The Wegovy Pill is Here: What Teens, Young Adults, and Parents Need to Know
By Lisa Tritto, MD
Board-Certified Pediatrician & Obesity Medicine Specialist
Evora for Kids | St. Louis & Telehealth
You may have seen the headlines or heard the buzz on morning shows like Today: a Wegovy pill is now FDA-approved. This is a big moment in obesity medicine — and naturally, many families and young adults are asking whether this new option could be right for them.
Here’s what you need to know, especially if you’re a college student, young adult, or parent of a teen.
What Is the Wegovy Pill?
The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a medication in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. GLP-1 medications work by:
reducing appetite and cravings
increasing feelings of fullness
slowing digestion
helping regulate appetite signals in the brain
Until now, Wegovy was only available as a weekly injection. The newly approved pill offers a daily oral option, which many people find more convenient and less intimidating.
In clinical trials, adults taking oral semaglutide experienced significant, clinically meaningful weight loss, comparable to injectable forms when combined with lifestyle support.
Watch the Today show segment on the Wegovy pill
Who Can Take the Wegovy Pill?
✔️ Adults 18 years and older
The Wegovy pill is currently FDA-approved only for adults, meaning patients must be at least 18 years old to be prescribed this medication.
That makes it particularly relevant for:
college students
young adults
individuals transitioning from pediatric to adult care
At Evora for Kids, I care for older teens and young adults up to age 25, including many college students navigating independence, busy schedules, stress, and changing eating habits. For patients who are 18 and older, the Wegovy pill may be an option worth discussing.
Is the Pill Better Than the Injection?
Neither option is “better” for everyone — they are simply different tools.
Some patients prefer the pill because it:
avoids injections
fits more easily into daily routines
feels more private or less stigmatizing
Others do well with weekly injections. The best choice depends on:
age and eligibility
medical history
lifestyle and preferences
side-effect tolerance
insurance coverage
This is where individualized, specialist-guided care matters.
What If My Child or Teen Is Under 18?
Although the Wegovy pill is not approved for patients under 18, that does not mean younger teens are out of options.
At Evora for Kids, I provide evidence-based obesity care for children, adolescents, older teens, and young adults, including:
nutrition and lifestyle counseling tailored to developmental stage
behavioral and emotional health support
FDA-approved medications for adolescents, when appropriate
careful monitoring of growth, puberty, and overall health
For teens who are approaching adulthood, we also focus on transition planning, so that treatment can evolve appropriately as new options — like adult medications — become available.
Why Specialist Care Matters for Teens & Young Adults
Weight management during adolescence and young adulthood is different from care later in life. College students and young adults often face:
irregular schedules
stress and sleep disruption
changing food environments
new independence with health decisions
As a board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, with experience prescribing weight-management medications across age groups, I help patients and families navigate these challenges safely and thoughtfully.
Considering Treatment? Let’s Talk
If you’re:
a college student or young adult (18–25) curious about the Wegovy pill
a parent of a teen who isn’t yet eligible but needs support now
a family looking for compassionate, expert-guided obesity care
📅 Evora for Kids offers in-person and telemedicine visits to help you understand your options and create a personalized plan.
The conversation doesn’t have to wait — and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
