Wegovy is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults and children ages 12 years and older with obesity, as well as adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular problems in adults with cardiovascular disease who have overweight or obesity, and to treat a type of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which mimics the body’s glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. This helps to regulate appetite, increase insulin secretion, and promote feelings of fullness, ultimately leading to weight loss.
This article provides detailed information about the Wegovy dosage schedule, administration, and other important considerations for individuals using this medication.
Understanding Wegovy
Wegovy functions by suppressing appetite and prolonging the feeling of fullness. Semaglutide, the active component, targets GLP-1 receptors in the body, influencing insulin release and appetite regulation.
Who is Wegovy For?
Wegovy can be an extremely effective weight loss tool for:
- Individuals struggling with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
- Individuals who struggle with being overweight (BMI > 27) and have a weight-related health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and or high cholesterol.
How Wegovy is Supplied
Wegovy is available as a solution in prefilled, single-dose pens, administered via subcutaneous injection. Each pen delivers only a single dose. It’s important to note that the pens do not contain multiple doses.
Read also: Sustainable weight loss using Wegovy
Available Strengths
Wegovy solution is available in pens containing the following strengths:
- 0.25 milligrams of drug per 0.5 milliliters of solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)
- 0.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 1 mg/0.5 mL
- 1.7 mg/0.75 mL
- 2.4 mg/0.75 mL
Typical Wegovy Dosage Schedule
Wegovy requires a dose escalation. This means your doctor will start you on a specific starting dose. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the drug’s maximum dose.
The typical Wegovy dosage schedule involves a gradual increase in the dose to minimize potential side effects. The medication is injected once per week, and the dosage is typically increased every four weeks. However, your treatment plan may vary. For example, if you experience side effects at any point during dose escalation, your doctor may delay your next dose increase by several weeks. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Here’s a monthly breakdown of what to expect from Wegovy. Note that the expected weight loss and dose every month is based on trial data, and your results may be different. Depending on certain factors, your clinician may keep you on the 1mg Wegovy dose for longer than one month.
- Month 1: Dose: 0.25mg
- Month 2: Dose: 0.5mg | Expected weight loss: 4% body weight*
- Month 3: Dose: 1mg | Expected weight loss: 6% body weight*
- Month 4: Dose: 1.7mg | Expected weight loss: 8% body weight*
- Month 5: Dose: 2.4mg | Expected weight loss: 10% body weight*
- Month 6 onwards: Dose: 2.4mg | Expected weight loss after 17 months: 17% body weight**Based on semaglutide over 68 weeks.
If you have intolerable side effects from a 2.4-mg maintenance dose, your doctor may lower the dose to 1.7 mg. If you still have intolerable side effects with the 1.7-mg maintenance dose, your doctor may have you stop treatment with Wegovy.
Read also: Weekly Wegovy Progress
Wegovy Dosage Chart
| Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | Once weekly |
| 0.5 mg | Once weekly |
| 1 mg | Once weekly |
| 1.7 mg | Once weekly |
| 2.4 mg (Target) | Once weekly |
Children’s Dosage
Wegovy is approved to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in children ages 12 years and older who have obesity. The recommended dosage schedule for this use in children is the same as for adults.
Long-Term Treatment with Wegovy
Wegovy is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that the drug is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use Wegovy long term. If you have intolerable side effects from a 2.4-mg or 1.7-mg dose of the drug, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop Wegovy treatment.
Maintenance Dosage
As stated, the target dose is typically 1.7 - 2.4 mg once weekly and varies from person to person. Your provider will advise you to monitor your weight loss and any associated side effects as the doses gradually increase. For instance, you were losing weight consistently at the 1.7 mg dose with minimal side effects. After increasing your dose and reaching the recommended 2.4 mg target, you started experiencing side effects, and your provider determined that this higher dosage was not well tolerated. In that case, you would likely benefit from continuing at 1.7 mg long-term (1). While this is standard practice and has been used as an effective strategy for many of patients, data on lower doses is more limited.
Administering Wegovy Safely
Wegovy® comes in a one-time-use, disposable pen with the medication already pre-dosed. This means you’ll get new pens for each week. The medication is administered subcutaneously into the lower abdomen fat (two inches away from the belly button), thigh, or upper arm once weekly. Wegovy®.com
Before beginning, it is recommended that you inspect your Wegovy® pen for signs of damage or discoloration to ensure it has not passed the expiration date. To safely administer Wegovy®, first wash your hands with soap and water. Then use an alcohol swab to clean the injection site.
Read also: Duration of Wegovy Treatment
You will first remove the pen cap then simply line the pen up to your chosen injection site and press the pen firmly against your skin for about 5-10 seconds to allow the medication to be properly administered. You will hear two clicks once the injection has started. You will also see a yellow bar moving during this process, when it stops moving that’s your indication the injection has finished (3).
Injection Instructions
- Wegovy comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled injection pen.
- You’ll give yourself your dose as an injection under your skin.
- You should keep Wegovy in the refrigerator until you’re ready to inject your dose.
- Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself Wegovy injections.
- You’ll then do this once per week as directed by your doctor.
- You should inject your dose on the same day and at the same time each week. This will help keep a consistent level of the drug in your body.
- If your child is prescribed Wegovy, you may administer the drug for them. Or, depending on how old your child is, their doctor could teach them how to give themselves injections.
- Always dispose of Wegovy injection pens in a sharps container or some other sturdy container, such as one made of thick plastic with a tight-fitting lid.
Injection Sites
You may inject Wegovy doses into any of the following areas of your body:
- Abdomen, at least 2 inches away from your belly button
- Thigh
- Upper arm
Be sure to rotate your injection site each time you inject a dose. For example, if you inject a dose into your abdomen, choose a different spot on your abdomen next time. Or use your thigh or upper arm instead.
What if You Miss a Dose?
What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy depends on when your next scheduled dose is due.
Specifically, if you miss a Wegovy dose and your next scheduled injection is due in:
- more than 48 hours, take the missed dose as soon as possible
- less than 48 hours, skip the missed dose then take your next dose at the usual time
Do not inject more than one dose of Wegovy at a time.
If it has been 2 or more weeks since your last dose of Wegovy, call your doctor. They may have you:
- continue Wegovy treatment at the usual dose on the next scheduled day, or
- restart Wegovy treatment with the recommended dose escalation schedule (your doctor may recommend this option if you’ve had gastrointestinal side effects due to Wegovy)
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Overdose
If you inject more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you do not use more Wegovy than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of Overdose
Overdose symptoms of Wegovy can include:
- Severe nausea
- Severe vomiting
- Severe low blood sugar, which may cause:
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Seizures
What to do in Case of Overdose
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Wegovy. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Important Considerations
Side Effects
Wegovy, like all medications, can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. These side effects are generally mild to moderate and usually improve with time. However, some individuals may experience more severe side effects.
Serious side effects of Wegovy can include:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer
- Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
- Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas
- Dehydration leading to kidney problems
- Severe stomach problems
- Serious allergic reactions
- Change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes
- Increased heart rate
- Depression or thoughts of suicide
- Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation).
It is crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any concerning side effects.
Drug Interactions
Wegovy may interact with other medications, including those for diabetes and certain over-the-counter drugs. It is essential to inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking to avoid potential drug interactions.
Precautions
Before starting Wegovy, inform your doctor if you:
- Have a history of thyroid tumors or cancer
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- Have a history of pancreatitis
- Have gallbladder problems
- Have kidney problems
- Have severe stomach problems
- Have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts
Monitoring
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Also, diabetic patients may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur during pregnancy in patients with diabetes.
Lifestyle Changes
Wegovy is most effective when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Incorporating these lifestyle changes can significantly enhance weight loss results.
Advice
- Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
- Do not take other medicines during the time you are using semaglutide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
- Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur.
- Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you when you travel. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
- It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.