Wegovy is a weight loss injection containing a GLP-1 medication called semaglutide. It can help people with overweight or obesity lose weight by increasing feelings of fullness after eating and reducing feelings of hunger and cravings. In this article, we’ll look at Wegovy in more detail: what it is and how it’s used.
Split this out into a different sentence and include an increasing feeling of fullness, for completion.
Wegovy contains semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it mimics the action of GLP-1 (Glucagon Peptide-Like-1) – a hormone that is released in the body every time we eat to help regulate appetite and help manage blood glucose levels.
By mimicking this natural hormone, semaglutide can increase feelings of fullness after eating, reduce hunger, reduce cravings and improve blood sugar control. This allows people to more easily eat a healthy, balanced diet that supports weight loss.
What is Wegovy used for?
Wegovy is used for weight management – including both weight loss and weight maintenance - in people who have overweight or obesity. Overweight and obesity are defined using the body mass index, or BMI.
There are some criteria that people must meet before they can use Wegovy. This can differ between providers; for example, the NHS will prescribe to people with higher BMIs and additional weight-related conditions.
At Genwell, we aim to provide an inclusive weight management programme, and so we will consider the following groups for treatment:
- Adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more
- Adults with a BMI of 25–30 kg/m2 if they have at least one weight-related health problem (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol) or if they are from a higher-risk ethnic group, or if they have not been able to lose weight by any other method previously. See here for details of higher-risk ethnic groups, and see here for a full list of weight-related conditions
A healthcare professional will only prescribe Wegovy if it is appropriate for the individual, after considering all relevant information. An additional consultation with a doctor may be needed to assess suitability for treatment.
Wegovy can be used in some other ways, not offered by the Genwell weight care programme, these include:
- To help reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event (e.g., heart attack or stroke) in some people with overweight or obesity with cardiovascular disease
- For weight management in some adolescents (12 years or over)
But in this article, we’ll be focusing only on the use of Wegovy for weight management in adults.
Wegovy can help people lose up to ~19% of their bodyweight
In clinical studies of Wegovy, the average weight loss seen depends on the dose given.
In studies of people with overweight or obesity, the 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide was given for 68 weeks, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise levels. The results showed:
- An average weight loss of ~15% of bodyweight
- Equivalent to 15kg (2st 5lb) loss in someone starting at 100kg (15st 10lb)
Another study looked at the 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg doses of semaglutide in people with obesity.
This study was over 72 weeks and also included a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise levels. The results showed an average weight loss of:
- 15.6% on the 2.4 mg dose
- 18.7% on the 7.2 mg dose
For someone weighing 100kg (15st 10lb), this is equivalent to:
- 15.6 kg (2st 6lb) loss on the 2.4 mg dose
- 18.7 kg (2st 13lb) loss on the 7.2 mg dose
Remember, these are average weight losses; some people in the study lost more weight, and some people lost less weight.
How is Wegovy given?
Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous injection – this means it is an injection delivered just below the surface of the skin (not deep into the muscles, and not into a vein):
- It is given in the tummy, thigh or upper arm
- It is self-injected and is provided in a pre-filled injector pen to make injecting as easy as possible
- It is taken once every week, on the same day each week
What dose of Wegovy is given?
There are six doses of Wegovy, starting at 0.25 mg, going up to 2.4 mg, or for patients with obesity, 7.2 mg.
When someone starts treatment with Wegovy, they will start on the lowest dose of 0.25 mg. This low dose may be an effective dose for someone to lose weight alongside lifestyle changes; however, most people will need to increase to the next level to achieve weight loss. Each dose is given for at least four weeks before it is increased, allowing the body to adapt to the medication and help any digestive system side effects settle.
The original clinical studies defined maintenance (long-term) doses as either 2.4mg (overweight or obesity) or 7.2mg (only for those with obesity), or the highest dose that patients could take without having unmanageable side effects.
But at Genwell, we know that not everyone will need to keep increasing the dose of their medication to the highest levels to achieve their goals. We follow a structured, doctor-led dosing plan that is designed to support effective, sustainable weight loss while minimising side effects. You can see details of the Genwell dosing plan here.
If you are following the Genwell dosing plan, you won’t need to reassess every month unless something needs to change. At the same time, your care remains flexible - your doctor can review and adjust your dose based on how you’re responding, and you can request changes whenever you need to.
What our clinical experts say
At Genwell, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’. Finding the right dose is a decision made between you and your GP, shaped by your experience, your body and your goals. Ongoing support is always available from our GPs and wellbeing coaches to help manage side effects and optimise your treatment.
Dr Caroline Butler
Is Wegovy safe to use?
Overall, Wegovy is generally considered safe to use, but as with all medicines, there will be cases where it should not be used, and that is why a thorough review of medical history by a healthcare professional is needed before any treatment is prescribed.
Even if Wegovy is suitable for a person to use, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily be free from side effects.
Side effects of the digestive system – such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting – are some of the most commonly reported and can affect more than 1 in 10 people, but not everyone will get them.
These side effects tend to occur more often when first starting treatment or when increasing the dose, but they usually go away over time. This is why the dose of Wegovy is started low and increased gradually, as needed, so that the body can adapt to the medicine.
There are other side effects that may occur, including other common side effects and some serious side effects. You can find out more information about these from the Wegovy patient leaflet or your healthcare professional.
Anyone experiencing side effects should speak to their healthcare professional.
What our clinical experts say
Many people worry about side effects such as the loss of muscle mass, hair loss or a change in facial shape when using weight loss medication. These aren't actually problems specific to using GLP-1 medications, but to any cause of rapid weight loss. That’s why at Genwell, we focus on high-quality, steady weight loss rather than achieving rapid results at high doses. We support our clients to include strength training, adequate dietary protein, and encourage monitoring of muscle and bone mass throughout your journey so you can be confident that your health is optimised while using weight loss medication.
Dr Caroline Butler
Key messages
- Wegovy contains a GLP-1 medication, called semaglutide, that works by:
- Increasing feelings of fullness after eating
- Reducing appetite
- Reducing cravings
- Improving blood sugar control
- It has been shown in clinical studies to help people with overweight or obesity lose weight.
- Wegovy will not be suitable for everyone, and a review by a healthcare professional before prescribing, together with ongoing support to manage dosing changes and possible side effects, is essential.
Genwell Reflections
Genwell offers a doctor-guided weight loss support programme to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
With our personalised, holistic approach, your doctor will work with you to identify the right treatment path for you, and your wellbeing coach will support you every step of the way.