Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection is a prescription medicine for adults and children aged ≥12 years with obesity or overweight with weight-related medical problems, to assist in weight loss and maintenance. It should be used alongside a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.

Wegovy® (semaglutide) mimics a hormone that targets brain areas responsible for appetite regulation, leading to reduced food intake and weight loss. It begins to work soon after administration, with effects like feeling fuller after the initial doses. However, individual responses vary, and it might take weeks to observe significant results. If no improvement is seen within 6 weeks, consulting a doctor for alternatives might be necessary. Wegovy remains in the system for 5–7 weeks after the last dose.

As with any medication, Wegovy can have side effects, though they vary from person to person. Commonly reported side effects include:

• Feeling sick, this will usually go away over time

• Low blood sugar, showing symptoms such as a cold sweat, cool pale skin, headaches, a fast heartbeat, feeling sick or very hungry, vision changes, sleepiness or weakness, nervousness, anxiety, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or shaking

• Indigestion

• Stomach inflammation or gastritis, showing symptoms such as stomach aches, feeling sick or being sick

• Acid reflux or heartburn

• Stomach pain

• Bloating

• Constipation (being unable to poo easily)

• Burping or farting, gas

• Gall stones

• Dizziness

• Tiredness

• Weight loss

• Reduced appetite

• An increase of pancreatic enzymes, e.g. lipase, amylase

If you notice any side effects while taking Wegovy, it's important to consult us or your healthcare provider promptly. For a comprehensive overview of potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumours or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people

Do not use Wegovy® if:

• you or any of your family have ever 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)

• you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®

• if you or any of your family have ever 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)

Before using Wegovy®, tell us if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:

• have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys

• have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy

• have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk

Tell us about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.

Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Wegovy®.

Yes, you can consume alcohol while taking Wegovy, but it's recommended to do so in moderation. It's important to stay hydrated, and be mindful of the calorie content in alcoholic beverages, as they can be high and potentially interfere with your weight loss goals. Always consider the impact on your overall treatment plan and consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice.

Prepare for your injection

• Supplies you will need to give your Wegovy® injection: your Wegovy® pen, 1 alcohol swab or soap and water, 1 gauze pad or cotton ball, 1 sharps disposable container for used Wegovy® pens

• Wash your hands

• Check your Wegovy® pen

Do not use your Wegovy® pen if:

• The pen appears to have been used or any part of the pen appears broken; for example, if it has been dropped

• The Wegovy® medicine is not clear and colourless through the pen window

• The expiration date (EXP) has passed

Choose your injection site

• You may inject into your upper legs (front of the thighs), lower stomach (keep 2 inches away from your belly button), or upper arm

• Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid injecting into areas with scars or stretch marks

You may inject in the same body area each week, but make sure it is not in the same spot each time

Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Do not touch the injection site after cleaning.

Remove pen cap

• Pull the pen cap straight off your pen

Inject Wegovy®

• Push the pen firmly against your skin and keep applying pressure until the yellow bar has stopped moving

If the yellow bar does not start moving, press the pen more firmly against your skin

• You will hear 2 clicks during the injection

  • Click 1: The injection has started

  • Click 2: The injection is ongoing

Troubleshooting

• If you have problems injecting, change to a more firm injection site, such as upper leg, or upper arm or consider standing up while injecting into the lower stomach

• If medicine appears on the skin or squirts from the needle, make sure the next time you inject to keep applying pressure until the yellow bar has stopped moving. Then you can lift the pen slowly from your skin

Throw away (dispose of) the pen

• Safely dispose of the pen right away after use. Do not throw the pen away in your household trash. Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container. Learn more in the Wegovy® Medication Guide.

• What if blood appears after injection?If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball.

Wegovy® comes in 5 different dose strengths, which are injected under the skin. The starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week, and you will gradually increase your dose every four weeks. We can select either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg for your maintenance dose once you reach it.

Wegovy® dosing schedule for adult

A normal schedule would look like the following:

1. Start Wegovy® at a dose of 0.25 mg once a week for your first month

2. For your second month, you can increase your weekly dose to 0.5 mg

3. For your third month, you can increase your weekly dose to 1.0 mg

4. For your fourth month, you can increase your weekly dose to 1.7 mg

5. For the fifth month onward, your health care provider may have you stay at 1.7 mg or increase to 2.4 mg

We will provide ongoing follow ups and checkups while stepping up your dose to help track your progress and what’s working for you. Be sure to let us know about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

If you miss a dose of Wegovy and your next dose is more than 48 hours away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.

If your next dose is less than 48 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the next one at your regular schedule.

For missed doses over 2 weeks, take your next scheduled dose or contact us directly for advice on restarting treatment. Always follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for missed doses.

Protecting your pen

• Do not drop your pen or knock it against hard surfaces

• Do not expose your pen to any liquids

• If you think that your pen may be damaged, do not try to fix it. Use a new one

• Keep the pen cap on until you are ready to inject. Your pen will no longer be sterile if you store it without the cap, if you pull the pen cap off and put it on again, or if the pen cap is missing. This could lead to an infection

Storing your pen

• Store the Wegovy® pen in the refrigerator from 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

• If needed, before removing the pen cap, Wegovy® can be stored from 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) in the original carton for up to 28 days

• Keep Wegovy® in the original carton to protect it from light

• Do not freeze

• Throw away pen if Wegovy® has been frozen, has been exposed to light or temperatures above 86°F (30°C), or has been out of the refrigerator for 28 days or longer

Disposing of your used pens

• It's important to properly dispose of your used Wegovy® pens. Do not throw the pen away in your household trash. Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposable container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container