The FDA has approved the first daily oral version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, giving Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly, whose oral obesity drug orforglipron is still under review.

Both pills are GLP-1 drugs that mimic a hormone controlling appetite, similar to popular injectables like Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound, which have transformed obesity treatment for millions of Americans.

Clinical trials showed oral Wegovy users lost an average of 13.6% of body weight over 15 months, nearly matching injectable Wegovy, while Lilly’s orforglipron led to 11.2% weight loss over 17 months.

The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a 30-minute wait before eating, while Lilly’s drug has no such restrictions, and both have side effects like nausea and diarrhea, NPR has reported.

Experts say the biggest impact of the oral pills may be wider accessibility and lower costs, with Novo Nordisk offering a starting dose for $149 per month.