Wegovy
What is Wegovy?
Part of our weight loss treatment plan
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that you administer to yourself to aid weight loss. It contains the active substance semaglutide which mimics a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which helps reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness.
Wegovy is approved to help you lose weight in conjunction with an active lifestyle and a calorie-controlled balanced diet.
Wegovy weight loss injections should be taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise to help you lose weight. Exercise and a balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight even when you stop taking your medication.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a self-injecting weight loss treatment. It contains the drug semaglutide, which mimics a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is naturally released from the gut after a meal. Wegovy works by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain that can help control appetite and increase feelings of fullness. This can result in a reduction of food in take and therefore an overall decrease in calories consumed which can result in weight loss.
Wegovy should be used with a reduced calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.
Wegovy Weight Loss
Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy can be effective for weight loss in adults who have obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. In these trials, people taking Wegovy lost significantly more weight than those taking a placebo. On average, people taking Wegovy lost 15-20% of their body weight, compared to 2-3% for those taking a placebo. However, it's important to note that results may vary depending on individual factors such as starting weight, lifestyle, and adherence to treatment.
Is Wegovy suitable for me?
When you join PrivateDoc we will assess your individual circumstances to see if we think Wegovy will help with your weight management.
Wegovy can be used for weight management in adults who have obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. PrivateDoc will evaluate your medical history, current health status, and other factors such as medications you may be taking, to determine if Wegovy is suitable for you.
Is there any evidence that Wegovy works?
Clinical trials have shown Wegovy to be effective for weight loss in adults who are overweight or obese, with at least one weight-related comorbidity. In these trials, people taking Wegovy lost much more weight than those taking the placebo. People taking Wegovy had an average weight loss of 15-20% of their body weight, compared to 2-3% on the placebo.
It's important to note that results may vary depending on individual factors such as starting weight, lifestyle, and adherence to treatment.
How do I use Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription medication that is administered through subcutaneous injections once a week and should be used on the same day each week at the same time of day, if possible.
Wegovy comes in a pre-filled weight-loss injection pen. When you take Wegovy you need to gradually increase your dose on a monthly basis. This involves starting with a low dose of Wegovy and gradually increasing it over a period of 5 months until the desired effect is achieved or until side effects become intolerable.
All patients commencing Wegovy and not transitioning from Saxenda will start on a weekly dose of 0.25 mg per week for four weeks. Once a patient has had four weeks of the starting dose they will increase to the next dose in the step up phase
What is the Wegovy Dose Schedule for weight Loss?
Increasing the dose slowly over time should minimise any unwanted side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
You must continue with your new diet and exercise regime while you are taking Wegovy.
Always use Wegovy exactly how your prescriber has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are unsure.
How do I administer my Wegovy injection?
Wegovy is a self-administered subcutaneous injection that you inject under your skin. The best sites for injecting are the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thigh or the upper arm. You must take extra care not to inject into a vein or muscle.
It's important to rotate the injection site each week to avoid injection site reactions or skin irritation. If you have any questions or concerns about how to administer your Wegovy injection then contact us.
If you accidentally use more Wegovy than you should, you must talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. You may experience nausea or vomiting and may require medical treatment.
What information does PrivateDoc need to know about me?
You cannot use Wegovy if you:
- are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
- have any known allergies to any of the ingredients in Wegovy
- are under 18 years old or over 75 years old
- have diabetes and are taking other medicines that contain GLP-1 (such as exenatide or lixisenatide) or have issues with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- have severe heart failure
- have liver or severe kidney disease or are on dialysis
- have severe stomach or gut problems such as gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) or inflammatory bowel disease
If you have any of the following conditions you will need to speak with the doctor as Wegovy may not be appropriate for you:
- Diabetes
- Diseases of the pancreas
- Inflamed gall bladder or gallstones
- Thyroid diseases including thyroid nodules and enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Heart palpitations or a racing heart
- Mild to moderate liver or kidney disease
- A condition that requires you to take anticoagulants such as warfarin
Where do I inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is injected subcutaneously, which means it is injected just under the skin. The recommended injection sites for Wegovy are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It's important to rotate the injection site each week to avoid injection site reactions or skin irritation. Here are some guidelines for selecting an injection site:
- Abdomen: Inject the medication into the fatty tissue on either side of the navel, avoiding the area around the waistband or where the skin is scarred, tender, bruised, or damaged.
- Thigh: Inject the medication into the fatty tissue on the front of the thigh, midway between the hip and knee, and at least 4 inches (about 10 cm) above the knee.
- Upper arm: Inject the medication into the fatty tissue on the back of the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow, and at least 2 inches (about 5 cm) below the shoulder.
How much does Wegovy cost?
What are the possible side effects of taking Wegovy?
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
Like all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Common side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with diabetes. Low blood sugar is more likely to happen if you also take a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Wegovy has been reported to cause more serious side effects but these are rare. These include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. If you experience symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or difficulty breathing then you must seek medical attention immediately.
Before starting Wegovy, your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history and any medications that you are currently taking to decide if it is a safe option for you. It's important to follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider.
It is important to talk about potential side effects of Wegovy with your healthcare provider before commencing treatment and to report any side effects that you experience during treatment. You may require a dose adjustment or more close monitoring if you experience any side effects.
For complete details about all side effects always read the Patient Information Leaflet.
The information we provide to our patients is based on the information provided by the manufacturer of the medication. This information is based on the latest and best, current evidence.
How long before Wegovy starts to work?
Wegovy (semaglutide) works gradually to help weight loss as part of a weight management plan. Clinical studies showed patients taking Wegovy experienced weight loss after 16 weeks of treatment. However, some patients may experience weight loss within the first few weeks of treatment.
It's important to note that results will vary between individuals and weight loss is not guaranteed. Wegovy works best when used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes healthy eating combined with regular exercise. It's also important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider in order to achieve and maintain your weight loss.
Your healthcare provider may monitor your weight loss progress and adjust your dose or plan as needed in order to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
How much weight can you lose using Wegovy weight loss medication?
We set qualifying patients a weight loss target for after 12 weeks of Wegovy treatment, typically this is a minimum of 5% of their starting weight.
In clinical studies, patients taking Wegovy, experienced an average weight loss of approximately 15-17% of their initial body weight after one year of treatment. However, results may vary between individuals and weight loss is not guaranteed with Wegovy.
How much weight you can lose with Wegovy will depend on several parameters, including starting weight, diet and exercise, and your health overall. Wegovy is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes a healthy eating plan and regular exercise.
At PrivateDoc we will continue to issue treatment and support until we have helped you achieve a healthy BMI.
Wegovy for weight loss: How it works
Wegovy is an injectable prescription medication used to treat adults with weight related medical problems and is prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased activity levels.
Wegovy contains the drug semaglutide, which mimics a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is naturally released from the gut after a meal. Wegovy works by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain that control your appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry and experience less craving for food. This will help you eat less food (reducing your calorie intake) and reduce your body weight.
Wegovy should be used with a reduced calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.
How long can I stay on Wegovy?
The length of time you can stay on Wegovy (semaglutide) will depend on a number of factors, including your weight loss goals, overall health, and any potential side effects or other concerns.
In clinical studies, patients were treated with Wegovy for up to 68 weeks. However, the medication may be continued beyond this period if it is still providing benefits and is well-tolerated.
Once a healthy BMI is achieved you will no longer need to remain on the prescription.
What diet should I follow on Wegovy?
Whilst on any of our prescription weight loss treatments we recommend following a calorie controlled diet to support your goals. As this can be a confusing area with lots of mixed messaging, we partnered with leading nutritionist Glen Matten to bring to you our very own PrivateDoc diet guide. You can find out more here: PrivateDoc Diet Guide
Wegovy blog posts
A Doctor's Guide to Everything You Need To Know About Wegovy
Our Doctors have put together a useful guide to tell you everything you need to know about the new weight loss drug Wegovy.
When will Wegovy be available in the UK?
Wegovy, the latest weight loss drug, received approval from the Medicines and Health Products Regulation Agency (MHRA) in the UK in September 2021. Despite approval, the UK market is yet to see the launch of Wegovy.
What is the Wegovy Dose Schedule for weight Loss?
Wegovy is a weekly injection and the dose is titrated on a monthly basis. The process is simple and consists of adjusting the amount of medication a patient receives in order to achieve a desired therapeutic effect.
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects experienced from taking Wegovy weekly injections are headache, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting.