Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 medication used to aid with weight loss in people who have obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related health condition.
Wegovy®
Wegovy®
Wegovy® (brand-name semaglutide) is a prescription medication approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. It is meant for use alongside diet and exercise.
Wegovy® may also reduce the risk of major heart-related issues such as heart attack or stroke in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
It is a once-weekly injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by mimicking the effects of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate appetite and food intake. Wegovy® reduces hunger, increases satiety, and slows gastric emptying, leading to reduced calorie consumption and weight loss.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort, particularly in the first few weeks.
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
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
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
The cost of Wegovy® may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan coverage and which pharmacy you use. The cost of Wegovy® without insurance is about $1,350 per month, but manufacturer coupons may be available to lower the price. Insurance plans may cover some of the cost of this medication.
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
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.
The maximum Wegovy® dose for weight loss is 2.4 milligrams (mg) per week. Most people start at a much lower dose, though, and increase it over time to allow their body to adjust to the medication. Your provider will determine the right dose for you.
There are no specific dietary limitations when it comes to what to eat on Wegovy. But healthy dietary choices can help support healthy weight loss. Consider prioritizing lean proteins, non-starchy veggies, nuts and seeds, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and whole fruits.
According to clinical trials, nausea is a common side effect of Wegovy®, although it tends to resolve as your body gets used to the medication. Although everyone may experience nausea and all side effects differently, it’s most common within the first eight to 12 weeks of starting Wegovy®.
Wegovy and Ozempic are both prescription medications containing the active ingredient semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and they’re taken as weekly injections. Wegovy is available in higher doses than Ozempic, which is FDA-approved to help manage type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with heart disease.
*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 article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
NovoCare. (n.d.). What is the list price of Wegovy and will it impact me? https://www.novocare.com/obesity/products/wegovy/let-us-help/explaining-list-price.html
Ozempic. (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf
Smits MM, et al. (2021). Safety of semaglutide. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8294388/
Wegovy. (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
Wharton S, et al. (2021). Gastrointestinal tolerability of once‐weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9293236/