Wegovy® is a registered trade name for the generic, semaglutide by Novo Nordisk. Wegovy is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with obesity (BMI≥30) or overweight (excess weight) (BMI≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems to help them lose weight and keep the weight off.
Wegovy® should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity. Wegovy belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
How is wegovy supplied?
Novo Nordisk is the only company that has the FDA approval to market Wegovy® and it is supplied as a liquid solution in a prefilled disposable single-use pen available by prescription only. It is typically given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) into your abdomen(belly), upper arm, or thigh.
Wegovy is available in 5 doses ranging from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg, each of which is taken once a week. Each dose comes in a different colour pen.
How does wegovy work?
Wegovy is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1 analog)- it mimics the action of GLP-1 produced naturally by the gut, and to a lesser extent the pancreas and nervous system.
GLP-1 targets areas of the brain that help regulate appetite, especially after eating. It also slows how quickly the stomach empties, which makes you feel fuller for longer. In addition to this, Wegovy® enhances the production of insulin.
How is wegovy used for weight loss?
It is advised that you use Wegovy exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to and endeavour to read the instructions for use that come with your prescription. Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Wegovy before you use it for the first time. There are a few points to note as we go along on how to use Wegovy:
- Wegovy is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. DO NOT inject Wegovy into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously).
- Change (rotate) your injection site with each injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
- Use Wegovy one time each week, on the same day each week, at any time of the day.
- Start Wegovy with 0.25 mg per week in your first month. In your second month, increase your weekly dose to 0.5 mg. In the third month, increase your weekly dose to 1mg. In the fourth month, increase your weekly dose to 1.7 mg and in the fifth month onwards, increase your weekly dose to the full dose of 2.4 mg.
If you need to change the day of the week, you may do so as long as your last dose was given 2 or more days before.
- If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose and the next schedule is less than 2 days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
- If you miss doses for more than 2 weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your healthcare provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.
- You can take Wegovy with or without food.
- If you take too much Wegovy, you may have severe nausea, severe vomiting and severe low blood sugar.
Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms.
Common side effects of wegovy
The most common side effects of Wegovy may include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach (abdomen) pain
- Headache
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Feeling bloated
- Belching
- Gas
- Stomach flu
- Heartburn
Some serious side effects of wegovy and the manifestations
Wegovy may cause serious side effects that include:
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Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
If you notice that you have severe pain in your stomach area, radiating to the back, that will not go away, with or without vomiting, while on Wegovy, discontinue use and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
-
Gallbladder problems
Wegovy may cause gallbladder problems including gallstones. If you notice these symptoms while on Wegovy, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
-
- Pain in your upper stomach (abdomen).
- Fever.
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Clay-coloured stools.
Some gallbladder problems may need surgery.
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Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
There is an increased risk of low blood sugar, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those who also take medicines to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus such as sulfonylureas or insulin.
This can be both a serious and a common side effect. You should check your blood sugar before you commence treatment with Wegovy and in the course of treatment.
If you have these signs and symptoms, it means that your blood sugar is low and you should contact your healthcare provider immediately:
-
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Blurred vision
- Anxiety
- Irritability or mood changes
- Sweating
- Slurred speech
- Hunger
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Shakiness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling jittery
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Kidney problems (kidney failure)
You need to take plenty of fluids when taking Wegovy to reduce your chance of dehydration especially if you have kidney problems as these may get worse with diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting which can cause loss of fluid (dehydration). Inform your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems before you start taking Wegovy.
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Serious allergic reactions
If you have any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop using Wegovy immediately and get medical help as fast as possible. They include:
-
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- Severe rash or itching
- Fainting or feeling dizzy
- Very rapid heartbeat
-
Change in vision
This is possible in people with type 2 diabetes. Inform your doctor if you have changes in vision during treatment.
-
Increased heart rate
Wegovy can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Do well to inform your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes. Your heart rate should always be monitored while on Wegovy.
-
Depression or thoughts of suicide
Call your healthcare provider if you notice any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviours, thoughts or feelings.
Who should not use wegovy?
Certain persons should not use Wegovy and they are as follows:
- If you or any member of your family have had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- If you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients. Some of these symptoms of allergic reactions include:
-
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Problems breathing or swallowing.
- Severe rash or itching.
- Fainting or feeling dizzy.
- Very rapid heartbeat.
- If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant. You should stop using Wegovy 2 months before you plan to become pregnant as Wegovy may harm your unborn child.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Please talk with your doctor to advise you on the best way you can feed your baby. It is not known if Wegovy passes into the breast milk.
Drugs that will affect wegovy
Wegovy can slow your digestion making it take a longer time for your body to absorb any medicines you take orally. You should let your doctor know if you are on any other medications especially those used for diabetes:
- Insulin
- Dulaglutide
- Exenatide
- Liraglutide
- Byetta
- Trulicity
- Victoza
Other drugs that may affect Wegovy, include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products. Let your doctor know these as well.
Important info on the use of the wegovy pen
- Read instructions for use before you start using Wegovy and also talk with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or any treatment you may be on.
- Your Wegovy pen is for one-time use only. The Wegovy pen is for subcutaneous (under the skin) use only.
- The dose is already set on your pen.
- The needle is covered by the needle cover and the needle will not be seen.
- Do not remove the pen cap until you are ready to inject.
- Do not touch or push on the needle cover. You could get a needle stick injury.
- Your injection will begin when the needle cover is pressed against your skin.
- Do not remove the pen from your skin before the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. If the needle is removed earlier, you may not get your full dose.
- If the yellow bar does not start moving or stops during the injection, contact your healthcare provider.
- The needle cover will lock when the pen is removed from your skin. You cannot stop the injection and restart it later.
- People who are blind or have vision problems should not use the Wegovy pen without help from a person trained to use the pen.
How effective is wegovy in weight loss?
Wegovy works for most people by reducing appetite and cravings. Wegovy starts working right away after you inject a dose but it may take several weeks or months before you notice weight loss or a decrease in appetite.
Wegovy stays in the body for about 5 to 7 weeks after the last dose. In clinical trials, participants taking Wegovy lost an average of 35 lbs (15.9 kg), or about 15% of their body weight compared to 6 lbs. (2.7 kg), or roughly 2.5% of body weight in the placebo group.
Overall, after 68 weeks, 83% of people taking wegovy lost 5% or more of their weight compared to 31% of people taking a placebo.
Conclusion
Obesity has been found to affect more than one-third of adults in the US. Since 1980, the obesity rate has doubled among adults hence the need for proffering better solutions to tackle both obesity and the resultant health conditions without neglecting the place of diet and exercise.
This then brings us to why it is highly valuable in the management of weight problems in the modern age. Wegovy® makes you lose weight, and keep the weight off!