Wegovy is a prescribed medication that is intended to be used in addition to regular exercise and a low-calorie diet to help people with obesity or overweight related medical problems lose weight. Wegovy is a GLP-1 medication for weight loss.

In June 2021, Wegovy received its initial approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the purpose of aiding weight reduction in grown-ups. Grown-ups who fulfill any of the subsequent requirements are suitable for weight control through the use of this medication:

A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, which is commonly regarded as obesity.

Conditions related to weight include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, with a BMI of 27 or greater being at least one indicator of this health condition.

Wegovy, which received FDA approval in December 2022, is authorized for use in specific children. The medication is deemed suitable for children aged 12 years and above who have a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or higher, taking into account their age and biological sex.

Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into your body’s cells, where it can be used as a source of energy. Additionally, it is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by promoting the release of more insulin in your body. Wegovy mimics these natural hormones, such as GLP-1, which helps you feel fuller more quickly, similar to the sensation of eating. GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone in your body that also aids in making you feel full. Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, among other things that help you feel full.

The pen used is only discarded once and each time. Wegovy comes in a pack of four pens. You will use the Wegovy pen to inject yourself once a week. The prefilled pen contains a single dose of semaglutide in a liquid solution. Wegovy is an injection pen that is fitted with a hidden needle. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide.

Healthcare providers have the option to prescribe Ozempic off-label in order to facilitate weight loss. Nevertheless, it is important to note that Ozempic is not officially approved for weight loss, but it does assist in reducing blood sugar levels. Unlike Wegovy, which is specifically FDA-approved for improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has a distinct dosage. Interestingly, both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, making them popular GLP-1 agonist medications.

Guide for Wegovy Dosage

When you start Wegovy, your healthcare provider will work with you to find the best titration schedule and dose that suits your schedule. This is because how well your body responds to the treatment can vary according to the dosage. You will begin with the lowest dose of 0.25 mg, which will be injected once weekly for the first four weeks. Then, over the course of several months, your healthcare provider will gradually increase your dosage (titrate) until you reach the recommended target dosage of 2.4 mg injected once weekly.

The various advantages of Wegovy are as follows: There is no requirement to “dial” your dosage or measure anything. With Wegovy, it is simple to administer the appropriate quantity as each pen contains just one dose. Wegovy is offered in multiple potencies.

0.25 milligrams of semaglutide per 0.5 milliliters of solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL).

0.5 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters.

1 milligram per 0.5 milliliters.

1.7 milligrams per 0.75 milliliters.

2.4 milligrams per 0.75 milliliters.

On a weekly basis, at any preferred time, you can administer a dosage of Wegovy without it impacting your meal schedule. Select a day and time that suits your routine and consistently inject Wegovy on that particular day.

However, it is important to follow the dosing and directions schedule for healthcare providers from your provider. The recommended typical dosage for Wegovy for children aged 12 and older and adults is outlined below. The chart below provides the typical timeline for dose escalation and the starting dose of Wegovy. It is necessary for most people using Wegovy to increase the dose in order to achieve its full effectiveness for weight loss.

Timeline.

Dose.

Initial dosage: Weeks 1-4.

0.25 milligrams once per week.

Weeks 5-8.

0.5 milligrams once per week.

Weeks 9-12.

1 milligram once per week.

Weeks 13-16.

1.7 milligrams once per week.

Starting from week 17 and beyond.

2.4 milligrams once per week*.

*The target maintenance dose for adults is 2.4 mg once weekly. For children ages 12 and older that cannot tolerate this dosage, a maintenance dose of 1.7 milligrams once per week. may be used.

The dosage of the medication is designed with your success treatment in mind, so don’t be tempted to quickly increase your dosage. It helps to start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time, allowing your body to adjust and minimize side effects such as nausea. This approach also helps you tolerate the medication and maximize its effectiveness.

How to give Wegovy

A demo video can be found on the Novo Nordisk website. Additionally, detailed instructions are provided in the drug packaging, and a medical expert will demonstrate how to administer Wegovy to yourself.

Here are the fundamental procedures to understand:

Prepare the injection site by allowing the skin to air dry and cleanse it with either an alcohol swab or soap and water. Subsequently, wash your hands. It is important to note that this process may cause skin irritation or hardening; hence, it is crucial to vary the injection site. Refrain from injecting Wegovy into the exact same spot every time. Additionally, avoid injecting into areas of the skin that have scars, stretch marks, bruises, or sores. Wegovy should be administered subcutaneously, just beneath the skin, on the front of either the thigh, upper arm, or lower abdomen. Ensure that the injection site is at least two inches away from the belly button. Choose the specific location where you will inject Wegovy.

Dispose of it in a needle-secure collection container and take out the pen from your skin once the yellow indicator on the pen halts. The entire dosage has been administered when the yellow indicator on the pen ceases motion. Until you observe the yellow indicator on the pen come to a halt, refrain from extracting the Wegovy pen from your skin. Although the needle won’t be visible, you might experience a slight twinge and hear two clicks when you firmly press the Wegovy pen onto your skin after removing the cap. Administer Wegovy via injection.

The dose must be administered all at once; later on, you cannot continue to administer the dose and stop the injection. Once you remove the pen from your skin, the needle cover on the pen will lock immediately: Please take note.

Where to keep Wegovy

Shield it from light, keep Wegovy in its original wrapping. Wegovy remains stable at room temperature for 28 days after removal from the refrigerator. Avoid freezing, rather store Wegovy in the fridge until you are prepared to utilize it initially.

Ensure that children and animals cannot access Wegovy medications. If you need a new supply, contact your pharmacy and dispose of the medication in a sharps container instead of leaving it at room temperature for more than 28 days or forgetting it in a hot and sunny car where it may accidentally freeze.

Commonly asked questions regarding Wegovy

When you are considering or trying a new medicine like Wegovy, it’s normal to have a lot of questions.

Can Wegovy lead to thyroid cancer?

Healthcare providers typically do not recommend this medication for individuals with a family or personal history of MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2) or thyroid cancer. This is because the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, called semaglutide, has been found to cause thyroid tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and C-cell thyroid tumors, in rodent studies. The FDA has issued a boxed warning for this drug, which carries a serious risk of thyroid cancer in humans. However, it has not been known to cause thyroid cancer in humans.

What are the typical adverse effects of Wegovy?

In clinical trials of Wegovy, the most frequently documented unfavorable responses or adverse effects were:.

Nausea.

Diarrhea.

Vomiting.

Constipation.

Abdominal pain.

Headache.

Fatigue.

Indigestion or acid reflux.

Abdominal distention and flatulence.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects; others may occur. If you are experiencing bothersome side effects such as nausea, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest tips for managing nausea as your body adjusts to taking Wegovy. If it helps, they may temporarily lower your dosage to see if that alleviates the nausea. If you are experiencing severe side effects and feel that you need immediate medical attention, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Which foods should I refrain from consuming while taking Wegovy?

A good place to start is by eliminating or limiting processed snacks, fried foods, and sugary drinks, and incorporating lean meats, fruits, and vegetables into your diet. These lifestyle changes are key to seeing the best results with Wegovy. Wegovy is meant to be used in conjunction with increased physical activity and dietary changes. It is just one part of a comprehensive approach that can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.

To achieve optimal outcomes, it is advisable to restrict the consumption of high-cholesterol foods, trans fats, saturated fats, sodium, added sugars, processed foods, and fast food while using Wegovy.

How does Wegovy stack up against Ozempic?

Wegovy and Ozempic share comparable typical adverse effects, such as queasiness, emesis, stomach discomfort, migraine, exhaustion, loose stools, or irregular bowel movements. Despite having the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and being administered as weekly injections, Wegovy has a greater maximum dosage compared to Ozempic.

Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication for managing weight loss in individuals, including children and adults, with type 2 diabetes. It can help reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart problems, and control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Similarly, Ozempic is also FDA-approved for controlling blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Are there any supply issues with Wegovy?

If you are experiencing difficulties in filling your prescription for Wegovy due to backorder or shortage issues, it is advisable to consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider for medical advice. The company recently stated that strengths of 1-mg, 0.5-mg, and 0.25-mg will remain limited in supply until September 2023. The manufacturer of the drug, Novo Nordisk, is working on increasing production to meet the high demand. Yes, there is indeed a shortage of Wegovy in the United States, largely due to its very high demand.

What happens if I forget to take a dose of Wegovy?

If you miss a dose of Wegovy, don’t fret. Continue with your regular dose schedule and skip the missed dose, but only if the next dose is coming up in less than two days. Take the missed dose as soon as possible, as long as the next scheduled dose is more than two days away.

If you need to discuss the next dose, please call your healthcare provider. Alternatively, you can take your next dose on the scheduled day or if you miss your Wegovy dose for more than two weeks.

If you want to change the day of the week for the dose of Wegovy, you can choose any day of the week as long as it is at least two days before the last dose of Wegovy.

Always make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about changing your dosing schedule or if you accidentally miss a dose of Wegovy.

What factors influence Wegovy dosage?

Some prescription drugs come with a different set of guidelines for dosing, especially for people with liver or kidney problems or older individuals. Generally, doctors prescribe the same starting dose of Wegovy for everyone, and then recommend increasing it until reaching the target maintenance dose of 2.4mg per week.

Some people may be more sensitive to Wegovy’s side effects, such as nausea, and they may have to take a low dose for a longer period of time before they can tolerate a higher dose. If you don’t tolerate the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dosage, your healthcare provider can lower it to 1.7 milligrams once per week. for a month. After that, if you still don’t tolerate 2.4mg once weekly, your healthcare provider can talk to you about other weight management strategies or medications to try instead.

Talking with a healthcare provider can help people trying to learn more about Wegovy. Wegovy offers a convenient dosing schedule, with a weekly injection that can help improve their health and facilitate weight loss. Many people have experienced significant weight loss with the help of Wegovy.