Wegovy®, also known by its generic name semaglutide, is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and is specifically designed to address obesity.
Wegovy is a revolutionary one-of-a-kind weight loss product. If you’ve been struggling with excess weight and are ready to take control of your health, Wegovy might just be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Wegovy is highly effective for weight loss in just a few months, many patients see life-changing benefits, losing as much as 15% of their total body weight.
With the approval of Wegovy, doctors and weight loss professionals feel we have entered into a “golden age of treating obesity,” as there has never been a medication safer or more effective for weight management than Wegovy!
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name of the prescription medication semaglutide, which is a drug that was originally developed to treat type II diabetes. Semaglutide acts on specific receptors in the brain, leading to reduced appetite, increased feelings of fullness, and ultimately aiding in weight loss.
Wegovy is made by the well-known and respected pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Since its introduction, its power has become well-known, and its popularity is on the rise. In 2020, semaglutide was the 129th most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than four million prescriptions nationwide!
In the early 2000s, semaglutide was originally developed and approved as a medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The weight loss effects of semaglutide were discovered during its use for diabetes treatment, leading to further research and investigation into its potential as a weight loss medication.
In 2020, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of semaglutide for weight loss were conducted, showing promising results in helping individuals achieve significant weight loss. In February 2021, Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for the use of semaglutide as a treatment for obesity.
In April of that same year, The FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approved semaglutide for chronic weight management based on positive clinical trial results demonstrating its effectiveness in helping patients lose weight.
Then in June of 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
Wegovy is prescribed as part of an overall medical weight loss program that should include calorie restriction, exercise, and lifestyle counseling.
Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. Your dose of Wegovy is “titrated,” meaning that you start with the lowest effective dose, and then your dose is gradually increased over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once weekly. This is to get your body used to the presence of the drug and to reduce the chances of gastrointestinal issues or other potential side effects.
Is Wegovy available in the US?
Wegovy was approved by the FDA on June 4, 2021. The subcutaneous injection was the first FDA-approved drug for chronic weight management in adults with general obesity or other issues related to being overweight since 2014. Wegovy is in stock and available in the US.
As we have said, it is FDA-approved for weight loss but is only available with a doctor’s prescription. Do not use Wegovy or any form of semaglutide without a doctor’s prescription, it is not only illegal to do so, but using Wegovy or related medications without proper medical supervision could be hazardous.
Does Wegovy Have a Patient Assistance Program?
Yes, the makers of Wegovy have created the WeGoTogether® program, which provides patients prescribed Wegovy free personalized support throughout their treatment journey with Wegovy.
The program offers a dedicated Health Coach to partner with you and provides flexible, one-on-one coaching via phone, email, or text and other tools to answer questions and track your progress on Wegovy. Click here to learn more.
What is Wegovy Used for, and How Can I Get it?
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that obesity is a major health problem affecting nearly 2 billion adults worldwide. WHO defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Being overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 to 29.9. If you fall in either of these categories, then Wegovy could be right for you.
If you believe you are a candidate for Wegovy, you can only get the medication with a doctor’s prescription. If you qualify, our medical weight loss doctors can provide you with a prescription for Wegovy that you can fill at any pharmacy just as you would for any prescription medication.
Wegovy is FDA-approved and, as such, is generally regarded as safe. However, as with any prescription medication, Wegovy does have some potential side effects, our doctors will work with you and your individual medical history to minimize any possible issues or side effects.
The first step to getting your Wegovy prescription is to contact us or fill out our online medical history form.
How to Use Wegovy Properly
Wegovy is administered via subcutaneous injection once a week, typically using a prefilled pen device. The most common injection sites for subcutaneous injections include the abdomen (around the belly button), thighs, or upper arms.
Your healthcare provider will guide you on the proper dosage and demonstrate the correct injection technique. Generally speaking, the process is as follows, start by using an alcohol swab to clean the chosen injection site.
Allow the area to dry completely before proceeding. Remove the cap from the Wegovy pen. Pinch a fold of skin at the cleaned injection site to create a small area of subcutaneous tissue. Insert the needle into the fold of the skin at a 90-degree angle or as directed by your healthcare provider. Push the plunger down to inject the medication.
It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and frequency as directed by your healthcare professional.
Wegovy comes in 5 different strengths. You start Wegovy at a dose of 0.25 mg once a week and increase the dose every four weeks until you reach the full dose of 2.4 mg.
Wegovy isn’t just a drug, using Wegovy is part of a comprehensive medical weight loss strategy. When you embark on your Wegovy journey, you’ll receive personalized guidance from your healthcare provider, which will include recommendations for making healthier dietary choices and ways to incorporate exercise and more physical activity into your daily routine. By integrating healthy lifestyle changes alongside Wegovy, you’ll maximize your chances of long-term success.
How Does Wegovy Work
Wegovy works by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1. This hormone is released after eating and plays a role in regulating appetite, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. By acting on specific receptors in the brain, Wegovy helps to suppress appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and ultimately reduce calorie intake.
The primary mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor activation by Wegovy is to slow down the emptying of the stomach. By slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, Wegovy increases the feeling of fullness after a meal, reducing the urge to overeat or snack between meals.
When used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program, Wegovy has shown remarkable effectiveness. Clinical trials have demonstrated that individuals using Wegovy, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, experienced significant weight loss. On average, participants in these trials achieved a weight loss of up to 15% of their body weight. This is considered a substantial and noteworthy result.
Use in Specific Populations
However, Wegovy may not be for everyone. Here is what the manufacturers’ Prescribing Information says about Wegovy’s use in specific populations:
- Pregnancy: Clinical trials have found that Wegovy may cause fetal harm. Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant before using Wegovy.
- Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of chronic weight management have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with a BMI corresponding to ≥95th percentile standardized for age and sex.
- Geriatric Use: In the Wegovy clinical trials, there were participants between 65 and 75 years, and some treated patients were over 75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger adult patients.
- Renal Impairment: Wegovy appears to be safe and effective for patients with renal impairment. In a study in patients with renal impairment, including end-stage renal disease, no clinically relevant changes were observed in the use of Wegovy in such patients.
- Hepatic Impairment: Wegovy appears to be safe and effective for patients with hepatic impairment. In a study of patients with different degrees of hepatic impairment, no clinically relevant changes were observed in the use of Wegovy in such patients.
How Effective Is Wegovy for Weight Loss?
What sets Wegovy apart from other weight loss interventions is its remarkable effectiveness. Extensive clinical trials have shown that Wegovy can help individuals achieve significant weight loss, particularly when used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Combining Wegovy with increased exercise and a reduced-calorie diet is how it works best for weight loss. Other ways to maximize Wegovy’s effectiveness include:
- Getting adequate sleep.
- Making an effort to reduce stress.
- Eliminating or reducing your consumption of alcohol.
- Quitting smoking.
- In addition to reduced caloric intake, eat more protein, reduce your intake of fats, and reduce or eliminate sugar and junk foods.
How Much Weight Can You Lose With Wegovy?
Participants in the Wegovy clinical trials experienced an average weight loss of up to 15% of their body weight, which is truly impressive.
According to Novo Nordisk, In a 68-week medical study of nearly 2000 adults living with obesity or excess weight, patients on Wegovy (along: with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity) lost an average of approximately 35 pounds, with 1 in 3 adults losing as much as 45 pounds! In addition:
- 30% of people taking Wegovy lost 20% or more weight, compared to 2% of people taking placebo.
- 83% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more weight, compared to 31% taking placebo.
- 66% of adults taking Wegovy lost 10% or more weight, compared to 12% taking placebo.
- 48% of adults taking Wegovy lost 15% or more weight, compared to 5% taking placebo.
Wegovy is recommended for people who have struggled for a long time with their weight, who have tried other weight loss methods and failed, and who are looking for a medical weight loss solution that lasts but is non-invasive and surgery-free.
Wegovy works best for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher, which meets the criteria for obesity, have benefited significantly from Wegovy.
Warnings, Contraindications, and Use With Other Medications*
Wegovy has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its efficacy and safety profile. Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss and is generally regarded as safe. However, like any drug or medical procedure, Wegovy does have some potential side effects, warnings, and contraindications.
According to the prescribing information for Wegovy provided by the manufacturer:
Do not use Wegovy if:
- If you have a history of cancer, specifically if you or anyone in your family has had thyroid cancer.
- You have ever had any kind of allergic reaction to Wegovy, Ozempic, semaglutide, or any ingredients known to be in Wegovy?
Before using Wegovy, tell your doctor or medical professional if you have any other medical conditions, particularly:
- Kidney disease or issues with your pancreas.
- Diabetes, prediabetes, or a family history of diabetes.
- Problems with depression, suicidal ideology, or other emotional issues.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Use With Other Drugs
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Do not use Wegovy if you are taking insulin without the advice of your prescribing physician.
Since Wegovy impacts the way that all contents of the stomach are stored and emptied, it could interfere with the effectiveness of any oral medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor about any oral medications you may be taking before starting Wegovy injections.
The most common side effects of Wegovy may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate your medical history, assess potential risks, and determine if Wegovy is a suitable option for you. They will guide you through the correct dosage and monitor your progress to ensure your well-being throughout your weight loss journey.
Take the First Step to Healthy You!
Are you ready to make a positive change and reclaim control over your weight? Take the first step today by contacting us and let our healthcare professionals guide you through the Wegovy weight loss program. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan tailored to your unique needs, ensuring your journey to a healthier weight is safe, effective, and sustainable.
Start your Wegovy journey now and experience the transformative power of medical weight loss. Don’t let excess weight hold you back any longer—embrace a healthier future with Wegovy!
*Dosing, warnings, and other product information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as any kind of medical guidance or instructions for use. Consult your physician, pharmacist, or full prescribing information for guidance regarding your particular prescription for Wegovy.