Obesity Treatment: What’s New, What’s Next in 2026

Obesity treatment is entering an exciting new phase. After years of steady but measured progress, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year with new drug formulations and expanded dosing options that promise more effective weight management for millions of people worldwide.

🧪 1. MHRA Approves Wegovy 7.2 mg — A Major Step Forward

In January 2026, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved a higher-strength Wegovy dose (semaglutide 7.2 mg weekly) for adults with obesity. This expands the weekly dosing options beyond the current 2.4 mg maximum and reflects compelling evidence that a greater dose can deliver more substantial weight loss.

• 📈 Greater weight loss: Clinical data from the STEP UP programme (which underpinned the approval) showed average weight losses of around 20 % of bodyweight with 7.2 mg — with many people losing even more — compared to lower doses.
• 💉 How it’s administered today: Currently, the 7.2 mg dose is given as three 2.4 mg injections once a week all on the same day while a single-dose higher-strength pen is in development.
• ⏱️ Availability timeline: Novo Nordisk has indicated that the new 7.2 mg device (a dedicated single-pen formulation) is expected to be available around May-June 2026, making the regimen simpler and more convenient for patients.

This is a big moment for people struggling with obesity who need greater therapeutic effect beyond what the standard 2.4 mg dose provides — offering a dose tailored to those still plateauing after initial treatment.

💊 2. High-Dose Oral Semaglutide (Semaglutide 50 mg Daily)

Another major development is on the oral semaglutide front — particularly a high-dose 50 mg daily formulation studied in the OASIS 1 Phase 3 trial.

• 📊 The OASIS 1 Phase 3 trial — which tested once-daily oral semaglutide 50 mg against placebo in adults with obesity — showed clinically meaningful mean weight loss. Participants on the high-dose regimen experienced weight reductions averaging over 15 %, with many achieving >20 % bodyweight loss.
• 🧬 These results confirm that oral GLP-1 therapy can be effective for weight management, potentially offering an alternative for people who prefer tablets over injections. While oral semaglutide is already approved at lower doses for diabetes, this higher dose version is still under review and could become a major player in obesity treatment when regulatory filings complete later in 2026.

If approved, this would mark an important milestone — finally expanding oral GLP-1 therapy beyond the currently available lower-dose diabetes tablets into dedicated obesity treatment.

💡 3. The Rise of Orforglipron — A Daily Pill From Eli Lilly

In parallel with semaglutide developments, Eli Lilly’s orforglipron is advancing rapidly and is positioning itself as a leading once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss:

• 📉 In the pivotal ATTAIN-1 Phase 3 trial, orforglipron at the highest 36 mg dose achieved significant weight loss (~12.4 %) over 72 weeks compared to placebo.
• 📍 The drug also showed improvements in cardiometabolic markers — including reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure — while maintaining a safety profile similar to other GLP-1 therapies.
• 🗓️ Lilly has already submitted regulatory applications and is pushing for approval, targeted for early-mid 2026, with potential availability in markets shortly after approval decisions.

Orforglipron’s oral daily format offers a compelling choice for those who want the convenience of a pill without injections — and it could be especially attractive for maintenance therapy after initial weight loss from weekly injectables.

📈 Why 2026 Is a Turning Point

These developments signal two major shifts in obesity pharmacotherapy:

A. More Effective Dosing Options

Instead of one standard dose, clinicians and patients will soon have:

• Higher efficacy injectable options like Wegovy 7.2 mg,
• Daily oral GLP-1 molecules — both high-dose semaglutide and orforglipron — broadening treatment styles and patient preferences.

B. Greater Patient Choice

Where once weekly injections were the only GLP-1-based option for obesity, by the end of 2026 patients could choose:

• Weekly injections (standard and higher doses),
• Daily tablets with different active compounds,
• Personalized care paths integrating lifestyle and metabolic therapy.

These advances are evidence of how quickly obesity treatment is moving from a one-size-fits-all model to a diverse, stratified therapeutic landscape that can be tailored to individual needs.

📌 Final Thoughts

Obesity is a complex, chronic condition — and 2026 could be the year when medical treatment choices grow meaningfully beyond what was once possible. With MHRA approval of Wegovy 7.2 mg, the potential rollout of oral semaglutide 50 mg, and the rise of orforglipron as a daily oral therapy, patients and clinicians alike will have more tools to manage weight, cardiometabolic risk, and long-term health outcomes.

If you’re considering or currently on obesity medication, these developments are worth considering as new options gain regulatory approval and market availability throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the approval of Wegovy 7.2 mg actually mean for patients?

It means that people who have not achieved sufficient weight loss on the standard 2.4 mg dose may now have access to a higher, more effective weekly dose under medical supervision. This offers a new option for those who have plateaued despite adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes.

Can patients use Wegovy 7.2 mg now?

Yes — in practice, the dose can already be administered by injecting three 2.4 mg doses on the same day each week. A dedicated single-pen 7.2 mg device is expected to become available between May and June 2026, simplifying administration.

Will higher doses mean more side effects?

As with all GLP-1 therapies, gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea or reflux) can occur, particularly during dose escalation. Clinical trials suggest that side effects with higher doses are generally manageable when titrated carefully, and many patients tolerate them well over time.

What’s the advantage of oral semaglutide over injections?

The biggest advantage is convenience. Some patients prefer a daily tablet rather than a weekly injection. Oral semaglutide 50 mg has shown strong weight-loss results, making it a promising alternative for people who dislike injections or want more flexibility.

Is oral semaglutide as effective as injectable Wegovy?

Injectable semaglutide (especially at higher doses like 7.2 mg) currently produces the greatest average weight loss. However, oral semaglutide 50 mg still delivers clinically meaningful results and may suit patients prioritising ease of use over maximum weight reduction.

What is orforglipron and how is it different?

Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist taken once daily. Unlike semaglutide, it does not require special absorption conditions, which could make dosing simpler. It’s also being explored as a maintenance option after injectable therapy.

When will these treatments actually be available to patients?

• Wegovy 7.2 mg device: Expected May–June 2026
• Oral semaglutide 50 mg: Anticipated mid-2026, pending regulatory approval
• Orforglipron 36 mg: Expected later in 2026, depending on approval timelines

Will these treatments be available on the NHS?

Approval by regulators does not automatically mean NHS availability. Cost-effectiveness assessments and commissioning decisions will determine access. Private prescriptions are likely to become available first.

Comparison of Upcoming Obesity Treatments (2026)

*Weight-loss figures are averages from clinical trials and may vary between individuals.

What This Means for Patients

By the end of 2026, obesity treatment is likely to look very different from today. Patients and clinicians will be able to choose between:

• Higher-dose weekly injections for maximum effect
• Daily oral GLP-1 therapies for convenience and flexibility,
• Tailored long-term treatment strategies rather than a single fixed approach.

This growing range of options reflects a deeper understanding of obesity as a chronic, biologically driven condition — and a move toward personalised, sustainable care.

Author: Margaret Hudson MRPharmS