How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medicine used to help adults and children over 12 manage their weight. It is for those who are obese or have health problems related to their weight.

Wegovy works by imitating a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps control your appetite and how many calories you eat, leading to weight loss. It also helps your body produce more insulin and lower the amount of another hormone called glucagon. This helps control blood sugar levels (Healthline, 2023).

Wegovy side effects

Common side effects of Wegovy are:

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Fatigue
Dizziness

Serious side effects can include:

Low blood sugar
Kidney problems
Gallbladder issues like gallstones
Risk of thyroid tumors

Wegovy dosing schedule detailed

This section explains how to take Wegovy over time. The dose increases gradually to make it more effective and reduce side effects.

Initial and maintenance dosing

Weeks	Dose	Notes
Weeks 1 to 4	0.25 mg once a week	Initial low dose to see how you tolerate it
Weeks 5 to 8	0.5 mg once a week	Increase dose to make it work better
Weeks 9 to 12	1.0 mg once a week	Increase more based on how you respond
Weeks 13 to 16	1.7 mg once a week	Prepare for the regular maintenance dose
Week 17 onwards	2.4 mg once a week	Maintenance dose for ongoing weight management

This schedule helps your body get used to Wegovy, lowering the chance of severe side effects (Drugs.com, 2024).

Is Wegovy safe?

Wegovy is approved by health authorities like the MHRA for long-term weight management. However, it has a warning about the risk of thyroid tumors. Talk to your doctor to see if Wegovy is safe for you, based on your health history.

Wegovy dosage information

Wegovy's dose starts low and increases gradually to reduce side effects. You begin with 0.25 mg per week and eventually take 2.4 mg per week:

Initial Phase: Start at 0.25 mg once a week
Maintenance Dose: Gradually increase to 2.4 mg once a week

Wegovy availability in the UK and NHS

UK Release Date: Wegovy was released in the UK in early 2023.
NHS Availability: Wegovy can be prescribed at Click Pharmacy, a certified NHS pharmacy.

Effectiveness of Wegovy for Weight Loss

Studies show that Wegovy can help you lose a lot of weight. Many people see significant weight loss when they use Wegovy along with eating fewer calories and being more active (Drugs.com, 2024).

Research outcomes on Wegovy's efficacy

Research consistently shows that Wegovy helps with weight loss. Here’s what the studies say:

Short-term: Many users start losing weight in the first 4 to 16 weeks.
Long-term: Ongoing use, along with lifestyle changes, can lead to continued weight loss over months or years.
Comparison Studies: Wegovy often works better for weight loss than other similar medicines (Healthline, 2023).

Patient and practitioner Insights

Reviews from patients and feedback from doctors give real-world evidence of Wegovy’s effects:

Patient reviews: Many people feel fuller and have manageable side effects.
Healthcare feedback: Doctors see big improvements in patients' health related to weight.
Dietary considerations: Wegovy works well when combined with diet and exercise advice.

Additional resources

For more details about Wegovy and its role in weight management, check out these resources:

Wegovy Detailed Prescribing Information: com Wegovy Information
Wegovy Patient Experiences and Reviews: Healthline Wegovy Reviews
NHS Guidance on Obesity Management: NHS Obesity Management
Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Resources: OAC on Obesity Medications
European Medicines Agency (EMA) Product Information: EMA on Wegovy
Clinical Trials.gov: Clinical Trials on Wegovy