The short answer
Daily oral semaglutide produced more weight loss than placebo in adults without type 2 diabetes. OASIS 1 studied a 50 mg dose; it was not a pill-versus-injection comparison.
How was it tested?
Researchers randomized 667 adults with overweight or obesity to oral semaglutide or placebo for 68 weeks. Both groups received lifestyle support.
The main analysis included participants regardless of stopping treatment or using other weight-loss therapies.
Percent of starting weight
Original chart based on the study. Values are reported group results.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Oral semaglutide 50 mg | −15.1% |
| Placebo | −2.4% |
What happened?
Average estimated weight change was −15.1% with semaglutide versus −2.4% with placebo.
Digestive adverse events occurred in 80% versus 46%, mostly mild or moderate. Any adverse event was reported by 92% versus 86%.
Why it matters
The study established that substantial weight loss could be achieved with an oral formulation in this population. It did not show that the pill matched injections, nor how the results would change in people with type 2 diabetes.
The 50 mg figure describes this trial, not interchangeable dosing across semaglutide products. Our OASIS 4 summary covers the separate 25 mg trial.
Sources
Knop and colleagues, The Lancet, 2023. Funded by Novo Nordisk. Study abstract · DOI.