GLP-1 pill: what is this weight-loss pill and when will it be available in the Netherlands?

Short answer: A GLP-1 pill is an oral weight-loss tablet with the same mechanism of action as the well-known injections. In 2026, two relatively new ones were approved in the US, but the new GLP-1 pill is not yet available in the Netherlands.

The weight-loss pill is closer than ever. With the Wegovy pill and Foundayo, two new GLP-1 tablets for weight loss were approved in the United States in 2026. For many people who dread weekly injections, a tablet sounds appealing.

But what exactly is a GLP-1 pill, how does it compare to the familiar injections, and when can you expect it in the Netherlands? In this blog, we take a level-headed look at the current situation: what’s possible now, what isn’t yet possible, and which proven options are already available to you today.

What is a GLP-1 pill?

A GLP-1 pill is an oral tablet that activates the GLP-1 receptor, just as the familiar GLP-1 injections do. This activation slows down gastric emptying and suppresses your appetite via the hypothalamus, making you feel full more quickly and for longer. The only difference from an injection is the method of administration: a tablet instead of a weekly injection.

Oral GLP-1 has, incidentally, been around for some time. Rybelsus, the oral semaglutide tablet, is authorised in Europe for type 2 diabetes. Just like Ozempic, it is also prescribed off-label for weight loss, but the new generation of pills is specifically authorised for that purpose and available in higher doses. A review article on GLP-1-based medication describes how these drugs are developing at a rapid pace, as recent scientific work shows.

Which GLP-1 pills are available?

There are currently two new GLP-1 pills approved for weight loss, both in the United States. The first is the Wegovy pill, oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg from Novo Nordisk, which received FDA approval in December 2025. The second is Foundayo, containing the active ingredient orforglipron from Eli Lilly, which was approved in April 2026.

The two medicines differ significantly from one another. The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same peptide as in the well-known injection, and must be taken on an empty stomach with a small sip of water, followed by a thirty-minute wait. Foundayo, on the other hand, is the first non-peptide small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist and has no specific instructions for taking it: you can take it at any time, with or without food. Rybelsus is oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, but — just like Ozempic — is also used off-label for weight loss.

How effective is a GLP-1 pill compared to the injection?

The effectiveness of the new pills is similar to that of the injections. In a phase 3 trial with oral semaglutide it was shown that the 25 mg dose led to weight loss of around 16.6 per cent, comparable to what people achieve with the Wegovy injection. The phase 3 study into orforglipron shows an average weight loss of around 9 kilograms and an improvement in blood sugar levels.

For people with a fear of needles, a tablet significantly lowers the barrier to treatment. However, consistent use and a healthy lifestyle remain crucial to the outcome. A pill is no guarantee and no miracle cure: the medication supports you, but diet and exercise remain the foundation. If you’d like to know whether such a treatment is right for you, read when you’re eligible for GLP-1 medication.

What is the difference between the Wegovy tablet and Foundayo?

The main practical difference lies in how they are taken. You must take the Wegovy tablet on an empty stomach with a fixed waiting period, whilst Foundayo has no intake restrictions whatsoever. The table below compares both tablets side by side, alongside the injection for comparison, so you can see at a glance how they differ.

The difference in formulation affects ease of use. Because a small molecule such as orforglipron does not require an absorption enhancer, the strict fasting rules that apply to oral semaglutide do not apply here.

When will the GLP-1 pill be available in the Netherlands?

The GLP-1 pill is not yet available in the Netherlands. Both medicines have been approved in the US, but not yet in the Netherlands or the rest of the EU. Oral semaglutide is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), whilst orforglipron is not expected to be available in Europe before 2027.

Exact dates, reimbursement and the precise indication have not yet been finalised and vary by medicine. It is therefore advisable not to assume a specific end date as a certainty. Furthermore, according to the Pharmacotherapeutic Compass, oral GLP-1 is not automatically preferable to the injection, as its absorption in the body is less predictable. For the options currently available, you can find out how the programme works: from initial assessment to delivery.

What are the alternatives at present, whilst we await the pill?

In the Netherlands, GLP-1 medicines that are already registered are available via a doctor. These include injectable semaglutide, such as Wegovy (semaglutide injection), and tirzepatide, available as Mounjaro (tirzepatide injection) as an alternative via a doctor. For those who do not wish to wait for the pill, these injections are the proven option.

A doctor will always assess which medicine is suitable on an individual basis, taking into account your health, your BMI and any other medical conditions. Bear in mind that all GLP-1 medicines can cause side effects. Nausea is the most common, affecting up to 27% of users, alongside diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallstones and acute kidney failure due to dehydration. These medicines are not used during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. View the full overview of weight-loss medicines to see what options are currently available.

Goodweigh keeps you up to date and can help you get started right away

The new GLP-1 pill is on its way, but is not yet available in the Netherlands. Goodweigh is closely monitoring developments and is already offering guidance on the available, registered weight-loss medication. Complete the online assessment and let a Dutch doctor assess which treatment is currently best suited to you.