Loading Now

Wegovy Info

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a drug that’s used to help with weight loss in certain people. Wegovy comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled, single-dose pen. It’s given as an injection under the skin.

Wegovy is recommended with exercise and a low calorie diet for long-term weight loss in:

  • adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity)
  • adults with a BMI of 27 or higher (which is considered overweight) and a health condition that’s related to weight
  • children 12 years and older whose BMI is in the 95th percentile or higher (which is considered obesity)

Wegovy has limitations on its use for weight management. To learn more, see “Is Wegovy used for weight loss and weight management?” below.

Wegovy basics

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Wegovy is a brand-name medication that isn’t currently available as a generic.

What are Wegovy’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Wegovy may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects of Wegovy. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Wegovy. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Wegovy can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Wegovy’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Wegovy that have been reported include:

  • bloating or abdominal pain
  • burping
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • gas
  • headache
  • indigestion, heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • stomach flu
  • vomiting
  • constipation*
  • nausea*

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Wegovy can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Wegovy, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Wegovy that have been reported include:

  • gallbladder problems, including gallstones or gallbladder inflammation (swelling and damage)
  • increased heart rate
  • low blood sugar
  • pancreatitis (swelling and damage in your pancreas)
  • boxed warning: risk of thyroid cancer*
  • allergic reaction*

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Wegovy may cause.

Boxed warning

Wegovy has a boxed warningTrusted Source. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of thyroid cancer. Semaglutide, the active drug* in Wegovy, increased the risk of cancerous thyroid tumors in animal studies. It isn’t known whether this risk is also increased in humans.

Symptoms of a thyroid tumor may include:

  • trouble swallowing
  • hoarse voice
  • lump or swelling in your neck
  • shortness of breath

Due to this risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Wegovy if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer). They also typically won’t prescribe Wegovy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. This is a genetic (inherited) disorder of the endocrine system that may cause thyroid cancer.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

What might help?

Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a thyroid tumor while using Wegovy. They’ll examine you and will likely recommend lab tests to evaluate your symptoms. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to keep using Wegovy.

Nausea

Nausea was the most common side effect reported in Wegovy’s studies

Nausea may go away with time as you continue using Wegovy. In studies, it was rare for people to stop taking the drug due to nausea.

Injecting too much Wegovy can cause severe nausea. (See “What should be done in case of overdose?” below to learn more.) But when Wegovy is used in its approved dosage, severe nausea isn’t an expected side effect.

What might help?

Contact your doctor if you experience nausea that’s bothersome or doesn’t go away during Wegovy treatment. They may suggest a medication to reduce nausea. If your nausea still doesn’t go away, they may recommend that you stop using Wegovy.

Constipation

Constipation is possible with Wegovy treatment. This was among the more common side effects reported by people who took Wegovy in studies. But no one in these studies stopped taking Wegovy due to constipation.

Constipation caused by Wegovy may go away on its own as you continue treatment.

What might help?

Contact your doctor if you have constipation while taking Wegovy, especially if it’s bothersome or doesn’t go away. They may recommend medication to relieve your constipation. If this doesn’t help, they might recommend stopping Wegovy treatment.

ALLERGIC REACTION

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Wegovy. Allergic reactions weren’t reported in studies of Wegovy, but they have occurred since the drug was approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Wegovy. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.

Is Wegovy used for weight loss and weight management?

Yes. Wegovy is used with exercise and a low calorie diet for long-term weight loss and weight management in certain adults and children 12 years and older.

Wegovy is used in adults who have a body mass index (BMI)* of 30 or higher (obesity). It’s also used in adults who have a BMI of 27 or higher (which is considered overweight) and at least one health condition that’s related to weight. These conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

In children 12 years and older, Wegovy can be prescribed when the child’s BMI is in the 95th percentile† or higher. This is considered obesity.

Wegovy helps with long-term weight loss by regulating your body’s appetite and the amount of calories you consume. 

* BMI is an estimate of body fat based on your height and weight.
† A percentile refers to a child’s BMI relative to other children of the same age and sex. Being at the 95th percentile means a child has more body fat than 95% of children of the same age and sex.

Limitations of use

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use other products for weight loss or weight management while using Wegovy. Your doctor will likely recommend stopping any other weight loss products you use before you start Wegovy.

Wegovy should not be used with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It also should not be used with drugs that contain the same active drug,* semaglutide. Examples include the diabetes medications Rybelsus and Ozempic.

If you have pancreatitis or had it in the past, your doctor might not prescribe Wegovy for you. Pancreatitis refers to swelling and damage in your pancreas.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

 

Is Wegovy similar to the diabetes drugs Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza? Why isn’t Wegovy also used for diabetes?

Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza all belong to the same group of drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs work in similar ways, but Wegovy isn’t approved for diabetes treatment.

Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide as their active drug.* Trulicity contains dulaglutide, and Victoza contains liraglutide.

Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza are all approved to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. None of these medications are used for type 1 diabetes.

Wegovy has been found to be effective for weight loss and weight management in certain adults, but it is not approved for diabetes treatment.

If you’d like to know more about how these medications compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

How does Wegovy compare with weight-loss alternatives Saxenda and phentermine?

Wegovy and Saxenda are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs act like the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which helps regulate your appetite and how many calories you consume. Phentermine is a type of appetite suppressant, meaning it works to reduce your appetite.

Phentermine is used short term for weight loss. Wegovy and Saxenda can be used for long-term weight loss and weight management.

Phentermine is only approved for weight loss and management in certain adults. Saxenda and Wegovy may be prescribed for this use in certain children 12 years and older.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Wegovy work? Does it give you energy?

Wegovy works by acting like the GLP-1 hormone. This hormone works in your brain to regulate your appetite. By mimicking the activity of GLP-1, Wegovy can help reduce your appetite and lower the amount of calories you consume. This can lead to weight loss and help with weight management over time.

Wegovy doesn’t give you energy. But losing weight often helps people feel more energetic.

If you’d like to know more about how Wegovy works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Wegovy pens need to be refrigerated?

Yes, Wegovy pens should be refrigerated at a temperature of 36°F–46°F (2°C–8°C).

If needed, you can store Wegovy pens at 46°F–86°F (8°C–30°C) for up to 28 days. However, the pens cannot be refrigerated again after they are stored at room temperature.

Do not freeze Wegovy pens. Keep the pens in the original carton to protect them from light until you’re ready to inject a dose.

Talk with your pharmacist if you have more questions about handling and storing Wegovy pens.

Is Wegovy a controlled substance?

No, Wegovy isn’t a controlled substance.

Certain other weight loss drugs, such as phentermine, are controlled substances. This means there are additional rules for how the drug can be prescribed and used. But this doesn’t apply to Wegovy.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about controlled substances.

Wegovy vs. Ozempic

You may wonder how Wegovy compares with Ozempic. These medications contain the same active drugs,* but have different approved uses.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

What is Wegovy’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Wegovy that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, single-dose pens. You’ll use these pens to inject Wegovy under your skin.

Wegovy pens come in these strengths:

  • 0.25 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters of solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)
  • 0.5 mg/0.5 mL
  • 1 mg/0.5 mL
  • 1.7 mg/0.75 mL
  • 2.4 mg/0.75 mL

Recommended dosages

Wegovy’s recommended starting dosage for weight loss and weight management is 0.25 mg once per week. Your doctor will slowly increase your starting dose up to the recommended dose.

 Wegovy’s prescribing information. And be sure to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions.

Questions about Wegovy’s dosage

Below are some common questions about Wegovy’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Wegovy? If you miss a dose of Wegovy and your next dose is more than 48 hours away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if your next dose is less than 48 hours away, you should skip your missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. If you miss two or more doses of Wegovy in a row, talk with your doctor. They’ll help reset your dosing schedule.
  • Will I need to use Wegovy long term? Yes, you’ll likely use Wegovy long term if you and your doctor agree the drug is safe and effective for you.
  • When does Wegovy start working? Wegovy starts working right after you inject a dose. But it may take several weeks or months before you notice weight loss or a decrease in appetite.
  • How long does Wegovy stay in the body? Wegovy stays in the body for about 5–7 weeks after the last dose.

How is Wegovy used?

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will explain how you should inject Wegovy. They will also explain how much to inject and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Using Wegovy pens

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled single-dose pen. You’ll use the pen to inject Wegovy under your skin, usually once per week.

You should safely dispose of Wegovy pens after you use them once.

For step-by-step instructions on how to use your Wegovy pen, see this site from the drug’s manufacturer. You can also see these detailed instructions for use and storage.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Using Wegovy with other drugs

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use other products for weight loss or weight management during treatment with Wegovy.

Wegovy should not be used with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It also should not be used with drugs that contain the same active drug,* semaglutide. Examples include the diabetes medications Rybelsus and Ozempic.

Wegovy can also affect drugs that you take by mouth, including tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions. Your doctor may have you adjust the dosage of any drugs you take by mouth during Wegovy treatment.

Before you begin treatment with Wegovy, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take. This includes any over-the-counter supplements or products marketed for weight loss. They may recommend that you stop taking other medications or products for weight loss if they prescribe Wegovy.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

Questions about taking Wegovy

Below are some common questions about taking Wegovy.

  • Does a Wegovy injection hurt? Wegovy injections aren’t known to cause pain that lasts for longer than a few minutes or hours. In studies, a very small number of people reported irritation around their injection site after injecting Wegovy.
  • Should I take Wegovy with food? You may inject Wegovy with or without food.

What should be considered before taking Wegovy?

There are important considerations to discuss with your doctor before you begin treatment with Wegovy. It’s important that you tell your doctor about your overall health and any medical conditions you may have.

You should also tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take. They’ll check for any interactions with Wegovy.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Wegovy, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Wegovy.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Wegovy can interact with several types of drugs. These include certain diabetes drugs, such as:

  • sulfonylureas, like glipizide (Glucotrol XL) and glimepiride (Amaryl)
  • insulins, like insulin degludec (Tresiba) and insulin glargine (Basaglar)

Drugs that you take by mouth, including tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions, might also interact with Wegovy. Wegovy can make these drug forms less effective.

Before you start Wegovy, your doctor might adjust your treatment plan if you’re taking any of these drugs. Your doctor may reduce your dosage of sulfonylurea medication or insulin if you take either with Wegovy.

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Wegovy. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with the use of Wegovy.

Boxed warning

Wegovy has a boxed warningTrusted Source about the possible risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous. See “What are Wegovy’s side effects?” above for details.

Other warnings

Wegovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Wegovy. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Kidney problems. Wegovy can rarely cause kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure. Your risk of this side effect may be higher if you already have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease. Your doctor can help determine whether Wegovy is safe for you to use if you have kidney problems.
  • Pancreas problems. Sudden pancreatitis (swelling and damage in your pancreas) is a possible side effect of Wegovy. The drug wasn’t studied in people with a history of pancreatitis. So, it’s not known whether these people can safely use Wegovy. Your doctor can help determine whether Wegovy is safe for you.
  • Type 2 diabetes or diabetic retinopathy. If you have type 2 diabetes, taking Wegovy could cause diabetic retinopathy. And if you already have diabetic retinopathy, taking Wegovy could make it worse. Talk with your doctor to help determine whether treatment with Wegovy is safe for you. They may want to check your eye health before prescribing the drug to you.
  • History of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors have been rarely reported in studies of other weight loss drugs. These side effects weren’t reported in Wegovy’s studies. However, there’s still a risk that suicidal thoughts or behaviors could occur in someone with a history of this. Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Wegovy if you’ve experienced suicidal thoughts or actions in the past.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Wegovy or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Wegovy. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Wegovy and alcohol

There aren’t any known interactions between Wegovy and alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol can affect weight management and make it harder to lose weight. This can impact how effective your Wegovy treatment is.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink while you’re using Wegovy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Wegovy during pregnancy. The drug’s manufacturer recommends stopping Wegovy at least 2 months before trying to become pregnant.

If you become pregnant during Wegovy treatment, you can consider participating in the drug’s pregnancy registry. A pregnancy registry helps gather information on how certain drugs can affect pregnancy. Talk with your doctor.

It’s also not known whether it’s safe to breastfeed while using Wegovy. It isn’t known whether the drug passes into breast milk or could cause side effects in a child who is breastfed if it does.

In animal studies, Wegovy did pass into the milk of lactating females. Animal studies don’t always predict what might happen in humans, however.

Talk with your doctor about safe feeding options if you’re using Wegovy.

What should be done in case of overdose?

Do not use more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

  • severe nausea
  • severe vomiting
  • severely low blood sugar, which can cause symptoms such as:
    • seizures
    • loss of consciousness
    • coma

What to do in case you use too much Wegovy

Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Wegovy. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call  your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.