Wegovy is a prescription weight loss medication used to help people lose weight alongside a balanced diet and exercise. In this guide, we will go into detail about Wegovy to help you learn everything there is to know about the medication. We will be answering common questions we are regularly asked about Wegovy such as ‘how does Wegovy work’, providing comprehensive information on the medication to help you decide if it is suitable for you and how to get Wegovy from Pharmacy Prime.
Introduction
This medication guide will cover all of the basics and essential information about the weight loss medication Wegovy. Reading this guide will help you to understand what Wegovy is, how it works, and if it is a suitable medication for your needs. Specifically, we will discuss the following areas:
- What is Wegovy?
- How does Wegovy work?
- How to take Wegovy?
- How long do you take Wegovy for weight loss?
- Is Wegovy safe?
- How do you take Wegovy for weight loss?
- Potential side effects
- Who should not take Wegovy?
- How to get Wegovy at Pharmacy Prime
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a branded name for the medication semaglutide. Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist, or GLP-1 analogue, which is a hormone used to regulate satiety within the body. It comes in the form of a pre-filled injector pen, which is self-injected weekly.
Wegovy is used as a weight loss medication to help people lose weight effectively. It is not intended to be a solution in and of itself, meaning that it is used alongside a healthy diet and exercise to help a person lose weight.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy, similar to Mounjaro, works as an appetite suppressant (you can read more about Mounjaro in our Mounjaro guide). As mentioned above, it is a GLP-1 analogue, which is a hormone that regulates appetite. Wegovy sends signals to the brain mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to make a person feel satiated, meaning that a person will eat less and feel full more often while using it. Wegovy also slows the rate at which food is processed in the stomach, known as gastric emptying. This further helps in its effect of making a person feel fuller for longer.
By helping to reduce calorie intake and making a calorie deficit more easily attainable, Wegovy has been proven to be an effective aid in weight loss. In a 68-week clinical trial for Wegovy, weight loss occurred early and continued throughout.
After approximately 28 weeks of treatment, 89.8% of patients treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved a ≥5% weight loss. 40.5% of those who didn’t still saw a weight loss of ≥5% after 68 weeks of treatment.
How to take Wegovy?
Wegovy is taken through a self-administered injection. This can be done in the upper arms, upper legs, lower stomach, or buttocks. You should ensure that you closely follow the instructions provided with Wegovy.
If you are prescribed Wegovy, we will provide you with ongoing support while taking this medication. This will involve regular check-ins to ensure that the titration process and any side effects that you experience are correctly managed. Our specialist physicians will support you throughout the duration of your use of Wegovy and are always available to provide you with assistance.
How long do you take Wegovy for weight loss?
Results from Wegovy’s treatment can show from between 4 to 12 weeks and can be used for a maximum of two years. However, you should only continue treatment if it is not causing any side effects. If so, you should consult with your physician.
Wegovy is administered through a process called titration, by which medication is given in increasingly higher doses until it is clinically effective. As a result, Wegovy is given in an initial small dose of 0.25mg, gradually increasing in dose each time after 4 weeks. Wegovy injection pens are designed to follow this treatment as a pen contains four doses, with one dose being taken a week.
The typical Wegovy dosage process is shown below:
- Week 1 - 4 - 0.25mg
- Week 5 - 8 - 0.5mg
- Week 9 - 12 - 1mg
- Week 13 - 16 - 1.7mg
- From week 17 - 2.4mg
Under no circumstances should you increase your dose early, unless advised by your physician, as they will choose the dose safest for you. However, increasing your dosage in the above way is not a necessity. You can discuss with your physician to continue with a dosage that you’re happy with the results of, though higher dosages may lead to better results. You can also discuss staying on lower dosages if you are experiencing side effects.
Is Wegovy safe?
Wegovy has been licenced and approved for aiding weight loss in the UK since 2023, meaning it is a safe and effective medication to use. However, its use does have some potential side effects, which we detail below.
Potential side effects
As with most medications, Wegovy has several side effects that could occur as a result of its use. These include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
This list of side effects is not exhaustive. As a result, you should refer to the patient information leaflet included with Wegovy for further details and call 111 for a doctor’s advice if you experience these.
Who should not take Wegovy?
Wegovy is generally suitable for most people. However, it should not be taken by those:
- Under the age of 12
- Who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- With diabetic eye disease
- With medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or with family members who have it
- With multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Who have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any other ingredients in Wegovy
This list is not exhaustive. If you have any health conditions or are taking any medication which could potentially interfere with using Wegovy, you should refer to your physician’s advice before taking it.
How to get Wegovy at Pharmacy Prime
Wegovy is a POM (prescription-only medication). As a result, Wegovy and other similar weight loss injections are not available to freely buy. At Pharmacy Prime, you can potentially receive Wegovy by registering for our weight management service. First, you will need to fill in some questions about your weight and other medical details. One of our pharmacists will then review this information, and prescribe you the appropriate medication.
Through this service, you will be provided the relevant medication for you as chosen by one of our pharmacists. You could be prescribed Wegovy, though the medication prescribed differs from person to person, depending on their unique circumstances.
If you are prescribed Wegovy, we will provide you with ongoing support while taking this medication. This will involve regular check-ins to ensure that the titration process and any side effects that you experience are correctly managed. Our specialists will support you throughout the duration of your use of Wegovy and are always available to provide you with assistance.
