Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe UK’s first GLP-1 pill for weight loss has been approved by the medicines regulator (Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)The medicines regulator has approved Wegovy, the UK’s first GLP-1 pill for weight loss, a daily semaglutide tablet. It is prescribed for obese adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or those who are overweight with a related condition such as high blood pressure.The dosage starts at 1.5mg and gradually increases to 25mg, with patients needing to be on each dose level for at least a month before moving up to the next.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the drug based on data from a trial that demonstrated an average body weight loss of 17 per cent after 64 weeks for adults taking the 25mg daily pill alongside diet and exercise. The drug will be available privately within weeks, though it has not yet been assessed for use on the NHS.In fullFirst daily pill for weight loss approved by medicines regulatorThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in