Wegovy Weight Loss

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medicine used by obese and overweight people to help them lose weight and keep it off for good. In 2021, Wegovy was first approved for weight loss, even for patients who weren’t diabetic. It’s still only approved for individuals who are obese, however, celebrities and people on social media have claimed to have used these at-home injections to lose weight. With that being said, its important to make sure you educate yourself on what Wegovy is and how to safely use the drug with a doctor’s supervision. 

Your brain receives signals from different parts of your body. Some of these signals are called appetite hormones, which help regulate the amount of food you eat. If you’re wondering how does Wegovy work, it’s similar to one of the natural appetite hormones, so you eat fewer calories and lose weight. 

Over 70 percent of Americans are obese or overweight. Obesity is one of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, and is associated with severe health problems. Diet and exercise can help patients reduce their cardiovascular disease risk, but sometimes patients are unable to exercise, and even if they can exercise and diet, it is not enough. 

Wegovy attempts to mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which targets areas of the brain that control appetite and food intake. Essentially, it attempts to mimic a hormone that helps us feel full and tells our stomach to take its time emptying food. To reduce gastrointestinal side effects, users should gradually increase the dose to 2.4 mg once a week over 16-20 weeks.

In a study comparing Wegovy with a placebo, 83 percent of adults taking Wegovy lost at least 5 percent of their weight, compared to 31 percent of those taking a placebo.

What do you need to know about taking Wegovy?

If you take a prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss product along with Wegovy, it’s unclear whether it’s safe or effective. Since Wegovy contains semaglutide, patients taking other products containing semaglutide or any GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should not take the drug. Also, Wegovy has not been tested for safety in individuals under 18 or with a history of pancreatitis.

How should I inject Wegovy?

You should read the instructions for administering Wegovy before using it. Each pen contains enough medicine for one dose, and it is preset with the dose of Wegovy. 

Before injecting, wash your hands, clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe or soap and water, and firmly press the pen to your skin after removing the cap. During the injection, you will hear two clicks: one to indicate the start of the injection and one to show the medicine is still flowing. Press the Wegovy pen against your skin until the yellow bar in the pen window moves. This indicates that you are receiving the full dose of the medicine. Once you have pressed the pen against your skin, the injection will begin, so you cannot stop the injection and restart it later.

If you have any further questions about Wegovy, please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

How should I inject Wegovy?

You should read the instructions for administering Wegovy before using it. Each pen contains enough medicine for one dose, and it is preset with the dose of Wegovy. 

Before injecting, wash your hands, clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe or soap and water, and firmly press the pen to your skin after removing the cap. During the injection, you will hear two clicks: one to indicate the start of the injection and one to show the medicine is still flowing. Press the Wegovy pen against your skin until the yellow bar in the pen window moves. This indicates that you are receiving the full dose of the medicine. Once you have pressed the pen against your skin, the injection will begin, so you cannot stop the injection and restart it later.

If you have any further questions about Wegovy, please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Doctors who Prescribe Wegovy Near Me | Non-surgical Weight Loss Solutions

If you forget to take a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than two days later, take the medicine as soon as possible. If the next scheduled dose is less than two days away, wait until the usual day of the week to take Wegovy. If you forget to take Wegovy for more than two weeks, contact your healthcare provider for next steps.

What are the possible side effects of taking Wegovy?

In the event that you notice a lump in your throat or feeling swelling in the neck, call your doctor immediately and report your symptoms as soon as possible. Using Wegovy may include possible side effects such as thyroid cancer or thyroid cancer tumors. 

You should avoid using Wegovy if your family has a history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN 2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Other mild Wegovy side effects of taking Wegovy include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. More severe Wegovy side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems and lower blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes.

In the event, someone develops serious side effects after injecting Wegovy, they should call their doctor immediately. If the side effects appear life-threatening or there is a suspected medical emergency, immediately call 911.

Can I take Wegovy if I am pregnant?

Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy. Losing weight during pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn child, so doctors don’t recommend it. Although we have no information on the effects of Wegovy on pregnant women, semaglutide has been observed to cause congenital disabilities and miscarriages in pregnant animals during studies.

If you become pregnant while taking Wegovy, stop taking it immediately and tell your healthcare provider. Doctors recommend stopping Wegovy at least two months before planning a pregnancy. Contact the manufacturer for more information about the optional pregnancy exposure registry. This registry tracks the health outcomes of pregnant women and their children exposed to semaglutide.

Doctors who Prescribe Wegovy Near Me | Non-surgical Weight Loss Solutions

If you’re considering Wegovy weight loss, contact the experts at WLLA who can advise you on whether you’re a good candidate for the drug. When you’re ready to call, our care team is prepared to help you lose weight. We look forward to supporting your weight loss goals.