Wegovy is a weight loss medicine that was launched in the UK in September 2023. The active ingredient, semaglutide, has been used for years as a type 2 diabetes medication, and off-license for weight loss.
With any medicine, you want to take the most effective dose. But it's important to balance this against the side effects. In this article, we'll explore how to work out the right dose of Wegovy for you, the dosing schedule, how to take the medication, and more.
What Are the Available Wegovy Doses?
Wegovy is a branded form of semaglutide that is administered using an injection pen. Typically, a weekly dose is given.
The following strengths are available:
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0.25 mg
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0.5 mg
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1 mg
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1.7 mg
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2.4 mg
The dose is usually started small to avoid experiencing too many side effects, then increased gradually depending on individual response.
Why is the Correct Dosage Important?
Too Large A Dose
It's important to not start with too high a dose as this can increase the risk of side effects, especially if you have never used Semaglutide before. Commonly, side effects include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, and burping. Generally, these side effects get better with time or by reducing the dose.
Too Small A Dose
The risk of side effects must be weighed up against getting the full benefits of the drug. A full 2.4 mg dose once weekly leads to significant weight loss, but reducing the dose may make it less effective. However, to use a 2.4mg dose of Wegovy, it is important to increase the dose appropriately. This means you cannot start at 2.4mg or jump from 0.25mg to 2.4mg.
How is the Dosage of Wegovy Determined?
Generally, Wegovy is gradually increased. Age and weight may impact dosing but it's mainly down to how well someone tolerates the medication.
Certain health conditions may make your healthcare provider less likely to prescribe Wegovy. In these cases, they may start you on a smaller dose or increase the dose more slowly.
It's unlikely a provider will prescribe Wegovy if you have had allergic reactions to similar medications, have a history of thyroid tumours/thyroid cancer, or have severe heart failure.
A medical professional needs to determine your Wegovy dose. They will take your medical history, treatment response, and any possible risk into account when calculating the best dosage for you.
Does Body Weight Influence the Dosage?
In the UK, NHS guidelines advise Wegovy should be prescribed for adult patients with a BMI over 30, or over 27 with specific health conditions, like high blood pressure or heart disease. Wegovy's dosage tends to be changed based on side effects and how well the medication is working, rather than how much you weigh.
Can Other Medications Impact the Recommended Dosage of Wegovy?
Wegovy can interact with other drugs, especially those used to treat diabetes. Your doctor's recommendation will take this into consideration - they may choose to reduce the dose of Wegovy if they are worried about you developing low blood sugar.
As Wegovy works by slowing down how fast your stomach empties, other medications can be absorbed more slowly. This may mean a larger dose of other drugs enters your blood.
It's important you inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking so they can check for drug interactions, and adjust your dose of Wegovy if needed.
What is the Typical Wegovy Dosage Schedule?
A standard Wegovy dose schedule is recommended by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug. The aim is to slowly increase the dose from 0.25 mg up to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
They recommend a starting dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks. For weeks 5-8, the next scheduled dose of Wegovy should be increased to 0.5 mg. The next dose increase should be to 1 mg from weeks 9-12. From week 13 to week 16, the dose escalation schedule increases to 1.7 mg. After week 16, it's recommended to aim for a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
This dose escalation schedule is guidance only - dose strengths should be tailored to the individual. Some people may require a longer time at the lowest dose if they struggle with side effects when starting the medication. It may take much longer to make the last dose increase up to the maintenance dosage.
How Often Should I Take Wegovy?
For chronic weight management, the dosing schedule for semaglutide (Wegovy) is once weekly.
Several studies have shown excellent weight loss results with a scheduled dose of Wegovy once a week. It can help to inject Wegovy on a regularly scheduled day. However, if you're unable to take the medication on the same day, you can swap it to another as long as it's within 2 days of your scheduled dose, but do seek help if you are unsure. Dose fluctuations should be kept to a minimum and the day should only be changed if completely necessary.
What If I Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose of Wegovy and it's more than 48 hours until the next dose is due, take the missed dose. If you miss a dose and the next dose is due in less than 48 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next one as normal.
If you miss more than 2 doses, you may need to talk to a medical professional about whether the treatment plan is working for you.
When to Seek Medical Advice Regarding Wegovy Dosage
It's important to have regular medical checkups when taking any medication. But if you're experiencing significant side effects, including severe abdominal pain, changes in your heart rate, or signs of an allergic reaction, it's important to seek medical help immediately.
If you're worried you've taken too much Wegovy, you may experience low blood sugar, or severe nausea and vomiting. Again, seek medical help quickly.
Can I Adjust My Dosage Without Speaking to a Healthcare Professional?
It's important to never adjust your Wegovy dose yourself. Always speak to a doctor, pharmacist, or GP.
How to Use a Wegovy Pen
Pre-usage checklist
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Check the expiration date on the back of the Wegovy pen to make sure it's not expired.
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Always check that you have the medication and dose your healthcare provider prescribed.
Choosing the injection site
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Choose where you will inject. The best places are the front of your thighs, on your stomach, or your upper arm.
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Make sure to choose a slightly different place each time to avoid causing scarring and build-up of fat.
Preparation
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Before use, check that the Wegovy is clear and colourless. If you notice any air bubbles, note this is normal and will not affect the dose.
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Remove the pen cap just before you are ready to inject.
Checking the flow (for new pens)
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Hold the pen with the needle pointing up
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Turn the dose indicator until you see the flow check symbol (.._)
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Press and hold the dose button until the dose indicator lines up with 0mg
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You should see a drop of Wegovy at the needle tip, this indicates the pen is ready for use.
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If a drop does not appear, check the flow again.
Injecting the medicine
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Make sure you have turned the pen until the appropriate dose lines up with the dose pointer.
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Insert the needle into the injection site.
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Do not cover the dose counter with your fingers as you could interrupt the injection.
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Press and hold down the dose button till it returns to 0. You may hear a click when it has returned to 0. You may see a drop of Wegovy at the tip of the needle, but this is normal and does not affect your dose.
Post-injection steps
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Remove the needle from your skin.
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If you notice a small amount of bleeding at the injection site, press lightly on it with some clean gauze.
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It's important to follow the instructions in your patient leaflet carefully to use your Wegovy pen safely and effectively. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss these with a healthcare professional.
Where Can I Get Wegovy in the UK?
Legal ways to purchase Wegovy include GP or weight management service prescriptions, and registered online pharmacies like Quick Meds. It's important to avoid unofficial sources or counterfeit medications, as they can be dangerous and ineffective. To recognise the signs of a reputable online pharmacy, make sure the pharmacy is licensed and registered with the relevant regulatory body.
Wegovy is available on the NHS for the cost of a prescription, but generally only through specialist weight management services which may have long waiting times. Availability on private insurance may vary.
The cost of a private Wegovy prescription starts at £145 for a one-month supply.
Concluding Thoughts: Ensuring Safe and Effective Use of Wegovy
When taking Wegovy, it's important to follow dose guidelines. This helps the medication work effectively and avoids unpleasant side effects. Wegovy dosage should only be changed by a healthcare professional, and it's important to seek help if you have any concerns.
Interested in buying Wegovy on private prescription? Quick Meds offers prescriber-led weight loss consultations to check the medication is suitable for you. Purchase your weight loss medication from an GPhC registeted pharmacy. Medications are delivered quickly and safely straight to your door.
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