Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight loss injection that helps you lose weight by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. It works by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that regulates hunger and food intake. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise, Wegovy can help you achieve and maintain significant weight loss.

How to Use Wegovy Pens?

• ➤ Wegovy is administered once a week using a pre-filled injection pen.
• ➤ Inject it just under the skin (subcutaneous) in your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• ➤ Use the pen on the same day each week and at the same time if possible.
• ➤ Rotate the injection site to avoid irritation.

Who is Wegovy Suitable For?

Wegovy is suitable for adults aged 18–84 who have:

• ➤ A BMI over 30 (obese), or
• ➤ A BMI over 27 (overweight) with a weight-related condition, such as:

• ➤ Type 2 diabetes
• ➤ High blood pressure
• ➤ High cholesterol
• ➤ Obstructive sleep apnoea
• ➤ Cardiovascular disease

Wegovy is not suitable if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain medical conditions — your prescriber will confirm if it’s right for you.

Wegovy Dose Guide

• ➤ Treatment starts at a low dose to help your body adjust and minimise side effects.
• ➤ Typical starting dose: 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then gradually increased every 4 weeks as tolerated:

• ➤ 0.5 mg
• ➤ 1.0 mg
• ➤ 1.7 mg
• ➤ Up to a maximum of 2.4 mg once weekly

Your prescriber will advise on the best schedule for you.

How Effective is it?

• ➤ Clinical trials show Wegovy can help patients lose up to 15% of body weight when combined with diet and exercise.
• ➤ Individual results vary, but many patients experience significant weight loss and health improvements.

Increasing the Dose

➤ Only increase your dose following the schedule provided by your prescriber. Do not adjust the dose yourself, as increasing too quickly may increase side effects.

How to Dispose of Used Pens

• ➤ Dispose of used pens in a sharps bin (available from your pharmacy).
• ➤ Do not throw them in household rubbish.
• ➤ Return the full sharps bin to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

How to Store the Pens

• ➤ Before use, store Wegovy pens in the fridge (2–8°C). Do not freeze.
• ➤ Once in use, you can store the pen at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 6 weeks.
• ➤ Keep pens in their original packaging to protect from light.

Ordering for the First Time

• ➤ For your first order, you’ll receive the lowest dose pen containing 4 doses—enough for your initial 28-day treatment.
• ➤ Store it in a refrigerator between 2–8°C.
• ➤ Each box comes with 4 needles (one for each weekly dose), a sharps bin, an instruction leaflet, and extra tips to help you lose weight.
• ➤ Complete a consultation to select the starter pack. With each new order, you’ll receive your next pen and 4 needles.

Potential Side Effects

The most common side effects are mild and tend to improve over time. They include:

• ➤ Nausea
• ➤ Diarrhoea or constipation
• ➤ Stomach pain
• ➤ Headache
• ➤ Tiredness

Less common side effects include dizziness, indigestion, or low blood sugar (in people with diabetes). If you experience severe or persistent symptoms, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.

Very Common

These side effects may occur in more than 1 in 10 people and usually go away over time, especially when first starting Wegovy or when increasing the dose:

• ➤ Feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue

Common

These may occur in up to 1 in 10 people:

• ➤ Dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, burping
• ➤ Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
• ➤ Gallstones, allergic reactions (rash, itching, eczema)
• ➤ Low blood pressure, hair loss, changes in sense of touch or taste, gastritis
• ➤ Rapid improvements in blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes can temporarily worsen diabetic eye disease (retinopathy)

Uncommon

These may occur in up to 1 in 100 people:

• ➤ Kidney stones, increased heart rate, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• ➤ Hypoglycaemia symptoms: feeling hungry, dizzy, tired, weak, confused, anxious, irritable, sweating, shaking, tingling lips, heart palpitations, blurred vision
• ➤ Contact your GP or call 111 if these symptoms occur

Serious

• ➤ Pancreatitis: severe stomach pain radiating to the back, persistent vomiting — call 999 or attend A&E immediately

Rare

• ➤ Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, throat, difficulty swallowing, rapid heartbeat — call 999 or attend A&E immediately