About Wegovy Injections
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a weekly weight loss injection that has been licensed for use in the US since 2023. It’s only available on prescription and must be prescribed by a licensed pharmacist or GP. Similarly to Ozempic, Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide – a hormone that can help control your appetite and, as a result, reduce your overall calorie intake. Wegovy mimics this hormone to help support safe and effective weight loss.
| Medication Name | Wegovy Weekly Injection |
| Active Ingredient | Semaglutide |
| Medication form | Pre-filled Injection |
| Used to treat | Diabetes (Unlicensed Use) Weight Loss (Licensed Use) |
| Available dosages | Pre-filled, single-dose pen delivers doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg |
| Other names by which this medication is known | Weekly Weight Loss Pen |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu and heartburn. |
| Who is this medication suitable for | Adults over the age of 18 with: – BMI of 30kg/m2 or more (obesity) or – BMI of 27kg/m2 or more (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia Children aged 12 and over, prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management, with: – an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex (obesity) |
| Do you need a prescription for it? | Yes |
| How should it be used? | Use once a week on the same day each week |
| Patient Information Leaflet | https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13799.pdf |
Who can take Wegovy?
Wegovy can be prescribed to those over the age of 18 who either:
- Have a BMI over 30.
- Have a BMI over 27 and suffer from weight-related health conditions, such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
Wegovy Prescription Requirements
Wegovy prescription requirements vary depending on if you are a patient through the NHS or a private clinic.
Wegovy Private Prescription Requirements
You have the option to purchase a private Wegovy prescription. This will come with required weight management support. You can purchase Wegovy from your local pharmacy, however, it is not available over the counter. You must have an assessment, a prescription and ongoing support from a licensed US pharmacist or GP.
Wegovy NHS Prescription Requirements
Patients qualify for care through a specialist weight management programme if they have one or more weight-associated health conditions, like high blood pressure or heart disease. Additionally, they must also have a BMI of 35 or higher, or a BMI ranging from 30 to 34.9, provided that they meet the requirements for being referred to specialised weight management services. This also includes any other weight loss management programme being ineffective.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy contains the active substance semaglutide, which mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar by decreasing the production of insulin-opposing glucagon. It also helps to control your appetite, making you feel fuller for longer. As a result, people who take Wegovy often end up consuming fewer calories and therefore lose weight.
In clinical trials, patients using Wegovy saw an average reduction in body weight of 15%.
How to use Wegovy Pens
Before you use your Wegovy pen, you should also ensure you have the following to keep the injection site clean:
- A gauze pad or cotton wool
- An alcohol swab or soap and water
When ready, remove the pen cap from your Wegovy pen, clean the area and inject into one of the following areas:
- Stomach
- Thigh
- Upper arm
Apply gauze or cotton wool to the injection site afterwards and apply pressure if needed.
Your pharmacist will provide you with detailed instructions on how and when to use your Wegovy prescription and monitor your weight loss over time.
Wegovy Side Effects
As with many medications, Wegovy weight loss injections is not suitable for some groups of people and can have potential side effects. Not everyone will experience side effects whilst using Wegovy, however, it’s important to be aware of them should they arise.
Serious side effects include:
- Possible thyroid tumours, including cancer – Do not use WEGOVY® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
There are also other important considerations and interactions you should be aware of before taking Wegovy. Do not take Wegovy if:
- You’re also taking other semaglutide-containing products, other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines or any other prescription, over-the counter, or herbal weight loss products, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional.
- You have a history of pancreatitis or are under the age of 12, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional.
- You or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- You have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy. These include: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, fainting or feeling dizzy, problems breathing or swallowing, very rapid heartbeat or severe rash or itching.
Other important information about possible interactions of this drug can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet.
Alternatives to Wegovy
There are several products available from Click2Pharmacy that can help you to achieve similar goals to those obtained with Wegovy. Ozempic contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy and has had excellent results in clinical trials; however, it is not licensed as a weight loss medication in the US. Another option is Saxenda, which is also a pre-filled injection used to suppress appetite. However, this is administered on a daily basis instead of weekly. For those who prefer medication in tablet form, Orlistat capsules can be a great option. These work by preventing fat from your diet from being absorbed into the body
