Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy logs about 3,071 U.S. retail prescriptions

Novo Nordisk’s newly launched oral Wegovy recorded roughly 3,071 U.S. retail pharmacy prescriptions in the first days after commercial launch, according to IQVIA retail pharmacy data shared with analysts at Barclays. The figure provides an early glimpse of demand for an oral GLP-1 weight-loss option but does not capture prescriptions filled through Novo Nordisk’s own NovoCare Pharmacy or other non-retail channels, meaning total uptake is almost certainly higher.

The underlying IQVIA count covers the first four days of availability, though some market notes framed the metric as a first-week datapoint. Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat described the week ending Jan. 9 as “solid,” saying the initial pull for oral Wegovy bodes well for the broader oral GLP-1 category and for both Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly. Raffat estimated that in its first week the pill represented roughly 1.3 percent of total Wegovy prescriptions, and he noted that combined Wegovy volume - oral and injectable - was down week-over-week in the referenced period. Despite its very recent launch, oral Wegovy trailed only Lilly’s injectable Zepbound in total GLP-1 prescriptions for the week, according to analyst commentary.

Market reaction followed the data: Novo Nordisk shares rose about 4.5 percent in morning trading to $59.72, while Eli Lilly shares slipped roughly 1.2 percent to $1,020.50, reflecting investor interest in product positioning and competitive dynamics across the obesity drug market.

Competition remains a central theme. Eli Lilly’s oral candidate forglipron, also referred to as orforglipron, had not received U.S. approval as of early January and was expected by some analysts to seek approval in April. Analysts and company statements drew contrasts in dosing and administration: Novo has said food-management requirements for its oral Wegovy are “very manageable.” By comparison, analysts highlighted that Lilly’s molecule is a synthetic small molecule reported not to require overnight fasting or other food restrictions, and that Lilly’s Phase 3 protocol prompted some patients to delay statin dosing by two to four hours after taking the drug—a potential consideration for prescribers and patients.

Access and out-of-pocket cost will influence uptake. GoodRx announced Jan. 5 that eligible self-pay patients can obtain oral Wegovy through its platform at a cash price of $149 per month for the two lowest FDA-approved doses (1.5 mg and 4 mg) through April 15, 2026; after that date GoodRx said the 4 mg dose would increase to $199 per month. The 9 mg and 25 mg doses carry a $299 monthly cash price, the company said, and GoodRx stated the pill would be available at more than 70,000 retail pharmacies nationwide with clinicians available via its GoodRx for Weight Loss service to assess eligibility.

Analysts and market watchers say the next reporting cycles should clarify how quickly oral Wegovy gains share once NovoCare and other non-retail distribution are tallied, how prescribing patterns evolve week-over-week, and whether labeling or administration differences among oral candidates will sway prescribers and patients.