Wegovy is an injectable treatment for treating weight problems, shortly gaining reputation for its effectiveness in weight reduction.
This text covers important details about this remedy.
What’s Wegovy?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a medicine accredited by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for persistent weight administration in folks with weight problems or obese with a minimum of one weight-related situation (corresponding to hypertension, kind 2 diabetes, or excessive ldl cholesterol).
It was additionally accredited in 2024 to scale back the chance of cardiovascular demise, coronary heart assault, and stroke in adults with heart problems and both weight problems or obese.
As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, this medication:
Regardless of these advantages, it’s accredited solely for weight reduction, not as a diabetes treatment.
Wegovy is a prescription-only injectable administered as soon as weekly. Different medicines within the GLP-1 agonist class embrace Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide).
Learn extra in: Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which Drug Is Proper for You?
What are the advantages of Wegovy?
This remedy affords a number of advantages, together with:
Weight reduction
This drug is confirmed to help substantial weight reduction by lowering urge for food and slowing digestion, which prevents the liver from releasing glucagon and helps keep away from blood sugar spikes.
In research, adults taking the injection misplaced a median of 15 p.c of their beginning weight, whereas adolescents misplaced 16 p.c.
Improved insulin sensitivity
The treatment enhances blood sugar management, lowers A1C ranges, and improves insulin sensitivity.
The STEP 2 trial confirmed that folks with kind 2 diabetes not solely misplaced weight on Wegovy but in addition skilled important enhancements in blood sugar and A1c ranges.
Even for these with out diabetes, the remedy might help enhance insulin resistance, probably delaying or stopping diabetes.
Decrease cardiovascular threat
Semaglutide, the energetic ingredient, has been proven to scale back the chance of main cardiovascular occasions, corresponding to coronary heart assault, stroke, or demise, by 26 p.c in adults with kind 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Why would you be prescribed Wegovy?
The drug is FDA-approved for weight problems, weight reduction, and persistent weight administration however shouldn’t be a diabetes treatment, despite the fact that it could actually assist decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1c.
To qualify for a prescription, people should meet particular body-mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to peak) standards: a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI of 27 with a minimum of one weight-related situation, corresponding to excessive ldl cholesterol, hypertension (hypertension), or kind 2 diabetes.
This remedy can also be accredited for persistent weight administration in people 12 years and older, offered adolescents have a BMI at or above the ninety fifth percentile for his or her age and intercourse.
In the event you don’t meet the standards for this remedy, you may qualify for an additional GLP-1 treatment, like Ozempic, particularly if managing kind 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
Communicate along with your physician to find out if Wegovy or one other treatment is appropriate for you.
What are the negative effects?
When beginning this drug, many individuals expertise delicate to reasonable negative effects corresponding to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdomen ache
- Constipation
- Weight reduction
- Low blood sugar (if taking insulin)
Uncommon however severe negative effects embrace:
- Thyroid tumors
- Pancreatitis
- Imaginative and prescient modifications
- Kidney issues
- Extreme allergic reactions
Search instant medical consideration in the event you develop a fever, expertise imaginative and prescient modifications, really feel weak or in ache, suspect an allergic response, or have extreme low blood sugar. Extreme low blood sugar might be life-threatening if not handled promptly.
Learn extra in: Wegovy Aspect Results: What You Must Know.
What’s the right dose?
Doses differ based mostly on particular person components like peak, weight, well being objectives, way of life, and medical historical past. The accessible doses are:
- 0.25 milligrams (mg, starter dose)
- 0.50 mg
- 1 mg
- 1.7 mg
- 2.4 mg (most weekly dose)
Every pen delivers a single, pre-measured weekly dose. Don’t exceed the prescribed dose, as overdosing might trigger severe negative effects.
See extra in: Wegovy Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to You Take?
How a lot Wegovy ought to I take?
Your healthcare supplier will decide the suitable dose based mostly in your well being historical past, objectives, way of life, peak, and weight.
There is no such thing as a “typical” dose. Customers often begin with a low dose of 0.25 mg per week and step by step improve it to realize their desired weight reduction or upkeep.
The utmost dose is 2.4 mg per week, which most individuals attain relying on their response to the treatment and any negative effects.
What occurs if I take an excessive amount of Wegovy?
This treatment ought to solely be taken as soon as per week.
In the event you by chance take an excessive amount of, you might expertise extreme negative effects like debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen ache, or low blood sugar (particularly in the event you’re on insulin), which might be life-threatening.
In the event you overdose, search instant medical consideration.
I missed a dose of Wegovy. What now?
Lacking an occasional dose received’t hurt you or have an effect on your weight or blood sugar ranges.
For finest outcomes, take the treatment persistently. In the event you miss a dose, you’ll be able to take it inside a number of days.
If greater than 5 days have handed, skip the missed dose and proceed along with your common schedule.
Learn how to inject Wegovy
Earlier than utilizing your injection pen, verify for any particles or discoloration within the treatment; in the event you discover both, don’t use the pen as it might be expired or spoiled.
Clear the injection website with rubbing alcohol earlier than injecting.
To forestall accidents and scar tissue, rotate injection websites every week.
This medication is often injected below the pores and skin within the thigh, stomach, or higher arm.
Communicate along with your healthcare supplier for steering on one of the best injection websites and rotation practices.
Study extra in: Wegovy Injection Information: The place and Learn how to Inject.
Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
This remedy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by your physician.
It’s not really helpful for individuals who are pregnant, planning to turn out to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use Wegovy or any semaglutide-containing treatment in the event you or a member of the family has a historical past of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or A number of Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome kind 2 (MEN 2).
Moreover, keep away from this remedy in case you are allergic to semaglutide.
In the event you want a GLP-1 agonist however are allergic to semaglutide, take into account discussing options like Victoza, which comprises liraglutide, along with your physician.
How can I cease taking Wegovy?
In the event you want to cease taking this treatment, converse along with your physician first.
Stopping it abruptly shouldn’t be really helpful. Your healthcare supplier will possible recommend step by step decreasing the dose.
Discontinuing Wegovy might result in a return of insulin resistance, elevated meals cravings, elevated blood sugar ranges, and weight acquire.
On common, folks regain about two-thirds of the burden they misplaced inside a yr of stopping semaglutide-based therapies.
Focus on along with your physician various medicines, train, or food regimen plans to handle potential rebound results.
Does Wegovy substitute insulin?
No, it doesn’t substitute insulin.
In the event you use insulin, you should proceed taking insulin even after beginning Wegovy.
Whereas Wegovy might help decrease blood sugar ranges over time, it doesn’t shortly decrease blood sugar like insulin.
It’s possible you’ll discover that your insulin wants lower after a number of months on this drug, however it’s unlikely to eradicate the necessity for insulin totally.
Can I take Wegovy with my diabetes medicines?
Whether or not you’ll be able to take it with different diabetes medicines is determined by the precise medicine you might be utilizing.
Wegovy shouldn’t be mixed with different GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, or Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
See extra in: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: What Is the Finest Possibility?
Nevertheless, semaglutide, the energetic ingredient in Wegovy, can be utilized with metformin, insulin, or different medicines.
All the time converse along with your physician earlier than combining Wegovy with another treatment and guarantee they’re conscious of all medicines you take.
How do I retailer Wegovy?
Retailer it within the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to eight°C) in its authentic field to guard it from mild.
As soon as opened, it may be used for as much as 56 days. If mandatory, Wegovy might be saved at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) with the pen cap on for as much as 28 days.
By no means freeze the pens or expose them to direct daylight or excessive warmth.
How a lot does Wegovy value?
The fee varies relying in your insurance coverage plan, and the quantity you pay every month (your co-pay) can differ extensively.
To find out your particular co-pay, use your prescription or medical card and the Wegovy protection and co-pay calculator accessible via your insurance coverage supplier or Novo Nordisk.
It’s usually lined by many insurance coverage for weight administration, however protection can differ. It’s essential to verify along with your insurance coverage supplier instantly to know your particular protection particulars.
When you have questions relating to protection or co-pay prices, you’ll be able to contact Wegovy help at 1-888-693-6489.
For many who qualify, the Affected person Help Program (PAP) might supply free or reduced-cost treatment. To be taught extra about this program and eligibility necessities, name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free at 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription for Wegovy?
To acquire a prescription, seek the advice of your physician. They’ll prescribe Wegovy in the event you meet the BMI standards or are obese with a qualifying persistent situation.
In the event you don’t qualify, your physician might recommend different FDA-approved weight reduction medicines that higher fit your wants.
Did you discover this text useful? Click on Sure or No under to tell us!