GLP-1 pill: will the weight-loss pill be available in the Netherlands?

The short answer: A GLP-1 tablet is an oral weight-loss medication that works through the same mechanism as well-known injections. Two new tablets were approved in the United States in 2026, but these new GLP-1 tablets are not yet available in the Netherlands.

A weight-loss tablet is closer than ever. Wegovy and Foundayo, two new GLP-1 tablets for weight loss, were approved in the United States in 2026. For many who fear weekly injections, a tablet seems like an attractive alternative.

But what exactly is a GLP-1 tablet, how does it differ from the familiar injections, and when can it be expected in the Netherlands? In this article, we objectively review what is currently possible, what is not yet available, and which proven alternatives are already at your disposal.

What is a GLP-1 tablet?

A GLP-1 tablet is an oral medication that activates the GLP-1 receptor, just like the familiar GLP-1 injections. This activation slows down gastric emptying and suppresses appetite via the hypothalamus, helping you feel full faster and for longer. The only difference compared to the injection is the method of administration: a tablet instead of a weekly injection.

Oral GLP-1 preparations have actually been available for some time. Rybelsus, an oral semaglutide tablet, is registered in Europe for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Just like Ozempic, it is also prescribed off-label for weight loss, but the new generation of tablets is specifically registered for this purpose and is available in higher doses. A review article on GLP-1 medications describes how rapidly these treatments are evolving, as recent scientific studies show.

Which GLP-1-based tablets are available?

Two new GLP-1-based tablets for weight loss are currently approved, both in the United States. The first is Novo Nordisk’s 25 mg oral semaglutide tablet, Wegovy, which received FDA approval in December 2025. The second is Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, containing orforglipron, which was approved in April 2026.

These two medications differ significantly. The Wegovy tablet contains semaglutide, the same peptide as the well-known injection, and must be taken on an empty stomach with a small sip of water, followed by a 30-minute wait. Foundayo, on the other hand, is the first small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist, and there are no specific instructions for taking it: it can be taken at any time, with or without a meal. Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is also used—much like Ozempic—off-label for weight loss.

How effective is a GLP-1 tablet compared to an injection?

The efficacy of the new tablets is close to that of the injections. A phase 3 study on oral semaglutide demonstratedthat a 25 mg dose led to a weight loss of approximately 16.6%, which is comparable to the results achieved by those receiving the Wegovy injection. A phase 3 study on orforglipron shows an average weight loss of approximately 9 kilograms and an improvement in blood sugar levels.

For those who fear needles, a tablet significantly lowers the barrier to treatment. However, consistent use and a healthy lifestyle remain crucial for results. The tablet is not a guarantee or a miracle cure: the medication helps, but diet and exercise remain the foundation. If you want to know if this type of treatment is right for you, check out the eligibility requirements for GLP-1 medications.

What is the difference between Wegovy and Foundayo tablets?

The main practical difference lies in how they are administered. The Wegovy tablet must be taken on an empty stomach with a specific waiting period, whereas Foundayo has no such dosing restrictions. The table below compares these two tablets and the injection so you can see at a glance how they differ.

Ominaisuus

how the program works: from initial assessment to delivery.

What alternatives are currently available while waiting for the pill?

There are already approved GLP-1-based medications available by prescription in the Netherlands. These include injectable semaglutide, such as Wegovy (injectable semaglutide), as well as tirzepatide, which is available by prescription as Mounjaro (injectable tirzepatide). For those who do not want to wait for a pill, these injections are a proven and effective alternative.

A doctor always decides on a case-by-case basis which medication is best suited to a patient's health status, BMI, and any other existing conditions. It is important to remember that all GLP-1-based medications can cause side effects. The most common are nausea, which occurs in up to 27 percent of users, as well as diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallstones, and acute kidney failure due to dehydration. These medications must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. See the complete list of weight loss medications to see the options currently available.

Goodweigh keeps you up to date and helps you get started right now

A new GLP-1 pill is coming soon, but it is not yet available in the Netherlands. Goodweigh monitors developments closely and already provides support for the use of available and approved weight loss medications. Complete the online assessment questionnaire and let a Dutch doctor determine which treatment is best for you at this time.

Viitteet

Wharton, S. (2025). Oral semaglutide 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40934115/
Wharton, S. (2025). Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40960239/
Son, J. (2026). Novel GLP-1-based therapeutics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Endocrine Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41054801/
Kokkorakis, M. (2025). New pharmacological treatments for obesity: A systematic review. Pharmacological Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39952695/
Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. Semaglutide. https://www.farmacotherapeutischkompas.nl/bladeren/preparaatteksten/s/semaglutide
European Medicines Agency. Rybelsus EPAR product information. https://www.ema.europa.eu/nl/documents/product-information/rybelsus-epar-product-information_nl.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I already buy a GLP-1 tablet in the Netherlands?

No, GLP-1-based weight loss tablets (Wegovy and Foundayo tablets) are only approved in the United States and are not yet available in the Netherlands or the European Union. Rybelsus, however, is available, and much like Ozempic, it is also used off-label for weight loss, but new tablets specifically intended for weight loss are not yet available.

Are weight loss pills as effective as injections?

The new tablets are comparable in effect to injections. In one study, a 25 mg oral dose of semaglutide resulted in approximately 16.6% weight loss. Results depend heavily on consistent use and a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, a single tablet does not guarantee success.

What is the difference between Wegovy and Foundayo pills?

Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide and must be taken on an empty stomach, followed by a 30-minute wait. Foundayo contains orforglipron, a small-molecule compound that does not require any special administration instructions. Foundayo can be taken at any time, with or without food.

When is the GLP-1 pill expected to be launched in the Netherlands?

This has not yet been confirmed. The EMA is currently evaluating oral semaglutide, and there are no plans to bring orforglipron to the European market before 2027. Exact dates, reimbursement status, and indications remain unclear and will vary by medication.

What can I do if I don't want to wait to start taking the pill?

In the Netherlands, injectable semaglutide and tirzepatide are already available by prescription. Complete the Goodweigh online questionnaire so that a Dutch doctor can assess whether one of these proven, effective treatments is right for you.

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