Wegovy
Prescription GLP-1 Weight Management Injection Wegovy (semaglutide), manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is a once-weekly prescription medication that helps control hunger, reduce calorie intake, and support long-term weight loss when combined with healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Recommended Starting Dose Treatment generally begins with 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks, followed by gradual dose increases as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Convenient Weekly Injection Wegovy is administered under the skin once a week, on the same day each week, with or without meals.
Five Available Strengths Offered in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg strengths to accommodate gradual dose adjustments and individualized treatment plans.
Prescription and Medical Evaluation Required Wegovy is available only after a licensed healthcare provider evaluates your medical history and determines whether treatment is appropriate.
Wegovy Prescription Injection for Weight Loss
Wegovy (semaglutide), manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication prescribed for long-term weight management in eligible patients. Administered once weekly, Wegovy works by helping regulate appetite and reduce food intake. When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, it can help patients achieve and maintain weight loss. This information is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare professional.
Product Specifications
Product Name: Wegovy 0.25 mg/0.5 mL Injection
Medication Type: Prescription GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Active Ingredient: Semaglutide
Available Strengths: 0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 1.7 mg/0.75 mL, and 2.4 mg/0.75 mL
Dosage Form: Prefilled, single-dose injection pen
Administration: Subcutaneous injection, once weekly
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
Prescription Status: Prescription required
How Wegovy Is Taken
Wegovy is injected under the skin once a week, preferably on the same day each week. Injections may be administered with or without food. Treatment generally starts at 0.25 mg weekly for the first four weeks, with gradual increases based on the prescribed dosing schedule. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose and adjust treatment according to your response and tolerability.
Benefits and Key Features
Appetite Control: Helps regulate hunger and reduce food intake to support weight management.
Weekly Administration: Requires only one injection per week.
Gradual Dose Adjustments: Five available strengths allow healthcare providers to gradually increase dosage as appropriate.
Long-Term Weight Management: Supports weight reduction and maintenance alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
Prescription Medication: Requires evaluation and authorization from a licensed healthcare provider.
Who May Be Eligible for Wegovy?
Wegovy may be prescribed for adults living with obesity or adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition. It is also approved for weight management in adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity. A licensed healthcare provider will evaluate your medical history, weight-related health risks, and treatment goals to determine whether Wegovy is appropriate.
Important Safety Information
Wegovy carries an FDA boxed warning concerning thyroid C-cell tumors observed in animal studies. It is unknown whether Wegovy causes these tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, in humans. Patients should discuss potential risks and benefits with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Use Wegovy: Do not use Wegovy if you or a family member have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you have experienced a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any ingredient in Wegovy.
Common Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach discomfort, headache, fatigue, dizziness, bloating, belching, gas, heartburn, and hair loss may occur. Some side effects may decrease as your body adjusts to treatment.
Serious Side Effects: Wegovy may cause pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, dehydration-related kidney injury, severe gastrointestinal reactions, serious allergic reactions, low blood sugar in certain patients, diabetic retinopathy complications, increased heart rate, and pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia or deep sedation. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms.
Additional Precautions: Tell your healthcare provider about existing medical conditions, medications, and pregnancy plans. Wegovy should not be combined with other semaglutide-containing medications or other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Patients planning pregnancy should discontinue Wegovy at least two months before attempting to conceive, as directed by their healthcare provider.
Instructions for Administration
Use Wegovy exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Inject the medication under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, following the manufacturers Instructions for Use. Rotate injection sites and never share injection pens. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without medical guidance.
Proper Storage and Disposal
Keep Wegovy injection pens refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If refrigeration is unavailable, unopened pens may be stored at temperatures up to 86°F (30°C) for a maximum of 28 days. Do not freeze or expose pens to excessive heat or direct light. Dispose of used pens in an FDA-cleared sharps container and keep medication away from children.
Prescription Requirements and Medical Consultation
Wegovy is available by prescription only. Before treatment, a licensed healthcare provider must review your medical history, current health conditions, and weight-management goals to determine eligibility. Treatment results vary, and ongoing medical supervision may be necessary to monitor progress, manage side effects, and adjust dosing.