Wegovy is an injectable agent for treating weight problems and quickly beneficial properties reputation in weight reduction.
This text offers essential details about this remedy.
What’s Wegovy?
Wegovy (Semaglutide) is a drug permitted in 2021 by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for continual weight administration in weight problems or chubby in at the least one weight-related situation (corresponding to hypertension, sort 2 diabetes, excessive ldl cholesterol, and many others.).
It was additionally permitted in 2024 to cut back the danger of cardiovascular demise, coronary heart assaults and stroke in adults with both heart problems and weight problems or chubby.
As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, this drug:
Regardless of these advantages, weight reduction is just permitted, not as a diabetic drug.
Wegovy is a prescription-only injectable, administered as soon as per week. Different medication within the GLP-1 agonist class embrace ozenpic (semaglutide), victoza (liraglutide), suxenda (liraglutide), and turlulu (duraglutide).
learn extra: Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which drugs is best for you?
What are the benefits of Wegovy?
This remedy gives a number of advantages, together with:
Weight reduction
The drug has been confirmed to help important weight reduction by decreasing urge for food and slowing digestion, serving to the liver forestall glucagon launch and keep away from blood glucose spikes.
Within the research, adults receiving the injection misplaced a median of 15% of beginning weight, whereas adolescents misplaced 16%.
Improved insulin sensitivity
This drug promotes glycemic management, lowers A1C ranges, and improves insulin sensitivity.
The step 2 trial confirmed that folks with sort 2 diabetes not solely misplaced weight with Wegovy, but additionally skilled important enhancements in blood sugar and A1C ranges.
Even in folks with out diabetes, this remedy can assist enhance insulin resistance and gradual or forestall diabetes.
Low cardiovascular danger
The lively ingredient, Semaglutide, has been proven to cut back the danger of main cardiovascular occasions corresponding to coronary heart assault, stroke and demise in 26% of adults with sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Why are you prescribed Wegovy?
The drug is FDA permitted for weight problems, weight reduction and continual weight administration, however it isn’t a diabetic drug regardless of it helps decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1C.
To qualify for a prescription, a person should meet sure physique mass index (BMI, measure of weight in comparison with top) standards. BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 BMIs with at the least one weight-related situation, corresponding to excessive ldl cholesterol, hypertension (hypertension), or sort 2 diabetes.
This remedy can also be permitted for continual weight administration for people over 12 years of age if adolescents have a BMI of the ninety fifth percentile or greater of age and gender.
If you don’t meet the standards for this remedy, you might be eligible for an additional GLP-1 drug, corresponding to Ozempic, particularly in case you are managing sort 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
Seek the advice of your physician to find out if Wegovy or one other remedy is best for you.
What are the uncomfortable side effects?
When beginning this remedy, many individuals expertise gentle to reasonable uncomfortable side effects, corresponding to:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- Abdomen ache
- constipation
- Weight reduction
- Hypoglycemia (in case you are taking insulin)
Uncommon however critical uncomfortable side effects embrace:
- Thyroid tumor
- Pancreatitis
- Modifications in imaginative and prescient
- Kidney issues
- Extreme allergic reactions
In case you develop a fever, expertise adjustments in your imaginative and prescient, really feel weak, really feel ache, suspect an allergic response, or undergo from hypoglycemia, search instant medical session. Extreme hypoglycemia might be life-threatening if not handled promptly.
learn extra: Uncomfortable side effects of Wegovy: Issues you should know.
What’s the right dosage?
Dosages range primarily based on particular person components corresponding to top, weight, well being targets, way of life, and medical historical past. Accessible dosages are:
- 0.25 milligrams (MG, starter dose)
- 0.50 mg
- 1 mg
- 1.7 mg
- 2.4 mg (most weekly dosage)
Every pen offers one pre-measured weekly dose. Don’t exceed the desired dose as extreme consumption could cause critical uncomfortable side effects.
See extra particulars: Wegovy Dosage Information: How a lot ought to it value?
How a lot ought to I take Wegovy?
Your well being care supplier will decide the suitable dosage primarily based in your well being historical past, targets, way of life, top, and weight.
There isn’t a “typical” dose. Customers normally begin with a low dose of 0.25 mg per week and progressively enhance it to attain the specified weight reduction or upkeep.
The utmost dose is 2.4 mg per week, and most of the people attain it relying on their response to the drug and uncomfortable side effects.
What occurs if there are too many wegovys?
This drug solely must be taken as soon as per week.
Incorrectly taking it an excessive amount of could cause critical uncomfortable side effects corresponding to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen ache, or hypoglycemia (particularly in case you are utilizing insulin).
When you have an overdose, see a physician instantly.
I missed the Wegovy dose. What now?
Lacking the dose every so often is not going to hurt you or have an effect on your weight or blood sugar ranges.
Take your remedy persistently for finest outcomes. In case you missed the dose, you possibly can take it inside just a few days.
If greater than 5 days have handed, skip the missed dose and proceed along with your regular schedule.
The right way to inject Wegovy
Verify for drug particles or discolouration earlier than utilizing the injection pen. In case you discover both, do not use the pen as it might be outdated or spoiled.
Clear the injection web site with friction alcohol earlier than injection.
Rotate the injection web site weekly to forestall accidents and scar tissue.
This remedy is normally injected below the pores and skin of your thighs, stomach, or higher arms.
Seek the advice of your healthcare supplier for steering on one of the best infusion websites and rotation practices.
For extra info: Wegovy Injection Information: The place and The right way to Inject.
Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
This remedy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by a physician.
It isn’t really useful for pregnant folks, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding folks.
In case you or your loved ones have a historical past of medulla thyroid most cancers (MTC) or a number of endocrine neoplastic syndrome sort 2 (male 2), don’t use medicines containing Wegovy or Semaglutide.
Moreover, in case you are allergic to semaglutide, keep away from this remedy.
In case you want a GLP-1 agonist however are allergic to semaglutide, take into account discussing another like Victorza that comprises liraglutide.
How can I cease taking Wegovy?
If you wish to cease taking this remedy, speak to your physician first.
It isn’t really useful to cease it impulsively. Your well being care supplier will recommend progressively decreasing the dose.
Discontinuation of Wegovy can result in a restoration insulin resistance, elevated meals cravings, elevated blood sugar ranges, and weight achieve.
On common, folks regain about two-thirds of the burden they lose inside a yr of stopping semaglutide-based remedy.
Focus on your physician’s alternate options, train, or dietary plans to handle potential rebound results.
Will Wegovy exchange insulin?
No, it can’t be changed by insulin.
In case you use insulin, it’s best to proceed taking insulin even after beginning Wegovy.
Wegovy helps to decrease blood sugar ranges over time, however blood sugar ranges like insulin don’t drop instantly.
Insulin might must be diminished in months with this drug, however it’s not often eradicated the necessity for insulin fully.
Can I take Wegovy with diabetes remedy?
Whether or not or not you possibly can take it with different diabetes medicines relies on the actual remedy you might be utilizing.
Wegovy shouldn’t be mixed with different GLP-1 medication corresponding to Ozempic, Viktoza, Trulicity, or Moonjaro (Tilzepatide).
See extra particulars: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: What’s the most suitable choice?
Nonetheless, the lively ingredient in Wegovy, Semaglutide, can be utilized with metformin, insulin, or different medication.
At all times speak to your physician and be sure you are conscious of all of the medicines you’re taking earlier than combining Wegovy with every other medicines.
How do I retailer Wegovy?
Retailer within the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to eight°C) within the authentic field to guard it from mild.
As soon as opened, it may be used for as much as 56 days. If crucial, Wegovy might be saved at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) and activate the pen cap for as much as 28 days.
Don’t freeze the pen or expose it to direct daylight or excessive warmth.
How a lot does Wegovy value?
Prices range relying on the insurance coverage plan, and the quantity you pay every month (joint cost) might range considerably.
To find out a selected co-payment, use a prescription or medical card accessible by way of your insurance coverage supplier or Novo Nordisk, in addition to a Wegovy Protection and Co-payment calculator.
It’s normally coated by many insurance coverage for weight administration, however protection might range. You will need to verify immediately along with your insurance coverage firm to grasp the small print of a specific protection.
When you have any questions relating to protection or joint cost prices, you possibly can contact Wegovy Help at 1-888-693-6489.
For certified people, the Affected person Help Program (PAP) might supply free or diminished medicines. For extra details about this program and eligibility necessities, please name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free quantity at 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a Wegovy prescription?
To acquire a prescription, seek the advice of your physician. In case you meet BMI standards or are eligible for continual circumstances and are chubby, you possibly can prescribe Wegovy.
If you’re not certified, your physician might recommend different FDA-approved weight reduction medicines that fit your wants.
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