What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a groundbreaking medication designed to aid in weight management for individuals struggling with obesity. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and glucose levels. By stimulating feelings of fullness and reducing cravings, Wegovy helps users make healthier dietary choices and achieve sustainable weight loss. Administered as a once-weekly injection, it offers convenience and long-lasting effects. Wegovy is intended to be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and increased physical activity, empowering patients to take control of their weight and improve their overall health. Consult a healthcare professional to determine if Wegovy is suitable for your weight management journey.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is an injectable medication prescribed for adults and teenagers who are obese or adults who have at least one weight-related medical problem. It helps them to lose weight and keep it off in order to reduce their health risks. Using this medication must be combined with a reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and behavior change.
It contains the active ingredient semaglutide and belongs to the drug class GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications work by controlling appetite and reducing calorie intake.
Wegovy is not recommended:
- If you are allergic to, or have had an allergic reaction to Wegovy or its ingredients
- If you take other weight-loss medications or medications that contain semaglutide.
- If you have a history of pancreatitis
- If you have type 2 diabetes
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- For children younger than 12 years
What are the Indications for Wegovy?
Wegovy is approved for the treatment of obesity and assists with weight loss and maintenance. This helps reduce obesity-related health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
How is Wegovy used?
Storage
Wegovy single-dose pens should be stored in their original carton in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 28 days.
Do not freeze the pens. If it has been frozen, throw the pen away.
Keep Wegovy away from light and out of reach of children.
Instructions
Your healthcare provider will explain to you how to administer the Wegovy pen. It should be injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject it into a muscle or vein. You should also rotate your injection site.
Do not use the Wegovy pen if it looks cloudy, changes color, or has particles in it.
Do not change your dosage and take more than what is prescribed. If you took more than the prescribed dose, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care.
Wegovy pens are meant for one-time use only, so must be discarded after use.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but only if your next dose is more than 2 days away. If it is less than 2 days until your next dose, wait until your next scheduled dose.
Dosage
Wegovy is available as a pre-filled, single-dose injection pen in five strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg.
It should be taken once a week, on the same day and time, with or without food.
Side Effects
It’s important to understand that although Wegovy is FDA-approved, it comes with side effects that may or may not affect you.
Before starting Wegovy, you should discuss possible side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common Side Effects
Not all side effects require medical attention. As your body adjusts to Wegovy, side effects may go away. Tell your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, and they become severe or do not go away on their own.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Constipation
- Flatulence, belching, heartburn
- Stomach/abdomen pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, feeling bloated
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Runny nose or sore throat
Serious Side Effects
Severe adverse reactions while taking Wegovy may occur. Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling, especially the face, tongue, and throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
- Kidney problems: change in the amount of urine, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting.
- Vision changes: decreased or blurred vision.
- Low blood sugar: sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness/light-headedness, tingling hands/feet, anxiety, slurred speech.
- Mental disorders: depression, thoughts of suicide.
- Pancreas/gallbladder disease: nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin/eyes, clay-colored stools.
- Increased heart rate
The information above does not list all possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects not listed. You or your doctor may report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using Wegovy, tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- If you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- If you have problems with your kidneys or pancreas
- If you have type 2 diabetes or a history of diabetic retinopathy
- If you have any mental health issues like depression or suicidal thoughts
Thyroid tumors or cancer
Wegovy may cause an unusual swelling or lump in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, which are symptoms of thyroid cancer. Let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms.
Wegovy is contraindicated if you or any family member have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis can be serious or even fatal. If you experience severe stomach or back pain, or severe nausea or vomiting, contact your doctor immediately and stop taking Wegovy.
Acute gallbladder disease
Substantial or sudden weight loss can increase the risk of gallbladder disease. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any symptoms of gallbladder disease, like jaundice, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, rapid heartbeat, sudden drop in blood pressure, dark urine, and lighter stools.
Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant
Do not use Wegovy if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant as it can harm an unborn baby. You should stop using this medicine at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding or Planning to Breastfeed
Do not use Wegovy if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk.
Interactions & Contraindications
Before using Wegovy, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, diet pills, or other medicines to treat diabetes, because they may interact with each other in different ways. It slows down digestion and may affect medications that need to pass through the stomach quickly or the absorption of oral medicines.
Hypoglycemia
Wegovy lowers blood sugar levels and can cause hypoglycemia, a serious side effect, especially if you are taking certain type 2 diabetes medications.