Wegovy Semaglutide

Wegovy Semaglutide is a weight loss injection that can be an effective aid to weight-loss when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. The weight loss drug contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Unlike other weight loss shots, Wegovy is injected once a week and can be used by adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 30. It can also be used by people with a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions (such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes). The active ingredient, semaglutide, is currently licensed in the USA as a type 2 diabetes treatment under the brand name Ozempic. Ozempic isn’t licensed as a weight loss medication in the USA, but Wegovy is licensed for weight loss with a specific weight loss dosing and formulation.

How does it work?

The active ingredient, semaglutide, is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it mimics a hormone produced by the body called glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone plays an important role in regulating appetite (the feeling of fullness).

By mimicking this hormone, the Wegovy shot acts on receptors in the brain that control your appetite. It causes you to feel fuller and less hungry, leading to less craving for food. This can be combined with a calorie-controlled diet and increased physical activity to lose weight.

How to take Wegovy

The Wegovy dose is increased every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. This means that patients take a 0.25mg once weekly dose for the first 4 weeks and gradually increase it until they reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly from week 17 onwards. This gradual increase is important because it minimises the risk of side effects. If side effects do occur, most will be experienced during the dose-escalation phase before improving.

Wegovy (semaglutide) should be injected once a week on the same day each week. It can be taken at any time of day and can be taken with or without meals. It should be injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.

Is Wegovy effective for weight loss?

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in body weight compared to placebo after 68 weeks. One trial showed that people taking Wegovy had a mean change in body weight of 14.9% compared to 2.4% in the placebo group.

The results also showed that, after 68 weeks, 83.5% of patients lost 5% or more of their body weight. In the placebo group, 31.1% of patients lost 5% or more of their body weight. Another clinical trial also showed a statistically significant reduction in body weight vs placebo.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Wegovy for weight management for those living with obesity due to the highly positive trial results.

Wegovy Contraindications & Drug Interactions

This medicine is not suitable for anyone who has had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in the injection.

Wegovy can cause digestive system side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea. These side effects can increase the risk of dehydration, so you should make sure that you drink enough fluids. This is even more important for people with kidney problems.

An uncommon side effect that may be experienced is pancreatitis. If you notice any symptoms of pancreatitis, such as severe stomach pain, stop using Wegovy and see a doctor straight away. You can read more about pancreatitis symptoms on the NHS website.

People with diabetes should not use Wegovy as a substitute for insulin. It can also increase the risk of getting low blood sugar levels when taken with other diabetic medicines. See section 2 of the patient information leaflet for a full list of warnings.

This medication is not suitable for anyone experiencing diabetic retinopathy. Speak to your doctor before using Wegovy if this applied to you.

Wegovy and Pregnancy

It should not be used in pregnancy because it may harm the foetus. Wegovy should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. You should not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Wegovy Side Effects

As with all medicines, some people may experience side effects from the treatment. Not everyone will get them and a majority will be mild. Only 5.3% of patients in one clinical trial stopped Wegovy due to side effects. The most common Wegovy side effects are headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. These side effects usually improve over time as your body gets used to the medicine. Gradually increasing the dose every 4 weeks helps to reduce the risk of experiencing these side effects. If you find your side effects are severe or aren’t improving, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. See section 4 of the patient information leaflet for a complete list of possible side effects.