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Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug that’s used to help with weight loss and to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems. Wegovy comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled, single-dose injection pen.

Wegovy is recommended with exercise and a low calorie diet to:

  • reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems (such as heart attack and stroke) and death in adults with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity
  • help with weight loss and long-term weight management in:
    • adults and children 12 years and older who have obesity
    • adults who are overweight and have a health condition that’s related to weight

Wegovy basics

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Wegovy is a brand-name medication that isn’t currently available as a generic.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy works by acting like the GLP-1 hormone. This hormone works in your brain to regulate your appetite. By mimicking the activity of GLP-1, Wegovy can help reduce your appetite and lower the amount of calories you consume. Wegovy also slows down how fast food moves from your stomach to your intestines, which can help you feel full for longer. These effects can lead to weight loss and help with weight management over time.

Wegovy also reduces your blood glucose (sugar) levels. It does this by increasing how much insulin your body produces and by blocking a chemical that causes your liver to produce glucose.

Over time, weight loss and decreased blood sugar levels can reduce your risk of serious cardiovascular problems.

If you’d like to know more about how Wegovy works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Like most drugs, Wegovy may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects of Wegovy. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Wegovy. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Wegovy can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Wegovy’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Wegovy that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Wegovy can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Wegovy, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Wegovy that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Wegovy may cause. In addition to the information below, you can refer to this in-depth side effects article.

Boxed warning

Wegovy has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of thyroid cancer. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, increased the risk of cancerous thyroid tumors in animal studies. It’s not known whether this risk is also increased in humans.

Symptoms of a thyroid tumor may include:

Due to this risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Wegovy if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer). They also typically won’t prescribe Wegovy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. This is a genetic (inherited) disorder of the endocrine system that may cause thyroid cancer.

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a thyroid tumor while using Wegovy. They’ll examine you and will likely recommend lab tests to evaluate your symptoms. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to keep using Wegovy.

Nausea

Nausea was the most common side effect reported in Wegovy’s studies.

Nausea may go away with time as you continue using Wegovy. In studies, it was rare for people to stop taking the drug due to nausea.

Injecting too much Wegovy can cause severe nausea. (See “What should be done in case of overdose?” below to learn more.) But when Wegovy is used in its approved dosage, severe nausea isn’t an expected side effect.

What might help

Contact your doctor if you experience nausea that bothers you or doesn’t go away during Wegovy treatment. They may suggest a medication to reduce nausea. If your nausea still doesn’t go away, they may recommend that you stop using Wegovy.

Constipation

Constipation is possible with Wegovy treatment. This was among the more common side effects reported by people who used Wegovy in studies. But no one in these studies stopped using Wegovy due to constipation.

Constipation due to Wegovy may go away on its own as you continue treatment.

What might help

Contact your doctor if you have constipation while taking Wegovy, especially if it bothers you or doesn’t go away. They may recommend medication to relieve your constipation. If this doesn’t help, they might recommend stopping Wegovy treatment.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Wegovy. Allergic reactions weren’t reported in studies of Wegovy, but they have occurred since the drug was approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Wegovy. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. For details, you can refer to this Wegovy cost article.

Wegovy is not available as a generic drug. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about how to cover Wegovy medication costs, such as the price for the 2.4-milligram (mg) strength, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And you can visit the Wegovy manufacturer’s website to see their support options.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

See the Wegovy coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)

Save on your Wegovy prescription

Save on Wegovy without insurance.

Enter your information:

Location

47201

Dosage

4 wegovy (1 Package)

Save money without using insurance

Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire, so be sure to save it for refills.

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Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.

Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.

Pricing source:Perks.optum.com

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What does Wegovy cost with insurance?

In general, you’ll pay less for Wegovy with insurance than without insurance. But the actual cost will vary depending on your location, the number of injection pens you buy, and other factors.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance company to find out the exact price you’ll pay for Wegovy with insurance.

Yes. Wegovy is used with exercise and a low calorie diet for long-term weight loss and weight management in:

Wegovy helps with long-term weight loss by regulating your body’s appetite and the amount of calories you consume. To learn more about using Wegovy for weight loss, see this article.

Wegovy is also used to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity. This use is described under “Is Wegovy used to reduce cardiovascular risks?” below.

Limitations of use

Doctors don’t prescribe Wegovy with other GLP-1 receptor agonists or other drugs that contain semaglutide (Wegovy’s active ingredient). Examples include the diabetes medications Rybelsus and Ozempic.

Before starting Wegovy, you should let you doctor know if you have pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) or have had it in the past. Wegovy can cause pancreatitis, and it’s not known if the risk is higher for people who have had pancreatitis in the past.

How to buy Wegovy

If you think Wegovy could be a good weight management option for you, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Wegovy might be right for you and provide a prescription.

Another easy way to purchase Wegovy is by using a telemedicine service such as Calibrate or Ro Body. Through these services, a licensed telehealth professional will give you a health evaluation. If the evaluation shows that Wegovy could be a helpful option for you, the telehealth professional will provide an electronic prescription. You can then use this prescription to order the medication through the service’s site. After you start taking the medication, the service will provide coaching and other support to help you manage your weight.

If you get a Wegovy prescription through Calibrate or Ro Body, we encourage you to tell your doctor. It’s important that your doctor knows about all medications you take.

Wegovy is used with exercise and a low calorie diet to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, such as heart attack and stroke, and death. For this purpose, it’s used in adults with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity.

Wegovy works by reducing your appetite and reducing your blood glucose (sugar) levels. It can also help with weight loss. Over time, these effects can lower your risk of cardiovascular problems.

In addition to this use, Wegovy is approved to help with long-term weight management. The drug also has some limitations of use. See “Is Wegovy used for weight loss and weight management?” for details.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Wegovy.

Is Wegovy similar to the diabetes drugs Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza? Why isn’t Wegovy also used for diabetes?

Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza all belong to the same group of drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs work in similar ways, but only Wegovy isn’t approved for diabetes treatment.

Wegovy and Ozempic both contain the active ingredient semaglutide. Trulicity contains dulaglutide, and Victoza contains liraglutide.

All of these drugs are used to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems and death in certain adults with cardiovascular disease. Wegovy is also used for long-term weight loss and weight management. But Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza treat type 2 diabetes and help manage blood sugar levels.

Doctors may prescribe Wegovy for people who have type 2 diabetes, but the drug is not approved to treat diabetes specifically.

If you’d like to know more about how these medications compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Wegovy compare with weight-loss alternatives Saxenda and phentermine?

Wegovy and Saxenda are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs act like the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which helps regulate your appetite and how many calories you consume. Phentermine is a type of appetite suppressant, meaning it works to reduce your appetite.

Phentermine is used short term for weight loss. Wegovy and Saxenda can be used for long-term weight loss and weight management.

Phentermine is only approved for weight loss and management in certain adults. Doctors may prescribe Saxenda and Wegovy for this use in adults and certain children ages 12 years and older.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Wegovy pens need to be refrigerated?

Yes, you should refrigerate Wegovy pens at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

If needed, you can store Wegovy pens at 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days. However, you cannot refrigerate the pens again after you’ve stored them at room temperature.

Do not freeze Wegovy pens. Keep the pens in the original carton to protect them from light until you’re ready to inject a dose.

Talk with your pharmacist if you have more questions about handling and storing Wegovy pens.

Is Wegovy a controlled substance?

No, Wegovy is not a controlled substance.

Certain other weight loss drugs, such as phentermine, are controlled substances. This means there are additional rules for prescribing and using the drug. But this doesn’t apply to Wegovy.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about controlled substances.

You may wonder how Wegovy compares with Ozempic. These medications contain the same active ingredients, and they have some similar uses and some different ones.

Check out this article to learn how these drugs compare. Also, be sure to talk with your doctor about which drug is right for you.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Wegovy that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, single-dose pens. You’ll use these pens to inject Wegovy under your skin.

Wegovy pens come in these strengths:

  • 0.25 milligrams 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

Recommended dosages

For adults and children 12 years and older, Wegovy’s recommended starting dosage is 0.25 mg once per week. Your doctor will gradually increase your starting dose every several weeks. They’ll do this until you reach the maintenance (ongoing) dosage that’s right for you.

Your maintenance dosage may be 2.4 mg once per week or 1.7 mg once per week, depending on how your body responds to the drug.

For details, you can refer to this dosing guide. You can also check out Wegovy’s prescribing information.

Questions about Wegovy’s dosage

Here are some common questions about Wegovy’s dosage.

What if I miss a dose of Wegovy?

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. But if your next dose is less than 48 hours away, you should skip your missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual scheduled time.

If you miss two or more doses of Wegovy in a row, talk with your doctor. They’ll help reset your dosing schedule.

Will I need to use Wegovy long term?

Yes, you’ll likely use Wegovy long term if you and your doctor agree the drug is safe and effective for you.

When does Wegovy start working?

Wegovy starts working right after you inject a dose. But it may take several weeks or months before you notice weight loss or a decrease in appetite.

How long does Wegovy stay in your system?

Wegovy stays in the body for about 5–7 weeks after the last dose.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will explain how you should inject Wegovy. They will also explain how much to inject and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Using Wegovy pens

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled single-dose pen. You’ll use the pen to inject Wegovy under your skin in your abdomen or the front of your thigh, usually once per week. Someone else, such as a caregiver, can also inject Wegovy into your upper arm.

You should safely dispose of Wegovy pens into a sharps container (or another sturdy container, such as one made of thick plastic with a tight-fitting lid) after you use them once.

For step-by-step instructions on how to use your Wegovy pen, see this site from the drug’s manufacturer. You can also see these detailed instructions for use and storage.

Accessible medication containers and labels

Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Using Wegovy with other drugs

You should not use Wegovy with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. You should also not use it with drugs that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Examples include the diabetes medications Rybelsus and Ozempic.

Wegovy can also affect drugs that you take by mouth, including tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions. Your doctor may have you adjust the dosage of any drugs you take by mouth during Wegovy treatment.

If you’re taking insulin or a sulfonylurea drug (such as glipizide) with Wegovy, you may have an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). See “What should be considered before taking Wegovy?” below for details.

Before you begin treatment with Wegovy, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take. This includes any over-the-counter supplements or products marketed for weight loss. They may recommend that you stop taking other medications or products for weight loss if they prescribe Wegovy.

Questions about taking Wegovy

Below are some common questions about taking Wegovy.

  • Does a Wegovy injection hurt? Wegovy injections are not known to cause pain that lasts longer than a few minutes or hours. In studies, a very small number of people reported irritation around their injection site after injecting Wegovy.
  • Should I take Wegovy with food? You may take Wegovy with or without food.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Wegovy and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Wegovy affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

There are important considerations to discuss with your doctor before you begin treatment with Wegovy. It’s important that you tell your doctor about your overall health and any medical conditions you may have.

You should also tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take. They’ll check for any interactions with Wegovy.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Wegovy, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Wegovy.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Wegovy can interact with several types of drugs. These include certain diabetes drugs, such as:

If you’re taking insulin or a sulfonylurea drug with Wegovy, you may have an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You should monitor your blood sugar levels as often as your doctor recommends. Also, make sure that you know the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Drugs that you take by mouth, including tablets, capsules, and liquid solutions, might also interact with Wegovy. Wegovy can make these drug forms less effective.

If you’re taking any of these drugs, your doctor might adjust your treatment plan before you start Wegovy. For example, your doctor may reduce your dosage of sulfonylurea medication or insulin if you take either with Wegovy.

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Wegovy. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with the use of Wegovy.

Boxed warning

Wegovy has a boxed warning about the possible risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous. See “What are Wegovy’s side effects?” above for details.

Other warnings

Wegovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Wegovy. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Wegovy and alcohol

There are no known interactions between Wegovy and alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol can affect weight management and make it harder to lose weight. This can impact how effective your Wegovy treatment is.

Drinking alcohol, especially large amounts, can also worsen cardiovascular disease.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink while you’re using Wegovy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you can become pregnant or are breastfeeding, it’s important to consider whether Wegovy is a safe choice for you.

You can also refer to this article for more information. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor.

Do not use more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you use too much Wegovy

Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Wegovy. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re considering treatment with Wegovy. You can ask questions that help you feel comfortable about the risks and benefits of Wegovy treatment. Some examples to help you get started are:

  • Does my medical history put me at a higher risk of side effects if I use Wegovy?
  • Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop treatment with Wegovy?
  • What type of diet and exercise changes do you recommend for me during Wegovy treatment?

To learn more about Wegovy, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

How much weight can I expect to lose if I use Wegovy?

Anonymous

A:

Weight loss from Wegovy treatment can vary from person to person.

In one study, most people who took Wegovy lost at least 10% of their body weight. For example, in a person who weighs 200 pounds (lb), losing 10% of their body weight would mean losing 20 lb. A smaller number of people in this study lost at least 15% of their body weight.

To learn more about how much weight people lost in studies of Wegovy, check out the drug’s prescribing information. You can also talk with your doctor about what to expect with Wegovy treatment.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.