Information
Wegovy Weight Loss Pen
Wegovy is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient 'Semaglutide' and has recently received approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for patients who meet eligibility criteria, including carrying excess weight as an effective weight loss drug.
The same active ingredient, Semaglutide, is found in existing medical products including Ozempic and Rybelsus, which are currently only approved/licensed for use in managing patients with type 2 diabetes, but both were previously prescribed off-label for weight management.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name for NovoNordisk's latest effective weight loss medication, containing the active ingredient Semaglutide. When used alongside a low calorie diet and increased physical activity, Semaglutide has been proven to be an effective weight loss medication.
Semaglutide works by regulating your appetite and in turn, your food intake.
Wegovy mimics a gut hormone called 'GLP-1'. This hormone is released after you eat food and it slows down the movement of food through your gut so you feel fuller, quicker, and for longer thus regulating appetite. Often patients will find this sensation of earlier fullness being triggered part way through a meal, thus reducing overall active calorie intake. This lends Wegovy well to being an effective weight loss treatment.
In order to get the most from Wegovy, it should be utilised as part of a lifestyle change incorporating increased exercise, a healthy diet and a reduced calorie meal plan, to help reduce body weight.
How Do I Take Wegovy?
Before you can take Wegovy it is essential to have a consultation with a healthcare professional who would assess your suitability, as Wegovy is not for everyone.
Often patients with weight related medical problems would typically be considered suitable candidates for Wegovy.
There will be 5 available strengths ranging from 0.25mg to 2.4mg. The dosage is increased at regular intervals under the supervision of your prescriber. The recommended dosage regime will be to start off at 0.25mg and gradually increase to 2.4mg which is the maximum maintenance dosage.
Example Regime:
Week 1-4: 0.25mg (Starting Dose)
Week 5-8: 0.5mg
Week 9-12: 1mg
Week 13-16: 1.7mg
Week 17 and onwards: 2.4mg (Maintenance dose)
It is important to remember that you may not necessarily have to increase at the rate stated in the above dosing schedule to the maximum dose and your prescriber will discuss this with you, tailoring treatment to your unique circumstances.
All Wegovy pens will be pre-filled with the exact dose required. The pen is only for single use and must be disposed of once injected. The recommended injection sites are:
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Into your stomach (abdomen)
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Upper arm
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Upper Legs/Thighs
Is Wegovy Effective for Weight Loss?
Wegovy has been clinically proven to be more effective than other weight loss medication medications when combined with physical activity and a reduced calorie diet in weight management.
In a clinical trial led by Novo Nordisk, 1,961 overweight or clinically obese adults were randomly assigned the once-weekly dose of Semaglutide injections (Wegovy) alongside a placebo group. After 68 weeks, the average weight loss in the group that took Wegovy had a 15.3% weight loss compared to the placebo patients which was only 2.6%.
There have since been 4 more clinical trials for the use of Wegovy. After the 4th trial Novo Nordisk released the results and stated, "Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) demonstrated superior and sustained weight loss versus the placebo patients and in addition a 17.4% weight loss after 68 weeks in STEP 4 trial".
With this research in mind, there is clear evidence that Semaglutide when taken alongside a controlled balanced diet and increased exercise results in significant weight loss compared to other weight loss alternatives.
NHS Approval
In early 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the use of Semaglutide to help adults tackle obesity. Adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and/or suffering from a weight-related health condition (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure) will be eligible to take Wegovy.
Obesity has become one of the leading causes of severe health conditions costing the NHS £6.5 billion a year. With the release of Wegovy, the time for patients waiting for treatments caused by weight-related conditions can be cut short with fewer patients needing operations, saving the NHS time and money.
The NHS is planning on spending £40 million to explore next-generation weight loss drugs as well as putting in place health schemes to tackle obesity, and the recommendation of Wegovy from NICE is the first big leap towards this goal. Using these recommendations from NICE, the NHS will make Wegovy available to patients in the UK through prescription as part of a specialist weight management service.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stated 'Obesity puts huge pressure on the NHS and tackling obesity will help reduce the pressure on the NHS as well as cutting waiting times, which is one of the government's top priorities.'
The exact pricing of Wegovy has not yet been made public and as such would be difficult to speculate. However, we do know that the pricing will not be too dissimilar to existing Semaglutide containing products that work in the same way (Ozempic and Rybelsus - albeit only licensed for Type 2 Diabetes).
At Quick Meds we intend to maintain competitive pricing whilst ensuring we are able to provide a viable and safe service to our patients.
How Long Does Wegovy Take to Work?
Using Wegovy can vary from one individual to another. However, the majority usually have the same effects and the medication starts to become effective immediately. The prescriber will advise you through your journey towards weight loss whilst on Wegovy.
The effects of the Wegovy will start to make you feel fuller for longer periods from the first injection and will continue to do so until it starts to wear off, towards the end of the week ready for the next dose. You should not expect to start losing the pounds straight away, as the body initially is getting used to the medication but as you feel less hungry and eat less, the body will start to burn the fat thus losing more weight.
Your weight loss journey should be tracked and your prescribers will provide expert advice while using Wegovy. By sticking to a reduced-calorie diet and exercising regularly, you should start to lose weight from the first injection. As you continue the journey, you will be titrated to higher dosages all the way up to 2.4mg.
Novo Nordisk advises that the Wegovy is to be used for around two years which should give you enough time, if consistently used to help you get to a healthy body weight.
What Are the Side Effects?
As with all medications, there is always a risk of side effects with using Wegovy. The most common are:
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Headaches
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Nausea (feeling sick)
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Vomiting
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Abdominal pain
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Gas (Flatulence)
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Bloating
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Upset Stomach including stomach/tummy aches
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Low blood glucose
These side effects are very common and often occur due to the body adjusting to the medication. The following can help ease the symptoms:
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Avoiding heavy carb and fatty diets
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Drinking plenty of water
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Eat smaller portions of food
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Exercise regularly.
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Increasing the dose gradually
As Wegovy is an injectable prescription medicine, some of the side effects are specific to the method of administration including:
local injection site reactions such as sores, welts, rashes, irritation - although these are usually short lived and intermittent. If persistent, please seek immediate medical attention.
More serious side effects can include
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Angioedema (a swelling)
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Acute pancreatitis
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A fast heart rate
There can be some rare cases, the use of Wegovy can result in severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of this can be; swelling of the face, lips and tongue, breathing difficulties, and feeling weak and dizzy. If any suffer from any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical help and consult with your doctor.
Although Semaglutide is licensed under the brand name Ozempic and Rybelsus for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, often there is a concern that Wegovy could also cause low blood sugar; this is primarily a concern in patients who have pre-existing type 2 diabetes.
It is important to remember to read the patient information leaflet included with your medication prior to taking it.
Patient Information Leaflet
Is Wegovy Available on the NHS?
When Wegovy is released in the UK, eligible patients will be able to purchase this through the NHS. However, the cost of the injections is yet to be released. The NHS will provide guidance and programs for weight loss alongside specialist weight loss pharmacies such as ourselves.
Wegovy can be prescribed to adults that fit within the criteria which is:
• a BMI* of 30 or greater (classed as obese)
• a BMI of at least 27 but less than 30 (overweight) but who have weight-related health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc)
What Should I Do if I Want to Be Prescribed Weight Loss Medication?
Wegovy will be available at Quick Meds once it has been released. We are a UK registered and GPhC regulated pharmacy. Our team of regulated pharmacists are always at hand to help you on your weight loss journey.
Can You Take Wegovy Whilst Pregnant?
If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, it is not suitable to be using Wegovy or any form of Semaglutide. Studies on animals have been conducted by Novo Nordisk which displayed fetal growth abnormalities and early pregnancy loss when using this drug.
Women who are planning a pregnancy should stop the use of any Semaglutide at least 2 months prior to trying for a baby, to be clear of any complications which may be caused by the medicine.
How to Take
Wegovy comes in 5 different dose strengths.
You start Wegovy at a dose of 0.25mg once a week and increase the dose every 4 weeks until you reach the full dose of 2.4mg. (Sometimes patients will increase the dose depending on their response and not necessarily every 4 weeks.)
- You can take Wegovy with or without food.
- If you need to change the day of the week you inject, you may do so as long as your last dose of Wegovy was administered 2 or more days prior.
- If you take too much Wegovy, you may experience severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe low blood sugar. Seek medical help right away.
It is important to follow the advice of the healthcare professional responsible for your treatment.
Dosing Schedule
- First Month: Start Wegovy at a dose of 0.25mg once a week.
- Second Month: Increase your weekly dose to 0.5mg.
- Third Month: Increase your weekly dose to 1mg.
- Fourth Month: Increase your weekly dose to 1.7mg.
- Fifth Month and Onward: Increase your weekly dose to the full dose of 2.4mg.
It is important to note that you may remain on a certain dose for longer than a month depending on various factors, including your tolerance to the dose (lack of side effects) and your progress.
While stepping up your dose, you will check in with your designated healthcare professional to track your progress and ensure the safety and appropriateness of prescribing.
If You Miss a Dose of Wegovy:
- If you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible.
- If you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
- If you miss doses of Wegovy for more than 2 weeks, take the next dose on the regularly scheduled day or contact Quick Meds to discuss how to restart your treatment.
Side effects & Cautions
Side effects vary from individual to individual. For a complete list of side effects, cautions, and warnings, please read the information leaflet included with your order or contact the team at Quick Meds.
The most common side effects of Wegovy may include: - Nausea - Diarrhea - Vomiting - Constipation - Stomach (abdomen) pain - Headache - Tiredness (fatigue) - Upset stomach - Dizziness - Feeling bloated - Belching - Gas - Stomach flu - Heartburn
Tips for Managing Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect when first starting Wegovy.
If you experience nausea, get in touch with the healthcare professionals at Quick Meds for further advice.
We may recommend advice which includes: - Eating bland, low-fat foods like crackers, toast, and rice - Eating foods that contain water, like soups - Avoid lying down after you eat - Go outdoors to get some fresh air - Eat more slowly
Cautions & Warnings
Side effects vary from individual to individual. For a complete list of side effects, cautions, and warnings, please read the information leaflet included with your order or contact the team at Quick Meds.
Wegovy may cause serious side effects, including but not limited to:
1. Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
Stop using Wegovy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
2. Gallbladder problems
Wegovy may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallbladder problems need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms: - Pain in your upper stomach (abdomen) - Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) - Fever - Clay-colored stools
3. Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes
This is especially common in those who also take medicines such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Low blood sugar can be a serious and common side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. You should check your blood sugar before and while taking Wegovy.
Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: - Dizziness or light-headedness - Sweating - Shakiness - Blurred vision - Slurred speech - Weakness - Anxiety - Hunger - Headache - Irritability or mood changes - Confusion or drowsiness - Fast heartbeat - Feeling jittery
4. Kidney problems (kidney failure)
In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may worsen kidney issues. It is important to drink fluids to help reduce the chance of dehydration.
5. Serious allergic reactions
Stop using Wegovy and seek medical help immediately if you experience any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: - Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat - Severe rash or itching - Very rapid heartbeat - Problems breathing or swallowing - Fainting or feeling dizzy
6. Changes in vision in people with type 2 diabetes
Notify your healthcare provider if you experience any changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy.
7. Increased heart rate
Wegovy can increase your heart rate while at rest. Your healthcare provider should check your heart rate while you take Wegovy. Inform your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest, and it lasts for several minutes.
8. Depression or thoughts of suicide
Pay close attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any new, worsening, or concerning mental changes.