The obesity pill race is heating up -- at least in the US for now.

 

Global pharma powerhouse Novo Nordisk has reported that its Wegovy (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg have now topped three million US prescriptions in just over five months—a pace that places the drug among the strongest pharmaceutical launches by volume on record.

 

That milestone translates to roughly one prescription filled every five seconds, underscoring how quickly demand has accelerated since the Wegovy pill first reached US pharmacies and online providers in January 2026.

 

The launch curve has been steep from the outset. The company said Wegovy hit its first one million prescriptions within 12 weeks of availability. From there, momentum only intensified, with the next two million prescriptions added in just 10 weeks.

 

Importantly, Novo Nordisk says the majority of new users—more than 80%—are starting GLP-1 therapy for the first time, suggesting the pill is expanding the overall obesity treatment market rather than simply shifting patients from existing injectable options.

 

“Wegovy offers adults with obesity significant weight loss, along with diet and exercise, and is FDA-approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with obesity with known heart disease – making Wegovy pill truly distinct. 

 

"With Wegovy pill and Wegovy HD available for weight management, patients and their healthcare providers are making choices that fit their needs, resulting in the clear adoption for both treatments,” said Jamey Millar, executive vice president, US Operations of Novo Nordisk. 

 

"Novo Nordisk remains determined to continue playing a major part in addressing the global public health challenge of obesity by deeply understanding the needs of those who live with it. That is why we are at ADA 2026 - to talk to patients, healthcare professionals, and investors to present our data but also listen and learn.”

 

Novo Nordisk also said Wegovy has become the most commonly started obesity medication in the US among new weight management patients, while its recently launched injectable counterpart, Wegovy HD (semaglutide) 7.2 mg, is also seeing early uptake.

 

On access, the company highlighted pricing and coverage programs aimed at widening availability. Commercially insured patients can access Wegovy for as little as $25 per month through savings programs, while a new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program is expected to offer eligible beneficiaries a $50 monthly copay starting July 1, 2026. 

 

The drug is currently distributed through more than 70,000 US pharmacies as well as NovoCare Pharmacy and telehealth providers.

 

Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk said it is preparing to roll out the Wegovy pill internationally in the second half of 2026, with expansion plans including a recently announced launch in the United Arab Emirates.