Uses
What is Wegovy used for?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is commonly used for weight loss in people who are obese or who are overweight and have other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Wegovy is used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have heart disease and are either overweight or obese.
Wegovy may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Wegovy work (mechanism of action)?
Wegovy works by reducing appetite and slowing down the movement of food through your body.
How is Wegovy supplied (dosage forms)?
Wegovy is available in the following dosage forms that are injected under the skin.
- 0.25 mg solution for injection, prefilled pens
- 0.5 mg solution for injection, prefilled pens
- 1 mg solution for injection, prefilled pens
- 1.7 mg solution for injection, prefilled pens
- 2.4 mg solution for injection, prefilled pens
How should I store Wegovy?
Wegovy injection liquid should be stored in its original carton in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Unused Wegovy can be stored until the expiration date.
If needed (as long as the cap has not been removed), Wegovy can be stored at higher temperatures, between 46 F to 86 F (8 C to 30 C), for up to 28 days.
Store in a place that is not exposed to direct light and heat. Do not freeze.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects of Wegovy are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea/constipation
- Stomach pain, upset stomach or indigestion, acid reflux
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Swelling of your stomach area
- Low blood sugar (in people with diabetes)
- Gas or burping
- Stomach flu
- Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
There may be other side effects of Wegovy that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Wegovy?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Wegovy are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Wegovy may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Wegovy and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Thyroid Tumors. Wegovy may cause you to develop thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a thyroid tumor.
- Swelling or a lump in your neck
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
Pancreatitis. Wegovy may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Wegovy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.
Gallbladder Problems. Using Wegovy can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
- Fever
- Pain in your upper stomach area
- Stool (poop) that is clay-colored
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Wegovy can cause low blood sugar, especially when used with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. Your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine may need to be lowered to decrease your risk of low blood sugar. Do not use Wegovy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Wegovy. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Vision Changes (Diabetic Retinopathy). If you have diabetic retinopathy, your vision changes may get worse with Wegovy. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following vision changes (new or getting worse).
- Loss of central vision, which is used to read or drive
- Not being able to see colors
- Blurry vision
- Holes or black spots in your vision
- Floaters, or small spots in your vision caused by bleeding
Fast Heart Rate (Tachycardia). Wegovy may cause your heart rate to increase. Call your healthcare provider right away if you feel like your heart is pounding or racing when you are not exerting yourself.
Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Wegovy may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
- Suicide attempt
- New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Wegovy?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Wegovy.
- Semaglutide
- Wegovy
- Rybelsus
- Ozempic
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Wegovy.
Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Wegovy should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your healthcare provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.
Pregnancy. Do not take Wegovy if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. See the Pregnancy section below for more details.
What should I know about Wegovy before using it?
Follow the instructions for use when using Wegovy for the first time or when you have not used it in a while.
Do not use Wegovy unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share Wegovy with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Wegovy out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.
Wegovy can affect your alertness or coordination by causing dizziness. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Wegovy affects you.
People who are 75 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Wegovy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.
Use Wegovy on the same day each week, at any time of day.
Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Wegovy by rotating where you inject it.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Wegovy?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Wegovy is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Diabetic Retinopathy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diabetic retinopathy, as this may worsen while using Wegovy.
Depression or Suicidal Thoughts. Tell your healthcare provider about any history of depression, other mental health conditions, or suicidal thoughts. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine for weight loss or to lower the risk of cardiovascular events.
Pancreatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had pancreatitis. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine for weight loss or to lower the risk of cardiovascular events.
Kidney Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems, including long-term kidney failure, as this may worsen while using Wegovy.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Wegovy may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Wegovy, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Wegovy could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. You must stop using Wegovy at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. You can register for the Wegovy Pregnancy Registry by calling 877-390-2760 or at https://wegovypregnancyregistry.com/. This registry collects safety information about exposure to Wegovy during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Wegovy passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Wegovy?
For more information about Wegovy, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at https://www.wegovy.com/ or call them at 888-809-3942.
Interactions
Does Wegovy interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Wegovy and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Wegovy. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Wegovy.
Does Wegovy interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using insulin or taking another type of medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Wegovy works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, Wegovy may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Wegovy. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Wegovy?
If you or someone else has used too much Wegovy, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
If you miss one dose of Wegovy and your next dose is not due for at least 2 days (48 hours), use Wegovy as soon as possible.
If you miss one dose of Wegovy and your next dose is less than 2 days away (less than 48 hours), skip the missed dose. Then use Wegovy at the next scheduled weekly dose.
If you miss more than one dose of Wegovy in a row you can follow your normal dosing schedule or restart Wegovy at the lowest dose and increase the dose every month until you get back to your normal dose to help reduce the risk of side effects.