Wegovy is the newest weight loss medication to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As part of our series of articles about weight loss prescription drugs, we will look more closely at this latest addition to the market, to help you decide if Wegovy could be right for you. If you are considering both Wegovy and phentermine, please have a look at our detailed comparison article. What does Wegovy look like? How does it work? How much weight can I lose? How should I take Wegovy? Does Wegovy have side effects? What should I avoid when taking Wegovy? Wegovy vs. Ozempic: what's the difference? Is Wegovy covered by insurance? What is the average Wegovy price? Who can prescribe Wegovy? Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. GLP-1 mimics incretin to help reduce the appetite ( 1 ). With a smaller appetite, it is easier to eat less and consequently lose weight.
Wegovy approval was granted by the FDA in 2021. It is prescribed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or those with a BMI of 27 or more and MedicGLP capsules weight-related medical ailments. The medication is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark. What does Wegovy look like? Semaglutide is contained within the prefilled Wegovy pen. The dose is preset, and the needle is invisible. Five different dose pens are available, as it takes up to 20 weeks to reach the full dose of 2.4mg. Each pen is a different color and labeled with its dose. How does it work? By mimicking GLP-1, Wegovy works on areas within the brain that regulate our appetite and how much food we consume. It reduces hunger and increases the feeling of fullness. This makes it easier to eat less and therefore lose weight. How much weight can I lose?
Encouragingly, this weight loss was sustained during the trial, without tolerance to semaglutide occurring. How should I take Wegovy? Wegovy is an injectable medication. The drug is increased on a dose-escalation schedule, with different pens containing a different dose of semaglutide. Wegovy must be kept refrigerated from 2oC to 8oC. The solution can be viewed in the pen’s window and should appear clear, colorless, and without any particles. On your dosing day, you should inject the correct dose subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The dose should be given once weekly on the same day each week, at any time of day. Wegovy is approved for long-term treatment. Does Wegovy have side effects? The most common side effects are gastrointestinal. In clinical trials, participants taking semaglutide noted nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, belching, flatulence, reflux, and gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, more serious adverse events can occur when taking Wegovy. Suicidal ideation or behavior. What should I avoid when taking Wegovy?
Wegovy has shown great promise, Medic GLP Website but it is not suitable for everyone. It is important to check whether the precautions and interactions associated with semaglutide affect you. Rarely, the Wegovy injection has been associated with thyroid cancer. If you (or someone in your family) have had thyroid cancer or have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) then you must not take Wegovy. This medication must also not be used by anyone with an allergy to semaglutide or any other ingredient in Wegovy. If you have pancreatic or MedicGLP Product kidney disease, have diabetes, or have had suicidal ideation in the past, you must tell your prescriber. Wegovy may interact with insulin or sulfonylureas used to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics. If you have diabetes, your doctor may need to reduce your dose of anti-diabetic medications. Wegovy may slow gastric emptying, MedicGLP Product affecting the absorption of any medications you take orally. Your doctor should assess whether this could be an issue for you.