Description
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a licensed weight loss treatment in the UK. It is a self-injectable, prescription medication that contains the active ingredient Semaglutide. The medication works by reducing hunger, regulating blood sugar, and minimising calorie intake.
How does Wegovy work in the body?
After Wegovy (semaglutide) is taken, it acts like the hormone GLP-1, which is naturally released by the body after eating. By mimicking this hormone, Wegovy not only regulates blood sugar but also alerts the brain that the body no longer requires more food. This way it reduces appetite and prolongs the feeling of fullness. The continuous Wegovy intake results in gradual weight loss over the period of time.
Wegovy shows best results when it’s taken alongside lifestyle changes (healthier diet and increased exercise). Around 85% of users lost at least 5% of their weight as compared to the 40% who lost 5% when no lifestyle changes were made.
Wegovy Medication Summary
| Dose Frequency | Once weekly injection |
|---|---|
| Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient | Semaglutide |
| Drug Family | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| How Wegovy works | Wegovy helps reduce appetite by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone released after eating and slowing digestion, helping you feel fuller for longer and support weight loss. |
| Maximum Weight Loss | Up to 15% after 12 months* |
| Available Strengths | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg |
How effective is Wegovy?
Wegovy is an effective weight loss medication that has shown successful results in clinical trials. A 68-week clinical trial found that individuals lost up to 15% of their body weight on Wegovy’s highest dose: 2.4 mg.
-4%
-6%
-8%
-15%Note: This information is in accordance with a clinical study comparing a 72-week trial with placebo results.
Wegovy Dosage Plan
The Wegovy dosing schedule is designed to increase slowly over time. This step-by-step plan helps your body get used to the medication while supporting safe and effective weight loss.
Wegovy 0.25 mg
The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg. This dose helps your body to adjust to the new weight loss medication.
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Wegovy 0.5 mg
The first continuation dose of Wegovy is 0.5 mg. It is taken from week 5 to week 8 of starting the weight loss shot.
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Wegovy 1.0 mg
The second continuation dose of Wegovy is 1.0 mg.. It is preferably taken from week 9 to week 12 of your weight loss journey.
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Wegovy 1.7 mg
The third continuation dose of Wegovy is 1.7 mg. It is prescribed from week 13 to week 16 of your weight loss journey when the body has adjusted to the weight loss shot.
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Wegovy 2.4 mg
The maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg. It is prescribed from week 17 onwards when your body has completely adjusted to the weight loss shot. This is the full post, and you will continue this for the remaining duration of your treatment.
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How to Self Inject Wegovy
Follow this general guide to self inject the Wegovy weight loss injection:
- First, make sure the name and dose on your Wegovy pen match your prescription and that you have the correct medication strength.
- Remove the pen cap and ensure the liquid inside is clear and colourless. Do not use the pen if it looks cloudy or contains particles.
- Prepare a new needle (always use a new needle for each weekly injection). Attach the needle securely to the pen.
- Take off both the outer and inner needle caps. If this is your first time using the pen, perform a flow check as described in the patient leaflet.
- Turn the dose selector until the correct dose appears in the window.
- Choose your injection site.
- Insert the needle straight into your skin, following the instructions in your patient leaflet. Make sure you can see the dose counter during the injection.
- After injecting, carefully place the outer cap back on the needle, unscrew it, and discard both in a sharps bin.
Video Guide on How to use the Wegovy Weight Loss Injection
Watch this step-by-step video instructions on how to use the Wegovy injection for weight loss. The video shows complete instructions for using the Wegovy (semaglutide) injection.
Where to Inject Wegovy Weight Loss Injections
Choose an area on your abdomen, upper legs or upper arms to inject Wegovy.
Here are some marked locations that you may select as an injection site.
You can rotate your injection sites weekly to prevent injection marks.
Make sure to inject at least one finger away from the last injection. If injecting in the abdomen, ensure to inject at least 5 cm away from the Navel.
What if I miss a Wegovy dose?
If you forget to take your Wegovy injection and it’s been 5 days or less since your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your next injection on your usual day even if that means your next dose is only 2 or 3 days later.
If it’s been more than 5 days since your missed dose, skip it and wait until your next scheduled injection. Do not take an extra or double dose to make up for it, as this can increase the risk of side effects.
Missing doses regularly can reduce how effective your treatment is. If you’ve missed two or more doses, speak to your doctor. They may advise restarting Wegovy at a lower dose, especially if you’ve experienced stomach-related side effects during treatment.
Wegovy interactions with other medications
Wegovy may affect, or be affected by, other medications, so it’s important to tell a prescriber about all the medicines, supplements, or over-the-counter products you are taking before starting treatment. The dose of your other medications may be adjusted to make sure your treatment is safe.
If you use insulin or sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes, combining these with Wegovy can raise the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely and adjust your diabetes medication as needed.
Wegovy should never be used at the same time as another GLP-1 receptor agonist, such as Mounjaro or liraglutide. Using two GLP-1 medications together is like taking a double dose, which can significantly increase the chance of serious side effects.
Wegovy and heart health
Wegovy (semaglutide) has been approved in the UK by MHRA for the treatment of obesity and weight-related heart concerns. In clinical trials, it has been found that using Wegovy for weight loss can also reduce the risk of stroke or heart attacks by 20%.
Wegovy Comparison with other weight loss injections
| Wegovy | Mounjaro | Saxenda | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | Liraglutide |
| How does it work | Reduces appetite, slows down stomach emptying, and prolongs satiety. | Reduces appetite, slows down stomach emptying, prolongs satiety, and controls blood sugar. | Reduces appetite, slows down stomach emptying, and prolongs satiety. |
| Dose schedule | Dose is increased every 4 weeks | Dose is increased every 4 weeks | Dose is increased every week |
| How often it is taken | Once-weekly | Once-weekly | Once-daily |
| Effectiveness | During clinical trials people lost up to 15% of their body weight. | During clinical trials people lost up to 20% of their body weight. | During clinical trials people lost up to 5-10% of their body weight. |
| Prescription needed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
When to Stop Wegovy?
You can stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide) when you have achieved your desired weight or a healthy BMI. The prescription weight loss medication is not addictive, so once you stop it’s unlikely to experience any withdrawal symptoms. You may, although, notice some of your appetite returning. Therefore, even after stopping Wegovy (semaglutide) it’s better to maintain healthy eating habits and exercise to maintain healthy weight.
What are the Wegovy side effects?
Like all prescription treatments, Wegovy may cause side effects in some people, while many others experience only mild symptoms or none at all. Most effects are temporary and settle as your body adjusts.
Very Common Side Effects
These are the side effects that some users may notice at the beginning, and they often improve over time:
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness or feeling weak
- Stomach pain or discomfort
Common Side Effects
Some people may also experience mild digestive or general symptoms, which vary from person to person:
- Indigestion or upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Bloating, burping, or passing gas
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Redness, swelling, or soreness where the injection is given
- Gallstones
- Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), which may cause discomfort
- Low blood sugar (mainly in people with diabetes using insulin or sulfonylureas)
- Tingling sensations, changes in taste, or changes in digestion
Uncommon Side Effects
These are less likely, but may occur in some individuals:
- Faster heartbeat
- Higher pancreatic enzyme levels (picked up in blood tests)
- Slower stomach emptying (gastroparesis)
- Low blood sugar in people without diabetes
- Increased bilirubin, which may lead to yellowing of the skin or eyes
Serious Side Effects
These side effects are uncommon, but it is important to be aware of them. Seek medical advice if you notice:
- Changes in vision if you have diabetes, as Wegovy may temporarily worsen diabetic eye symptoms
- Severe stomach or back pain, which may be a sign of pancreatitis
- Symptoms of kidney or bladder stones, such as sharp lower-back pain or changes in urine
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness
- Possible bone fractures
- Symptoms of bowel obstruction, such as ongoing bloating, vomiting, or severe constipation
Reassuring Final Line
Keep in mind that not everyone experiences these side effects, and many people tolerate Wegovy very well. If you have any concerns while using the medication, contacting a healthcare professional is always the best step.
Pierre Dubois (verified owner) –
The pharmacy provided excellent service and my order arrived quickly with perfect packaging