Wegovy

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Medically reviewed by
Dr Daniel Atkinson
GP Clinical Lead
on August 02, 2022.
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What does Wegovy look like?

Wegovy comes as a single-use injection pen. The Wegovy pens come in five preset dosages: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg, with each dose being a different colour. You’ll take one dose once a week.

The prescriber will outline the course of treatment and let you know which dosage you should be using and when. Generally, you’ll start with the lowest dose of 0.25mg. Every four weeks, your dosage will increase to the next one until you reach the maximum dose of 2.4mg. This will be considered your maintenance dose and you’ll remain on that till you reach your weight loss goals.

How should I store Wegovy?

Keep Wegovy pens in the original box refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C. This will help protect the medication from sunlight and stop it from deteriorating. If needed, Wegovy pens can be kept outside of the fridge at room temperature with the cap on for 28 days.

Don’t freeze the pens or keep them out in direct sunlight. If you accidentally leave the pens in these conditions, throw away the pens and don’t use them.

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How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Semaglutide is known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means that it binds to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain involved with appetite regulation. This reduces the feelings of hunger and increases the feeling of fullness. This helps you eat less food, reducing your calorie intake and causing you to lose weight.

Alongside Wegovy, users should stick to a healthy lifestyle involving a calorie-deficit diet (typically around 1500 calories) and regular physical activity.

How fast does Wegovy work?​

Every person will react differently to Wegovy, so we can’t say how soon you’ll be able to start seeing results. But it is a highly effective treatment and users have reported noticing differences in their weight fairly early on during their treatment.

You might start to feel the effects of the treatment in the first few weeks, such as having a smaller appetite or not feeling as hungry. In the first month or so, you might also notice you’ve lost some weight.

Using a weight loss treatment like Wegovy does require some patience and dedication to the process. Don’t give up on your treatment within a couple of weeks or months. To see an actual difference you should use it long term. But, if you’ve been using it for a while and you’re not seeing any changes, message your clinician so they can decide what to do next.

Is Wegovy effective?

Is Wegovy effective?

Wegovy has been found to be a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment to aid weight loss.

A number of clinical trials have produced impressive results. In clinical trials I, II and III 83.5%, 67.4% and 84.8% of participants taking Wegovy were found to experience a weight loss of at least five percent of their body weight.

In another study, patients using Wegovy lost 5.9% of their body at month three, and at month six 10.9%.

As you lose weight, you’ll also notice other aspects of your health have improved, such as sleep apnoea and an increase in your resting heart rate.

How long should I take Wegovy for?

It usually takes several months to build up to the full dose of Wegovy for weight loss. If the medication proves to be suitable, and produces good results for the patient, then they can continue to use it for as long as it remains beneficial. Whether that be for weight loss or weight maintenance.

Getting the best out of Wegovy

In order to get the best results out of Wegovy you should also adopt a reduced calorie diet, as well as a regular exercise regime. This aspect of the weight loss course should be explained to you when you are initially prescribed the medication. If you have questions about your diet plan or physical activity then you should speak to the prescriber.

Healthy diet plan
There’s no specific diet you need to follow, just choose healthier options that will make you full for longer. It’s best to go on a calorie-deficit diet of 1500 calories, so use your calories wisely. Opt for low-calorie dense foods like rice, oats and lentils. And eating whole fruits and vegetables can make you feel fuller for longer.

How to use Wegovy

Get to know your medication before you start taking it. Read the instructions that come with your Wegovy treatment.

Each Wegovy pen is preset at one particular dose. Make sure you follow the dosage plan outlined by the prescriber and use the corresponding pen.

Things to do before using Wegovy:

  • Check that your pen is good for use. This means that there are no signs of damage or discolouration. 
  • Always wash your hands before you inject your medication. . 
  • You can use Wegovy on the top of the thighs, upper arm or stomach (keeping two inches away from the belly button.) Just make sure the injection site is free from bruising, damaged skin, scars or stretch marks. 
  • Don’t use the exact same injection site as the previous week.

How to use Wegovy:

  • Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab or water and soap. 
  • Remove the cap and press the pen firmly against the skin. You should hear an initial click to tell you that the injection has started. 
  • You should then hear a second click to tell you that the injection is ongoing. The process usually takes around 10 seconds from the first click. 
  • Each pen is used only once. Dispose of the pen in a sharps bin. 
  • If you notice bleeding at the site of the injection, then you can gently press it with a clean gauze pad or cotton ball.

Can you drink alcohol using Wegovy?

It’s a good idea to speak to your prescriber before you drink alcohol when using Wegovy. Alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, so if you have diabetes this could be problematic. Also, most alcoholic drinks are high in calories and might interfere with your reduced calorie diet.

What to do if I forget a Wegovy dose

If you miss taking a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than two days away then you should take the missed dose. However, if you miss a dose and your regular upcoming dose is less than two days away then you shouldn’t take the missed dose. Instead wait for your regular day to continue treatment as usual.

Where can I buy Wegovy?

You can buy Wegovy online by answering a few questions. Your clinician will then review your answers to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you to use. They’ll also provide you with more information on how to use it, lifestyle changes to make and anything extra.

If you want information on the price and how much it will cost you, please check this page for all the details.

Is Wegovy right for you?

Wegovy injections can help overweight and obese patients lose weight in a controlled and safe manner. A course of Wegovy should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise. 

If you think Wegovy could help you to improve your health — chat to a clinician. They’ll ask you about your health needs, preferences and history in order to make sure that it’s a safe and suitable treatment option for you.

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This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on August 02, 2022. Next review due on August 01, 2025.

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