Wegovy
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that's injected under the skin. It's used together with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Wegovy (semaglutide) is approved to help with weight loss in certain adults and children 12 years of age and older. It also helps lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. The dosing schedule for the injections is once a week. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
What is Wegovy (semaglutide)?
What is Wegovy (semaglutide) used for?
Weight loss and long-term weight management in:
People ages 12 years and older who are considered obese
Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease
How Wegovy (semaglutide) works
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It works in a similar way to GLP-1, a hormone your body normally makes that regulates your appetite.
Wegovy (semaglutide) works in a few ways. It slows down your gut, helps you feel fuller after you eat, and controls your appetite.
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What are the side effects of Wegovy (semaglutide)?
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (44%)
- Diarrhea (30%)
- Vomiting (24%)
- Constipation (24%)
- Stomach pain (20%)
- Headache (14%)
- Tiredness (11%)
Other Side Effects
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
- Stomach swelling or bloating
- Burping
- Gas
- Stomach flu (stomach problems due to infection)
- Acid reflux
- Low blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes
- Hair loss
Serious Side Effects
- Gallbladder or pancreas problems: fever; pain, swelling, or tenderness in the stomach; yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, closing of the throat, trouble breathing, hives
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Source: DailyMed
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The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision
- Dehydration—increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Thyroid cancer—new mass or lump in the neck, pain or trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, hoarseness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
Pros and cons of Wegovy (semaglutide)
Pros
Can help you lose weight when it's used along with a nutritious diet and regular exercise
Approved for helping with weight loss for children ages 12 years and older considered obese
Injected once a week
Cons
Must inject under the skin
Can cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea
Can't take with other semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus) or with other GLP-1 agonists
Pharmacist tips for Wegovy (semaglutide)
Wegovy (semaglutide) works best when you use it with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Talk to your care team about how to plan balanced meals. They can also help come up with ideas for exercise that works for you.
Inject Wegovy (semaglutide) once a week, on the same day each week and at a time that works best for you. You can set up reminders on your calendar or phone to help you remember when to inject the medication. You can change the day of the week you inject it as long as your last dose was at least 2 days ago.
You'll start Wegovy (semaglutide) at a low dose for the first month. Then, your dose will go up each month until you get to a maintenance dose. This takes about 5 months. Slowly raising the dose helps lower your risk of side effects like for nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
It's common to have stomach upset as a side effect when starting Wegovy (semaglutide). But it usually gets better over time. Eat smaller meals and avoid high-fat, fried, or spicy foods to calm your stomach. Also drink plenty of fluids to help with vomiting and diarrhea. Tell your care team if these side effects get worse or don't go away. Your prescriber might lower your dose or stop the medication.
Talk to your care team about how much alcohol, if any, is okay to drink while taking Wegovy (semaglutide). Alcohol can make side effects like nausea and bloating worse. It also adds extra calories, which can slow down weight loss. Some people might also feel less interested in drinking while taking Wegovy (semaglutide).
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. They can check for drug interactions to make sure your medications are safe to take together. Wegovy (semaglutide) slows down your gut. This might affect how well other medications get absorbed into your body.
How to use Wegovy (semaglutide)
Your care team will show you how to use and how to inject Wegovy (semaglutide). They can make sure you can do it on your own. Read the instructions on how to inject the medication. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions.
Wegovy (semaglutide) comes in 5 different strengths. Each strength has its own color-coded pen. Make sure you have the right pen for your dose.
How to store Wegovy (semaglutide): Keep pens in the refrigerator, but don't let them freeze. Keep them in the original box to protect them from light. If needed, you can have unopened pens at room temperature (up to 86ºF) for up to 28 days. Throw away pens if they've been frozen, exposed to light, gotten hotter than 86ºF, or have been out of the fridge for more than 28 days.
Where to inject Wegovy (semaglutide): Inject the medication into the front of your thigh or lower stomach (at least 2 inches away from your belly button). You can also inject it into the outer part of your upper arm. Choose a different spot each time. Also don't inject into areas that are tender, bruised, red, hard, scarred, or have stretch marks. This helps avoid skin irritation.
Before you inject Wegovy (semaglutide): Be sure to inject the medication when you're ready. Once you press the pen against your skin, the injection will start. You can't stop the injection and restart it later. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry.
How to inject Wegovy (semaglutide): Pull off the pen cap. Then, press the pen firmly against your skin. You'll see a yellow bar start to move and hear two clicks. The first tells you when the injection starts. The second tells you that the medication is still getting injected. Keep holding the pen against your skin until the yellow bar stops moving. That means your injection is done. The injection takes about 10 seconds.
After you inject Wegovy (semaglutide): Throw away your used pen into a sharps container right away. Don't put it into the regular trash. This helps keep you and others safe from needle sticks.
If you forget to inject Wegovy (semaglutide) or miss your dose: If your next scheduled injection is more than 2 days away, take the medication as soon as possible. If your next scheduled injection is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and wait to inject the medication at your usual dose and usual day of the week. Ask your care team what the next steps are if you forget to inject the medication for more than 2 weeks in a row.
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What are the risks and warnings for Wegovy (semaglutide)?
Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Possible risk for thyroid cancer
In animal studies with rats, Wegovy (semaglutide) was linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer. It was more likely to happen when rats got higher doses or were given the medication for a long time. It's not known if Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause thyroid cancer in people.
Because of this potential risk, people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) shouldn't use Wegovy (semaglutide). People with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) also shouldn't use this medication.
Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about the risk of thyroid cancer with Wegovy (semaglutide). Call your care team right away if you notice a lump in your neck. Also tell them if you have trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or a hoarse voice that doesn't go away. These could be signs of thyroid cancer.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Some people taking Wegovy (semaglutide) have had swelling or inflammation in the pancreas. This is called pancreatitis. It can sometimes cause serious damage to the pancreas or bleeding.
Stop using Wegovy (semaglutide) and call your care team if you have symptoms of pancreatitis. This includes vomiting or severe stomach pain that travels to your back and doesn't go away.
Gallbladder problems
Risk factors: Children | Lose a lot of weight | Lose weight very fast
Although it's rare, some people who take Wegovy (semaglutide) can have gallbladder problems. This can include an inflamed gallbladder or gallstones.
In studies, gallbladder problems happened more often in children than in adults who took Wegovy (semaglutide). Losing a lot of weight or losing weight too fast might also raise your risk of these problems.
Tell your care team if you notice symptoms of gallbladder problems. Look out for yellow skin or eyes, fever, chills, or severe pain in your upper right stomach.
Low blood sugar
Risk factors: Type 2 diabetes | Taking insulin or certain other diabetes medications that can lower blood sugar
Your care team might ask you to check your blood sugar while taking Wegovy (semaglutide), especially if you have Type 2 diabetes. Tell your prescriber if you're taking any diabetes medications. Your care team might need to adjust your diabetes treatment to keep you safe.
You and your loved ones should know how to spot low blood sugar and how to treat it. Signs can include feeling very hungry, shaky, weak, or confused. You might also sweat at lot or have a racing heart or changes in vision. If you still have low blood sugar after trying to treat it, call 911 right away.
Kidney damage
Risk factors: History of kidney damage | Long-term kidney failure | Dehydration
Some people taking Wegovy (semaglutide) have had kidney damage. Sometimes, this led them to need dialysis. People who already have kidney damage are at higher risk. But it can also happen to people without any known kidney problems.
Tell your prescriber if you have side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea while taking Wegovy (semaglutide). These can raise your risk of dehydration, which can sometimes lead to kidney damage. If the side effects are severe, you might need blood tests to check for kidney damage.
Allergic reactions
It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to Wegovy (semaglutide). Tell your prescriber if you've had a reaction to other GLP-1 agonists. Don't use Wegovy (semaglutide) if you've had an allergic reaction to it or to other semaglutide medications (Ozempic, Rybelsus).
Call 911 right away if you have an allergic reaction. Watch for swelling in your face or throat, trouble breathing, hives, or other symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
Risk factors: History of eye problems caused by high blood sugar | Type 2 diabetes | High risk of heart disease | Rapid improvement in blood sugar
In studies, some adults with Type 2 diabetes who took Wegovy (semaglutide) had eye problems. These included cataracts, glaucoma, and damage to the retina.
The risk is higher if you already have eye problems from high blood sugar (called diabetic retinopathy). These problems might get worse for a short time if your blood sugar improves too quickly.
Talk to your prescriber or eye specialist if your eye problems get worse while taking Wegovy (semaglutide). Also tell them if you notice any changes in your vision.
Faster heart rate
Your resting heart rate might go up while taking Wegovy (semaglutide). In studies, people taking the medication had a heart rate that was on average 1 to 4 beats per minute (bpm) higher than those taking placebo. Some even had an increase of 10 bpm to 20 bpm or more.
Your primary care provider will check your heart rate at your follow-up visits. Tell your healthcare team if you feel your heart racing while you're resting. If your heart rate stays too high, you might need to stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide).
Possible risk of self-harm
Risk factors: History of suicidal attempts | Suicidal thoughts
In studies, some people had suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking other weight loss medications. Because of this, you shouldn't take Wegovy (semaglutide) if you've had thoughts of self-harm before.
Call your primary care provider if you or a loved one notices signs of depression. Also let them know about any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide) and call 911 right away if you think about hurting yourself. Talk to your primary care provider if you're worried about this risk.
Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation
While under general anesthesia or deep sleep, some people taking GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy (semaglutide) had a serious lung problem. This happened when food or liquid got into the lungs.
Although rare, this lung problem can happen because Wegovy (semaglutide) slows down your stomach. So even if you followed instructions not to eat or drink before your procedure, food might still be in your stomach and could get into the lungs.
Before any surgery or medical procedure, tell the care team that you're taking Wegovy (semaglutide). Your care team can watch for this lung problem and help keep you safe during the procedure.
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Wegovy (semaglutide) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 prefilled 0.25mg pens of 0.25mg/0.5ml | 1 carton | $1323.00 | $1323.00 |
| 4 prefilled 0.5mg pens of 0.5mg/0.5ml | 1 carton | $1322.38 | $1322.38 |
| 4 prefilled 1mg pens of 1mg/0.5ml | 1 carton | $1322.29 | $1322.29 |
| 4 prefilled 1.7mg pens of 1.7mg/0.75ml | 1 carton | $1322.59 | $1322.59 |
| 4 prefilled 2.4mg pens of 2.4mg/0.75ml | 1 carton | $1322.79 | $1322.79 |
Typical dosing for Wegovy (semaglutide)
In general, Wegovy (semaglutide) is injected under the skin once a week. Your prescriber will raise your dose every 4 weeks (1 month) until you reach the maintenance dose.
The typical dosing schedule is listed below.
Month 1: Inject 0.25 mg once a week.
Month 2: Inject 0.5 mg once a week.
Month 3: Inject 1 mg once a week.
Month 4: Inject 1.7 mg once a week.
Month 5 and beyond (maintenance dose): Inject 1.7 or 2.4 mg once a week. Your prescriber will choose the dose for you based on how well it works and if you have side effects.
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How much does Wegovy (semaglutide) cost?
Wegovy (semaglutide) contraindications
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
Previous allergic reaction to a medication that contains semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, or Rybelsus)
What are alternatives to Wegovy (semaglutide)?
Weight loss and long-term weight management in:
People ages 12 years and older who are considered obese
Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease
Weight loss and long-term weight management in adults considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes)
Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults considered obese
To help with weight management along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise in:
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020). Retina.
Jones, M. W., et al. (2023). Acute cholecystitis. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Aspiration pneumonia.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Dehydration.
National Cancer Institute. (2019). Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Assessing your weight and health risk.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Overweight & obesity statistics.
National Kidney Foundation. (2023). Dialysis.
National Organization of Rare Diseases. (2024). Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg: Your next step begins here.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Wegovy - semaglutide injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Ryan, D. H., et al. (2024). Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nature Medicine.
Weghuber, D., et al. (2022). Once-weekly semaglutide in adolescents with obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine.
You and Your Hormones. (2021). Glucagon-like peptide 1.
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