Wegovy Drug Details
Generic Name:
Semaglutide injection
Availability:
Prescription only
Therapeutic Class:
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Forms:
Injection solution in a prefilled single-use pen
Administration:
Subcutaneous injection
Therapeutic Uses:
- To help with chronic weight management in obese or overweight American adults and children above 12 years of age
- To lower the risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack, and death in overweight or obese adults with blood vessel or heart disease
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Wegovy Drug Class
Wegovy (wee-go-vee) is a glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
Wegovy Age Range
Wegovy is approved for use in:
- Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher or a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher and at least one of the serious health issues related to obesity, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
- Children 12 years of age and older with a BMI at the 95th percentile or higher.
Wegovy Uses
Wegovy Uses
Wegovy helps with weight loss when taken along with a lower-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It can also reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and death in overweight and obese individuals with cardiovascular disease.
There may be other uses of Wegovy—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.
Wegovy Mechanism of Action
Wegovy (semaglutide) is almost identical to a natural hormone in the human body called glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 helps to regulate appetite and food intake. Wegovy (semaglutide) binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain, slows movement of food through the stomach, suppresses appetite, and thereby leads to reduced caloric intake and weight loss. It is unclear how Wegovy lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in people with established cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy Doses
Wegovy comes in a single-dose, pre-filled, disposable pen for subcutaneous injection (under the skin of the upper arm, abdomen, or thigh) once a week. You should take a Wegovy injection on the same day of the week every week. You can take it at any time of the day without regard to meals.
The dosage strengths of Wegovy pens are 0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 1.7 mg/0.75 mL, and 2.4 mg/0.75 mL. The dose of Wegovy is gradually increased as follows:
- Weeks 1 through 4: 0.25 mg once weekly
- Weeks 5 through 8: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Weeks 9 through 12: 1 mg once weekly
- Weeks 13 through 16: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Week 17 onwards: 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance dose)
Wegovy Directions
How To Use Wegovy
Wegovy (semaglutide) comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled single-use dosing pen for injection subcutaneously (under the skin). It can be injected at any time of the day, with or without food. However, you should inject Wegovy on the same day of the week every week. If you want to change the day of the week that you inject Wegovy, you can do so as long as at least 48 hours (2 days) have passed since your last injection.
Read the prescription label carefully and follow your doctor’s dosing instructions. Use Wegovy exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of Wegovy and increase the dose slowly every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose.
You can inject Wegovy in your upper arm, stomach, or thigh areas. Rotate (change) the injection site every week. You may inject Wegovy (semaglutide) and insulin in the same general area of your body, but not immediately next to each other.
Wegovy can help you lose excess weight when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, but it is not a cure for either obesity or being overweight. Continue taking Wegovy as long as your doctor advises. Do not stop treatment without talking to your healthcare provider.
Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to correctly inject Wegovy. Make sure you understand these instructions. Ask your healthcare providers if you’re unclear about any part of the process.
Wegovy pens that are stored in the refrigerator should be left to warm to room temperature before the injection. Check the injection solution in the Wegovy pen before injecting it. The solution should be clear and colorless without any visible particles. Do not inject Wegovy if the solution appears thickened, cloudy, colored, or has visible solid particles. Also, do not use Wegovy pens that are past the expiration date.
Never reuse a Wegovy pen or share it with others. This is a single-dose disposable pen and should be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container as explained by your doctor and pharmacist.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of Wegovy, take it as soon as you remember as long as your next dose is at least 48 hours (2 days) away. If there are less than 48 hours left for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than two doses of Wegovy, call your doctor. You may need to go back to a lower dose.
Storage: Store Wegovy pens in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C). You can also store the pens at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) in the original carton, as long as the cap hasn’t been opened, for up to 28 days. Do not freeze Wegovy. Do not use Wegovy pens that were frozen and thawed.
Unused medicine: Unused Wegovy should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw Wegovy in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded Wegovy is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on Wegovy. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about Wegovy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice and additional information.
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Wegovy Side Effects
Wegovy Side Effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice if they are severe or persistent.
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Burping
Wegovy can also cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical help if you develop:
- Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, hives, itching; swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Stomach pain in the upper left or middle area that may spread to the back, with or without vomiting
- Swelling of the lower legs, ankles, or feet
- Decreased urination
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Vision changes
- Upper abdominal pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, fever, light or clay-colored stools
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, sweating, confusion, shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, hunger, weakness, or mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, or jitteriness
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of Wegovy. Contact your healthcare provider if the side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Wegovy Overdose: In case of an overdose of Wegovy, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if someone has collapsed, is not responding, has stopped breathing, or has had a seizure.
Source: FDA
Wegovy Warnings
Wegovy Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Wegovy can cause or worsen health problems in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options for chronic weight management if you are at an increased risk of complications from this drug. Some of the risks of Wegovy use include:
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Precautions Before Starting Wegovy
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus), any of the active or inactive ingredients in Wegovy, any other GLP-1 receptor agonist, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients. Examples of other GLP-1 receptor agonists include dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), and lixisenatide (Adlyxin, in Soliqua).
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid potentially dangerous interactions between your medications.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Wegovy may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, or mental health issues. Also, tell your doctor if you have recently had diarrhea, vomiting, or dehydration.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy soon. Your provider may recommend stopping Wegovy 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor about what to do if you have major changes in your diet or activity levels or have an infection, injury, or unusual mental stress. These conditions can affect your blood sugar levels.
Precautions During Use of Wegovy
Keep all your medical and lab appointments while using Wegovy.
Contact your doctor if you experience any changes in mental health while on Wegovy, including changes in mood and behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal ideation or behavior. Members of your household should know how and when to seek help from healthcare professionals if you are unable to do so yourself.
Call your doctor if you become pregnant while on Wegovy.
Tell all your doctors you are on Wegovy, especially before any surgical procedures, including dental treatments.
Wegovy Drug Interactions
Taking Wegovy with certain other drugs can affect how the medications work. Interactions between Wegovy and other medications may increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Your health care professionals may change your dose, monitor you carefully for side effects, or switch you to a different medication if you are at a risk of drug interactions.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.
Wegovy Pros & Cons
Wegovy Pros and Cons
- Wegovy can help you lose weight faster than diet and exercise alone.
- This medicine reduces cardiovascular risk in obese and overweight individuals.
- You only need to inject Wegovy once a week.
- It is approved for use in children aged 12 and older with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.
- You have to inject Wegovy.
- It can increase your risk of thyroid cancer, gallbladder disease, kidney injury, and diabetic eye complications.
- You may be at risk of dangerously low blood sugar if you are on insulin or other diabetes medications.
- You cannot take other semaglutide-containing products (Ozempic, Rybelsus) while on Wegovy.
Wegovy Pharmacist Tips
Wegovy Tips from Pharmacists
Wegovy injections work best when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Talk to your healthcare provider, licensed nutritionist, and fitness trainer about how to plan healthy, balanced meals and increase exercise safely.
Your doctor will first start you on a low dose of Wegovy and gradually increase the dose. The initial doses of this drug do not cause weight loss. The dose escalation is necessary to give your body time to adjust to the medicine. Do not worry if you don’t notice a reduction in your body weight immediately after starting Wegovy. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully and continue taking the medication as advised.
Tell your doctor if you have severe gastrointestinal side effects. Your doctor may lower your Wegovy dose.
Store Wegovy pens in the refrigerator. You can also keep unopened pens at room temperature for up to 28 days.
Wegovy Rx Savings Tips
Wegovy Rx Savings Tips
Wegovy is a brand name medication, and there is currently no lower-cost generic available. A BuzzRx Wegovy coupon can result in big savings on the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Wegovy may be under $345.45 for one pen injector of the .75 ml of 2.4 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on Wegovy, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx Wegovy discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions.
Lowest Price for Wegovy | |
| Brand $345.45 | Generic N/A |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Wegovy Common Questions
Common Questions about Wegovy
Who can take Wegovy?Wegovy is approved for use in adults with either obesity or overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher or a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related health condition). It is also approved for use in children 12 years of age and older who have a BMI at the 95th percentile or higher. |
How much weight can you lose in a month with Wegovy?A clinical trial sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, compared patients who received Wegovy with those who received placebo. The results showed that adults with obesity (with a starting body weight of 232 lbs and BMI of 38.5 kg/m2) who received Wegovy lost approximately 35 lbs or -15% of their body weight on average after taking Wegovy for 2 years. The weight loss of -15% of body weight in the Wegovy group was significantly more than the weight loss of -2.6% of initial body weight in the placebo group. |
How fast will I lose weight on Wegovy?The initial low doses of Wegovy during weeks 1 through 16 are for escalation purposes only and do not result in significant weight loss. You will likely start noticing rapid weight loss once you are on the maintenance dose of Wegovy (1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once a week) from the 17th week onwards. |
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. However, Wegovy is for weight loss, and Ozempic is for diabetes, and they are dosed differently. |
Can I take Ozempic for weight loss?Ozempic is not approved for chronic weight management. However, it is sometimes used off-label for this purpose. |
How long can you stay on Wegovy?There is no fixed treatment duration for Wegovy. You will likely take this drug for at least a few months. Your dose will be slowly increased over the first 5 months. Then you can continue taking Wegovy at the maintenance dose as long as you continue losing weight and don’t have bothersome side effects. |
How to inject Wegovy?Wegovy comes in a pre-filled single-dose disposable pen for injection under the skin of your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. Wash your hands before injecting the medicine. Clean the injection site with soap and water or an alcohol swab. Remove the pen cap when you’re ready to inject. You cannot start and then stop the injection midway and restart. Press the pen into your skin. You will hear two clicks. The first click tells you the injection has started and the second click tells you the medicine is still being injected. Continue holding the pen against your skin until the yellow bar in the pen window is not moving anymore. |
What is the list price of Wegovy?The list price of Wegovy is $367.32 per package. You may be able to obtain Wegovy at a lower price with a BuzzRx prescription discount card or manufacturer coupon. |
What is the price of Wegovy without insurance?Without insurance, Wegovy can be as high as $367.32, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $345.45 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of Wegovy with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on Wegovy—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for Wegovy. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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