
Orlistat is one of the most widely prescribed weight loss capsules in the UK and has been used in clinical practice for many years. It is designed to be taken with each main meal that contains fat, up to three times per day. It tends to work best when people are already making improvements to their diet.
It works in the digestive system by blocking an enzyme called lipase, which normally breaks down fat from the food we eat. This means some fat passes through the body without being absorbed, helping reduce calorie intake and support weight loss.
The amount of dietary fat blocked from being absorbed depends on the strength of the tablet:
120mg capsules (Xenical and generic Orlistat) block around 30% of dietary fat absorption (3)
However, you can buy the lower strength tablets over the counter from a UK pharmacy, while the higher strength tablets are prescription weight loss pills.
Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
First prescription weight loss pill in the UK, with over 25 years of real-world use. | Less average weight loss than GLP-1 pills like the Wegovy tablet. | |
Widely available from most UK pharmacies and relatively inexpensive, with branded and generic versions available. | Should be taken with every fat-containing meal, meaning multiple capsules throughout the day. | |
Works locally in the gut, with very little medicine absorbed into the bloodstream and few systemic side effects. | Doesn’t reduce appetite, food noise, or cravings. | |
Can be purchased over the counter at lower strengths without a prescription. | Can cause unpleasant digestive side effects, particularly after high-fat meals (such as oily stools, urgently needing to go to the bathroom, and wind). | |
Lower BMI threshold when buying over the counter (BMI ≥28) than prescription weight management medicines. |
MySimba
Mysimba contains two medicines, bupropion and naltrexone. Rather than acting in the gut, both these medicines act on areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and food cravings (4).
By influencing these pathways, Mysimba can help reduce hunger and make it easier for some people to maintain a calorie deficit and eat healthily. This can be particularly useful if you find food noise or persistent hunger makes weight loss difficult.
The dose of Mysimba is usually increased gradually over several weeks under medical supervision, but it is not available on the NHS.
Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
Targets the reward centres in the brain to reduce appetite and food cravings. | Less average weight loss than new oral GLP-1s like the Wegovy tablet. | |
May be particularly helpful to support weight loss in people with emotional eating, food noise, or cravings. | Not suitable for people with certain mental health conditions, seizure disorders or uncontrolled hypertension. | |
More cost-effective than oral GLP-1 tablets. | The maintenance dose is two tablets twice each day (four tablets in total), rather than a simple once-daily pill (5). | |
If at least 5% weight loss from starting body weight is not achieved within 16 weeks, treatment will be stopped (4). | ||
Only available on private prescription. |
View weight loss tablets currently available or sign up for updates about new GLP1 tablets.
What weight loss pills are coming soon?
Foundayo
Foundayo (its US brand name) contains the active ingredient Orforglipron, another once-daily tablet that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to help you feel fuller, reduce your appetite, and support lower calorie intake.
Like oral semaglutide, digestive symptoms are the most common Orforglipron side effects. But it does not require the same strict fasting instructions, which some people may find more convenient. As long as it’s taken at the same time each day, you can choose the time that best fits your routine.
Foundayo has already been approved in the US and is currently undergoing regulatory review in over 40 countries, including the UK (5). Private prescribing in the UK may become possible later in 2026, although NHS access would likely take significantly longer.
Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
Once-daily oral GLP-1 medicine that can be taken at any time of day without fasting requirements. | Still pending MHRA approval and is currently not licensed or available for prescribing. | |
Simpler to take than oral Semaglutide. | Long-term real-world data is limited. | |
Access to GLP-1 weight loss treatments without weekly injections or needles. | Like other GLP-1s, digestive side effects are very common, reported by 60 to 69% of patients in clinical trials depending on dose (6). | |
Can lead to an average weight loss of 11–12% of starting body weight over 72 weeks (6). | Pricing unconfirmed but likely similar to the Wegovy tablet and GLP-1 weight loss injections. |
View weight loss tablets currently available or sign up for updates about new GLP1 tablets.
How do these weight loss tablets compare?
If you're trying to choose between the best weight loss tablets, capsules or prescription weight loss medications, comparing them side by side can make the decision much easier.
The table below summarises the key differences between the current and upcoming options in the UK, including how they work, the amount of weight loss seen in clinical trials, common side effects and typical treatment costs.
Wegovy pill | Orlistat | Mysimba | Foundayo | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Orlistat | Naltrexone and Bupropion | Orforglipron | |
How it works | GLP-1 appetite suppressant | Blocks fat absorption | Reduces appetite & cravings | GLP-1 appetite suppressant | |
Average weight loss | 14–17% | ~5–10% | ~5–9% | 11–12% | |
Common side effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea | Oily stools, urgency, wind | Nausea, dry mouth, insomnia | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea | |
How it's taken | Once daily (empty stomach) | With fat-containing meals | Twice daily | Once daily | |
Typical monthly cost | ~£79–£170 | ~£20–£60 | ~£90–£120 | TBC (likely similar to Wegovy) | |
Available in the UK? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
Prescription? | Yes | 120mg: Yes 60mg: No | Yes | Expected | |
May suit people who... | Want the greatest weight loss | Want a lower-cost or OTC option | Struggle with cravings | Want a more convenient GLP-1 tablet |
How can you choose the best weight loss tablet?
There isn’t a single top-rated weight loss pill for everyone. In reality, the “best” option depends on your health, your goals and what fits realistically into your lifestyle.
During your consultation, your prescriber will consider the following factors before recommending a treatment, so it's worth thinking about which are most important to you.
How much weight do you want to lose?
If you're hoping to lose a significant amount of weight, newer GLP-1 tablets such as the Wegovy tablet (and Orforglipron once it becomes available) are expected to produce greater average weight loss than both Orlistat and MySimba.
But GLP-1 treatments are only available if you meet certain BMI criteria, whereas lower-strength Orlistat weight loss capsules can be bought over the counter if you have a BMI of 28 or above.
Your starting BMI, weight loss goals and eligibility will all influence which options are available to you.
What’s stopping you from losing weight?
Different weight management medications tackle weight loss in different ways, so the best slimming tablets for you depend on your biggest barrier to losing weight.
If you struggle with hunger or food noise, GLP-1 tablets may be the better fit because they help reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. If you don't struggle with appetite but want help reducing the calories your body absorbs from fatty meals, Orlistat may be a better option.
Mysimba sits somewhere in between, working as an appetite suppressant tablet by acting on areas of the brain involved in hunger and cravings, but not to the same extent as GLP-1 medications.
What’s your budget?
There is a big price range for weight loss tablets in the UK. While generic Orlistat is relatively affordable, GLP-1 pills are much more expensive, costing upwards of around £80 per month.
Weight loss pills support steady weight loss over several months or longer, so it’s worth thinking beyond the price for the first month of treatment. Choosing a treatment you can comfortably afford long term may give you the best chance of reaching and maintaining your goals.
Will it fit into your daily routine?
The best weight loss tablet is one you'll remember to take correctly. For example, the Wegovy tablet must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before waiting 30 minutes to eat or drink, while Orlistat is taken with fat-containing meals (2,7).
If a dosing schedule doesn't fit your lifestyle, another option may be easier to stick with, and you may see better weight loss as a result.
Which side effects would concern you most?
Every weight loss medication can cause side effects, but they aren't the same for every treatment.
Because Orlistat works directly in the gut, it's most commonly associated with bowel-related symptoms such as oily stools and urgently needing to go to the toilet.
GLP-1 tablets are also most likely to cause digestive side effects, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but can also cause symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue and hair loss.
Mysimba commonly causes nausea too, alongside side effects such as dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
Thinking about which side effects you would find most difficult to live with can help you decide which treatment is the best fit for you.
Do you have any other health conditions?
Some weight loss pills aren't suitable if you have certain medical conditions or take particular medications. For example, Mysimba isn't suitable for people with a history of seizures, while GLP-1 medicines may not be appropriate for people with certain thyroid conditions.
During your consultation, your prescriber will review your medical history to make sure any treatment recommended is both safe and appropriate for you.
Our verdict: which weight loss medication is best?
There isn't one weight loss tablet that's best for everyone.
If you're eligible, newer GLP-1 tablets produce the greatest average weight loss. However, older medicines such as Orlistat and Mysimba still have advantages for some people, whether that's lower cost, over-the-counter availability or a different way of working.
Orlistat may suit you if you want a long-established treatment that works by reducing fat absorption. It’s also the only weight loss capsule available over-the-counter, but it doesn’t cause as much weight loss on average as GLP-1s and must be taken with every meal.
MySimba may be suitable if you struggle with emotional eating or “food noise” but don’t want to pay for more expensive oral GLP-1 treatments. But it doesn’t cause as much weight loss on average as these newer medicines.
The Wegovy pill may appeal if you want weight loss results closer to GLP-1 injections, but prefer to take a tablet. But it does require strict dosing instructions that won’t work with everyone’s routines and is the most expensive appetite suppressant tablet.
Orforglipron may be a good option if you want a convenient once-daily oral GLP-1 without the strict fasting rules required for oral Semaglutide. But it’s not currently available in the UK and will likely be one of the most expensive weight loss tablets when it does launch.
A healthcare professional can help you decide whether a particular medication is suitable for you.
Considering weight loss tablets?
If you’re thinking about weight loss medication, speaking with a healthcare professional can help you understand whether and which medication may be appropriate for you.
At Oxford Online Pharmacy, our UK-registered independent doctors and pharmacists can assess your medical history, lifestyle, and treatment goals to help you explore suitable options. Weight management looks different for everyone, and finding the right support can make the journey feel that bit more manageable.
View weight loss tablets currently available or sign up for updates about new GLP1 tablets.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the strongest weight loss tablet?
Based on clinical trials, the Wegovy tablet produces more average weight loss than all other weight loss pills and slimming tablets currently available in the UK. In studies, participants lost 14–17% of their starting weight over 71 weeks (3)
Which weight loss tablet works the quickest?
All weight reduction pills are designed to support gradual sustainable weight loss over several months, rather than rapid changes. That said, the Wegovy tablet appears to produce the greatest average weight loss over a year when combined with healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Which weight loss tablet can I get the fastest?
Orlistat and Mysimba are available now and can be delivered as soon as the next day if you're eligible following an online consultation. The Wegovy tablet is available to pre-order, with shipping expected to begin in early July 2026. Orforglipron has not yet been approved in the UK.
References
1. Wharton S, Ildiko Lingvay, Bogdanski P, Duque R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 17;393(11):1077–87
2. Wegovy 1.5 mg tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) | 102344 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2025 [cited 2026 Jul 5].
3. National Health Service. Treatment - Obesity [Internet]. NHS. NHS; 2023.
4. Mysimba 8 mg/90 mg prolonged-release tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) | 2684 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2023.
5. Mysimba 8 mg/90 mg prolonged-release tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) | 2684 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2025 [cited 2026 Jul 5].
6. 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. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 16;
7. Onakpoya IJ, Lee JJ, Mahtani KR, Aronson JK, Heneghan CJ. Naltrexone–bupropion (Mysimba) in management of obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of unpublished clinical study reports. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2020 Feb 4;86(4):646–67.
8. Xenical 120 mg hard capsules - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk.