Can You Cut, Split or Crush a Wegovy Tablet?
Wegovy tablets must be swallowed whole. They should not be cut, split, crushed or chewed.
The UK product information for Wegovy tablets states that it is not known whether splitting, crushing or chewing the tablet affects the absorption of semaglutide. Altering the tablet could therefore make its effects less predictable and would be outside the approved instructions for taking the medicine.
Wegovy tablets are prescription-only medicines and should only be used under the direction of an appropriate prescriber.
This guide explains how to take Wegovy tablets correctly, why they should not be altered and what to do if a tablet is damaged or difficult to swallow.
Can you split a Wegovy tablet?
No. Wegovy tablets should not be split or cut.
You should not divide the tablet to:
- produce a smaller dose
- create an intermediate dose
- reduce side effects
- make the tablet easier to swallow
- make a prescription last longer
- share the medicine with another person
A split tablet cannot be assumed to provide exactly half of the intended effect. Wegovy tablets are available in specific strengths so that the dose can be increased gradually using one whole tablet at each stage.
Can you crush or chew Wegovy tablets?
No. Wegovy tablets should not be crushed or chewed.
Oral semaglutide has low and variable absorption on its own. Wegovy tablets also contain salcaprozate sodium, known as SNAC, an ingredient that helps semaglutide to be absorbed through the stomach lining. The official product information states that the tablet should not be split, crushed or chewed, as it is not known whether this affects semaglutide absorption.
It would therefore be inaccurate to say that crushing the tablet definitely "destroys" semaglutide. The established concern is that the medicine has not been approved or tested for use in this way, so its absorption and effect may not be reliable.
Can you dissolve a Wegovy tablet in water?
No. Wegovy tablets are intended to be swallowed whole with a small amount of water, not dissolved before use.
The tablet should be taken with a sip of water, up to a maximum of 120 mL, which is about half a glass. Dissolving it would alter the tablet before it reaches the stomach and would not follow the licensed administration instructions.
How should you take Wegovy tablets?
For Wegovy tablets to be absorbed properly, the timing and method of administration matter.
If you have been prescribed Wegovy tablets, follow your prescriber's instructions. The licensed administration instructions are:
- Take one Wegovy tablet once a day.
- Take it on an empty stomach, after a recommended fasting period of at least eight hours.
- Swallow the tablet whole.
- Use only a sip of water, up to a maximum of 120 mL.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other oral medicine.
Waiting less than 30 minutes or taking the tablet with a large volume of water reduces the absorption of semaglutide.
Follow the instructions provided by your prescriber and read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medicine.
What are the Wegovy tablet doses?
For adults prescribed Wegovy tablets, the approved UK dosing schedule starts at a low dose and increases gradually:
| Treatment stage | Usual daily dose |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | 1.5 mg once daily |
| Month 2 | 4 mg once daily |
| Month 3 | 9 mg once daily |
| Month 4 onwards | 25 mg once daily |
Each dose level is used for a minimum of one month before stepping up. The 25 mg dose is the recommended maintenance dose, although a prescriber may decide to keep a patient at a lower dose for longer if needed.
Only one tablet should be taken each day. You should not combine two or more tablets to produce a higher dose.
What should you do if a Wegovy tablet is accidentally split or crushed?
Do not assume that part of a damaged tablet will provide a reliable proportion of the prescribed dose.
If a tablet becomes split, crushed or otherwise damaged before you take it:
- Do not take extra tablets to compensate.
- Do not try to estimate a dose from part of the tablet.
- Contact the dispensing pharmacy, prescriber or another appropriate healthcare professional for advice.
If you have already swallowed an altered tablet, do not automatically take another tablet. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do, as taking an additional dose could result in more semaglutide being taken than prescribed.
If you think you may have taken more Wegovy than prescribed, contact your prescriber or NHS 111 for advice, and check the "what to do if you take more than you should" section of the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.
What happens if you forget to take a Wegovy tablet?
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your usual dose the following day.
Do not take an additional tablet or double the next dose to make up for the missed one.
What if you cannot swallow the Wegovy tablet whole?
Do not crush, split or dissolve the tablet to make it easier to take.
Speak to your prescriber or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. They can assess whether Wegovy tablets are suitable for you and discuss other clinically appropriate options.
The 1.5 mg, 4 mg and 9 mg Wegovy tablets are round and 6.5 mm in diameter. The 25 mg tablet is oval and measures 6.8 mm by 12 mm.
Depending on your circumstances, your prescriber may consider whether a different treatment or formulation would be more appropriate. Do not switch between Wegovy tablets and injections without medical guidance, as the absorption of oral semaglutide is more variable and the effects of switching cannot always be predicted without clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut a 25 mg Wegovy tablet in half?
No. The 25 mg Wegovy tablet should be swallowed whole. Cutting it in half is not an approved way to obtain a lower dose, and each half cannot be assumed to provide a predictable effect.
Can you crush Wegovy tablets and mix them with food?
No. Wegovy tablets should not be crushed or mixed with food. They must be swallowed whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours.
Can you take a Wegovy tablet with coffee?
You should take the tablet with a sip of plain water only. After taking it, wait at least 30 minutes before drinking coffee or any other drink.
Can you take Wegovy tablets with other medicines?
Take Wegovy first and wait at least 30 minutes before taking other oral medicines, unless your prescriber has given you different instructions. Wegovy can affect how quickly the stomach empties and may affect the absorption of some oral medicines, so discuss your regular medication with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Can you take two lower-strength tablets instead of one higher-strength tablet?
No. Wegovy tablets should always be taken as one tablet per day. Two tablets should not be used to obtain the effect of a higher dose.
This article is intended for general information and does not replace advice from a pharmacist, doctor or prescriber. Always follow the instructions supplied with your medicine.
