Wegovy is an injectable drug for the therapy of weight problems that’s quickly gaining recognition for its effectiveness in weight reduction.
This text supplies essential details about this therapy.
What’s Wegobee?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a drug permitted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for persistent weight administration in overweight or chubby folks with at the very least one weight-related illness (resembling hypertension, sort 2 diabetes, and excessive ldl cholesterol).
It was additionally permitted in 2024 to scale back the chance of cardiovascular demise, coronary heart assault, and stroke in adults with heart problems and who’re overweight or chubby.
As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, this drug:
Regardless of these advantages, it’s only permitted for weight reduction, not as a diabetes therapy.
Wegovy is a prescription-only injection that’s administered as soon as every week. Different medicine within the GLP-1 agonist class embody Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide).
See under for extra data. Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which drug is best for you?
What are the advantages of Wegovy?
This remedy has a number of advantages, together with:
weight reduction
This drug has been proven to help important weight reduction by lowering urge for food and slowing down digestion, which prevents the discharge of glucagon from the liver and avoids spikes in blood sugar ranges.
Research have proven that adults who acquired the injections misplaced a mean of 15 p.c of their beginning weight, and adolescents misplaced 16 p.c.
Bettering insulin sensitivity
This drug enhances blood sugar management, lowers A1C ranges, and improves insulin sensitivity.
The STEP 2 trial confirmed that sufferers with sort 2 diabetes not solely misplaced weight on Wegovy, but additionally skilled important enhancements in blood sugar and A1c ranges.
Even in folks with out diabetes, this therapy can assist enhance insulin resistance and should delay or forestall diabetes.
Lowered cardiovascular danger
The lively ingredient, semaglutide, has been proven to scale back the chance of main cardiovascular occasions resembling coronary heart assault, stroke, and demise by 26% in adults with sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Why am I being prescribed Wegovy?
This drug is permitted by the FDA for weight problems, weight reduction, and persistent weight administration, and though it will probably assist decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1c, it isn’t a diabetes therapy.
To be eligible for a prescription, you should have sure physique mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to peak) standards: a BMI of 30 or larger, or a BMI of 27 and at the very least one weight-related illness, resembling excessive ldl cholesterol, hypertension (hypertension), or sort 2 diabetes.
This therapy can be permitted for persistent weight administration in folks 12 years of age and older, so long as the youth’s BMI is at or above the ninety fifth percentile for his or her age and gender.
If you don’t meet the factors for this therapy, chances are you’ll be eligible for an additional GLP-1 drug, resembling Ozempic, particularly if you’re managing sort 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Speak to your physician about whether or not Wegovy or different medicines are best for you.
What are the unintended effects?
Whenever you begin utilizing this medicine, many individuals expertise gentle to average unintended effects, resembling:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdomen ache
- constipation
- weight reduction
- Hypoglycemia (if taking insulin)
Uncommon however critical unintended effects embody:
- thyroid tumor
- pancreatitis
- modifications in imaginative and prescient
- kidney issues
- extreme allergic response
Search instant medical consideration in case you develop a fever, expertise modifications in imaginative and prescient, really feel weak spot or ache, suspect an allergic response, or have extreme low blood sugar. Extreme hypoglycemia may be life-threatening if not handled shortly.
See under for extra data. Wegovy unintended effects: what you have to know.
What’s the right dose?
Dosage relies on particular person elements resembling peak, weight, well being objectives, life-style, and medical historical past. The obtainable doses are:
- 0.25 milligrams (mg, beginning dose)
- 0.50mg
- 1mg
- 1.7mg
- 2.4 mg (most weekly dose)
Every pen delivers one pre-measured weekly dose. Don’t exceed the prescribed dose as overdosage could trigger critical unintended effects.
For extra data, see: Wegovy Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to I Take?
How a lot Wegovy ought to I take?
Your well being care supplier will decide the suitable dose based mostly in your medical historical past, objectives, life-style, peak, and weight.
There is no such thing as a “typical” dose. Customers usually begin with a low dose of 0.25 mg per week and improve steadily to attain the specified weight reduction or upkeep.
The utmost dose is 2.4 mg per week, and most of the people attain this quantity relying on their response to the drug and unintended effects.
What occurs in case you take an excessive amount of Wegovy?
Take this medicine solely as soon as every week.
If by chance taken in extra, critical unintended effects can happen, together with debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly ache, and hypoglycemia (particularly if you’re utilizing insulin), which may be life-threatening.
In case of overdose, search medical consideration instantly.
I forgot to take Wegovy. What now?
Even in case you overlook to take it occasionally, it won’t hurt your physique or have an effect on your weight or blood sugar ranges.
For greatest outcomes, take the medicine constantly. For those who miss a dose, you possibly can 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.
The best way to inject Wegovy
Earlier than utilizing the injection pen, verify the medicine for particles or discoloration. For those who discover any of those, don’t use the pen as it might be expired or broken.
Clear the injection web site with rubbing alcohol earlier than injection.
Rotate injection websites weekly to stop damage and scar tissue.
This drug is normally injected beneath the pores and skin within the thigh, stomach, or higher arm.
Speak to your well being care supplier about the most effective injection websites and the best way to carry out rotations.
See under for extra data. Wegovy Injection Information: The place and The best way to Inject.
Who shouldn’t use Wegovy?
This therapy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by a physician.
Not beneficial for many who are pregnant, planning to change into pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use medicine containing Wegovy or semaglutide 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.
For those who want a GLP-1 agonist however are allergic to semaglutide, contemplate speaking together with your physician about different medicines resembling Victoza, which incorporates liraglutide.
How do I cease taking Wegovy?
If you wish to cease taking this medicine, speak to your physician first.
Sudden stopping shouldn’t be beneficial. Your well being care supplier will probably recommend that you simply steadily scale back your dose.
Discontinuing Wegovy could result in relapse of insulin resistance, elevated urge for food, elevated blood sugar ranges, and weight acquire.
On common, roughly two-thirds of the burden misplaced is regained inside 1 yr of discontinuing semaglutide-based remedy.
Talk about different medicines, train, and dietary plans together with your physician to handle potential rebound results.
Can Wegovy substitute insulin?
No, it isn’t a substitute for insulin.
If you’re utilizing insulin, you’ll need to proceed taking it after beginning Wegovy.
Wegovy can assist decrease blood sugar ranges over time, nevertheless it does not decrease blood sugar ranges immediately like insulin.
After taking this medicine for just a few months, chances are you’ll discover a lower in your want for insulin, however it’s unlikely that your want for insulin will disappear utterly.
Can I take Wegovy with my diabetes medicine?
Whether or not it may be used with different diabetes medicine relies on the drug you might be utilizing.
Wegovy shouldn’t be used with different GLP-1 medicine resembling Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
For extra data, see: Wigoby vs Munjaro: what’s the most suitable choice?
Nevertheless, Wegovy’s lively ingredient, semaglutide, can be utilized with metformin, insulin, or different medicines.
At all times seek the advice of your physician earlier than combining Wegovy with different medicines and ensure your physician is aware of about all of the medicines you’re taking.
How ought to I retailer Wegovy?
Retailer within the fridge at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to eight°C), protected against gentle and in its authentic field.
As soon as opened, it may be used for as much as 56 days. If desired, Wegovy may be saved with the pen cap on at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) for as much as 28 days.
Don’t freeze the pen or expose it to direct daylight or excessive temperatures.
How a lot does Wegovy value?
Prices differ relying in your insurance coverage plan, and the quantity you pay every month (out-of-pocket quantity) can differ broadly.
To find out your particular copays, use your prescription or medical card and Wegovy’s protection and copay calculator, obtainable out of your insurance coverage firm or Novo Nordisk.
It’s usually coated by many insurance coverage for weight administration, however protection could differ. You will need to contact your insurance coverage firm instantly to grasp the main points of your particular protection.
In case you have questions on protection or copays, please contact Wegovy Help at 1-888-693-6489.
For many who qualify, affected person help packages (PAPs) could present free or low-cost medicines. For extra details about this program and eligibility necessities, please name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free quantity 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription for Wegovy?
Please seek the advice of your physician to acquire a prescription. Wegovy may be prescribed in case you meet the BMI standards or are chubby with a qualifying persistent situation.
For those who’re not eligible, your physician could recommend different FDA-approved weight reduction medicines which can be higher suited to your wants.
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