THE US FOOD and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a once-daily oral GLP1 medicine from Novo Nordisk to help people reduce excess body weight and maintain weight loss over the long term.
The Novo Nordisk treatment marks a milestone in medical obesity care by offering the convenience of a pill with weight-loss results comparable to therapies that have typically required injections. The approval provides a new option for patients who need medical support for obesity but have been reluctant to use needles.
Although the GLP-1 pill is expected to reach the US market in January 2026, the development signals where obesity treatment is heading globally.
“The pill is here. With the approval of our once-daily oral GLP-1 treatment, patients will have a convenient pill option that can help them achieve weight loss comparable to injectable therapy,” said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.
“As the first oral GLP-1 treatment for people living with overweight or obesity, this new option provides patients with a convenient choice to start or continue their weight loss journey. No other current oral GLP-1 treatment can match the weight loss results delivered by this therapy, and we are very excited for what this will mean for patients,” he added.
Data from the global OASIS 4 clinical trial showed the once-daily pill delivered significant weight-loss results. Participants lost an average of 16.6percent of their starting body weight after about a year of consistent treatment. One in three patients achieved weight loss of more than 20 percent—a level that can translate into meaningful improvements in daily functioning and quality of life for people living with obesity. The findings suggest the oral option can deliver weight loss comparable to the once-weekly injectable version already available.
REDUCING HEART DISEASE
Beyond weight loss, the therapy is also approved to reduce the risk of serious heart and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, in certain patient groups. Clinical data showed approximately a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular risk among patients with heart disease who also have obesity or overweight. This means obesity management with this therapy addresses more than appearance—it offers meaningful protection for heart health and the potential to extend lifespan.
Experts emphasize that obesity is a complex, chronic disease—not simply the result of a lack of willpower or discipline. In people with obesity, hormonal systems that regulate hunger and fullness are often disrupted, causing the body to resist weight loss and defend a higher weight. GLP1–based treatments work by mimicking a natural hormone that acts on appetite centers in the brain, helping people feel fuller for longer, reduce food intake, and achieve gradual, more sustainable weight loss.
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