Wegovy (Semaglutide) for Obesity

Overview
Wegovy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in adults and children 12 and up diagnosed with obesity. It is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. Wegovy is also known by its drug name, semaglutide.

Semaglutide belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist category. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and food intake, helping people feel full sooner and eat less.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Wegovy is administered once weekly as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection, via a prefilled single-dose pen, into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It can be taken at any time of day, with or without meals. Treatment typically begins with an initial smaller dose once weekly for four weeks, with gradual increases every four weeks to reach the maintenance dose. The drug should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia (indigestion), dizziness, abdominal distension (bloating), eructation (belching), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in individuals with type 2 diabetes, flatulence (gas), gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nasopharyngitis (common cold).

Rare but serious side effects may include acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), acute gallbladder disease, severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), acute kidney injury, hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions including anaphylaxis), complications of diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes in people with diabetes), increased heart rate, and suicidal behavior and ideation.

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Label: Wegovy — Semaglutide Injection, Solution — DailyMed

Semaglutide Injection — MedlinePlus