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A new tablet version of Wegovy, a peptide used to help people lose weight, has been approved for the first time in Australia.

Until now, the best-known medicines in this group (semaglutide, sold as Wegovy or Ozempic, and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro) have generally required weekly injections. The new daily tablet offers another option for people who would prefer not to (or can't) inject themselves.

But how does it work? And will swallowing a pill make weight loss easier, cheaper or safer?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a medicine that copies the action of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps regulate blood sugar, appetite and digestion.

On Tuesday, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registered four strengths of Wegovy tablets: 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg.

This makes it the first GLP-1 medicine approved in Australia in tablet form specifically for weight management.

Semaglutide acts on the brain and digestive system. It reduces hunger, increases feelings of fullness and slows how quickly food leaves the stomach. This can help people feel satisfied with smaller meals and reduce how often they feel hungry.

The medicine is intended for adults living with obesity, or people who are overweight and have other weight-related health conditions. It may also be prescribed to some people with heart (cardiovascular) disease to reduce their risk of serious heart problems , such as heart attack or stroke.

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