Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable drug approved for weight loss and management.
What is Wegobee?
Wegovy, which was approved by the FDA in June 2021, is the brand name for semaglutide, a drug also discovered in Ozempic.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Wegovy mimics natural hormones that suppress appetite and slow digestion, helping with weight management.
It is administered as a once-weekly injection and the dose is gradually increased to maintenance levels over 17 weeks.
Will my doctor prescribe Wegovy for weight loss?
Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically to help people lose weight who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnea, or certain heart conditions.
Typically, a body mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to height) of 30 or higher is recommended, but a BMI of 27 may be sufficient if you have weight-related health problems.
Some doctors may prescribe Wegovy off-label (in a manner not officially approved by the FDA) for people who do not meet these criteria, but this is usually limited to people who have not been able to achieve significant weight loss through diet and exercise alone.
Please note that Wegovy should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
How much weight will I lose with Wegovy?
Wegovy has been proven to greatly aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite and slowing down digestion, allowing people to eat less without feeling deprived. Additionally, it reduces the amount of glucose released by the liver, improving metabolic health. These effects collectively contribute to weight loss.
In clinical trials, 85% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight. This is an efficacy rate that exceeds many other drugs historically available.
In the STEP 4 trial, approximately 40 percent of participants lost 20 percent or more of their body weight, with the most common loss being 10.6 percent of their pre-trial body weight. The degree of weight loss also depends on the duration of use of the drug.
How soon will I see weight loss?
Weight loss varies from person to person and takes time, but most studies track progress for up to 68 weeks.
Clinical trials have shown that weight loss typically plateaus around week 52.
Initial results may appear sooner, with many participants losing about 6% of their starting weight within the first 12 weeks if they adhered to the prescribed diet and exercise plan. By one year, average weight loss was reported to be nearly 16%.
Although you may see immediate results, maintaining weight loss requires a long-term commitment.
Talk to your health care provider to understand what to expect based on your health status and how long it may take to see significant results.
How much Wegovy should I take to lose weight?
Clinical trials showed that the maximum weekly dose of Wegovy (2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide) resulted in significant weight loss, with participants losing an average of nearly 15 percent in body weight, compared to 2.4 percent with a placebo (inactive treatment).
This dose is reached gradually over 17 weeks, following a regimen that increases to the full dose. Lower doses have been shown to be effective, but not as effective as the 2.4 mg dose.
Your health care provider may temporarily adjust your dose if you cannot tolerate the maximum dose because of side effects, such as nausea or digestive problems. Discontinuation of Wegovy is recommended if the full dose is not consistently tolerated.
How long should I take Wegovy for weight loss?
Wegovy is typically prescribed as a long-term weight loss treatment.
The length of treatment depends on your health goals, the effectiveness of the medication, and your tolerance for the medication.
For many people, Wegovy is part of an ongoing treatment regimen and can be continued as long as it helps with weight loss and weight management without causing unacceptable side effects.
Be sure to consult your health care provider to determine the appropriate duration of Wegovy treatment for your health needs and to make adjustments if your health improves or complications occur.
Will I regain my weight if I stop taking Wegovy?
Although the weight loss achieved with Wegovy may last for a long time, most people tend to regain a significant portion of their weight when they stop taking the drug.
Research shows that within a year of stopping Wegovy, most users regained about two-thirds of the weight they lost.
To maximize the effectiveness of Wegovy and maintain weight loss, it is important to combine drug therapy with ongoing dietary changes and increased physical activity.
Talk to your health care provider about weight management before, during, and after treatment.
If the medication doesn’t work well, other FDA-approved weight loss drugs such as Saxenda or Zepbound may be an option.
See below for more information. Zepbound and Wegovy: How do they compare?
What is the maximum dose for weight loss?
The maximum recommended weekly dose of Wegovy is 2.4 milligrams and is typically administered using a pen with a dark gray label.
This dose has been found to be the most effective in achieving significant weight loss in clinical trials, with the average person losing more than 10 percent of their starting body weight.
Some physicians may prescribe doses above 2.4 mg for off-label use, which may cause more pronounced side effects. Therefore, the FDA-approved standard maximum dose for weight loss is 2.4 mg/week.
See below for more information. Wegovy Dosage Guide: How Much Should I Take?
When is the best time to take Wegovy?
Per clinical research, there is no specific time of day that is best to take Wegovy. The key is consistency in your schedule. Choose a day of the week to give your injection and try to administer it on the same day each week.
You can receive it on any day you wish.
Consider marking your calendar or setting a phone reminder to remember your dosing schedule. This will help you remember to take your medication.
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, heartburn, gas, bloating, and fatigue.
Hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) may also occur, especially if you are taking insulin. Symptoms to watch for include dizziness, confusion, mood changes, tremors, and increased heart rate.
More serious but rare side effects include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, vision changes, kidney problems, mental changes, and severe allergic reactions.
To fully understand the risks and benefits of Wegovy, please consult your doctor.
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