COPENHAGEN, Jan 23, 2026, 18:26 CET
- Analysts, referencing IQVIA data, reported that Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill reached 18,410 U.S. prescriptions in the week ending Jan. 16.
- Investors are keeping an eye on whether Novo can hold onto its early advantage in the race for needle-free obesity treatments.
- U.S. regulators aim to make a decision on Eli Lilly’s rival oral obesity drug, orforglipron, by April.
Analysts reported on Friday that Novo Nordisk’s new weight-loss drug Wegovy was prescribed 18,410 times across the U.S. during its first full week on the market, according to IQVIA prescription data. 1
These initial figures are crucial—they offer investors the first concrete indication of whether patients will opt for a daily pill in a space dominated by weekly injections. Novo aims to leverage its first-mover advantage to secure lasting market share, even as Eli Lilly nears its own oral alternative.
Oral obesity drugs bank on convenience and broader access — no injections, simpler logistics, and the chance to be prescribed by more healthcare providers. They also align with a move toward cash payments, allowing faster adoption compared to the typical insurance-led rollout that usually defines U.S. drug launches.
Analysts reported that 18,410 prescriptions were filled during the week ending Jan. 16, following the pill’s launch earlier this month. IQVIA data revealed 3,071 U.S. prescriptions in just the first four days after its Jan. 5 debut.
Analysts noted the launch appears robust compared to previous GLP-1 rollouts, despite the tricky comparison given how much the obesity market has evolved. GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a gut hormone that suppresses appetite and reduces blood sugar.
Barclays analyst James Gordon described the early oral Wegovy data as “very strong,” though he pointed out the market is already well established. Novo has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Investors are closely monitoring if the pill will siphon demand from Novo’s injectable Wegovy, the brand that made semaglutide a worldwide weight-loss powerhouse. Analysts, however, expect injectable drugs to remain the market leaders for years to come.
Shares of Novo have surged roughly 25% in January, jumping 2.5% on Friday alone, Reuters reported. This marks their highest point since late July. The boost comes after CEO Mike Doustdar stepped in, following profit warnings and slower growth that dragged the stock down last year.
Another prescription tracker revealed a sharper rise. According to Symphony Health data referenced by MarketWatch, weekly prescriptions for oral Wegovy soared to 20,392 from just 4,286, while injections of the drug remained steady, the report noted. 2
The next key milestone lies with Lilly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to decide by April on Lilly’s experimental oral obesity drug, orforglipron. Jefferies analyst Akash Tewari called the initial oral Wegovy rollout “directionally encouraging for orfo.”
But the initial spike doesn’t answer the commercial puzzle. If the pill’s out-of-pocket cost discourages users, or insurers hold back on coverage, growth could stall quickly — especially as competitors emerge with alternative pricing, dosing, or availability.
Investors.com reported that analysts monitoring the second week of prescriptions estimated oral Wegovy at about 18,000 scripts. This figure excludes direct-to-consumer online orders placed via NovoCare Pharmacy. 3
Right now, the market’s focusing on a straightforward scoreboard: weekly scripts, the share paid in cash, and whether Novo can sustain its pace before Lilly’s pill gets an FDA verdict.
