How to Take the Wegovy Pill

The Wegovy pill is an oral form of semaglutide, which is taken once daily on an empty stomach. Ideally, it should be taken first thing in the morning with a small amount of water before eating or drinking anything or taking any other medications.

The way you take the Wegovy pill is important because it helps ensure it is effective and makes sure you get the best weight loss results. In this guide, we discuss how to take the Wegovy pill, answer important questions about it, and provide tips to ensure you take it exactly as prescribed.

How to take the Wegovy pill:

1. Take the Wegovy pill first thing in the morning when you wake up on an empty stomach and before eating, drinking, or taking any other medication.
2. Swallow 1 Wegovy pill whole with 120ml of water. Do not take the pill with any other drink, such as tea, coffee, or juice. It must only be taken with plain water.
3. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other oral medication. You can wait longer, but 30 minutes is the minimum. If you do not wait 30 minutes, the active ingredients in the Wegovy pill may not reach your bloodstream and will not be effective.

It is important that you follow these directions exactly so that the medication is as effective as possible.

How much water should I take with the Wegovy pill?

You should swallow the Wegovy pill with 120ml of plain water. This is important because in clinical trials, taking an oral semaglutide tablet with 120ml of water and fasting for 30 minutes afterwards increased absorption of the medication by 40%.

Can I take the Wegovy pill with coffee or other drinks?

No, the Wegovy pill must only be taken with plain water. Do not take it with any other drink, such as coffee, tea, juice, soda, or squash. If you do, it can affect how the medication is absorbed and impact your weight loss results.

Can I eat straight after taking the Wegovy pill?

No, you must wait at least 30 minutes after taking the Wegovy pill before you eat or drink, or take any other oral medications. The absorption of oral semaglutide, the active ingredient in the Wegovy pill, can be affected by food. For the best results, follow these instructions.

The best time of day to take the Wegovy pill is first thing in the morning when you wake up. That’s because the Wegovy pill needs to be taken on an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours, so first thing in the morning is the best time, since most people have been asleep and not eaten or had anything to drink for at least 8 hours.

However, there are some circumstances in which taking the Wegovy pill first thing in the morning is not appropriate for you. As long as you take the Wegovy pill on an empty stomach (fasted for at least 8 hours) and at a consistent time of day, it can be taken at any time.

For example, if you are a night shift worker, you may find that it is best to take the Wegovy pill in the afternoon or evening, after you wake up. That’s fine as long as you take it on an empty stomach. Ideally, you shouldn’t have had anything to eat or drink for at least 8 hours, and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other oral medications as usual.

If you have any questions about when you should take the Wegovy pill, speak to your doctor for advice.

Can I take the Wegovy pill at night?

Yes, but it isn’t recommended for most people because you need to take it on an empty stomach, which means fasting for at least 8 hours before you take the Wegovy pill.

If you usually sleep during the day and wake up at night, then taking the Wegovy pill at night should be suitable. If you’re not sure or if this changes often for you, such as if you work shift patterns, you should speak to your doctor.

Should I take the Wegovy pill at the same time every day?

Yes, the Wegovy pill should be taken at the same time every day. Taking the pill at the same time each day will keep your semaglutide levels at a consistent level and help make sure the medication is absorbed properly.

No, the Wegovy pill should be taken once a day. This keeps your semaglutide levels consistent, which is key to the Wegovy pill being effective, and it should not be taken every other day. Taking the Wegovy pill every other day can limit its effectiveness for weight loss.

The Wegovy pill dosing schedule gradually increases each week until you reach the maintenance dose of 25mg per day. This helps your body adjust to the new medication and helps to maintain semaglutide levels. When taken consistently, a daily 25mg Wegovy pill can help people lose, on average, 16.6% of their starting body weight after 64 weeks.

If you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill, skip the missed dose and take the next dose the following day as normal. You should continue taking your Wegovy pills as normal.

Do not take a double dose of the Wegovy pill to make up for a missed dose. You should also not take the missed dose later in the day when you remember, especially if you’ve not got an empty stomach anymore, as it will not be effective. It is essential that you just miss the day’s dose and continue taking it as usual the next day.

Missed Wegovy pill dose scenarios

If you have forgotten to take the Wegovy pill for a few days, you should contact your doctor before restarting, especially if you are no longer on the starting dose. This is because your body may need time to readjust to the medication, and your doctor may need to adjust your dosing schedule.

No, you must not cut, crush, chew, or dissolve the Wegovy pill. It must be swallowed whole only to protect its specialised coating, called SNAC (sodium caprylate), which makes it easier for your body to absorb the medication when swallowed. If you break the Wegovy pill, its protective outer coating will be damaged, the active ingredients may not be absorbed, and could be less effective.

Semaglutide is a large peptide, which, if it didn’t have a protective coating, would be destroyed as soon as it reached your stomach. SNAC protects semaglutide so that, as the pill dissolves, it is not broken down by digestive enzymes and can cross into the bloodstream.

If you are having difficulty swallowing the Wegovy pill or you think your dose is too high, speak to your doctor. They may recommend an alternative weight loss treatment or suggest that you remain on a lower Wegovy pill dose to give your body more time to adjust.

If you are struggling to swallow the Wegovy pill, it can help to take a sip of water first to lubricate your mouth, place the pill on your tongue, and tilt your chin towards your chest rather than back as you swallow. Leaning slightly forward helps to keep your airway relaxed and makes it easier for the pill to pass down your food pipe (oesophagus).

After taking the Wegovy pill, you will need to wait at least 30 minutes before taking any other oral medication. That includes over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, other prescription medications, and herbal supplements. This will allow semaglutide to be absorbed into your bloodstream and make sure there are no medication interactions.

However, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking before you start the Wegovy pill, especially:

• medications to manage diabetes, such as insulin and sulfonylureas
• levothyroxine for thyroid issues
• other GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Nevolat)
• any other weight loss pills, such as orlistat (Xenical), alli, Orlos, or Mysimba
• blood thinners, including warfarin
• the oral contraceptive pill, as you may need extra contraception, like condoms, if you get side effects like being sick or diarrhoea
• medications that need monitoring, like lithium, digoxin or ciclosporin

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking the Wegovy pill, as there is no evidence that they directly interact with each other, although you must not swallow your Wegovy pill with an alcoholic drink or consume alcohol within 30 minutes of taking it.

However, it is advisable to limit your alcohol intake or stop drinking it completely while you take the Wegovy pill for weight loss. There are several reasons for this, such as:

1. Alcohol can make the Wegovy pill side effects worse. Drinking alcohol can make nausea, being sick, diarrhoea, headaches, and fatigue more intense.
2. Alcohol increases your appetite. Drinking alcohol can make you hungrier and more likely to choose unhealthy or high-fat or high-sugar foods, which can directly impact your weight loss progress and affect your calorie deficit.
3. Alcohol slows down fat burning. Your body will prioritise removing alcohol from your system because it recognises it as a toxin. This means that important weight loss processes, like fat burning, will slow down, and the amount of fat stored in your body will increase.
4. Alcohol can affect your wider lifestyle. Drinking alcohol can impact your motivation to exercise, slow down your recovery, make you dehydrated, which can make Wegovy side effects worse, and influence your food cravings.
5. Increased chance of low blood sugar. Alcohol can cause a rapid drop in your blood sugar levels, as can semaglutide, which increases the chance of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels).

Read our Wegovy and Alcohol guide for more information about the effects of drinking alcohol on semaglutide.

Taking the Wegovy pill correctly will help you get the best possible weight loss results from your treatment and reduce the chance of side effects. These are our tips to help you build a sustainable routine and keep you on track with your progress.

Take the Wegovy pill at the same time each morning

Take your Wegovy pill as soon as you wake up every morning. Building it into your morning routine can make it easier to remember and help you take it consistently.

You may find it helpful to set a daily alarm on your phone or keep your medication close by, such as on your bedside table or near your toothbrush.

Take it on an empty stomach

The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach for it to work properly. That’s why it is recommended to take it first thing in the morning when you wake up, because you will not have eaten or drunk anything for several hours. It is recommended that you take the Wegovy pill after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours.

Food and drink can reduce how much medication your body absorbs, which can make the Wegovy pill less effective. That is also why you must not eat, drink, or take any other medications for at least 30 minutes after taking the Wegovy pill.

Only take the Wegovy pill with a small amount of water

You should swallow the Wegovy pill whole with no more than 120ml of plain water. You should avoid taking it with large amounts of water, juice, tea, coffee, or fizzy drinks as these can affect how the medication is absorbed.

Plan ahead if you have an early or busy schedule

If you regularly start work early, exercise first thing in the morning, or travel frequently, it will help to plan when you’ll take your Wegovy pill.

For example, you may take your pill as soon as you wake up and use the 30-minute fasting period to shower, get dressed, exercise, or complete other morning tasks before eating breakfast.

Eat smaller meals if you feel nauseous

Nausea or feeling sick is one of the most common Wegovy pill side effects when starting or increasing your dose. One way to limit its impact is to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than 3 large meals. Eating slowly, avoiding greasy or spicy foods, and stopping when you feel comfortably full may also help reduce symptoms.

Stay hydrated throughout the day

Some people experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation while taking Wegovy. Drinking enough water throughout the day can help reduce the chance of dehydration and may help manage some digestive side effects.

Aim to drink regularly, particularly during hot weather or if you have been unwell.

Don’t stop taking the Wegovy pill if you get mild side effects

Mild digestive side effects are common when starting treatment or stepping up your dose, and often improve within a few weeks. If side effects are manageable, continuing to take your medication as prescribed may help your body adjust.

However, if side effects become severe, persist, or prevent you from eating and drinking normally, contact your doctor for advice.

Know what to do if you miss a dose

If you forget to take your Wegovy pill, follow the instructions provided above in the “What should I do if I miss a dose of the Wegovy pill” section. You can also check your patient information leaflet. Alternatively, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed tablet.

Taking more than prescribed will not improve your weight loss results and may increase the chance of side effects.