Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weight loss injection pen that is used once weekly to help you lose and maintain a healthy weight. 

Wegovy pens contain the active ingredient, semaglutide, which mimics a hormone your body produces to suppress your appetite and keep you feeling full after eating. Wegovy is self-administered once per week and is safe for long-term use. 

Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine. If one of our clinicians approves the treatment for you, then you can buy Wegovy from Prescription Doctor.

How Does Wegovy Work?

Wegovy contains the active ingredient, semaglutide, a man-made version of glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally releases after eating to stabilise your blood sugar levels and tell your brain you are full. 

Wegovy is called a ‘GLP-1 agonist’. It is injected once per week, either by you or someone who cares for you, and works to make your portion sizes smaller and lower your appetite, enabling you to lose weight. 

Your clinician will advise you that to gain the full benefit of Wegovy treatment, you’ll need to follow a diet and exercise plan.

How To Use Wegovy Weight Loss Injections

Wegovy is available in 5 strengths, ranging from the starting from 0.25 mg to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.

Each dosage is provided in a different colour Wegovy pen. One of our clinicians will increase your dose until you reach the maintenance dose, but the way you use the Wegovy weight loss injection pen is the same, regardless of the dosage.

Before using Wegovy, you should read the patient information leaflet provided with your Wegovy weight loss injection and decide which day of the week you are going to inject the pen.

To inject your first Wegovy dose, you should:

1. Contents: Wegovy FlexTouch Pen: One Injection contains 4 weekly doses of Semaglutide 
   1. Needles: 4 disposable needles, one for each week.
2. Check Pen: Wegovy pen to make sure it hasn’t been used, isn’t broken and the medicine is clear and colourless, finally, check the expiry date hasn’t passed.
3. Attach the needle: Attach a new needle from the pack by pushing it into the pen and twisting it until it is secure.
4. Prime the Pen: Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol. With the needle pointing up in the air, tap the cartridge gently to collect air bubbles at the top. Press the dose button until a drop appears on the needle tip.
5. Injection Site: Choose where you would like to inject yourself: Lower stomach (at least 5 cm from the belly button), Thigh or Upper arm. You can inject into the same area each week but make sure you choose a different location from your last injection.
6. Dose Selection: Turn the dose selector until the prescribed dose appears in the window; depending on your pen, this will be 0.25, 0.5, 1,1.7 or 2.4. 
7. Injecting Dose: Press and hold the dose button until the dose selector shows 0 and you hear a click. Continue to hold the dose button in and slowly count to 6 to make sure the full dose is delivered.
8. Post Injection: Carefully lift the Wegovy weight loss injection from your skin and dispose of the needle in your sharps bin. Never reuse needles!

Can I Buy Wegovy Online With Next Day Delivery?

Before You Place an Order: 
Wegovy (Semaglutide) through Prescription Doctor ensures that you receive genuine medication from a trusted source. Our platform offers a seamless experience, from online consultation to next-day delivery, making it easier for you to manage your weight loss journey.

After You Place an Order:
Once you have placed your order, if one of our registered clinicians doesn’t feel Wegovy (semaglutide) is right for you, you will receive a full refund as part of Prescription Doctor’s money-back guarantee.

Wegovy pens ready to be delivered:
If your order is approved, Wegovy weight loss pens will be delivered to you in discreet, temperature-regulated packaging. You will receive a white mailing bag and inside will be a white die-cut box containing a temperature-controlled pouch with reusable freezer packs. You can keep these packs in the freezer for later use.

When your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via SMS and email. Our couriers will deliver between Monday and Saturday. You can upgrade to a Saturday delivery on a Friday if you wish.

How Much Does Wegovy Cost In the UK?

Wegovy prices start from £199.99 at Prescription Doctor. You can find a full breakdown below:

There is currently no cheaper generic version of Wegovy available in the UK.

Wegovy Dosage Schedule

Wegovy pens are available in 5 different doses, that are self-injected once per week. You must begin Wegovy treatment on the starting dose of 0.25 mg once per week for one month. Your clinician will then advise you to increase your weekly dose each month until you reach the maximum dose. 

The schedule will be: 

• First month (Weeks 1 to 4): 0.25 mg once per week (Green pen) 
• Second month (Weeks 5 to 8): 0.5 mg once per week (Pink pen) 
• Third month (Weeks 9 to 12): 1.0 mg once per week (Brown pen) 
• Fourth month (Weeks 13 to 16): 1.7 mg once per week (Blue pen) 
• Fifth month (Week 17 onwards): Maintenance dose remains at 1.7 mg (Blue pen) or your clinician will increase your dose to 2.4 mg once per week (Black pen)

What if I miss a Wegovy dose? 

If you have missed a Wegovy dose and it is: 

• More than 48 hours (2 days) until your next scheduled dose:  Take your missed Wegovy dose as soon as possible. 
• Less than 48 hours (2 days) until your next scheduled dose: Do not take the missed dose. Take your next dose on your regular scheduled day. 

If you miss Wegovy doses for over 2 weeks, you should speak to one of our clinicians about restarting your treatment. Alternatively, you can take your next dose on your normal day to restart. 

You should not take two Wegovy doses in one week. Accidentally double dosing can cause side effects, such as severe nausea, vomiting, and dangerously low blood sugar levels. If this happens, you should go to the nearest accident and emergency department immediately, taking the packaging and remaining medicine with you.

How Much Weight Can You Lose on Wegovy?

In clinical trials, people with a BMI of 27 or greater lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This is equivalent to about 26 pounds.

Is Wegovy Approved In the UK?

The official Wegovy UK release date was September 4th 2023 and it was approved by NICE for weight loss use. 

Wegovy has been approved for use in people with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m2 or 30 to 34.8 kg/m2 and one weight-related illness such as: 

• Prediabetes 
• High blood pressure (hypertension) 
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Obstructive sleep apnoea 
• Disturbances in fat metabolism (dyslipidemia)

How Effective are Wegovy UK Weight Loss Injections?

Wegovy is effective for weight loss when it is used alongside a diet and exercise plan. People who use Wegovy weight loss injections can lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight after one year. 

The effectiveness of Wegovy was evaluated in The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People (STEP) trials. 

The results from these trials showed: 

• Taking weekly 2.4 mg Wegovy injections resulted in an average weight loss of between 14.9% and 17.4%. 
• Almost 80% of people lost at least 10% of their weight. 

Tips for using Wegovy

• Keep a Wegovy diary: Log the day, date, time, and dose you have injected. This will help you remember you have taken your dose, avoiding confusion if you’re not sure.
• Set an alarm: Set an alarm to remind you to take your next Wegovy dose. You could set an alarm on your phone for the day and time you usually inject your Wegovy pen.
• Avoid certain foods: For the best results when using Wegovy weight loss injections, you should avoid foods that will hinder your weight loss progress. For example, it’s best to avoid food that’s high in sugar or fat, especially saturated fat, but increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains that provide your body with energy and fiber.

Who should not take Wegovy? 

Wegovy is suitable for adults between the ages of 18 and 75 who meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher,
2. BMI of 27 or higher, accompanied by a weight-related medical condition.

You should only take Wegovy if a doctor or clinician thinks it is safe for you. Do not use Wegovy if you: Or any member of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) Or any family member has Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) Have you ever had a serious allergic to Wegovy, semaglutide or any of the ingredients in the Wegovy weight loss injections?

Before using Wegovy, let your clinician know if you:

• Are aged 76 or over
• Are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• Have kidney or pancreatic issues
• Have type 2 diabetes or diabetic retinopathy
• Have experienced mental health issues, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• Take any other medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal remedies and supplements
• Take medication for diabetes, such as insulin sulfonylureas or other weight-loss medicines
• Have an eating disorder

Can I switch GLP-1 agonists?

To find out if it is suitable for you to switch from one GLP-1 agonist to another, you should speak to your clinician. It is important to follow the clinician's instructions carefully if they think it is appropriate for you to switch treatments.

Switching from Saxenda to Wegovy

Speak to your clinician who will assess you and your current situation, such as your current weight, medical issues, and any side effects you may have experienced while using Saxenda. If they feel it is appropriate for you to switch, they will devise a plan and prescribe the appropriate dose and dosing schedule for Wegovy.

If you are currently taking Saxenda, you should be able to begin the starting dose of Wegovy the next day.

Continue to use Wegovy as instructed by your clinician.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy

Mounjaro and Wegovy must not be taken at the same time. If you are switching to Mounjaro from Wegovy, you will need to use your first Mounjaro injection at least one week after your last Wegovy injection.

When you switch to Mounjaro from Wegovy, you will need to start on the lowest dose of Mounjaro and titrate up until you reach the highest dose. You will need to do this even if you were using the maintenance Wegovy dose and under the direction of your clinician.

Where Can I Find Wegovy's Weight Loss Reviews?

Wegovy reviews on Drugs.com show an average user rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 388 reviews. Overall, 61% had a positive experience using Wegovy for weight loss while just over one-fifth (21%) had a negative experience.

Prescription Doctor Wegovy reviews show that the product has achieved an average score of 4.7 out of 5. Some of our customers have reported:

“Fast delivery great consultant of GP and excellent product 1st week 10 lb loss” - Fidelma Genesis

“Simple instructions. Easy to use. Already benefiting from reduced appetite and increased satiety very early in treatment.” - Carol

“I am only in my second week - what I can tell you is that it is easy to use and so far I haven't experienced any side effects, except the good ones! Zero sugar/food cravings and my appetite is really under control. Importantly for me, I am losing weight too.” - DeejM

Wegovy Contraindications & Drug Interactions

• Allergy: Do not use Wegovy if you have had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in the injection.
• Digestive System Side Effects: Wegovy can cause digestive system side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to stay hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration, especially for individuals with kidney problems.
• Pancreatitis: Although uncommon, pancreatitis may be experienced as a side effect. If you notice severe stomach pain or other symptoms of pancreatitis, stop using Wegovy and seek medical attention immediately. For more information on pancreatitis symptoms, refer to the NHS website.
• Diabetes: Wegovy should not be used as a substitute for insulin in people with diabetes. It can also increase the risk of low blood sugar levels when taken with other diabetic medicines. Please refer to section 2 of the patient information leaflet for a complete list of warnings.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: This medication is not suitable for individuals experiencing diabetic retinopathy. Consult your doctor before using Wegovy if this applies to you.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) and Pregnancy

• Pregnancy: Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm the fetus. It is advised to stop using Wegovy at least 2 months before planning a pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: Do not use Wegovy if you are breastfeeding.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Wegovy:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Improvement over Time:

• Side effects usually improve as the body becomes accustomed to the medication.
• Gradually increasing the dose every 4 weeks can help reduce the risk of experiencing these side effects.

Severe Side Effects:

• If your side effects are severe or do not improve, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice or call NHS 111.

Complete List of Side Effects:

• For a comprehensive list of possible side effects, please refer to section 4 of the patient information leaflet.

Wegovy alternatives

Wegovy may not be the most suitable weight loss drug for everyone. There are several alternatives available:

• Ozempic: Ozempic is a once-weekly type 2 diabetes injection that contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, semaglutide. Ozempic isn’t a licensed weight loss medicine in the UK even though it works in the same way as Wegovy.
• Saxenda: Saxenda and Wegovy work almost identically except they contain different active ingredients and have different dosing schedules. Saxenda contains liraglutide, an artificial hormone, and is taken once per day. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide which is taken once a week.
• Mounjaro: Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide and works by mimicking two important hormones involved in insulin release, called gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Mounjaro was originally a type 2 diabetes medicine but has recently been approved in the UK for weight loss.

There are also weight loss pills available:

• Mysimba: Mysimba is a prolonged-release weight loss pill that lowers your food intake.
• Xenical: Xenical contains the active ingredient orlistat and is available as a pill taken immediately before, during or after each of your three main meals daily. It works by stopping your body from absorbing fat, causing weight loss.
• Alli: Alli is also a weight loss pill that contains orlistat, but it is available over-the-counter without a prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions