Wegovy® Pill through Hers

The Wegovy® pill works best alongside a diet and exercise plan that suits your lifestyle, not against it. Committing to both gives you the most benefit for your weight and health, even on days when you're not feeling hungry or don't feel like moving.

• Drink water regularly throughout the day. This will support your digestion, while making sure you stay hydrated.

• Include protein in your main meals. Protein helps build and protect your muscles and bones while you lose weight.

• Gentle movement. Whether it's just a walk or a more intensive exercise, moving strengthens your body and is good for the mind.

Small daily habits can make a real difference, even when the changes feel only gradual. You don't have to figure it out alone; a Hers clinician can help and support you at every stage, with a plan that suits your needs.

Biology can be different for men and women, and results from clinical trials don't always tell us exactly how a treatment works for women at different life stages. In OASIS 4, 79% of participants were women*.

A pooled post-hoc analysis of the STEP and OASIS 4 trials looked at weight loss with semaglutide in women at different stages of menopause**.

Over 64 weeks, average weight loss was:

• 18.2% in premenopausal women

• 15.0% in perimenopausal women

• 15.7% in postmenopausal women

The proportion of women who lost at least 15% of their starting body weight was:

• 58.1% of premenopausal women

• 56.5% of perimenopausal women

• 53.4% of postmenopausal women

These results suggest that semaglutide can support substantial weight loss regardless of menopausal stage, although individual results vary.

_{*Wharton S, et al. (2025). Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (OASIS 4).} 

_{**Andrade MDH, Dunsmoor-Su R, Huvinen E, et al. (2025). Semaglutide reduces body weight regardless of menopause status: STEP and OASIS 4 post hoc analysis. Poster presented at ObesityWeek® 2025.}

Wegovy® pills work the same way as the Wegovy® injections, by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that influences your appetite and digestion. It does that by acting on your brain and your gut.

By activating the GLP-1 receptors, the Wegovy® pill leads to a number of changes that help support healthier eating, including:

• Reducing your appetite, so you’re less motivated to overeat

• Reducing how much you think about food, called ‘food noise’

• Increasing how full you feel after eating and how fast you feel full, so it’s easier to stop eating when you’ve had enough

• Slowing down your digestion, which also limits how much you can eat

You may be eligible if you have:

• A BMI of 30 or above

• A BMI of 27 or above, and a weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure

• A BMI of 27.5 or above, if you're of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or Black Caribbean family background (including mixed ethnicity). This lower threshold reflects that health risks linked to weight can start at a lower BMI for these groups

• A BMI of 24.5 or above with a weight-related health condition, for the same ethnic backgrounds

• Already taken Wegovy® pills, or another weight-management medicine, before; this is assessed individually with a Hers clinician

Meeting one of these is a starting point, not a guarantee; a Hers clinician will still check that the Wegovy® pill is right for you as part of your consultation.

Occasionally, a Hers clinician may consider prescribing the Wegovy® pill outside this guidance where it's clinically appropriate, for example, at a slightly lower BMI than listed above. That would fall outside the Wegovy® pill's licensed use, so we'll always talk you through what that means and get your consent first.

BMI is one factor we check, but it doesn't tell us the whole picture. A Hers clinician will check that the Wegovy® pill is safe and suitable for you specifically, as part of your consultation.

Wegovy® pills may not be right for you if you:

• Are under 18, or over 84

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now or within the next 1–2 months

• Have an allergy to semaglutide or any other Wegovy® pill ingredient, or you've had an allergic reaction to another GLP-1 medicine

• Have type 1 diabetes

• Are currently using insulin or a sulfonylurea medicine

• Have diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) or another diabetes-related eye condition

• Have ever had pancreatitis

• Have active gallbladder disease, such as a recent gallstone attack or inflammation. A past history of gallstones without a recent flare-up, or having had your gallbladder removed, doesn't rule you out

• Have severe stomach or bowel problems, such as gastroparesis or a bowel obstruction

• Have severe kidney or liver problems

• Have severe heart failure

• Have thyroid cancer, or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)

• Have ever been diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia

• Have schizophrenia, psychosis, or bipolar disorder that isn't well controlled

• Take lithium

• Are already taking another weight-loss medicine, such as Mounjaro®, Foundayo®, or orlistat

• Have had bariatric, bowel, or other major abdominal surgery in the last 12 weeks

This isn't a complete list. Always tell your Hers clinician about every health condition and medicine you have, and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your Wegovy® pill.

To take your Wegovy® pill correctly:

1. Take your pill on an empty stomach, after at least 8 hours without food or drink. For most people, this naturally lines up with first thing in the morning, but what actually matters is the 8-hour fast, not a specific clock time. If your wake-up time varies, for example, weekdays versus weekends, it's fine to take your pill whenever you wake, as long as it's been at least 8 hours since you last ate or drank anything.

2. Swallow your pill whole with a sip of water, no more than 120ml. Don't take it with coffee, tea, juice, or anything other than plain water, and don't split, crush, or chew it.

3. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other medications. This includes your morning coffee. Waiting less than 30 minutes reduces how much of the medication your body absorbs.

The 4 doses of Wegovy® pill available are:

• 1.5mg – starting dose

• 4mg

• 9mg

• 25mg – maximum daily dose

You can move up a dose after a minimum of 4 weeks on your current dose, so long as you haven’t had any difficult side effects. However, you aren’t obliged to move up every 4 weeks. A Hers clinician can help you find which dose works best for you. Message them any time through your Hers App for extra advice.

Waking up at a different time than usual doesn't automatically mean you've missed a dose. Here's how to tell the difference.

Woke up later than usual? No problem. As long as you haven't eaten or had anything to drink yet, just take your pill whenever you wake up. What matters is at least 8 hours of fasting beforehand, not the time on the clock.

Already had breakfast or a coffee before you remembered? That's a missed dose. Once you've eaten or had a proper drink, your stomach isn't empty anymore, which may reduce absorption. No need to worry; just skip that dose and take your normal one tomorrow, at your usual time.

Important: Never take 2 doses to make up for a missed one. It won't give you the effect of a higher dose, and it can increase your risk of side effects.

If you missed a few doses in a row, or it's been a while since your last one, message a Hers clinician through your Hers App, and they'll help you get back on track safely.

A few ways to help you stay on top of your doses

Since the Wegovy® pill has some extra considerations around when and how you use it, it’s a good idea to give yourself a bit of help remembering when to take it:

• Use a pill box to help keep track of whether you’ve taken a dose today

• Set an alarm on your phone. This should be separate from the alarm you use to wake up

• Use a pill reminder app and be sure to enable notifications

• Keep your pill pack by your bed so it’s the first thing you see when you wake up

• Try to build taking your pill into your morning routine, so it becomes more of a habit than something you have to actively remember

There's no set time when you should increase your dose; increasing your dose is a decision you make for yourself when it's right for you.

Generally, you can move up to the next dose if you've taken your current dose for at least 4 weeks and you're not having problems managing your side effects.

Wegovy® works by copying a hormone that tells your brain you're full and slows down how quickly food moves through your stomach. A higher dose means more of that effect, which is why it can help if your appetite or cravings are still getting in the way. It's also why side effects like nausea tend to get stronger at the same time, so it's a genuine trade-off, not an automatic upgrade.

How will I know when I am ready to increase?

Move up if you're ready for more support with your cravings or appetite:

• You've been on the same dose for at least 4 weeks

• You're tolerating it well

• You're not satisfied with the effects on your cravings, appetite and weight

Stay on the same dose if it's already working, or you just need more time:

• You'd like more time to adjust

• Your side effects are mild and manageable

• Your appetite feels manageable

• Food noise has decreased

• You're happy with the pace you're losing weight

Slow down if things need more time to settle. That's a valid call, not a setback:

• You're experiencing side effects difficult to manage

• You're finding it difficult to eat enough

Novo Nordisk officially recommends the 25mg dose as a maintenance dose. However, if you don’t tolerate it well, a Hers clinician may suggest staying on a lower dose, or switching to the Wegovy® injection instead.

Your dose might change once you’ve reached your goal weight. Your goal will then be to maintain your weight with a dose that you and your clinician will agree on.

May affect more than 1 in 10 people

• Headache

• Feeling sick (nausea)

• Being sick (vomiting)

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

• Feeling weak or tired

• Upset stomach or indigestion

These usually pass on their own as your body adjusts.

May affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Feeling dizzy

• Burping

• Gas

• Bloating

• Inflamed stomach (gastritis), which can cause stomach ache, nausea or vomiting

• Reflux or heartburn

• Gallstones

• Hair loss

• Change in the way food or drink tastes

• Change in skin sensation

• Low blood sugar, if you have diabetes

May affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Low blood pressure, including feeling dizzy or lightheaded when you stand or sit up

• Fast heartbeat

• Increased pancreatic enzymes (lipase and amylase), usually only picked up on a blood test

• A delay in how quickly your stomach empties

• Low blood sugar, if you don't have diabetes

• Increased bilirubin levels in your blood, which can show up as jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience:

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, a fast heartbeat, pale or cold skin, or feeling dizzy or weak

• Signs of acute pancreatitis: severe, persistent pain in your stomach that may spread to your back, with or without nausea or vomiting

• Signs of a bowel obstruction: severe constipation along with stomach ache, bloating, and vomiting

• Sudden vision loss or rapidly worsening eyesight in one eye, even without pain

Do not wait to see if it passes. Stop taking the Wegovy® pill and get emergency help straight away.

Message a Hers clinician urgently the same day via the Hers App if you notice:

• Signs of kidney or bladder stones: pain in your back or lower abdomen, difficulty urinating, or a change in the colour of your urine

• Persistent hip pain, especially after a minor fall or knock

If you're unsure how urgently you need help, contact your clinician or NHS 111 for advice.

Most side effects settle down as your body adjusts, and they're usually most noticeable in the first few days after starting the Wegovy® pill or moving up a dose. Your first order comes with a side effect kit to help you manage things at home, and there's a lot more you can do yourself too, plus a few things worth asking for if home measures aren't enough.

Feeling or being sick Eat smaller meals, more often, and eat slowly. Bland, low-fat food is easier to tolerate than anything rich or spicy. Sip fluids rather than drinking a lot at once, and stay upright for a while after eating rather than lying down. If it's persistent, a Hers clinician can prescribe anti-sickness medication.

Diarrhoea Bland, low-fat food and regular small sips of fluid help here too, mainly to avoid getting dehydrated. Keep track of how often it's happening, that's useful information if you need to speak to a Hers clinician. Loperamide, available from any pharmacy, can help in the short term.

Constipation Drink more fluids and add fibre gradually rather than all at once, since a sudden increase can make things worse, not better. Staying active helps keep things moving, and it's worth not holding off when you feel the urge to go.

Indigestion or heartburn Smaller, slower meals help, as does avoiding coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks. Try to leave a few hours between eating and going to bed. An over-the-counter antacid can ease things if they're bothering you, though check with a Hers clinician about timing it around your Wegovy® pill dose.

If home measures and over-the-counter options aren't enough, message a Hers clinician through your Hers App; some side effects need a prescription to manage properly.

Tell your Hers clinician about all the medicines you take before starting the Wegovy® pill, including anything you buy without a prescription. This is especially important for:

• Levothyroxine, used to treat thyroid conditions; your clinician may need to monitor your thyroid levels while you take the Wegovy® pill

• Warfarin or similar oral medicines that reduce blood clotting; you may need more frequent blood tests to check your INR (how quickly your blood clots)

This list isn't exhaustive. Always give your Hers clinician your full medical history so they can check the Wegovy® pill is right for you.

If you're planning to get pregnant in the future, there's currently no evidence that Wegovy® pills have a long-term negative effect on fertility. Losing a lot of weight quickly may cause your periods to stop or become irregular, but this is usually temporary.

Some research suggests that GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy® may improve the chance of pregnancy and help periods become more regular for women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome* (PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS). This may offer hope for women whose weight and PCOS symptoms are affecting their menstrual cycle. Wegovy® is not a fertility treatment and should not be used during pregnancy.

_{*Zhou L, et al. (2023). Effects of GLP1RAs on pregnancy rate and menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis and systematic review.}

When taking a new medication, you want to be sure you’re still protected from unwanted pregnancy if you’re also using contraception. 

Wegovy® doesn't directly reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. Unlike Mounjaro®, semaglutide has not been shown to reduce exposure to the hormones in combined oral contraceptives*.

However, Wegovy® can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, which may affect how well an oral contraceptive is absorbed. If this happens, follow the instructions for your specific contraceptive or speak to a clinician about whether you need additional contraception.

You'll also need to take the two medicines at different times: wait at least 30 minutes after taking your Wegovy® pill before taking your contraceptive pill or any other oral medicine. This is because taking other tablets too soon can reduce the amount of semaglutide absorbed**.

_{*Novo Nordisk Limited. (2026). Wegovy® 1.5mg tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).}

_{**Novo Nordisk Limited. (2026). Wegovy® Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).}

There's not enough data to say the Wegovy® pill is safe during pregnancy. It's also known to pass into breast milk, and it's not yet known how this affects a baby, so it shouldn't be used while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant, you should not use the Wegovy® pill.

If you are using the Wegovy® pill and want to get pregnant, you should stop using it for at least 2 months first. If you think you might be pregnant already, stop taking your Wegovy® pill and talk to a doctor.

Wegovy® may affect how well your body absorbs oral HRT. If you take HRT by mouth, it's worth talking to your GP about switching to a non-oral method, such as a patch, gel, or spray, while you're on the Wegovy® pill.

If you'd rather stay on oral HRT, let your Hers clinician know. They may suggest increasing your HRT dose for the first 4 weeks after you start the Wegovy® pill, and again for 4 weeks after each dose increase, to make sure you're still getting the full effect.

Tell your Hers clinician exactly which HRT product and dose you're using so they can advise on what, if anything, needs to change.