Compare common side effects, interactions, warnings, and more.
Semaglutide
*image for illustrative purpose only
Wegovy®
Semaglutide
*image for illustrative purpose only
Wegovy®
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Wegovy®. The information below is about brand name Wegovy®.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is an injectable medication approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and food intake, leading to reduced calorie consumption and significant weight loss. Wegovy® is administered once weekly and is intended to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis and is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is an injectable medication approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and food intake, leading to reduced calorie consumption and significant weight loss. Wegovy® is administered once weekly and is intended to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis and is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:
To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight
To reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in:
Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity
Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:
To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight
To reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in:
Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity
Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition
Typically taken as an injection once weekly
Comes in single-dose pens that deliver 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg per injection
Typically taken as an injection once weekly
Comes in single-dose pens that deliver 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg per injection
Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in adults or pediatric patients aged 12 years and older are:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Headache
Fatigue
Indigestion
Dizziness
Abdominal distension
Belching
Low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes
Flatulence
Inflammation of the digestive system
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn)
Inflammation of the nasal cavities and back of the throat
Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in adults or pediatric patients aged 12 years and older are:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Headache
Fatigue
Indigestion
Dizziness
Abdominal distension
Belching
Low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes
Flatulence
Inflammation of the digestive system
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn)
Inflammation of the nasal cavities and back of the throat
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Wegovy®
Drug interactions: Wegovy® delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Wegovy®
Drug interactions: Wegovy® delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications
Acute pancreatitis
Acute gallbladder disease
Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar
Acute kidney injury
Hypersensitivity reactions
Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with type 2 diabetes
Heart rate increase
Suicidal behavior and ideation
Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. When pregnancy is recognized, discontinue Wegovy®
Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Wegovy® at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy because of the long half-life of semaglutide
Acute pancreatitis
Acute gallbladder disease
Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar
Acute kidney injury
Hypersensitivity reactions
Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with type 2 diabetes
Heart rate increase
Suicidal behavior and ideation
Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. When pregnancy is recognized, discontinue Wegovy®
Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Wegovy® at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy because of the long half-life of semaglutide
WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether Wegovy® causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.
Wegovy® is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.
WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether Wegovy® causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.
Wegovy® is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.
*This information is from the label for brand name Wegovy®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.
*This information is from the label for brand name Wegovy®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.