The arrival of the Wegovy pill has opened the door for thousands of Britons to get their hands on the blockbuster medicine.A once–daily tablet version of the Wegovy injection - which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide - is the first GLP–1 weight–loss pill to be launched in the UK. And demand has already surged, with pharmacies reporting tens of thousands of orders after the tablets were officially rolled out across Britain on Monday.The 'unprecedented' interest reflects the public intrigue around the pill, which can help patients shed around 17 per cent of their body weight in 64 weeks.It is expected to appeal to people who want to lose weight but have a fear of needles, as well as those already using injections who feel a once–daily pill would better suit their lifestyle. Unlike the injectable version, the tablet does not require refrigeration. However, a leading GP has warned that people switching from jabs to the Wegovy pill could be about to make potentially dangerous mistakes.Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, said: 'A new weight loss treatment has been approved for use in the UK, giving eligible Brits another option when it comes to clinically managing their weight. The Wegovy pill is the first GLP–1 weight–loss pill to be launched in the UK'However, for those switching from Wegovy or Mounjaro, there are a variety of common mistakes people could make when switching to the pill form.'Adults with a body mass index of more than 30, which is classed as obese, are among those eligible for the medication. It can also be prescribed to people with a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have a weight–related health condition.Do you want to lose a stone in six weeks? Hi, I'm Emma Bardwell, a nutritionist with more than 15 years' experience helping people improve their health and lose weight.I've been there. I was overweight, unhappy with my skin and stuck in a rut. Then I changed the way I eat. You can now do the same with my tried-and-tested healthy eating plan. And for DailyMail+ subscribers, it's completely free. Click here to sign up and start your journey But Dr Grant stressed that eligible patients should not assume they can switch treatments without first consulting their prescriber. He said: 'Firstly, similarly to when people begin the treatment, it's vital to stay in close contact with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure a safe transition. 'Even if a patient has been taking Wegovy for some time, their current dose, side effects, medical history and other medicines all need to be reviewed before switching.'According to manufacturer Novo Nordisk, medical professionals will start patients on the 1.5mg dose before increasing it every 30 days until they reach the maximum 25mg dose.The gradual increase is designed to help the body adjust to the medication and reduce side effects.Patients already taking 0.5mg or 1mg Wegovy injections may be able to switch to the 9mg tablets, while those using the 1.7mg, 2.4mg or 7.2mg injections may be moved to the 25mg tablets, if medically approved.Dr Grant said a most common misconception is assuming the tablet and injection doses are directly equivalent. He explained: 'Although both contain semaglutide, they enter the body in very different ways: injections go straight into the bloodstream, while tablets are absorbed through the digestive system.'For this reason, the strength can vary, and individuals should communicate with their healthcare providers to ensure they receive the safest dose depending on their current strength.'The tablet is also slightly less effective than the injections, which have been shown to produce weight loss of up to 20.7 per cent. But Dr Grant warned against attempting to 'turbocharge' weight loss by taking both the pill and jabs at the same time.