New Weight Loss Drugs Coming to the UK: What’s in the Pipeline for 2026 and 2027

CompareTheJab pipeline guide

Two weight loss pills are now licensed in the UK, and more medicines are on the way. This guide covers what you can get today, what is still in trials, and realistic timelines for 2026 and 2027.

Updated November 2026 UK pipeline guide 2026 to 2027 outlook

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Overview

What has changed in 2026

2026 has been a big year for weight loss medicines in the UK. Two oral GLP-1 tablets have been licensed by the MHRA:

• Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide). Approved on 11 June 2026 and available privately since July 2026. It is taken once a day on an empty stomach, starting at 1.5mg and stepping up through 4mg and 9mg to 25mg. In the OASIS 4 trial, average weight loss was 13.6% over 64 weeks.
• Foundayo (orforglipron). Approved on 10 August 2026, making the UK the first country in Europe to license it. It is a daily tablet that can be taken at any time, with or without food. Doses start at 0.8mg and rise to 17.2mg. In the ATTAIN-1 trial, the highest dose produced average weight loss of around 11% over 72 weeks.

Neither pill is available on the NHS yet. NICE guidance on orforglipron is due on 18 November 2026. For now, both are prescribed privately by regulated UK providers.

Mounjaro and Wegovy injections remain the most effective licensed options, with average weight loss of around 20% at their highest doses.

Pipeline at a glance

The UK weight loss drug pipeline at a glance

Timelines are estimates and can change with trial results and regulatory reviews.

Drug profiles

Now licensed: the two weight loss pills

Wegovy pill

The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the Wegovy injection, in a daily tablet. You take it first thing in the morning with a small sip of water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.

• Average weight loss of 13.6% over 64 weeks in OASIS 4, close to the 2.4mg Wegovy injection.
• The MHRA says people on the 2.4mg weekly injection can move straight to the 25mg tablet.
• Side effects are similar to the injection: mainly nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.

Foundayo (orforglipron)

Foundayo is Eli Lilly's daily GLP-1 tablet. Unlike the Wegovy pill, it is a small-molecule medicine, so it has no rules about food, water or timing.

• Around 11% average weight loss at the highest dose over 72 weeks, less than the Wegovy pill or the injections.
• Also licensed for type 2 diabetes.
• A trial of people who switched to Foundayo after losing weight on Mounjaro or Wegovy found most of the weight loss was maintained, so it may suit people who want to stop injecting.

Read our weight loss pill vs injection guide for a side-by-side comparison.

Still in development

CagriSema

CagriSema is a once-weekly injection from Novo Nordisk that combines semaglutide with cagrilintide, an amylin analogue that signals fullness through a different pathway.

• 22.7% average weight loss at 68 weeks in the REDEFINE 1 trial.
• In a head-to-head trial reported in February 2026, CagriSema produced 23.0% weight loss against 25.5% for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) at 84 weeks.
• Novo Nordisk filed for US approval in December 2025, with a decision expected in late 2026. No UK application has been publicly confirmed.

Retatrutide

Retatrutide is a once-weekly injection from Eli Lilly that activates three hormone receptors: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon.

• Phase 2 trials showed 24.2% average weight loss at 48 weeks.
• Phase 3 results reported from May to July 2026 confirmed large weight losses.
• Eli Lilly plans to file for US approval in early 2027, so UK availability is unlikely before late 2027.

Amycretin

Amycretin from Novo Nordisk combines GLP-1 and amylin activity in a single molecule and is being studied as both a tablet and an injection. Early trials showed promising weight loss, but larger trials are still needed. 2028 is the earliest likely UK availability.

Survodutide

Survodutide is a once-weekly injection from Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma that targets GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. It is attracting interest for its effect on fatty liver disease (MASH) as well as weight loss.

Current patients

Should you wait for a newer drug?

For most people, no.

Licensed options are already effective

Mounjaro and Wegovy injections produce average weight loss of around 14% to 22%, and there are now two licensed tablets for people who prefer not to inject.

Regulatory timelines often slip

The gap between a drug being "expected" and being available from UK prescribers is often 12 to 24 months.

Weight regain while waiting is real

Stopping treatment while you wait for a new medicine can mean regaining weight you have already lost.

The exception: genuine non-response

If you have been on the maximum dose of Mounjaro for 12 months or more and lost less than 5% of your starting weight despite changes to diet and activity, a medicine with a different mechanism may help in future. Discuss this with your prescriber.

Safety warning

Unlicensed weight loss drugs are a serious risk

CagriSema, retatrutide, amycretin and survodutide are not licensed in the UK. No legitimate UK provider can prescribe them.

• Products sold online as these drugs are not genuine medicines and may contain unknown or unsafe ingredients.
• The Wegovy pill and Foundayo should only ever come from a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy, after a proper consultation with a prescriber.
• The MHRA has warned that fake GLP-1 products are widespread in the UK. Never buy them through social media or unregulated websites.

FAQs

Keep reading

• Weight Loss Pill vs Injection: Which Is Better for You?
• Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What’s the Difference — and Which Should You Choose?
• Best Mounjaro Providers UK 2026: Compared by Price, Support and Safety
• Best Wegovy Providers UK 2026: Compared by Price, Support, and Clinical Quality

Compare today's prices: Mounjaro · Wegovy

Frequently asked questions

Is there a weight loss pill available in the UK?

Yes. The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) was licensed in June 2026 and Foundayo (orforglipron) in August 2026. Both are available privately through regulated UK providers. Neither is on the NHS yet.

What is CagriSema and when will it be available in the UK?

CagriSema is a weekly injection combining semaglutide with cagrilintide. It produced 22.7% average weight loss in its main trial. A US decision is expected in late 2026; UK availability is unlikely before 2027.

What is retatrutide and how does it compare to Mounjaro?

Retatrutide activates three receptors (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon), while Mounjaro activates two (GLP-1 and GIP). Phase 3 trials have reported large weight losses, but it is not licensed anywhere yet and Eli Lilly plans to file for US approval in early 2027.

Should I wait for new drugs instead of starting Mounjaro or Wegovy?

For most people, no. Licensed injections and pills are effective now, and new drugs can take years to reach UK prescribers.

Can I buy retatrutide or CagriSema online?

No. Neither is licensed in the UK, and any product sold under these names is not a regulated medicine.

Stay updated

Follow new UK weight loss drug approvals

We update this guide as new medicines are licensed and become available from regulated UK providers.

Read latest guides Compare Mounjaro prices Compare Wegovy prices

Trial weight loss figures are averages reported in clinical trials. Individual results vary. This article is for information only and is not medical advice.

CompareTheJab is an independent comparison service. Last updated: November 2026.