What It Is Used For

  • Wegovy is prescribed for chronic weight management in patients with obesity or overweight (BMI criteria apply).
  • It is prescribed in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
  • It is especially helpful for patients with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or dyslipidemia.

How It Works

  • Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, like Ozempic (approved for diabetes management), designed to regulate appetite and energy balance.
  • It mimics a natural hormone that targets areas of the brain responsible for appetite control, helping reduce hunger and calorie intake.
  • It also slows stomach emptying, which promotes a feeling of fullness after eating.

How It’s Taken

  • Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication.
  • It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, at the same time each week.
  • Dosing starts at a lower level, 0.25 mg, and is gradually increased over 16-20 weeks to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg to minimize side effects.

Potential Side Effects

  • Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, and fatigue. These often improve with continued use.
  • Serious side effects: Risk of pancreatitis, gallbladder issues (e.g., gallstones), and rare thyroid tumors.
  • Hypoglycemia: While uncommon in non-diabetic patients, low blood sugar may occur, especially if combined with other glucose-lowering drugs.
  • Report severe symptoms like persistent nausea, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing to your healthcare provider.

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

  • Medical history: Disclose any history of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, gallstones, or kidney disease to your doctor.
  • Lifestyle integration: Wegovy works best when combined with a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.
  • Missed doses: If you miss a dose and it’s been less than 5 days, take it as soon as possible. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule.
  • Monitoring: Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to track progress and monitor for side effects.
  • Alcohol and interactions: Inform your doctor about alcohol use and all other medications or supplements you are taking to avoid potential interactions.