Wegovy is an injectable remedy for treating weight problems, shortly gaining recognition for its effectiveness in weight reduction.
This text covers important details about this therapy.
What’s Wegovy?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a drugs permitted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for persistent weight administration in folks with weight problems or obese with at the very least one weight-related situation (reminiscent of hypertension, sort 2 diabetes, or excessive ldl cholesterol).
It was additionally permitted in 2024 to cut back the chance of cardiovascular loss of life, coronary heart assault, and stroke in adults with heart problems and both weight problems or obese.
As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, this drugs:
Regardless of these advantages, it’s permitted solely for weight reduction, not as a diabetes remedy.
Wegovy is a prescription-only injectable administered as soon as weekly. Different drugs within the GLP-1 agonist class embrace Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide).
Learn extra in: Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which Drug Is Proper for You?
What are the advantages of Wegovy?
This remedy gives a number of advantages, together with:
Weight reduction
This drug is confirmed to assist substantial weight reduction by lowering urge for food and slowing digestion, which prevents the liver from releasing glucagon and helps keep away from blood sugar spikes.
In research, adults taking the injection misplaced a mean of 15 % of their beginning weight, whereas adolescents misplaced 16 %.
Improved insulin sensitivity
The remedy enhances blood sugar management, lowers A1C ranges, and improves insulin sensitivity.
The STEP 2 trial confirmed that individuals with sort 2 diabetes not solely misplaced weight on Wegovy but in addition skilled important enhancements in blood sugar and A1c ranges.
Even for these with out diabetes, the therapy might help enhance insulin resistance, doubtlessly delaying or stopping diabetes.
Decrease cardiovascular danger
Semaglutide, the energetic ingredient, has been proven to cut back the chance of main cardiovascular occasions, reminiscent of coronary heart assault, stroke, or loss of life, by 26 % in adults with sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Why would you be prescribed Wegovy?
The drug is FDA-approved for weight problems, weight reduction, and persistent weight administration however shouldn’t be a diabetes remedy, though it could possibly assist decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1c.
To qualify for a prescription, people should meet particular body-mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to peak) standards: a BMI of 30 or larger, or a BMI of 27 with at the very least one weight-related situation, reminiscent of excessive ldl cholesterol, hypertension (hypertension), or sort 2 diabetes.
This therapy can also be permitted for persistent weight administration in people 12 years and older, supplied adolescents have a BMI at or above the ninety fifth percentile for his or her age and intercourse.
If you happen to don’t meet the standards for this remedy, you would possibly qualify for an additional GLP-1 remedy, like Ozempic, particularly if managing sort 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
Converse together with your physician to find out if Wegovy or one other remedy is appropriate for you.
What are the unwanted effects?
When beginning this drug, many individuals expertise delicate to average unwanted effects reminiscent of:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdomen ache
- Constipation
- Weight reduction
- Low blood sugar (if taking insulin)
Uncommon however critical unwanted effects embrace:
- Thyroid tumors
- Pancreatitis
- Imaginative and prescient adjustments
- Kidney issues
- Extreme allergic reactions
Search quick medical consideration in case you develop a fever, expertise imaginative and prescient adjustments, really feel weak or in ache, suspect an allergic response, or have extreme low blood sugar. Extreme low blood sugar might be life-threatening if not handled promptly.
Learn extra in: Wegovy Facet Results: What You Must Know.
What’s the appropriate dose?
Doses differ based mostly on particular person components like peak, weight, well being targets, way of life, and medical historical past. The out there doses are:
- 0.25 milligrams (mg, starter dose)
- 0.50 mg
- 1 mg
- 1.7 mg
- 2.4 mg (most weekly dose)
Every pen delivers a single, pre-measured weekly dose. Don’t exceed the prescribed dose, as overdosing might trigger critical unwanted effects.
See extra in: Wegovy Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to You Take?
How a lot Wegovy ought to I take?
Your healthcare supplier will decide the suitable dose based mostly in your well being historical past, targets, way of life, peak, and weight.
There is no such thing as a “typical” dose. Customers often begin with a low dose of 0.25 mg per week and steadily improve it to realize their desired weight reduction or upkeep.
The utmost dose is 2.4 mg per week, which most individuals attain relying on their response to the remedy and any unwanted effects.
What occurs if I take an excessive amount of Wegovy?
This remedy ought to solely be taken as soon as per week.
If you happen to by chance take an excessive amount of, you might expertise extreme unwanted effects like debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen ache, or low blood sugar (particularly in case you’re on insulin), which might be life-threatening.
If you happen to overdose, search quick medical consideration.
I missed a dose of Wegovy. What now?
Lacking an occasional dose gained’t hurt you or have an effect on your weight or blood sugar ranges.
For greatest outcomes, take the remedy constantly. If you happen to miss a dose, you may take it inside just a few days.
If greater than 5 days have handed, skip the missed dose and proceed together with your common schedule.
Tips on how to inject Wegovy
Earlier than utilizing your injection pen, examine for any particles or discoloration within the remedy; in case you discover both, don’t use the pen as it might be expired or spoiled.
Clear the injection website with rubbing alcohol earlier than injecting.
To forestall accidents and scar tissue, rotate injection websites every week.
This drugs is often injected underneath the pores and skin within the thigh, stomach, or higher arm.
Converse together with your healthcare supplier for steering on one of the best injection websites and rotation practices.
Be taught extra in: Wegovy Injection Information: The place and Tips on how to Inject.
Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
This remedy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by your physician.
It’s not really useful for many who are pregnant, planning to develop into pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use Wegovy or any semaglutide-containing remedy in case you or a member of the family has a historical past of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or A number of Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome sort 2 (MEN 2).
Moreover, keep away from this therapy if you’re allergic to semaglutide.
If you happen to want a GLP-1 agonist however are allergic to semaglutide, contemplate discussing options like Victoza, which comprises liraglutide, together with your physician.
How can I cease taking Wegovy?
If you happen to want to cease taking this remedy, converse together with your physician first.
Stopping it abruptly shouldn’t be really useful. Your healthcare supplier will probably recommend steadily lowering the dose.
Discontinuing Wegovy might result in a return of insulin resistance, elevated meals cravings, elevated blood sugar ranges, and weight achieve.
On common, folks regain about two-thirds of the load they misplaced inside a yr of stopping semaglutide-based therapies.
Focus on together with your physician various drugs, train, or food plan plans to handle potential rebound results.
Does Wegovy substitute insulin?
No, it doesn’t substitute insulin.
If you happen to use insulin, you should proceed taking insulin even after beginning Wegovy.
Whereas Wegovy might help decrease blood sugar ranges over time, it doesn’t shortly decrease blood sugar like insulin.
It’s possible you’ll discover that your insulin wants lower after a number of months on this drug, however it’s unlikely to remove the necessity for insulin solely.
Can I take Wegovy with my diabetes drugs?
Whether or not you may take it with different diabetes drugs depends upon the particular medication you’re utilizing.
Wegovy shouldn’t be mixed with different GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, or Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
See extra in: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: What Is the Greatest Choice?
Nonetheless, semaglutide, the energetic ingredient in Wegovy, can be utilized with metformin, insulin, or different drugs.
All the time converse together with your physician earlier than combining Wegovy with every other remedy and guarantee they’re conscious of all drugs you’re taking.
How do I retailer Wegovy?
Retailer it within the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to eight°C) in its authentic field to guard it from gentle.
As soon as opened, it may be used for as much as 56 days. If obligatory, Wegovy might be saved at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) with the pen cap on for as much as 28 days.
By no means freeze the pens or expose them to direct daylight or excessive warmth.
How a lot does Wegovy price?
The price varies relying in your insurance coverage plan, and the quantity you pay every month (your co-pay) can differ broadly.
To find out your particular co-pay, use your prescription or medical card and the Wegovy protection and co-pay calculator out there by means of your insurance coverage supplier or Novo Nordisk.
It’s usually lined by many insurance policy for weight administration, however protection can differ. It’s vital to examine together with your insurance coverage supplier instantly to grasp your particular protection particulars.
You probably have questions relating to protection or co-pay prices, you may contact Wegovy assist at 1-888-693-6489.
For individuals who qualify, the Affected person Help Program (PAP) might provide free or reduced-cost remedy. To be taught extra about this program and eligibility necessities, name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free at 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription for Wegovy?
To acquire a prescription, seek the advice of your physician. They will prescribe Wegovy in case you meet the BMI standards or are obese with a qualifying persistent situation.
If you happen to don’t qualify, your physician might recommend different FDA-approved weight reduction drugs that higher fit your wants.
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