Prescription weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy have dominated headlines in recent years. But people are now searching for something different: the best weight loss tablets.
This growing interest is partly because of newer medicines like the Wegovy pill and Orforglipron, two oral GLP-1 treatments expected to become available in the UK in 2026. Alongside these newer options, established weight loss pills such as Orlistat, Orlos, and Mysimba are already available.
If you’re considering weight loss tablets, it’s normal to wonder which option might be best for you. In this guide, we explain the different types of weight loss pills, how they work, what results you can realistically expect, and how the newer GLP-1 tablets for weight loss compare to older treatments.
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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?
Several oral medicines can be used to support weight loss. The tablets available in the UK work in two main ways: reducing fat absorption or helping regulate appetite and cravings.
Orlistat
Orlistat is one of the most widely prescribed weight loss tablets 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 (1)
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.
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 (2).
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.
View weight loss tablets currently available or sign up for updates about new GLP-1 tablets: Wegovy Pill and Orforglipron.
What weight loss pills are coming soon?
A new generation of weight loss tablets known as oral GLP-1 medicines is expected to change weight management treatment over the next few years. Although they aren’t available yet, there are two currently awaiting UK regulatory approval.
Wegovy pill
The Wegovy pill 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 one of the most anticipated tablets currently under regulatory review (3). It has already received approval in the US, with UK availability for private prescribing expected sometime between June and August 2026.
The medicine works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 to help you:
Feel fuller with smaller portions
Think less about food
Slow down digestion
Semaglutide tablets for weight loss have very specific instructions. They must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, at least 30 minutes before food, drinks, or other medications, to help the body absorb it properly (4).
Orforglipron
Orforglipron (brand name Foundayo in the US) is another new GLP-1 tablet for weight loss expected to reach the UK in the future.
Like Wegovy, it is a once-daily tablet that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to help you feel fuller, reduce your appetite, and support lower calorie intake. But unlike oral semaglutide, it does not require the same strict fasting instructions, which may make it more convenient for some people.
Orforglipron 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.
Find out which weight loss tablets are available right now or pre-order the 1.5mg Wegovy Pill.
Who can take weight loss pills?
Weight loss pills aren’t for everyone. They’re specifically designed for people living with obesity or people who are overweight and experiencing negative health implications because of their weight. This means that you have (1-2):
A BMI of 30 or more, or
A BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related health condition (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes)
Lower-strength OTC treatments, such as Orlos, may be suitable for people with a BMI of 28 or above.
Weight loss medicines are also not suitable for people with certain medical conditions or health histories. This is why you have to speak to a doctor (or, in the case of Orlos, a pharmacist) before starting treatment. They will advise whether or not the tablets are safe and effective for you.
Although the final UK prescribing criteria for newer GLP-1 tablets like the Wegovy pill and Orforglipron have not yet been confirmed, they are expected to follow similar eligibility criteria.
Do weight loss pills actually work?
All weight loss pills available at Oxford Online Pharmacy are licensed medicines that have undergone clinical testing and are proven to help support healthy, sustainable weight loss in most people. But the amount of weight loss varies depending on the medicine used.
Clinical trials suggest that newer GLP-1 tablets may lead to greater average weight loss than older tablet treatments. People taking the Wegovy pill lost around 13–17% of their body weight on average, while Orforglipron studies have shown average weight loss of around 12–14% (3,6).
Regardless of the medicine used, results are usually best when you also:
Follow a balanced, calorie-controlled diet
Increase physical activity
Reduce alcohol intake
Stay well hydrated
Manage stress
Get enough sleep
That said, results vary from person to person. Some people respond well to a particular medicine, while others may find a different one suits them better.
How quickly do weight loss pills work?
Weight loss tablets are designed to support gradual weight loss, rather than rapid changes. Some people begin to notice small changes in the first month, while others need a little longer.
How quickly you see results can depend on several factors, including:
Your starting weight and BMI
How consistently you take the medication
Your diet and activity levels
Whether the medicine targets the main barrier to your weight loss
For example, weight loss pills containing Orlistat only work if there is fat in the meals you eat, because they block its absorption.
Newer GLP-1 tablets, such as the oral Semaglutide and Orforglipron, work differently by regulating hunger signals. Some people notice appetite changes within the first few weeks, but the most weight loss usually develops gradually over several months, with clinical trials typically measuring full results after around 1 year of treatment.
It’s also worth remembering that steady weight loss is more sustainable long-term. Rather than focusing on how quickly you’re losing weight, focus on whether the treatment is helping you make consistent progress and keep up with healthier habits.
What are the side effects of weight loss tablets?
Like all medicines, weight loss tablets can cause side effects:
Orlistat side effects: For medicines containing Orlistat, common side effects are related to fat digestion and include oily stools, tummy ache, flatulence, and urgent bowel movements (1). These side effects often improve when dietary fat intake is reduced.
MySimba side effects: As MySimba works in the brain, it has different common side effects that reach outside of the gut. They include nausea, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping (7).
GLP-tablet side effects: GLP-1 tablets for weight loss cause side effects similar to GLP-1 injections, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain (3,6). The side effects are usually most noticeable when starting treatment or increasing your dose.
Not everyone will get side effects. Even when two people take the same medication, their experience can be very different. However, knowing what to expect before starting treatment can help you make an informed decision and feel more prepared.
Which is the best weight loss tablet for you?
In terms of average weight loss, the newer GLP-1 tablets are expected to outperform older weight loss medicines like Orlistat and MySimba.
But the “best” option isn’t necessarily associated with the greatest weight loss.
The right treatment depends on your lifestyle, medical history, eating habits, preferences, and what you feel comfortable continuing long term. Different weight loss pills may suit different people:
Orlistat may suit you if you want a long-established treatment that works by reducing fat absorption without affecting appetite. Lower-strength versions like Orlos and Alli can also be bought over the counter, making them more accessible than prescription-only treatments.
MySimba may be more suitable if you struggle with frequent hunger, cravings, emotional eating, or “food noise”, as it works on appetite pathways in the brain. GLP-1 treatments also help with this, but MySimba is currently the only one already available in the UK.
The Wegovy pill may appeal if you want weight loss results closer to GLP-1 injections, but prefer to take a tablet. However, it does require strict dosing instructions and needs to be taken on an empty stomach with water before food or other medicines.
Orforglipron (Foundayo) may be a good option if you want a more convenient once-daily GLP-1 tablet without the strict fasting rules required for oral Semaglutide. However, it is also a newer medicine with less long-term real-world experience than older treatments like Orlistat.
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 tablets, 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.
Discover which weight loss tablets are currently available or pre-order the starting dose of the Wegovy Pill now.
References
National Health Service. Treatment - Obesity [Internet]. NHS. NHS; 2023.
EMA. Mysimba [Internet]. European Medicines Agency. 2018.
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
Wegovy pill [Internet]. Wegovy.com. 2026.
Lintern S. No more needles — a weight-loss pill is on its way to Britain [Internet]. Thetimes.com. The Sunday Times; 2025 [cited 2026 May 28].
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;
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.