Updated November 2026
Starting a weight loss pill is simpler than starting an injection. There are no pens, needles or fridge. But the Wegovy pill in particular only works properly if you take it exactly as directed. This guide covers the routine, the dose schedule, what to do if you miss a tablet, and how switching from an injection works.
Always follow the instructions from your prescriber and the patient leaflet in your pack. They take priority over any general guide, including this one.
Before you start
To be prescribed either pill privately, you'll fill in an online consultation covering your height, weight, health conditions and medicines. Many providers also ask for a photo or video to confirm your weight. You'll usually need:
- a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea (lower thresholds can apply for some ethnic backgrounds)
- not to be pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- to tell the prescriber about any history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thyroid problems or an eating disorder, as these may affect whether a pill is suitable
Tell the prescriber about every medicine you take, especially insulin or other diabetes medicines, thyroid medicine and the contraceptive pill.
How to take the Wegovy pill
The Wegovy pill has the strictest routine of any weight loss medicine. Do this every day:
- Take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, after your overnight fast. Nothing to eat or drink beforehand.
- Swallow it whole with a sip of plain water, no more than 120ml (about half a glass). Don't split, crush or chew it.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else (including coffee or tea) or taking other tablets.
The tablet uses an absorption enhancer that only works in an empty stomach. Food, drink or too much water in that window can stop much of the dose being absorbed, which means less weight loss. Keep the tablets in their original blister pack until you take them.
Wegovy pill dose schedule
| Month | Daily dose |
|---|---|
| Month 1 (days 1 to 30) | 1.5mg |
| Month 2 (days 31 to 60) | 4mg |
| Month 3 (days 61 to 90) | 9mg |
| Month 4 onwards | 25mg (maintenance) |
Each step lasts at least 30 days. If side effects are hard to manage, your prescriber may keep you on a dose for longer before stepping up.
How to take Foundayo
Foundayo is much more flexible:
- take one tablet a day, at any time of day
- with or without food, with as much water as you like
- try to take it at roughly the same time each day so it becomes a habit
Foundayo dose schedule
| Step | Daily dose |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | 0.8mg |
| Step 2 | 2.5mg |
| Step 3 | 5.5mg |
| Step 4 | 9mg |
| Step 5 | 14.5mg |
| Step 6 | 17.2mg (highest dose) |
You stay on each dose for at least a month. Your prescriber only moves you up if you're tolerating it well, and some people stay on a lower or middle dose for good if it's working.
What to do if you miss a tablet
For either pill, the usual advice is: don't take two tablets to make up for a missed one. With the Wegovy pill, if you've already eaten, skip that day's tablet and take the next one as normal the following morning. Check your patient leaflet for the exact advice for your pill.
If you miss several days in a row, contact your provider before restarting. You may need to restart on a lower dose to avoid strong side effects.
Switching from an injection to a pill
From the Wegovy injection. The MHRA says people on the 2.4mg weekly Wegovy injection can move straight to the 25mg Wegovy pill once a day. Your prescriber will tell you when to take your first tablet. If you're on a lower injection dose, they'll advise which tablet strength to start on.
From Mounjaro. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a different medicine, so there's no direct dose match. Your prescriber will choose a starting dose and may begin you lower than your current level of appetite control would suggest. Expect some return of hunger during the changeover.
Between the two pills. Switching from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo, or the other way round, also needs a new prescription and starting dose. Dose numbers don't carry across.
Most providers handle a switch through a short re-consultation. Some charge the same as a new order, others treat it as a dose change. Ask before you switch.
Side effects and how to manage them
The most common side effects of both pills are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, indigestion and stomach pain. They're usually strongest in the first few weeks and after each dose increase. Practical things that help:
- eat smaller meals and stop when you feel full
- avoid very fatty, greasy or spicy food, especially after a dose increase
- drink plenty of water through the day (for the Wegovy pill, after the 30-minute wait)
- eat enough protein to protect muscle. Our eating guide for GLP-1 medicines has meal ideas
- tell your provider if nausea or vomiting stops you keeping fluids down. They may hold your dose.
Get urgent medical help if you have severe stomach pain that won't go away (it can spread to your back), signs of an allergic reaction, or pain in the upper right side of your tummy with fever or yellowing skin.
Vomiting or diarrhoea can stop the contraceptive pill working properly. Use extra protection and ask your prescriber about the best contraception while you're on treatment.
Storage and travel
Both pills are stored at room temperature and don't need a fridge, which makes travel much easier than with pens. Keep the Wegovy pill in its original blister pack to protect it from moisture. Carry tablets in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription or the pharmacy label.
Buying safely
Only buy from a UK-registered pharmacy or clinic that asks you to complete a consultation. You can check a pharmacy on the GPhC register. Never buy "GLP-1 tablets" from social media, marketplaces or websites that don't ask health questions: they're not regulated and may be fake or unsafe.
Compare regulated providers and prices on our weight loss pill comparison.
Keep reading
- Wegovy pill vs Foundayo: which is right for you?
- Weight loss pill prices UK: every dose
- Mounjaro and Wegovy: what to expect week by week
- Can you drink alcohol on weight loss medicine?
Compare today's prices: Weight loss pills · Wegovy · Mounjaro
Frequently asked questions
What time should I take the Wegovy pill?
First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with up to 120ml of plain water. Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other tablets.
Can I take Foundayo at night?
Yes. Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Try to take it at around the same time each day.
How long until a weight loss pill starts working?
Many people notice less appetite within the first few weeks, but the starter doses are mainly there to get your body used to the medicine. Most weight loss comes once you're on a higher dose, from about month three or four onwards.
Can I switch from Wegovy injections to the Wegovy pill?
Yes. The MHRA says people on the 2.4mg weekly injection can switch straight to the 25mg daily pill. Your prescriber will advise on lower doses.
Do I need to keep weight loss pills in the fridge?
No. Both pills are stored at room temperature. Keep the Wegovy pill in its original blister pack.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. CompareTheJab is an independent comparison website, not a pharmacy or medical service. Always speak to a qualified prescriber before starting, stopping or switching any medicine.
Prices were checked on each provider's own website on 3 November 2026 and change often. Always confirm the price at checkout. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which never affect how we rank providers. Read our affiliate policy and how we compare providers.
