Ready to take control of your weight? Wegovy offers a promising approach to weight loss. Wegovy is prescription weight loss medication that can help you achieve significant weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the details of Wegovy, including how it works, its benefits, potential side effects, and where to purchase it in the UK. Discover if Wegovy is the right solution to help you reach your weight loss goals.
What is Wegovy (Semaglutide)?
Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, is a weight loss prescription injection approved by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for chronic weight management. It’s part of a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLPs mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy works in several ways to help you lose weight:
- Suppresses appetite: By mimicking the effects of GLP-1, Wegovy can make you feel fuller for longer, reducing your overall calorie intake.
- Slows digestion: Wegovy can also slow down the emptying of your stomach, further contributing to feelings of fullness.
- Improves blood sugar control: For people with type 2 diabetes, Wegovy can help lower blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Wegovy
- Significant weight loss: Studies have shown that Wegovy can help people lose a significant amount of weight when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
- Improved health: Weight loss can lead to improvements in various health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Improved quality of life: Losing weight can boost your self-esteem and overall quality of life.
How Effective is Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, has proven to be highly effective for weight loss, with clinical trials demonstrating consistent and significant weight reduction compared to placebo. The extent of weight loss can vary depending on individual factors, lifestyle modifications, and dosage. It has been shown to:
- Promote Weight Loss: Studies have indicated weight reductions ranging from 5% to 15% of body weight in individuals taking semaglutide over a 6-month period.
- Maintain Weight Loss: Patients are able to sustain weight loss for extended periods with continued use of the medication.
- Clinical studies have demonstrated that Wegovy is an effective tool for weight management. In a 68-week trial, participants treated with Wegovy experienced a notably greater weight loss than those receiving a placebo. On average, the Wegovy group lost 15% of their body weight, while the placebo group lost only 2%.
Are Wegovy and Ozempic the Same?
Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
However, they are formulated differently and approved for different uses. Ozempic is primarily indicated for type 2 diabetes with weight loss as a secondary benefit, while Wegovy is specifically approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions.
| Feature | Ozempic | Wegovy |
| Active Ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Primary Use | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management |
| Dosage | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg |
Who Can and Cannot Take Wegovy?
- Can Take:
- Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: It helps improve blood sugar control alongside diet and exercise.
- Adults with Obesity (BMI 30 or higher): It supports weight loss when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Adults with Overweight (BMI 27 or higher) and Weight-Related Health Conditions: This includes conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- Cannot Take:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer)
- History of pancreatitis
- Under 18 years old
Using Wegovy: Dosage & Administration
Dosage
- Starting Dose: Typically 0.25mg once a week.
- Gradual Increase: The dose is increased every 4 weeks if tolerated, up to a maximum of 2.4mg once a week.
Administration:
- Wegovy is administered as a weekly subcutaneous injection using a prefilled pen. Your healthcare professional will guide you on the appropriate dosage and injection technique. It’s essential to follow their instructions carefully and adhere to the prescribed treatment plan.
Missed Doses:
- If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
- Common side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation (usually mild and improve over time)
- Headache, fatigue, dizziness
- Less common but more serious side effects include:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
- Changes in vision
- Allergic reactions
If you experience any side effects, discuss them with your doctor. They may adjust your dose or recommend ways to manage them.
- Management:
- Start Slowly: Begin with a lower dose and gradually increase to minimise gastrointestinal side effects.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids if experiencing nausea or diarrhoea.
- Consult Your Healthcare professional: For persistent or severe side effects.
How to Inject, Store and Handle Wegovy Pens?
Injecting:
- Preparation:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Choose an injection site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm).
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.
- Attaching a New Needle:
- Remove the pen cap.
- Peel off the paper tab from a new needle.
- Screw the needle straight onto the pen until it is firmly attached.
- Pull off the outer needle cap and set it aside.
- Pull off the inner needle cap and discard it.
- Priming the Pen:
- Turn the dose selector to select the dose prescribed by your doctor.
- Hold the pen with the needle pointing up.
- Press and hold the injection button until a drop of medicine appears at the needle tip. If no drop appears after a few seconds, repeat this step with a new needle.
- Injecting the Medicine:
- Insert the needle into the cleaned injection site at a 90-degree angle.
- Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter returns to “0”.
- Keep the needle in the skin for at least 6 seconds to ensure the full dose is delivered.
- Slowly remove the needle from the skin.
- After Injection:
- Place the outer needle cap back on the needle and unscrew it from the pen.
- Discard the used needle in a sharps container.
Storing:
- Unopened Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.
- After the first use, the pen can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C or 86°F) or in the refrigerator.
- Keep the pen capped when not in use.
- Protect the pen from light.
- Once the pen is opened, it should be used within 56 days, even if it’s stored in the refrigerator.
Handling:
- Do not share your Wegovy pen with anyone else, even if the needle has been changed.
- Always use a new needle for each injection.
- Do not use the pen if the solution is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles.
- Do not drop or damage the pen.
- Keep the pen out of the reach of children.
Important Note: Always consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about using Wegovy pens.
Where to Buy Wegovy in the UK and What is the cost?
In the UK, Wegovy is a prescription-only medication, meaning you can only obtain it with a valid prescription from your doctor or a registered healthcare professional. Here are the main places where you can buy Wegovy in the UK.
Where to Buy:
- NHS: You may be able to get Wegovy through the NHS. However, eligibility criteria may apply. Talk to your clinician to see if you qualify.
- Private Clinics: Some private clinics specialising in weight loss or diabetes management offer Wegovy . They will usually require a consultation and assessment before prescribing the medication. [https://www.priman.co/]
- Online Pharmacies: Several online pharmacies in the UK offer Wegovy, but it’s crucial to choose a reputable and regulated pharmacy to ensure the authenticity and quality of the medication. [https://www.primedpharmacy.com/]
Price:
The price of Wegovy can vary depending on the dose, quantity, and the pharmacy you purchase it from.
Ready to start your weight loss journey? Priman offers Wegovy at competitive prices to help you achieve your goals.
Conclusion
Wegovy offers a promising approach to weight management for individuals who struggle to achieve their weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss the potential benefits and risks of Wegovy and to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
References:
Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know (no date) Gov.uk. Available at: https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/04/accessing-wegovy-for-weight-loss-everything-you-need-to-know/
British Heart Foundation (2024) Wegovy, British Heart Foundation. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/wegovy
Wegovy (2024) Diabetes UK. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/treating-your-diabetes/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/semaglutide/wegovy
Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) (2024) Org.uk. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13799/smpc
Wilding, J. P. H. et al. (2021) “Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity,” The New England journal of medicine, 384(11), pp. 989–1002. doi: 10.1056/nejmoa2032183.
