Disclaimer: This is general health information only and is not a substitute for advice from your GP or healthcare professional.
1. What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide at a higher dose, a medication approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
2. How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics a natural hormone in the gut that regulates appetite. By slowing gastric emptying and signaling the brain to feel full, it reduces hunger and helps patients eat less, leading to weight loss over time.
3. Who is Wegovy prescribed for?
It is prescribed for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition. Healthcare providers may also consider it for individuals who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
4. How is Wegovy administered?
Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly, using a prefilled pen. Doses are gradually increased every four weeks according to the prescribing schedule to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and improve tolerability.
5. What are the common side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Some people experience decreased appetite, which is part of the intended weight-loss effect. These symptoms often improve over time as the body adjusts.
6. Can Wegovy cause low blood sugar?
When used alone, Wegovy rarely causes hypoglycemia. However, the risk increases if it is combined with other glucose-lowering medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Blood sugar monitoring and medication adjustments are essential under medical supervision.
7. How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?
Clinical trials have shown that patients using Wegovy alongside lifestyle interventions can lose an average of 12–17% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Results vary depending on individual factors including diet, exercise, and adherence to treatment.
8. Are there serious risks or precautions?
Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury from dehydration, and severe gastrointestinal reactions. People with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 should generally avoid Wegovy due to potential thyroid tumor risk observed in animal studies.
9. Can Wegovy be used for type 2 diabetes?
While Wegovy is primarily approved for weight management, semaglutide in lower doses (Ozempic) is used to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. The weight-loss effects can also help improve metabolic parameters in patients with diabetes.
10. When should medical advice be sought urgently?
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, persistent vomiting, signs of pancreatitis, allergic reactions such as facial or throat swelling, or symptoms of severe dehydration such as extreme thirst or very little urine output.