How Does Wegovy Work for Weight Loss?

Key Takeaways

Semaglutide was originally developed as a diabetes drug under the brand name Ozempic. It was found to also cause significant weight loss and has been FDA-approved for chronic weight management under Wegovy.
In addition to helping manage blood sugar, Wegovy delays gastric emptying, causing you to feel full faster, leading to decreased appetite, reduced caloric intake, and, consequently, weight loss.
This drug works best when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Taking Wegovy can help you lose weight while lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related chronic health conditions.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable prescription medication that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management. Please continue reading to find out how Wegovy and other weight loss drugs can help you lose weight.

How do weight loss medications like Wegovy work?

Wegovy (semaglutide) belongs to a group of weight loss drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally developed and are still used as anti-diabetes drugs. Learn more about semaglutide for weight loss.

GLP-1 receptor agonists lower blood sugar by causing the pancreas to secrete more insulin. However, it was found that these diabetes medications can also cause significant weight loss.

Wegovy and other GLP-1 receptor agonists have now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management.

Wegovy is 94% similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is a physiological regulator of appetite and caloric intake. It delays gastric emptying, meaning it slows down the emptying of food from the stomach into the intestines, causing you to feel full longer, decrease your appetite, reduce your caloric intake, and consequently, lose weight over time.

Therefore, the weight loss drug Wegovy works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1. Wegovy binds to GLP-1 receptors and targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake.

As mentioned, people lose weight on Wegovy because it reduces appetite and causes them to eat less. However, it is important to use Wegovy in addition to a healthy diet and exercise.

Taking Wegovy can help you lose weight while lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related chronic health conditions.

Check out our blog to learn more about Wegovy’s uses and side effects.

How much body weight can you lose in a month with Wegovy?

Clinical trials have shown that you can lose approximately 1-2% of your body weight in a month on Wegovy. On average, people lose up to 15% of their initial body weight after 68 weeks (15 months) of Wegovy treatment.

This means if you have a baseline (starting) weight of 232 pounds (lbs), you could potentially lose approximately 35 lbs of excess weight on Wegovy, along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise.

How long does it take for Wegovy to start working for weight loss?

You may notice some weight loss after taking Wegovy for 4 weeks. But it takes 3-4 months for Wegovy to have its full effects. This is because your healthcare professional will prescribe Wegovy at a lower dose initially and gradually increase the dose over several months, allowing your body time to adjust to the medicine and reducing side effects.

Can I take Wegovy for weight loss?

If you are 18 years or older, you may qualify for the new drug treatment Wegovy if one of the following factors is applied to you:

Being obese (having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher)
Being overweight (having a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or higher) AND having a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Wegovy is also FDA-approved for use in overweight or obese children 12 years of age or older who have a body mass index (BMI) at the 95^th percentile or higher for age and sex.

What is the best diet while on Wegovy to lose weight?

The best diet to lose weight while on Wegovy is a healthy, balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats and avoids or limits saturated fats, processed foods, processed meats, and sugary beverages.

A high fiber intake helps you lose weight since it can keep you feeling full for longer with lower calorie content.

What is the number one side effect of Wegovy?

The most common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal distension, gas, gastroenteritis, dizziness, dyspepsia, heartburn, low blood sugar, and belching.

Tell your healthcare professionals if these side effects are severe or do not go away after you have been on Wegovy for a while.

Who should not take Wegovy?

Wegovy has been linked to an increased risk of thyroid C cell tumors. People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Wegovy. Also, those who have had a severe allergic reaction to Wegovy in the past should not take this medication again.

Taking Wegovy is also associated with an increased risk of medical conditions such as acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, acute kidney disease, increased heart rate, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetic retinopathy complications, and suicidal ideation.

Before starting Wegovy, give your doctor a complete medical history as well as a complete list of your other medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Drug interactions between Wegovy and your other medications can lead to serious adverse effects.

Learn more about who should not take Wegovy.

Is Wegovy right for me?

If you’re considering asking your doctor for a Wegovy prescription, you should first have the right information. Here is a quick overview of Wegovy to help you make an informed decision.

Wegovy supports your weight loss efforts

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug that can help you lose more weight than is possible with diet and exercise alone.

Weight loss on Wegovy can help reduce the risk of weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol. It can lead to a reduced risk of developing obesity-related health problems and improve your metabolic and overall health.

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication

Wegovy is a liquid injectable medication that you’ll need to self-inject under the skin once weekly. You can rotate injection sites between the upper arm, thighs, and abdomen. Wegovy pens (unused pens) should be stored in the refrigerator.

A Wegovy pen that is in use can be stored at room temperature. Therefore, while Wegovy offers the convenience of once-weekly dosing, you need to learn how to inject this drug.

Your healthcare provider will teach you the proper technique so you can confidently self-administer this medication.

Wegovy results vary

Weight loss on Wegovy is influenced by many factors. You may lose more or less body weight compared to the average values mentioned above.

A weight loss medication such as Wegovy works best when used with healthy lifestyle measures such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. In other words, you should not look at drug treatment with Wegovy as a magic pill.

Weight regain is possible after stopping Wegovy

You should know that weight gain (regain of lost weight) is common after stopping Wegovy. Therefore, you may need to take Wegovy long-term to maintain the weight loss.

Wegovy can cause side effects

Taking Wegovy can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. This weight loss drug is also linked to a higher risk of serious medical conditions. It may not be safe for everyone.

Wegovy treatment is expensive

The list price of Wegovy is $1,349 for a one-month supply, and not all health insurance plans cover Wegovy. You should factor in Wegovy costs during your drug evaluation.

Learn more about the cost of weight loss injections.

What are Wegovy alternatives?

If you have been unsuccessful in losing weight with diet and exercise alone and Wegovy has not worked for you, talk to your healthcare professional about other weight loss medications such as Saxenda (liraglutide) or Zepbound (tirzepatide). If you do not want to take a weight loss medication such as Wegovy long-term, talk to your healthcare professional about other treatment options, such as bariatric surgery.

Check out our blog to learn more about tirzepatide for weight loss.

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