New Weight Loss Drugs Coming to the UK
A plain-English guide to the next generation of weight loss medications expected in 2026 and 2027, including CagriSema, retatrutide, orforglipron, amycretin and oral Wegovy.
The UK weight loss drug pipeline is moving quickly
Mounjaro and Wegovy are the current gold standard of weight loss medication in the UK — but the pharmaceutical pipeline for obesity treatment is unusually active right now.
At least four clinically significant drugs are in late-stage development that could be available in the UK within the next one to two years, with weight loss data that rivals or exceeds what Mounjaro and Wegovy currently achieve.
This guide covers every drug in the pipeline that has realistic UK availability prospects by the end of 2027 — what each one does, what the clinical data shows, and when UK patients might realistically expect to access it.
We also cover what to make of the pipeline if you are currently on Mounjaro or Wegovy and wondering whether to wait, switch, or stay.
Important safety note: none of the drugs covered in this article is currently available for legitimate prescription in the UK. Any website, social media account or online seller offering retatrutide, CagriSema, orforglipron or similar unregistered drugs is selling an illegal, unregulated product.
Quick visual summary
A simple visual breakdown of the key points covered in this guide.
The UK weight loss drug pipeline at a glance
These timelines are estimates based on current trial schedules and regulatory filing status as of May 2026.
| Drug | Manufacturer | Trial weight loss | Earliest UK | What makes it notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CagriSema | Novo Nordisk | 22.7% at 68 weeks | Late 2026 to 2027 | GLP-1 + amylin combination; FDA filed Dec 2025 |
| Retatrutide | Eli Lilly | 24.2% at 48 weeks | 2027 to 2028 | Triple receptor GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon; highest trial weight loss recorded |
| Orforglipron | Eli Lilly | ~15% at 36 weeks | Late 2026 to 2027 | Oral daily pill; first non-peptide GLP-1 agonist |
| Amycretin | Novo Nordisk | ~22% at 36 weeks | 2027+ | GLP-1 + amylin; oral tablet in development |
| Oral Wegovy, high-dose | Novo Nordisk | ~15% projected | Late 2026 | Oral semaglutide 25mg for CVD + obesity; MHRA review ongoing |
| Survodutide | Boehringer Ingelheim | ~19% at 46 weeks | 2027 | GLP-1 + glucagon; also MASH / fatty liver disease indication |
Timelines are subject to change depending on trial results, safety signals and regulatory review duration.
Drug profiles — what each one is and what the data shows
CagriSema
CagriSema is a fixed-dose once-weekly injection from Novo Nordisk containing semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Wegovy, and cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue.
Amylin is a hormone co-secreted with insulin that signals fullness to the brain through a different pathway than GLP-1. By targeting two distinct hunger pathways, CagriSema aims to produce stronger and more sustained appetite suppression than semaglutide alone.
- 22.7% average weight loss at 68 weeks in REDEFINE 1.
- Compared with 16.1% for semaglutide alone in the same trial.
- Earliest realistic UK availability: late 2026 to 2027.
Retatrutide
Retatrutide is a once-weekly injection from Eli Lilly and is a triple receptor agonist, activating GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors simultaneously.
The additional glucagon activation may increase energy expenditure and enhance fat metabolism, adding a metabolic acceleration component that current GLP-1 drugs do not provide.
- 24.2% average weight loss at 48 weeks in Phase 2 trials.
- Phase 3 results expected late 2026.
- Realistic UK availability: 2027 to 2028 at the earliest.
Orforglipron
Orforglipron is Eli Lilly’s oral daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and may be the most important pipeline development for patients who cannot or will not inject.
Unlike oral semaglutide, orforglipron is a small-molecule drug that can be taken at any time, with or without food, like a conventional tablet.
- Approximately 15% weight loss at 36 weeks in Phase 3 data.
- FDA filing expected in 2026.
- Earliest UK availability: late 2026 to early 2027.
Oral Wegovy
Oral Wegovy is a higher-dose version of oral semaglutide, positioned mainly for cardiovascular risk reduction in people with obesity and established heart disease.
It is not a completely new drug, but a higher-dose oral semaglutide route that may offer meaningful weight loss and cardiovascular benefit without injections.
- FDA approved oral semaglutide 25mg for cardiovascular risk reduction in obesity in December 2025.
- Under MHRA review in the UK.
- Late 2026 is the most realistic UK timeline.
The next generation of weight loss treatments is moving quickly
New oral tablets, dual-hormone combinations and next-generation injections may change the UK treatment market over the next few years.
Amycretin and Survodutide
Amycretin
Amycretin is an oral tablet from Novo Nordisk combining GLP-1 and amylin receptor activity, the same broad dual mechanism as injectable CagriSema, but in tablet form.
Phase 2 data showed approximately 22% weight loss at 36 weeks, which is remarkable for an oral drug at this stage of development.
If Phase 3 confirms this, amycretin could combine the efficacy of CagriSema with the convenience of an oral option. Realistically, 2028 is the earliest likely UK availability.
Survodutide
Survodutide is a once-weekly injection from Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma. It is a dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist.
It is generating particular interest because of its potential role in MASH, formerly called NASH, a fatty liver disease linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Phase 3 data showed approximately 19% weight loss at 46 weeks, with significant liver fat reduction. UK availability is realistically 2027.
What the pipeline means if you are currently on Mounjaro or Wegovy
The obvious question is whether you should wait for a newer drug. For most people, the honest answer is no.
Regulatory timelines are uncertain
Drugs frequently take longer to approve than pipeline estimates suggest. The gap between “expected 2026” and actual UK prescribing availability can be 12 to 24 months.
Weight regain during a wait is real
The article notes that the January 2026 BMJ meta-analysis showed average regain of 0.8kg per month after stopping GLP-1 drugs. Waiting 12 to 24 months for a new drug may mean significant weight regain.
Mounjaro and Wegovy are already strong options
The current generation produces 14 to 22% weight loss — outcomes that would have seemed extraordinary five years ago. The marginal improvement from the next generation is real but not enough to justify waiting for most patients.
The exception: genuine non-response
If you have been on maximum-dose Mounjaro for 12+ months and lost less than 5% of starting weight despite lifestyle optimisation, pipeline drugs with different mechanisms may offer a meaningful improvement. Discuss this with your prescriber.
What to do if you want to access pipeline drugs when they become available
Register with a regulated UK provider
Ask whether they have a waiting list or notification service for new treatments as they launch.
Stay on current treatment
Maintaining progress is usually better than waiting off-medication for a future drug that may take longer than expected.
Follow MHRA updates
Watch for official MHRA applications, approvals and regulated UK pharmacy availability before considering any new treatment.
Counterfeit and unregistered pipeline drugs are a serious risk
CagriSema, retatrutide, orforglipron and amycretin are not approved in the UK. No legitimate UK provider can legally prescribe them.
- Products claiming to be these drugs are not genuine pharmaceutical products.
- They may contain unknown, unsafe ingredients.
- The MHRA has warned that counterfeit GLP-1 products are already widespread in the UK.
- Do not purchase these drugs online, on social media, or through any unregulated channel.
Frequently asked questions
What is CagriSema and when will it be available in the UK?
CagriSema is a once-weekly injection combining semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, with cagrilintide, an amylin analogue. The REDEFINE 1 Phase 3 trial showed 22.7% average weight loss at 68 weeks. The earliest realistic UK availability is late 2026 to 2027.
What is retatrutide and how does it compare to Mounjaro?
Retatrutide is a triple receptor agonist from Eli Lilly that activates GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. Mounjaro activates GLP-1 and GIP. Phase 2 trials showed 24.2% weight loss at 48 weeks, but Phase 3 data is still needed before approval.
Will there be a weight loss pill instead of an injection?
Yes. Orforglipron is an oral daily GLP-1 tablet currently in Phase 3 trials, with data showing approximately 15% weight loss. Unlike existing oral semaglutide, it can be taken without complex fasting requirements.
Should I wait for the new drugs instead of starting Mounjaro or Wegovy now?
For most people, no. Pipeline drugs may still be 12 to 24 months away from UK prescribing availability, and longer for NHS access. Starting or continuing a current licensed treatment is usually more practical than waiting off-medication.
Can I buy CagriSema or retatrutide online now?
No. Neither drug is approved in the UK, and neither can be legally prescribed or supplied. Any product claiming to be CagriSema, retatrutide or orforglipron from an online source is not a legitimate UK-regulated pharmaceutical product.
Follow new UK weight loss drug approvals
CompareTheShot will publish provider information as each new drug receives MHRA approval and becomes available from regulated UK providers.
Drug pipeline information is current as of May 2026 and subject to change as trial results, regulatory decisions and manufacturer timelines evolve.
Clinical trial weight loss figures are reported trial averages. Individual results vary. No pipeline drug covered in this article is currently approved for prescription in the UK.
CompareTheShot is an independent comparison service. Updated: May 2026. Next pipeline review: August 2026.