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What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weight loss medication that has been proven to work in clinical trials. It is made by Novo Nordisk and comes as a pre-filled pen that you can give yourself injections with, once a week.

It works by making you not want to eat as much. When used with a healthy diet and exercise, it can help you lose weight.

It’s available on prescription for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above, or 27 and above with weight-related conditions.

How does Wegovy work?

The drug works by reducing your appetite. It means you consume fewer calories and you will lose weight gradually.

The active ingredient, Semaglutide, is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 agonist. This is the same type of medicine as the weight loss drug Saxenda. These medications work by making your body produce more of a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone affects how hungry you feel.

Increasing GLP-1 levels slows down digestion and stomach emptying. It affects your appetite because you feel fuller for longer which means you eat less. Over time, this results in weight loss.

How much weight can I lose on Wegovy?

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Wegovy is effective for weight loss.

Adults lost an average of 35 lbs after 15 months on Wegovy.

One study looked at the effects of Wegovy versus a placebo drug over 68 weeks. The average starting weight of the participants was 232 lbs. The participants were told to eat less food and exercise more.

They found that 83% of participants lost 5% of their original body weight or more using Wegovy, compared to just 31% using the placebo. In addition, they found that participants lost an average of 35 lbs (15kg).

Study results

What are the benefits?

Besides losing weight, treatment can have several benefits.

• improved blood sugar levels
• improved self-esteem and self-confidence
• more mobility
• lowers your risk of long-term health problems (e.g. heart disease and stroke)
• improved mental health

Who can use it?

The drug will only be prescribed for people with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

You cannot use it if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have had a reaction to Semaglutide in the past
• a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)

Several risks may mean the medication is not suitable for you, such as if you have:

• gallbladder problems
• a history of pancreatitis
• a history of mental illness and/or suicidal thoughts
• thyroid problems (e.g. underactive or overactive thyroid)
• type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic retinopathy
• heart rate condition
• kidney problems
• digestive conditions (e.g. Crohn’s disease)

You should always consult your doctor before starting any medication.

What dose of Wegovy should I take?

You start on the lowest dose, 0.25mg, and increase the dose gradually over the months until you reach the maintenance dose (2.4mg).

How do I go from Ozempic to Wegovy?

As both brands contain the same ingredient, moving from one to the other is simple. The doses are identical. If you are on a 0.25mg dose of Ozempic, you can use the 0.25mg dose of Wegovy.

If you have finished a course of one dose of Ozempic, you can move up to the next dose of Wegovy. For example, if you have just finished your 0.25mg Ozempic pen, you can start the 0.5mg Wegovy pen when your next dose is due.

How do I use a Wegovy pen?

Wegovy is a pre-filled injection pen that you inject yourself with once weekly.

Each time you inject, you need to prepare the needle.

Preparing your needle

Prepare the needle carefully each time so you know that the pen is safe and ready to use.

1. Check the name and dose on the - make sure it's correct.
2. Pull off the pen cap and check the fluid is clear and colourless. If it’s cloudy or discoloured, do not use the pen.
3. Use a new needle and check that it is sealed.
4. Once the needle is ready, tear off the paper tab and push the needle onto the pen, turning it until it's on tight.
5. Remove both caps from the needle. Keep the outer needle cap so you can safely dispose of the needle later.

You must check the flow before your first injection with each new pen. Turn the dose selector to 0, and a drop of solution should appear.

How to use Wegovy

Once the pen is ready, you can inject it. Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before using Wegovy for the first time.

• InstructionsTurn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and it shows your prescribed dose.
• Choose an injection site.
• You can inject it into your upper arms, upper legs or stomach.
• You can inject in the same area each week but change the spot slightly each time.
• Insert the needle into your skin. Make sure you can see the dose counter.
• Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0 - you may hear or feel a click.
• Remove the needle from your skin.
• If there is blood, lightly press on the area to stop the bleeding.
• You may see a drop of Wegovy at the needle tip - this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Dispose of the needle carefully after each injection. Place the outer cap back on the needle and unscrew the needle from the pen. Discard the needle into a sharps bin.

What are the side effects?

As with all prescription medicines, it can cause some side effects. This is especially true during the first few months.

The most common side effects of Wegovy may include:

• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• headache
• dizziness
• tiredness
• indigestion and heartburn

Most of these side effects should disappear once your body has gotten used to the medication. However, if you experience any persistent or worrying side effects, speak to your healthcare provider.

If you take any sulfonylurea medicines for diabetes, you may develop low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) while using Wegovy. Make sure you learn the signs of hypo before using this medication.

How do I buy Wegovy online?

You can buy Wegovy online from HealthExpress. You will be required to complete an online medical consultation which will be reviewed by one of our registered doctors. Once approved, the medication will be sent to your chosen address.

Wegovy FAQs

How do I dispose of Wegovy?

The Wegovy needles need to be disposed of in a sharps bin which we provide you with. Once that bin is full, you need to contact your local council for safe waste disposal. The pen itself can be disposed of at your local pharmacy.

How do I store Wegovy?

Unopened Wegovy pens must be kept in the fridge between 2-8°C. If they are not refrigerated within 48 hours of dispatch, you can still use them safely for up to 6 weeks.

Once opened, they can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature (no higher than 30°C) for up to 6 weeks. Always check the colour of the solution before using it.

How do I switch from Saxenda to Wegovy?

If you’re on Saxenda, you can start Wegovy on the day after your last Saxenda dose.

How long will it take to lose weight on Wegovy?

Your progress will depend on many factors. Most people will start to see significant results after 4 weeks of treatment. For others, it may take longer.

Do I need to take Wegovy with a meal?

No, you don’t need to take Wegovy with food.

Lesson Summary

Wegovy is a weight loss medication by Novo Nordisk available as a pre-filled pen for weekly self-injections. The active ingredient, Semaglutide, reduces appetite resulting in lower calorie intake and gradual weight loss when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Clinical trials have shown significant weight loss, with participants losing an average of 35 lbs over 15 months on Wegovy. Beyond weight loss, treatment can lead to improved blood sugar levels, self-esteem, mobility, and mental health.

• Wegovy is prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with weight-related conditions.
• Benefits of treatment include improved health, reduced risk of long-term health issues, and enhanced well-being.
• Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those with certain health conditions or a history of specific illnesses.
• Dosage starts at 0.25mg and gradually increases to a maintenance dose of 2.4mg.
• Switching from Ozempic to Wegovy is straightforward due to the identical active ingredient.

Using a Wegovy pen requires careful needle preparation, site selection, injection technique, and disposal. Common side effects may include nausea, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and fatigue, which usually subside with time. Proper disposal of needles in a sharps bin is necessary, while unopened Wegovy pens should be refrigerated between 2-8°C.

• Initial weight loss with Wegovy is typically observed after 4 weeks, varying from person to person.
• Wegovy does not need to be taken with a meal.