Approved Uses of Wegovy
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Chronic Weight Management
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Wegovy is approved as an adjunct to diet and physical activity for adults with obesity (BMI of 30 or higher), or with overweight (BMI of 27 or higher) plus at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. (U.S. FDA)
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It is also approved for adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity. (U.S. FDA)
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Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
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Wegovy is approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. (U.S. FDA)
Dosage & Administration
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Wegovy is given once weekly via subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, on the same day each week. (Wegovy Prescribing Information)
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Treatment begins at 0.25 mg and is increased every 4 weeks (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg) to reach the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. This gradual approach helps reduce digestive side effects. (Wegovy Prescribing Information)
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The maintenance dose and pace of escalation are set by the prescribing physician based on tolerance and response.
Regular medical oversight is essential to monitor progress, adjust the dose and minimise risks.
Common Side Effects
Like other GLP-1 therapies, Wegovy's most reported side effects involve the digestive system:
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Nausea
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Diarrhoea
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Vomiting
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Constipation
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Abdominal pain or bloating
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Headache and fatigue
These symptoms are most common during dose increases and often lessen as the body adjusts. (Wegovy Prescribing Information)
Serious Risks & Warnings
Although uncommon, more serious side effects may occur:
⚠ Pancreatitis
⚠ Gallbladder disease, including gallstones
⚠ Hypoglycaemia (especially when used with insulin or sulfonylureas)
⚠ Kidney problems, usually linked to dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea
⚠ Worsening of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) in people with type 2 diabetes
⚠ Possible thyroid C-cell tumours, seen in animal studies; the risk in humans is unknown. Wegovy should not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). (FDA Access Data)
Patients should promptly report severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, changes in vision, a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. Wegovy should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. (Wegovy Prescribing Information)
What Clinical Studies Show
Weight Management
In the STEP 1 clinical trial, adults taking semaglutide 2.4 mg alongside lifestyle changes lost an average of about 15% of body weight over 68 weeks, compared with about 2% with placebo. Individual results vary. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Cardiovascular Outcomes
In the SELECT trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20% in adults with established heart disease and overweight or obesity, without diabetes. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Who Is Wegovy Prescribed For?
Wegovy is prescribed for adults and adolescents who meet the body mass index criteria above and for whom lifestyle changes alone have not been enough. It is not a cosmetic treatment and is used only under medical supervision, following assessment by a licensed physician.
Safety & Monitoring Tips
✔ Discuss your full medical history with your clinician, including thyroid, pancreas, gallbladder, kidney and eye conditions
✔ Tell your provider about all medications you take. Wegovy slows gastric emptying and may affect how some oral medicines are absorbed. (Wegovy Prescribing Information)
✔ Do not use Wegovy together with other semaglutide or GLP-1 medications
✔ Inform your doctor before any surgery or procedure requiring anaesthesia or sedation
✔ Schedule regular follow-ups for dose adjustments and side-effect assessment
✔ Seek immediate care for signs of pancreatitis or an allergic reaction
Wegovy
Wegovy is the brand name for a prescription medication whose active ingredient is semaglutide, an injectable treatment approved for chronic weight management in adults, used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. (Wegovy Prescribing Information). Wegovy is given once weekly as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). It contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but is developed and dosed specifically for weight management, with a maintenance dose of up to 2.4 mg per week. (Novo Nordisk)
How Wegovy Works (Mechanism of Action)
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural hormone involved in appetite and glucose regulation:
✔ GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1): signals fullness to the brain, reduces hunger and slows the rate at which the stomach empties
This leads to reduced appetite, lower calorie intake and gradual weight reduction over time. (European Medicines Agency (EMA)