WHAT IS WEGOVY?
Wegovy is a weight loss injection that can be an effective aid to weight-loss when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. The weight loss drug contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Unlike other weight loss shots, Wegovy is injected once a week and can be used by adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 30. It can also be used by people with a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions (such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes). The active ingredient, semaglutide, is currently licensed in the UK as a type 2 diabetes treatment under the brand name Ozempic. Ozempic isn’t licensed as a weight loss medication in the UK, but Wegovy is licensed for weight loss with a specific weight loss dosing and formulation.
Dose: Inject ONCE weekly, following the dose-escalation schedule.
Type of medicine: Appetite suppressant – GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Mechanism: Suppresses appetite and promotes feeling full for longer, decreasing food intake.
Active ingredient: Semaglutide .
Side effects: Can include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, vomitting.
WHAT IS WEGOVY USED FOR?
Wegovy is used as a weight-loss treatment in people with a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions like high blood pressure. It’s used to lose weight alongside a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical exercise.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The active ingredient, semaglutide, is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it mimics a hormone produced by the body called glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone plays an important role in regulating appetite (the feeling of fullness). By mimicking this hormone, the Wegovy shot acts on receptors in the brain that control your appetite. It causes you to feel fuller and less hungry, leading to less craving for food. This can be combined with a calorie-controlled diet and increased physical activity to lose weight.
IS WEGOVY EFFECTIVE FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in body weight compared to placebo after 68 weeks. Trials showed that people taking Wegovy had a mean change in body weight of around 15% .The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Wegovy for weight management for those living with obesity due to the highly positive trial results.
HOW TO USE WEGOVY?
The Wegovy dose is increased every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. This means that patients take a 0.25mg once weekly dose for the first 4 weeks and gradually increase it until they reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly from week 17 onwards. This gradual increase is important because it minimises the risk of side effects. If side effects do occur, most will be experienced during the dose-escalation phase before improving. Wegovy (semaglutide) should be injected once a week on the same day each week. It can be taken at any time of day and can be taken with or without meals. It should be injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
WEGOVY CONTRAINDICATIONS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS?
This medicine is not suitable for anyone who has had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in the injection. Wegovy can cause digestive system side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea. An uncommon side effect that may be experienced is also pancreatitis. This medication is not suitable for anyone experiencing diabetic retinopathy.
WEGOVY AND PREGNANCY?
It should not be used in pregnancy and should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. You should not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
WEGOVY SIDE EFFECTS?
As with all medicines, some people may experience side effects from the treatment. Not everyone will get them and a majority will be mild. The most common Wegovy side effects are headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. These side effects usually improve over time as your body gets used to the medicine. Gradually increasing the dose every 4 weeks helps to reduce the risk of experiencing these side effects. If you find your side effects are severe or aren’t improving, you should contact your medical professional for advice.
WEGOVY PRICES
Wegovy start price is £185.00 per injection pen for one month. It should be noted however, that Wegovy will have 5 different strengths, and it is cheaper for the lower strength of pen, but have an increasing price up to the 2.4mg maintenance dose.