Wegovy

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 signal to your brain that you are full.

Wegovy is called a ‘GLP-1 agonist’. It is injected once a week, either by you or someone who cares for you, and works to reduce your portion sizes 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. 

Can I Buy Wegovy Online?

When you buy Wegovy online from Prescription Doctor, you can rest assured that you are buying from a regulated service. To be eligible for Wegovy, our clinicians will review your consultation to ensure it is safe for you to use. If one of our registered clinicians doesn’t feel Wegovy (semaglutide) is suitable, you will receive a full refund as part of Prescription Doctor’s money-back guarantee.

Once 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 email. Our couriers will deliver between Monday and Saturday. 

Wegovy Pricing

Wegovy prices start from £129.99 at Prescription Doctor. You can find a full breakdown below:

How to Take Wegovy 

Wegovy is available in 6 doses, ranging from the starting dose of 0.25 mg to a maintenance dose of 7.2 mg. It is administered weekly subcutaneously (under the skin) and should be taken at the same time each week.

The majority of doses are provided in a different-coloured Wegovy pen. Your dose will increase gradually until you reach the maintenance dose. 

Choose your preferred injection site. You should rotate your injection site each week. The preferred injection sites are:

• Stomach
• Upper arms
• Upper legs 

Before injecting your dose, check that you have the right dose pen.  The following steps are for guidance only and should not replace the information given to you by your clinician or the patient information leaflet.

To inject your first Wegovy dose, you should:

• Check the contents: The Wegovy FlexTouch Pen pack should contain one injection that’s pre-filled with four weekly doses of semaglutide,  and four disposable needles, one for each week.
• Check Pen: Inspect the Wegovy pen to ensure it hasn’t been used, isn’t broken, and the medicine is clear and colourless. Also, verify that the expiry date hasn’t passed.
• Attach the needle: Remove the pen cap and attach a new needle from the pack by pushing it into the pen and twisting it until it is securely in place.
• Prime the Pen: Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol appears. With the needle pointing upwards, tap the cartridge gently to collect air bubbles at the top. Press the dose button until a drop appears on the needle tip.
• 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. 
• 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.
• Injecting Dose: Insert the needle into the skin so that the pen is straight. Make sure you can see the dose counter. 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.
• Post-Injection: Carefully lift the weight loss injection from your skin and dispose of the needle in a sharps bin. Never reuse needles!
  If you have doses left in your pen, place the cap back on carefully and store it safely for future use.

More information with images on how to administer the injection.

The higher 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide is currently administered by injecting 3 doses of 2.4 mg, meaning you will need to inject yourself 3 times instead of the usual once. More information is available in our dedicated article.

A new needle is required for each of the 3 injections; never reuse them. You may administer the medication at the same injection site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm), but each needle prick must be at least 5cm apart to reduce the risk of skin irritation. If your current injection pen does not have enough doses to cover the full 7.2 mg, continue with a new pen and prime it as usual.  

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 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.

For optimal results when using Wegovy weight loss injections, it is recommended to avoid foods that may hinder weight loss. 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 fibre.

Wegovy Dosage Schedule

Wegovy is available in 6 doses. You must begin treatment at the starting dose of 0.25 mg per week for 4 weeks. Your clinician will then advise you to increase your weekly dose every 4 weeks until you reach the maintenance doses of 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg. 

The schedule will be:

• Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg once per week (Green pen)
• Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg once per week (Pink pen)
• Weeks 9 to 12: 1.0 mg once per week (Brown pen)
• Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg once per week (Blue pen)
• Weeks 17 to 20: 2.4 mg once per week (Black pen)
• Week 21 onwards: 7.2 mg once per week (administered as 3 x 2.4 mg injections)

If you are taking the 2.4 mg dose and are satisfied with your progress or not experiencing a plateau, you may remain at this dose rather than increase to 7.2 mg. 

What if I Miss a Wegovy Dose?  

You should not take two doses of Wegovy within a 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 approximately 26 pounds.

Clinical trials showed that individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher lost an average of approximately 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when titrated to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. This is equivalent to about 26lbs. The treatment is most effective when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

The effectiveness of Wegovy has also been evaluated in The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People (STEP) trials. The results from these studies showed:

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

The 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy was evaluated as part of the STEP UP programme, which saw people with obesity taking the higher strength of semaglutide for 72 weeks. Key findings from the study included:

• Participants lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight after 72 weeks
• One in three users achieved a weight loss of 25% or more

The table below highlights how the higher 7.2 mg Wegovy dose compares against the 2.4 mg strength. 
 

Another important finding from the STEP UP trials was that the majority of weight loss (84.5%) came from body fat rather than from lean body mass. This is crucial because it helps prevent loss of strength, maintain a high metabolic rate, and ensure sustainable weight management. A loss of lean body mass can also impact daily living and emotional or psychological states. 

Wegovy Cardiovascular Benefits

Not only is Wegovy a highly effective weight loss injection, but it is also the only treatment of its kind approved in the UK to support people with established cardiovascular disease. It means the medication can be prescribed to prevent incidents like cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and non-fatal stroke in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than or equal to 27 kg/m2. The approval was based on a multinational clinical trial that found that Wegovy reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 20%, compared with 8% in patients who received a placebo.

Wegovy and Oral Contraceptives

A final benefit of Wegovy is the fact that the medication does not interact with oral contraceptives like the combined or mini-pill. As a result, there is no requirement for women of childbearing age to switch to non-oral methods of contraception (for example, condoms). This distinguishes Wegovy from other weight loss injections, such as Mounjaro. 

Who Should Not Take Wegovy? 

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 ever had a serious allergic reaction 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 breastfeeding
• 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 Nevolat to Wegovy

Speak with your clinician, who will assess your current situation, including your weight, medical conditions, and any side effects you may have experienced while using Nevolat. 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.

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 switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro, you will need to start on the lowest dose of Mounjaro and titrate up to 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.

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, including vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to stay hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration, especially for individuals with kidney problems.
• Pancreatitis: Although uncommon, pancreatitis may occur 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 the patient information leaflet.

The STEP UP trials found that approximately 22.9% of participants receiving the 7.2 mg Wegovy dose experienced dysaesthesia, defined as painful burning or tingling sensations. The majority of events were mild or moderate in intensity and dissipated during treatment. 

Wegovy Alternatives

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

Mounjaro 

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and works by mimicking two important hormones involved in insulin release: 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 preventing your body from absorbing fat, leading to 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