Wegovy Drug Interactions to Know

Prescription weight loss drugs such as Wegovy (active ingredient: semaglutide) can help you lose more body weight than is possible with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise alone. If you have been prescribed Wegovy, you should know the risks of Wegovy interactions with certain drugs. For example, taking Wegovy with other medications that affect blood sugar levels can lead to an increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

Wegovy interactions can also increase your risk of serious adverse effects, make other medicines less effective, or affect how well Wegovy works for weight loss. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medication with Wegovy.

Please continue reading to find out which other drugs you should not take during Wegovy treatment.

What is Wegovy?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy in 2021 as a prescription medication for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years of age and older who meet certain criteria. 

Doctors prescribe Wegovy (once weekly semaglutide injection) to obese and overweight individuals. People with an initial body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2 or above 27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related health condition (such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are eligible for these weight management medications. Find out how to get a Wegovy prescription.

Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). These medications work by delaying gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing appetite. Medications from this drug class are also used to lower sugar blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Find out the best diabetes drug for weight loss.

What are the risks of Wegovy interactions?

• By delaying gastric emptying, Wegovy can affect the absorption of other drugs, making them less effective.

• Wegovy interactions with other medications can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).

• Taking certain other medications with Wegovy may cause more severe side effects.

• Other over-the-counter and prescription drugs can make Wegovy less effective in helping you lose weight.

What drugs cannot be taken with semaglutide?

You should not take the following drugs with semaglutide (Wegovy):

• Other GLP-1 receptor agonists such as liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza), dulaglutide (Trulicity), lixisenatide (Soliqua), and exenatide (Bydureon, Byetta). 

• Other diabetes medications, including insulin and oral diabetes medications, which can interact with Wegovy and result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.

• Other weight management medications and appetite suppressants. There is currently limited research on how Wegovy interacts with these drugs.

• Antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine, which can interact with Wegovy and lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Other possible interactions include painkillers, blood pressure medications (beta-blockers), certain antibiotics, antidepressants, psychiatric medications, antiepileptic drugs, corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, immunosuppressants, thyroid medications, and anticoagulants.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications while on Wegovy.

Can you take Wegovy and Adderall together?

Current research has not shown that Adderall and Wegovy interact. However, always check with your healthcare provider for potential interactions before taking any other medicines.

Can you drink alcohol while on Wegovy?

It is best to limit alcohol intake while on Wegovy. Alcohol can make some Wegovy side effects worse. Also, many alcoholic beverages contain extra calories that can prevent you from achieving your weight loss goals. 

Are there any contraindications for Wegovy?

Your healthcare professional may refrain from prescribing Wegovy if you:

• Do not meet the eligibility criteria for Wegovy (an initial body mass index above 30 kg/m2 or above 27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbid condition such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or high blood glucose).

• Have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer (thyroid tumors such as medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 MEN2).

• Have a history of medical conditions such as pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy, or kidney disease. 

• Are pregnant or nursing an infant on breast milk.

• Have had allergic reactions to semaglutide (generic version of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus), any of the inactive ingredients in Wegovy, or other drugs in the same class. (Ozempic vs Wegovy for Weight Loss: Key Differences)

• Patients with suicidal behavior are recommended to use another type of therapy.

What are the side effects of Wegovy?

Common side effects of Wegovy include abdominal pain, heartburn, burping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These adverse effects usually get better once your body adjusts to the medication. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not get better over time. Learn more: “How Long Do The Side Effects of Wegovy Last?”

What precautions should I take during Wegovy treatment?

• Give your doctor a complete medical history and a list of medications before starting Wegovy treatment.

• Follow your doctor’s instructions for Wegovy dosing carefully. Your provider will start you on a lower dose of Wegovy, 0.25 milligrams (mg)/ 0.5 milliliter (mL), and gradually increase the dose to 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once weekly for maintenance.

• Remember, Wegovy works best for weight loss with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. 

• Do not share your Wegovy pens with others. 

• Use the Wegovy pen on your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. Rotate the injection site to prevent injection site reactions.

• Never buy Wegovy from unauthorized sources. You could receive medication that is fake or contaminated. 

• In case of a missed dose, take Wegovy as soon as you remember (on the same day or the next day) as long as your next dose is at least 48 hours (2 days later). If your next dose is due in less than 48 hours, skip the last dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss more than two doses of Wegovy, call your doctor or pharmacist.

• Tell your doctor if you don’t achieve the expected weight loss on Wegovy, even with reduced food intake and regular exercise. Never increase your Wegovy dose without your doctor’s approval.

Find out what happens when you stop taking Wegovy.