Wegovy (0.25mg - 2.4mg) Injections

Wegovy Overview

There are many different reasons why someone may be overweight. A lot of people overeat because they’re stressed, tired or experiencing mental health issues. Others may put on weight because they suffer from chronic illness or disability, while some people may find genetics are at the root of their weight gain.

Even though we know that being overweight or obese is bad for our health, losing weight, and keeping it off long term, can be a real challenge. If you’ve struggled to get your BMI (body mass index) down to a healthy level, Wegovy Injections could help. Clinically proven to support weight loss, the medication can kickstart your weight loss journey and help you achieve your health goals.

Wegovy Injections For Weight Loss

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that’s been specifically designed to help overweight and obese people lower their BMI. Wegovy contains a substance called semaglutide which aids weight loss by making you feel fuller, less hungry and less tempted by high fat foods. Wegovy also regulates blood sugar by promoting the release of insulin when levels of sugar in the blood are too high.

Because Wegovy injections reduce your appetite, you’ll naturally begin to consume fewer calories and so should start to lose weight. Combining Wegovy injections with a healthy, balanced diet and active lifestyle will see you maximise your weight loss and lower your BMI for good.

A study published in 2021 showed that patients who used the medication for 15 months, and had lifestyle support from a professional, lost an average of 16% of their body weight. The amount you lose will depend on your starting weight, your diet and your activity level.

How Wegovy Injections Can Improve Your Health

Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your chances of developing a range of serious and potentially fatal conditions. From diabetes and cancer to heart disease, hypertension and stroke, a high BMI can take a real toll on your overall health.

Wegovy injections have been approved for use in the UK to help improve the health of people at risk of weight-related diseases. If you’re overweight or obese, taking these specially formulated injections – plus eating well and getting active - could see you dramatically cut your risk of going on to develop these conditions in the future. You’ll probably also find that you sleep better, suffer less joint pain and have a better immune system.

In July 2024, Wegovy was approved to help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in overweight or obese people diagnosed with heart and circulatory diseases. This made it the first obesity drug that can be specifically prescribed to reduce the risk of these diseases in people with a high BMI.

Who Is Eligible For Wegovy Injections?

At the moment, you can only get Wegovy injections if:

• You have a weight-related condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease
• You have a BMI of 35 or more (classed as obese)
• You’ve previously tried and failed to lose weight through conventional treatment
• You have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 and have been referred to a weight management clinic

If you're from an Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background, you may qualify for Wegovy with a lower BMI.

If you’re prescribed Wegovy, you’ll need to inject yourself using a pre-filled injector pen once a week. Talk to a medical professional to find out more.

Side Effects Of Wegovy Injections

Wegovy is fully approved for weight loss in both the UK and the US. But, like many powerful medications, Wegovy does come with a number of potential side effects. The most common include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches

These symptoms should lessen or even disappear after a few weeks of taking Wegovy. If you’re concerned about Wegovy side effects, get in touch with a friendly member of our clinical team.

Wegovy Injections Vs Mounjaro

If you’ve been researching weight loss medications, you may have come across the name Mounjaro. Like Wegovy, Mounjaro helps you to feel fuller for longer and works to regulate the levels of sugar in your blood. So, which option is best for you?

Studies have shown that Mounjaro may actually be more effective at promoting weight loss than Wegovy. This may be because, while Wegovy contains semaglutide which works by activating the GLP-1 receptor, Mounjaro contains tirzepatide which activates both the GLP-1 receptor and GIP receptors.

Because Mounjaro is very good at controlling blood sugar, it’s most commonly prescribed for patients who are overweight and have type II diabetes. The medication can help these patients to manage their diabetes and lower their BMI to a healthier level.

Wegovy on the other hand is more often prescribed for patients with conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease.

How to take Wegovy

Wegovy comes in a prefilled injection pen, which is designed to deliver the medication subcutaneously (under the skin). To take your dose, follow the steps below:

• Remove the pen from the packaging and check the expiration date before use.
• Before injecting, ensure that you have a clean and dry area of skin on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• Remove the cap from the pen.
• Select a new pen needle, and tear off the paper tab from the outer needle shield.
• Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist the pen needle on until it is tight.
• Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it for later.
• Pull off the inner needle cap and dispose of it.
• If this is your first dose from a new pen, check the flow first (the air shot).
• Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and it shows your prescribed dose, lined up with the dose pointer.
• Insert the needle into your skin
• Press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows [0]. Keep pressing the dose button with the needle in your skin and slowly count to 6.
• Remove the needle once your dose has been dispensed, and replace the outer needle cap.
• Unscrew the used needle and dispose of it in a sharps container.

Wegovy is taken on a weekly basis. It's important to take Wegovy at the same time each week and to avoid injecting it into the same area of skin every time to prevent skin irritation.

Wegovy Dosage

You may have noticed that there are several different strengths of Wegovy. This is because the typical treatment course involves starting on a low strength and gradually building up over a few months, as displayed below:

The titration is what is normally recommended by the company that produces Wegovy. The maximum dose will provide the greatest reduction in weight as has the greatest efficacy. However, this comes with the greatest risk of side effects.

Some people will need to titrate slower than the monthly increase, for some they may never reach the final dose of 2.4mg. Though there is no cause for alarm. Weight loss has been shown at all strengths of this treatment. Each dose increase is a balance of efficacy and tolerability. Taking a lower dose more consistently is better than suffering through unpleasant side effects at higher dosages.

Our helpful clinical team is always on hand to support you through dose increases and any questions you may have.

Wegovy Ingredients

Each Wegovy injection contains: Semaglutide (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg)

The inactive ingredients contained in each injection are: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, sodium hydroxide/hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), water for injection

Wegovy Side Effects

As with any kind of medication, Wegovy can cause side effects in some patients.

Common side effects of Wegovy include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• lower stomach pain
• headache
• tiredness
• upset stomach
• dizziness
• feeling bloated
• belching and gas
• Heartburn

Rarer and more serious side effects include:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes
• Kidney problems and kidney failure
• Increased heart rate
• Allergic reactions
• Depression
• Thyroid tumours and cancer — Wegovy is not suitable for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

If you notice any of the side effects listed above, speak to your GP and seek further advice. For a full list of possible side effects and warnings, please refer to the Wegovy patient information leaflet.

Wegovy Warnings

To gain the maximum benefit from Wegovy you should follow the nutrition program recommended to you by your doctor. As with any weight-control program, overconsumption of fat and calories may reduce any weight-loss effect.

• Wegovy may affect the way some other medicines work. For example, Wegovy slows stomach emptying, so it can alter the effect of medications that need to pass through the stomach quickly. Your prescriber can provide advice regarding this
• Wegovy is not a quick fix for treating obesity. Wegovy is meant to be taken long-term. Once you stop the medication, you may gain back much of the weight you lost while taking it.
• The use of Wegovy may be associated with pancreatitis. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: severe pain in the upper part of your abdomen that may radiate to your back, nausea and vomiting, fever and fast heartbeat.
• Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: raised red, itchy rash (hives), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue and collapse.

Wegovy Alternatives

The healthiest, safest and most effective way to lose weight is to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, such as following a calorie-controlled diet and increasing the amount of exercise you do. However, people with a weight-related medical condition may need to consider weight loss treatments such as Wegovy or an alternative.

There are several other weight loss medications available on the market, and some of the popular Wegovy alternatives include:

• Mysimba — a combination weight loss treatment containing naltrexone and bupropion that is used to treat obesity. Naltrexone works to reduce the pleasure that you get from food, while bupropion works to reduce appetite.
• Saxenda — another weight loss injection treatment that works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. It is approved for use in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
• Orlistat — taken in pill form, this type of weight loss medicine works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat in the gut. You can buy Orlistat here. You should steer clear of unlicensed diet pills and ensure you buy them from a registered pharmacy.
• Xenical — the prescription version of Orlistat and is used in combination with a low-calorie diet to aid weight loss. Xenical is designed to be taken by individuals who are clinically obese, or those who are overweight and have at least one weight-related condition. You can order Xenical here.

If you’re looking for non-medical tips for losing weight safely, check out our guide to 7 Easy Ways You Can Help Yourself Lose Weight At Home.

Wegovy FAQs

Can I buy Wegovy in the UK?

Yes, Wegovy injections are licensed for sale in the UK. The weight loss medication can be purchased online from The Independent Pharmacy — you’ll just need to complete a short health consultation so we can ensure Wegovy is suitable for you.

Is Wegovy addictive?

No. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide — this ingredient helps to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels and is not known to cause addiction or dependence.

Can I drink alcohol while using Wegovy?

There are no known interactions between Wegovy and alcohol. However, alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels and is a significant source of calories.

We recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol while using Wegovy to reduce your body weight.

Do I need a prescription for Wegovy?

Yes — if you’re considering using Wegovy to lose weight, you’ll need to complete a free consultation with one of our healthcare experts. They’ll determine whether Wegovy is suitable for you.

Is Wegovy available in generic form?

No, there is currently no generic version of Wegovy available.