WEGOVY
Used for Type 2 Diabetes and Weight loss
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Manufactured by Novo Nordisk Inc.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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WEGOVY Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Warnings & Dosing
What is WEGOVY?
WEGOVY is the brand name for semaglutide and is available as a subcutaneous injection.
What dosages is WEGOVY available in?
WEGOVY is available as a pre-filled, single-dose pen that delivers doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg.
What is WEGOVY used for?
WEGOVY is a GLP-1 agonist and is used for the following:
Long-term treatment for weight management in:
Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater; or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
Children 12 years of age and older with a baseline BMI at the 95th percentile or greater Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with heart disease and a larger body size
How does WEGOVY work?
WEGOVY is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It works similarly to GLP-1, a hormone that your body normally makes that regulates your appetite. WEGOVY slows down your gut, helps you feel fuller after you eat, and controls your appetite.
How do I take WEGOVY?
WEGOVY is typically started at 0.25 mg injected under your skin once a week for 4 weeks (1 month). Your primary care provider will raise your dose every 4 weeks until you reach the maintenance dose.
The standard dosing schedule for WEGOVY might look like:
- Month 1: Inject 0.25 mg once a week
- Month 2: Inject 0.5 mg once a week
- Month 3: Inject 1 mg once a week
- Month 4: Inject 1.7 mg once a week
- Month 5 and beyond (maintenance dose): Inject 2.4 mg once a week. Adults also have the option to inject 1.7 mg once a week as the maintenance dose
Is it safe for me to take WEGOVY?
WEGOVY is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if any of the following apply. Personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN2. Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in WEGOVY.
WEGOVY Common Side Effects
Common side effects of WEGOVY:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Tiredness
WEGOVY Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with WEGOVY. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Gallbladder or pancreas problems: pain, swelling, or tenderness in the stomach; fever; yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Serious allergic reaction: facial swelling, closing of the throat, trouble breathing, hives
- Thoughts of self-harm
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on WEGOVY
The following medications may interact with WEGOVY:
- WEGOVY delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. Use with caution
Who makes WEGOVY?
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Is WEGOVY safe in pregnancy?
WEGOVY may harm your unborn baby. You should
stop using WEGOVY 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who
use WEGOVY during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry or you may contact Novo Nordisk at 1-877-390-2760.
What is the generic name for WEGOVY?
US brand name of WEGOVY and manufacturer
Wegovy is the brand name of semaglutide and is available in the US under the brand name Wegovy. It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk
UK brand name of WEGOVY and manufacturer
Wegovy is the brand name of semaglutide and is available in the UK under the brand name Wegovy. It is also manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
Is WEGOVY available in the UK on the NHS?
Wegovy is available on the NHS in the UK. It can be prescribed by healthcare providers for eligible patients for weight management in line with NICE guidance, alongside increasing physical activity and following a reduced-calorie diet.
Prescription requirement for WEGOVY
Wegovy (semaglutide) is available as 0.25 milligrams of drug per 0.5 milliliters of solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL), 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 1.7 mg/0.75 mL, 2.4 mg/0.75 mL.0.5 mg injection pen. It is a prescription medicine and requires a valid prescription.
FDA approval of WEGOVY
Wegovy has received FDA approval for use as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:
- Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related co-morbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)
- Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex (obesity)
Limitations of use of WEGOVY
- Wegovy should not be used in combination with other semaglutide-containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist
- The safety and efficacy of coadministration with other products for weight loss have not been established
- Wegovy has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis
When not to use WEGOVY?
There are certain precautions where Wegovy may not be suitable:
- A stomach or intestinal disorder
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney disease
- Eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
- Have or have had depression or suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues
You should not use Wegovy if:
- Allergic to it or any of the ingredients. See the end of this page for a complete list of ingredients. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and a very rapid heartbeat
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands) MEN2; or
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) MTC
Active ingredient of WEGOVY and mechanism of action
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Semaglutide is a man-made synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). It has 94% equivalence to human GLP-1. Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake.
Does WEGOVY reduce cardiovascular risks?
Yes. The SELECT clinical trial study showed that after five years, participants taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide saw a 20% reduction in heart attacks, stroke, and heart-related deaths. These impressive cardiovascular benefits occurred regardless of adherence, or in other words, how consistently those participants of the study took Wegovy. The SELECT clinical trial included 17,600 adults aged 45 years and older who are overweight or obese and had a prior history of heart disease but who did not have diabetes. It’s the first study to show the heart health benefits of Wegovy for people with obesity or overweight without diabetes.
Can WEGOVY Pen be shared?
No. You should not share your Wegovy pen with others, even if the needle is changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them through cross-contamination.
Is it safe to use compounded WEGOVY?
The manufacturer has said that they do not sell Wegovy or the active ingredient semaglutide for compounding. Novo Nordisk is the sole company that has FDA approval to market Wegovy and it is supplied in a branded box that includes a proprietary pen along with FDA-approved prescribing information. Novo Nordisk cannot validate the safety or effectiveness of products claiming to contain semaglutide. Therefore, compounded Wegovy should be avoided.
Is there a shortage of WEGOVY?
Wegovy, in all strengths, is available to community pharmacies nationwide for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. There may be normal delays given the time required to order the product from their local distribution center, and geographical variabilities.
Forms of WEGOVY
Wegovy injection 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4mg is an injectable prescription medicine. It is available in a proprietary pen format.
Storage requirements for Wegovy
Wegovy is temperature sensitive. Patients prescribed Wegovy should store it in the refrigerator between 36 °F and 46 °F (2 °C and 8 °C). If needed, before removing the pen cap, Wegovy can be stored between 46 °F and 86 °F (8 °C and 30 °C) in the original carton for up to 28 days
WEGOVY dosing schedule
Dosing is titrated as follows:
Starting
Start Wegovy® at a dose of 0.25 mg once a week for your first month
Increasing
For your second month, you can increase your weekly dose to 0.5 mg
For your third month, you can increase your weekly dose to 1 mg
For your fourth month, you can increase your weekly dose to 1.7 mg
Stabilizing
For the fifth month onward, you can increase your weekly dose to the full dose of 2.4 mg
It may be helpful to check in with your healthcare provider while stepping up your dose to help track your progress and what’s working for you. Be sure to talk to him or her about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
How long does it take for WEGOVY to start working?
Wegovy should be administered exactly as directed by your physician as part of your prescribed treatment plan. Treatment goals should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
How do I use the WEGOVY Pen?
Wegovy is used as a once-weekly injection. Your healthcare provider should show you how to use the pen. Wegovy is typically injected under the skin of your thigh, stomach, or upper arm. Wegovy must never be injected into a muscle or vein.
What happens if I stop using WEGOVY?
It is possible to stop and then restart Wegovy. But you will likely need to go through the full dosing schedule again.
What are the common side effects of Ozempic?
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach (abdomen) pain
- Headache
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Feeling bloated
- Belching or gas
- Stomach flu
- Heartburn
- Nausea
What are the serious side effects of Ozempic?
- Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Gallbladder problems
- Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those who also take medicines for type 2 diabetes such as sulfonylureas or insulin
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any serious side effects.
What can I do if I experience nausea when using WEGOVY?
- Consume bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, rice
- Consume foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin
- Avoid sweet foods, fried foods or greasy foods
- Avoid laying down after eating
- When eating, eat slowly
- Drink ice-cold drinks
What support resources are there for WEGOVY?
You can speak with a Diabetes Health Coach by calling 1-833-4-WEGOVY.
What prescription assistance is available for WEGOVY?
If you have private or commercial insurance with coverage, you may pay as little as $0 per 28-day supply (1 box) of Wegovy subject to a maximum savings of $225 per 28-day supply for 12 fills using the savings card.
If you pay cash for your prescriptions or your commercial insurance does not cover Wegovy®, you can save up to $500 per 28-day supply (1 box) of Wegovy using the savings card.
Eligibility and other restrictions apply.
WEGOVY Interactions with other drugs
Ozempic may interact with certain medications, including:
- Insulin (Humalog, Tresiba, Lantus, Basaglar)
- Sulfonylureas
- Antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine)
- Clarithromycin
- Warfarin
- Digoxin
- Phenytoin
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