Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is an injectable pen treatment for weight loss. When used alongside an improved diet and increased activity, it can help you steadily lose weight.

The pens contain semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that regulates your appetite by increasing feelings of fullness.

Who can use it?

Wegovy is suitable for people with a BMI of 30 or over. You can also use it if your BMI is 28 or over and you have a weight related health condition, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

How do Wegovy doses work?

Wegovy comes in five different doses: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg.

You normally start on the 0.25mg strength pen. Each Wegovy pen is usually used once a week for four weeks, before you switch to a higher dose.

You’ll continue this pattern every month until you reach the 2.4mg ‘maintenance dose’ pen.

What is the active ingredient in Wegovy?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a medication that mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1.

GLP-1 is released by your gut after you’ve eaten, and helps your body produce insulin. It can reduce your appetite by increasing feelings of fullness, and also delays gastric emptying.^[1]

How does semaglutide work?

Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors, and replicates the actions of this hormone. Impaired GLP-1 function has been associated with obesity.^[2]

By activating GLP-1 and helping it work the way it should, Wegovy can reduce hunger cues and increase satiety by telling you when you’ve had enough to eat. It can also help balance your blood sugar levels.

How often do you inject Wegovy?

You’ll use Wegovy once a week. The medication is self-administered, which means you’ll be injecting it yourself subcutaneously (under the skin). Wegovy should be applied to your thigh, abdomen or upper arm.^[3]

How do I know which dose to use?

If you’ve not used Wegovy before, you’ll start on the lowest dose 0.25mg strength pen.

The different pens are color-coded, and you’ll usually move up to the next dose (and change pen color) every four weeks. The titration method of steadily increasing the amount of Wegovy gives your body time to adjust to semaglutide.

How to use Wegovy

Wegovy pens come pre-filled. There are three areas you can inject them: your stomach, your upper leg or your upper arm.

First, remove the cap and then:

press the pen into your skin until it makes a clicking sound;
hold the pen down for 10 seconds;
listen for a second click that tells you the dose is working;
when the 10 seconds is up, your dose is finished.

The yellow bar on your pen will start moving after the first click. This bar will stop moving when the injection is complete.

Your patient information leaflet contains detailed instructions for using the pens. If you’re still unsure, ask your physician for advice.