Wegovy: Best Dosing Schedule for Weight Loss
Wegovy is a proven weight loss drug that is available in different once-weekly doses. Your healthcare professional will determine your starting and maximum dose.
You take your weekly dose of Wegovy as a subcutaneous injection using an injector pen that is premixed with your prescribed starting dose. Your Wegovy injections will start at the lowest dose and increase gradually to achieve optimal weight loss. Your dose strengths of Wegovy and how long you will be on the drug will be tailored to your medical history, current BMI, and weight loss goals.
How Does Wegovy Work for Weight Loss?
Wegovy belongs to a revolutionary class of weight loss medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These types of drugs were originally developed to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. In patients using GLP-1s for diabetes, many also experienced weight loss. This prompted the makers of Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications to investigate their use as a weight loss drug. In 2021, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, became the first drug in the class to be FDA-approved for obesity treatment and weight management.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the actions of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and metabolism.
The primary mode of action of Wegovy leading to sustained weight loss includes:
- Appetite Regulation: GLP-1 agonists help reduce appetite by influencing the brain’s hunger centers, leading to feelings of fullness and satisfaction after consuming smaller portions of food.
- Gastric Emptying Delay: Wegovy slows down the rate of stomach emptying, leading to a longer-lasting feeling of fullness and reduced food consumption.
- Improved Insulin Sensitivity: This medication also enhances insulin sensitivity, which can contribute to better blood sugar control and weight reduction due to reduced fat storage.
Recommended Wegovy Dosing Schedule*
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions. The maximum effective dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg, administered once a week. Wegovy is designed as a long-term treatment. Your dosage of Wegovy will likely start at less than the maximum dose and increase gradually to this level over several weeks to help you adjust to the medication. The typical titration of dosage or “dose escalation schedule” is as follows:
● First Month: 0.25 mg once weekly (starting dosage)
● Second Month: 0.5 mg once weekly
● Third Month: 1 mg once weekly
● Fourth Month: 1.7 mg once weekly
● Fifth Month: 2.4 mg once weekly (target maximum dosage)
It does not matter what time of day or night you take your once-weekly injection. However, doctors and pharmacists suggest that whatever time you choose, you do your injection at the same time each week.
Device and Dose
Wegovy is available in different strengths ranging from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg per the monthly schedule listed above. The medication comes in a pre-filled pen that you inject under the skin (subcutaneously) of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Each dose comes in a different colored pen, so you can tell the different strengths and be sure that you are giving yourself the proper dose of Wegovy. Each pen is prefilled with a single measured dose for a single use. Discard the pen after use.
Wegovy 0.25 mg solution for injection
Each single-dose pre-filled pen contains 0.25 mg semaglutide in 0.5 mL liquid solution. One mL of solution contains 0.5 mg of semaglutide.
Wegovy 0.5 mg solution for injection
Each single-dose pre-filled pen contains 0.5 mg semaglutide in 0.5 mL solution. One mL of solution contains 1 mg of semaglutide.
Wegovy 1 mg solution for injection
Each single-dose pre-filled pen contains 1 mg semaglutide in 0.5 mL solution. One mL of solution contains 2 mg of semaglutide.
Wegovy 1.7 mg solution for injection
Each single-dose pre-filled pen contains 1.7 mg semaglutide in 0.75 mL solution. One mL of solution contains 2.27 mg of semaglutide.
Wegovy 2.4 mg solution for injection (Maximum Dose)
Each single-dose pre-filled pen contains 2.4 mg semaglutide* in 0.75 mL solution. One mL of solution contains 3.2 mg of semaglutide.
What Happens if You Miss a Dose of Wegovy?
Always try to stick to your injection dose schedule. If you miss a dose of Wegovy, you should take it as soon as you remember unless it’s close to the time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, you should skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. It’s important not to take extra doses to make up for a missed one. Missing one week of Wegovy should not significantly impact your overall weight loss.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder app on your smartphone.
What if You Take Too Much Wegovy?
An overdose of Wegovy could potentially lead to an increased risk of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal reactions. If you suspect you’ve taken more than the prescribed dose, you should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or other gastrointestinal reactions.
How to Give Wegovy Injections
Injecting Wegovy is relatively easy. Your prescribed dosage of Wegovy will be provided to you in premeasured injectable pens. Our doctors will show you how to prepare for your Wegovy injections, run you through the basics of giving yourself a subcutaneous injection like Wegovy, and be sure you are given comprehensive instructions on how to take your weekly dose of Wegovy.
The most common sites for subcutaneous injections like Wegovy include the abdomen (around the navel), the upper thigh, or the back of the upper arm. Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific site. You must rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage and minimize the chances of injection site reactions. The key is to use a different injection site each time you take your Wegovy injection. For example, if you administered Wegovy into your abdomen for one dose, the next dose should be administered in your thigh, and so on. Creating a rotation schedule to track where you have previously taken your Wegovy shot is probably a good idea.
Useful Tips on How to Inject Wegovy
Here are some useful tips that can make injecting Wegovy easier.
- Wash Your Hands: Start thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.
- Prepare the Injection: Gather all the necessary supplies, including the Wegovy pen, a new needle, an alcohol swab, and a sharps disposal container. Your Wegovy pens are color-coded according to the dose; make sure you take the right dose for your weekly/monthly schedule.
- Choose an Injection Site: Your healthcare provider will recommend injection sites, usually in the abdomen (at least two inches away from your belly button) or the thigh. Rotate injection sites with each dose to minimize tissue irritation.
- Clean the Site: Wipe the chosen injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry.
- Prepare the Pen: Remove the cap from the Wegovy pen and attach a new needle. Prime the pen according to the manufacturer’s instructions to remove air bubbles.
- Inject the Medication: The Wegovy injection is typically subcutaneous, which means it goes just under the skin. To give the Wegovy injection, hold the pen like a pencil or a syringe. Pinch the cleaned skin at the injection site gently. This helps create a small, raised area of skin. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle or as your healthcare provider directs. Press the button or plunger on the pen to start the injection. Push it slowly and steadily to ensure the medication is administered properly. Keep the pen in place for a few seconds to ensure you receive the full dose. Make sure you completely inject all the medication. You do not have to store Wegovy in the refrigerator, but some patients choose to. If you do refrigerate your Wegovy pens, you can inject Wegovy cold, or you can let the medication come to room temperature before injecting – the choice is yours.
- Apply Pressure: If there is any bleeding, apply a cotton ball or gauze to the injection site and gently press it to stop the bleeding. This can also sop up any medication that may have leaked out of the injection site. Some leakage is normal with any injection as you remove the needle. If you see excessive leaking during your next injection, make sure that you keep applying pressure until the yellow bar on the injection pen has stopped moving.
- Dispose of the Needle: After injecting, remove the needle and dispose of it in a sharps container. Do not reuse needles.
- Record the Injection: Record your injections as directed by your healthcare provider.
Wegovy Pros and Cons
The main pro or benefit of Wegovy is weight loss and the associated improvements in overall health that come with losing substantial amounts of weight, such as a lowered risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other metabolic or obesity-related medical conditions.
While Wegovy is FDA-approved and generally considered a safe and effective way for most patients to lose significant amounts of weight like any other medication or procedure, it is not without its “cons” or risks.
The risk of severe side effects with Wegovy injections is generally low. Of the minor or most common side effects, about 40% of people on a maximum dose experience nausea, while about 30% experience diarrhea, and about 25% experience vomiting. While those percentages may seem high, these types of side effects are the ones that are most easily managed.
It is also important to note that these percentages of the common side effects occurred on the maximum dose. Be assured that your prescription will be provided in a dose that is least likely to cause discomfort or issues.
For most patients, the “pros” of Wegovy Therapy significantly outweigh the “cons,” particularly once they have achieved their weight loss goals and are on a maintenance dose.
Wegovy Side Effects
Like any drug or prescription medication, Wegovy, though generally regarded as safe, has some side effects. Among our patients taking Wegoovy weight loss injections, we have found that most side effects are mild and easily mitigated. When dealing with Wegovy side effects, the most important thing is to make your healthcare professional aware of any issues or adverse effects you are experiencing immediately so that proper interventions and monitoring can be done to reduce or eliminate those complications.
Common Wegovy Side Effects
The most common side effects of semaglutide are those related to upset stomach and other gastrointestinal issues such as:
- Mild to moderate nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Injection site reactions
Nausea, vomiting and all of the above-upset stomach and digestive side effects are well-known and quite common among prescription drugs in the class because GLP-1 agonists impact how long undigested food stays in the stomach. Gastrointestinal symptoms usually resolve on their own after a few weeks.
Other reported side effects of Wegovy during the clinical trials included:
- Dizziness
- Gas and Feeling Bloated
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Temporary Hair Loss
- Blurred vision
Less Common or Rare Side Effects
The less common or rare side effects of Semaglutide include:
- Increased Risk for Thyroid Cancer, particularly in those with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Inflammation of the Pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Gallstones
Allergic reactions, sometimes severe, have occurred. Tell your doctor if you have a history of anaphylaxis or allergic reactions to medications.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Kidney failure or other forms of modest or severe renal impairment.
- Respiratory distress/shortness of breath.
How Much Weight Can I Lose on Wegovy?
People taking Wegovy have experienced significant improvements in body mass, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and increased exercise.
Of course, the degree of weight loss will vary from patient to patient, but its remarkable effectiveness sets Wegovy apart from other weight loss interventions. Extensive clinical trials have shown that Wegovy can help individuals achieve significant weight loss, particularly when combined 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.
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 body 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 placebo patients.
⮚ 83% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more weight, compared to 31% of placebo patients.
⮚ 66% of adults taking Wegovy lost 10% or more weight, compared to 12% of placebo patients.
⮚ 48% of adults taking Wegovy lost 15% or more weight, compared to 5% of placebo patients.
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.
*Dosing, administration instructions, warnings, and other product information are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as any medical guidance or instructions for use. Consult your physician, pharmacist, or full prescribing information for guidance regarding dosing and administration for your particular Wegovy prescription.