What is WeGovy Semiglutide
It works by making you not want to eat as much. When used with a healthy diet and exercise, it can help you lose weight.
It’s available on prescription for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above, or 27 and above with weight-related conditions.
How does Wegovy work?
The drug works by reducing your appetite. It means you consume fewer calories and you will lose weight gradually.
The active ingredient, Semaglutide, is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 agonist. This is the same type of medicine as the weight loss drug Saxenda. These medications work by making your body produce more of a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone affects how hungry you feel.
Increasing GLP-1 levels slows down digestion and stomach emptying. It affects your appetite because you feel fuller for longer which means you eat less. Over time, this results in weight loss.
How much weight can I lose on Wegovy?
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Clinical trials have demonstrated that Wegovy is effective for weight loss.
Adults lost an average of 35 lbs after 15 months on Wegovy.
One study looked at the effects of Wegovy versus a placebo drug over 68 weeks. The average starting weight of the participants was 232 lbs. The participants were told to eat less food and exercise more.
They found that 83% of participants lost 5% of their original body weight or more using Wegovy, compared to just 31% using the placebo. In addition, they found that participants lost an average of 35 lbs (15kg).
What are the benefits?
Besides losing weight, treatment can have several benefits.
- improved blood sugar levels
- improved self-esteem and self-confidence
- more mobility
- lowers your risk of long-term health problems (e.g. heart disease and stroke)
- improved mental health
Who can use it?
The drug will only be prescribed for people with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
You cannot use it if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have had a reaction to Semaglutide in the past
- a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)
Several risks may mean the medication is not suitable for you, such as if you have:
- gallbladder problems
- a history of pancreatitis
- a history of mental illness and/or suicidal thoughts
- thyroid problems (e.g. underactive or overactive thyroid)
- type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic retinopathy
- heart rate condition
- kidney problems
- digestive conditions (e.g. Crohn’s disease)
You should always consult your doctor before starting any medication.
What dose of Wegovy should I take?
You start on the lowest dose, 0.25mg, and increase the dose gradually over the months until you reach the maintenance dose (2.4mg).
How do I go from Ozempic to Wegovy?
As both brands contain the same ingredient, moving from one to the other is simple. The doses are identical. If you are on a 0.25mg dose of Ozempic, you can use the 0.25mg dose of Wegovy.
If you have finished a course of one dose of Ozempic, you can move up to the next dose of Wegovy. For example, if you have just finished your 0.25mg Ozempic pen, you can start the 0.5mg Wegovy pen when your next dose is due.
How do I use a Wegovy pen?
Wegovy is a pre-filled injection pen that you inject yourself with once weekly.
Each time you inject, you need to prepare the needle.
Preparing your needle
Prepare the needle carefully each time so you know that the pen is safe and ready to use.
- Check the name and dose on the - make sure it's correct.
- Pull off the pen cap and check the fluid is clear and colourless. If it’s cloudy or discoloured, do not use the pen.
- Use a new needle and check that it is sealed.
- Once the needle is ready, tear off the paper tab and push the needle onto the pen, turning it until it's on tight.
- Remove both caps from the needle. Keep the outer needle cap so you can safely dispose of the needle later.
You must check the flow before your first injection with each new pen. Turn the dose selector to 0, and a drop of solution should appear.
How to use Wegovy
Once the pen is ready, you can inject it. Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before using Wegovy for the first time.
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Dispose of the needle carefully after each injection. Place the outer cap back on the needle and unscrew the needle from the pen. Discard the needle into a sharps bin.
What are the side effects?
As with all prescription medicines, it can cause some side effects. This is especially true during the first few months.
The most common side effects of Wegovy may include:
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- headache
- dizziness
- tiredness
- indigestion and heartburn
Most of these side effects should disappear once your body has gotten used to the medication. However, if you experience any persistent or worrying side effects, speak to your healthcare provider.
If you take any sulfonylurea medicines for diabetes, you may develop low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) while using Wegovy. Make sure you learn the signs of hypo before using this medication.
Wegovy FAQs
How do I dispose of Wegovy?
The Wegovy needles need to be disposed of in a sharps bin which we provide you with. Once that bin is full, you need to contact your local council for safe waste disposal. The pen itself can be disposed of at your local pharmacy.
How do I store Wegovy?
Unopened Wegovy pens must be kept in the fridge between 2-8°C. If they are not refrigerated within 48 hours of dispatch, you can still use them safely for up to 6 weeks.
Once opened, they can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature (no higher than 30°C) for up to 6 weeks. Always check the colour of the solution before using it.
How do I switch from Saxenda to Wegovy?
If you’re on Saxenda, you can start Wegovy on the day after your last Saxenda dose.
How long will it take to lose weight on Wegovy?
Your progress will depend on many factors. Most people will start to see significant results after 4 weeks of treatment. For others, it may take longer.
Do I need to take Wegovy with a meal?
No, you don’t need to take Wegovy with food.
