What is Wegovy?
Find out what Wegovy is and how it works
Wegovy is essentially just Ozempic in a higher dose. Ozempic is a drug developed for patients with type 2 diabetes. One of the discovered side effects of the medication is weight loss, and by developing Wegovy, which, as mentioned, is Ozempic in a higher dose, the drug can be used as a weight loss medication. Wegovy is based on the drug Semaglutide.
Who needs Wegovy?
Wegovy is a drug developed for people struggling with overweight or obesity who have not been successful in losing weight through lifestyle changes. Specific criteria must be met to be prescribed the medication. It requires an eligibility assessment and then a prescription from a doctor.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy is based on the drug Semaglutide. Semaglutide works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1, which lowers blood sugar and suppresses appetite. GLP-1 is secreted from the gut but only works for a relatively short time after a meal. Semaglutide has the same effect as GLP-1 but is much more stable and works for much longer than the natural hormone. Semaglutide is also more stable than the drug Liraglutide, which is found in Victoza and Saxenda.
Clinical trials with overweight participants have shown that the drugs have the side effect of causing weight loss, in addition to treating diabetes. This is because they work by suppressing appetite. The body is thus helped to reduce energy intake by affecting the satiety center in the brain and reducing feelings of hunger and food cravings. In addition, the craving for high-calorie food is reduced. People lose weight because the medication affects the feeling of fullness, meaning the amount of food consumed decreases due to less appetite. This creates a calorie deficit. Some also experience loss of appetite and nausea, which is partly why they do not eat as much. Because of these side effects, some have to stop taking the medication. Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain are not pleasant companions. Dizziness can also be a very bothersome side effect for many.
How do I take Wegovy?
Wegovy is taken as weekly injections, with the dose gradually increased in consultation with the doctor until the maximum dose or the dose with effective and tolerable side effects is reached.
Get answers to typical questions about Wegovy
Wegovy is a weight loss treatment drug based on the active ingredient Semaglutide, which is also used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes under the name Ozempic. Wegovy is used in a higher dose than Ozempic and is specifically approved for the treatment of severe overweight in adults who have not achieved weight loss through diet and exercise alone.
Wegovy is approved for adults with severe overweight who have tried to lose weight through lifestyle changes without sufficient results. Patients must meet certain medical criteria to be considered suitable for the treatment, which requires a medical assessment and prescription.
Wegovy works by mimicking the effect of the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps lower blood sugar and suppress appetite. By prolonging the feeling of fullness and reducing the feeling of hunger, it helps people consume fewer calories and thus lose weight.
Wegovy is administered through weekly injections. The dose is gradually increased over time, in consultation with your doctor, to the most effective dose that still allows any side effects to be manageable. This gradual dose increase helps minimize side effects.
The main difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is the dosage and the primary purpose of the medication. While both contain Semaglutide, Wegovy is in a higher dose and specifically approved for the treatment of severe overweight, whereas Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes.
The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and in some cases, dizziness. These side effects can be temporary, but if they persist, it is important to contact your doctor.
Not everyone will be suitable for treatment with Wegovy. A thorough medical assessment is necessary to determine if Wegovy is an appropriate treatment choice based on individual health conditions and previous weight loss attempts.
If you experience side effects while taking Wegovy, it is important to contact your doctor. In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the dose or consider other treatment options. Your doctor can offer advice and support to manage side effects effectively.