Wegovy Injections - Weight Loss Treatment

• Wegovy is a once weekly weight loss injection that has recently been approved for use in the United Kingdom by NICE. At this time Wegovy is a prescription only medication meaning assessment by one of our independent prescribing pharmacists is required before treatment is started to ensure Wegovy is safe and suitable for you to use.

• Clinical trials have shown Wegovy to be highly effective in patients when used alongside reduced calorie diet and also other weight loss strategies such as increased physical activity. Wegovy works by reducing your appetite and also by making you feel fuller and more satisified between meals, this helps to reduce cravings and therefore take in less calories, leading to weight loss.

• Wegovy has 5 different doses and the dose should be increased gradually in all patients up to the maximum dose, after which you can remain on Wegovy for up to a maximum of 2 continous years. If however you can not increase the dose due to side effects or you find a lower dose effective in weight loss our pharmacists may agree a personalised plan with you to remain on a lower dose and continue to monitor. Our independent prescribing pharmacists will help you with the increasing dosing schedule and check in along the way to ensure this is happening in a safe and effective manner.

• At WePrescribe we understand that weight loss can be a challenging topic for patients and therefore if you access any weight loss treatment through WePrescribe we will always call you prior to you receiving your treatment to ensure we can help you with creating the best weight loss plan and supporting you to get the most out of your treatment. We will then also agree a review date with you so you will always have access to the support you need!

What is Wegovy used for?

Wegovy is a prescription medication designed to aid weight loss in adults with obesity (BMI ? 30) or those who are overweight (BMI ? 27) with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. It helps regulate appetite and reduce food intake.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which mimics the hormone GLP-1. This hormone regulates appetite by interacting with brain receptors to promote feelings of fullness and reduce cravings. It is administered once a week using a pre-filled injection pen.

Who should not use Wegovy?

Wegovy is not suitable for individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to semaglutide or any of its ingredients, those with diabetic retinopathy, kidney problems, or a history of pancreatitis. It is also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

What are the common side effects of Wegovy?

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and headaches. These symptoms are typically mild to moderate and tend to subside as your body adjusts to the medication. However, some patients have reported severe side effects such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).

How do I use Wegovy?

Wegovy is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week in areas such as the upper arms, stomach, thighs, or buttocks. It's important to rotate the injection sites to avoid skin irritation.

How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy can significantly reduce body weight. On average, patients lose more than 10% of their body weight within a year when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. If no significant weight loss is observed after 12 weeks at the maximum dose, discontinuation might be considered.

Do I need a prescription for Wegovy?

Yes, Wegovy is available only by prescription. It is part of a comprehensive weight management program that includes dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioural support.

Treatment with Wegovy may not be recommended if any of the following apply to you

• History of kidney impairment
• History of liver impairment
• If you have type 2 diabetes, especially if you inject insulin
• If you have history of issues with your pancreas
• If you take certain medications
• Wegovy can not be used if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breast-feeding.
• Wegovy can not be used if you are under the age of 18

• Wegovy is used by ONCE weekly injections. These injections are done subcutenously, this means injected under the first layer of the skin. Each Wegovy pen you receive will contain 4 doses within it. You will complete the injections yourself, the injection technique is easy and will be given support in how to do this safely! You can also see guidance including a video on how to use wegovy here. Its important that you rotate the injection site each week to limit bruising and infection risk. 

• Wegovy has 5 different doses. You will start with the lowest dose, 0.25mg and inject one dose per week for 4 weeks. Following this you will increase to 0.5mg for 4 weeks then 1mg for 4 weeks, then 1.7mg for 4 weeks and then finally 2.4mg weekly which is your maintenance dose. You can see the full dosing schedule here

• We will provide you with a sharps bin and enough needles to use the Wegovy. It is important that you dispose of the needle into the sharps bin after each use and no needle should ever be reused.

• Before a Wegovy pen is used you must store it in the fridge, following the first use it can either be kept in the fridge or stored at room temprature for up to 6 weeks and the pen cap must be kept on to protect from natural light.

As with any medication there are some side effects that you must be aware of with Wegovy, the very common side effects are listed below, please click this link to see other less common side effects that may occur with Wegovy use. Very common side effects are side effects that will occur in around 10% of patients that use Wegovy.

• Headache
• Vomitting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue