If you’re exploring weight loss options, you may have come across Wegovy, an injectable treatment that has been proven to enhance results when paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise. But how does Wegovy work exactly, and why should you consider adding it to your regime?
In this guide, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about Wegovy — such as how it’s used, dosing schedule, and the results you could achieve. Whether you’re debating trying weight loss medication or are exploring available treatment options, keep reading to discover why Wegovy could be a powerful ally as you embark on your journey.
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Wegovy is a prescription-only medication that’s primarily used for weight loss in people who are obese or overweight and have related health conditions, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Wegovy contains the active ingredient, semaglutide, and belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists.
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by regulating your appetite and food intake, leading to weight reduction. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as another GLP-1 receptor agonist called Ozempic. However, Ozempic and Wegovy are different in that only Wegovy is licensed for weight loss in the UK.
Anyone wanting to try Wegovy for weight loss will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Wegovy is available with a private prescription from trusted online pharmacies like Prescription Doctor, and on the NHS for those who need it most.
Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, works by mimicking the natural hormone, GLP-1, which is important for regulating your appetite, blood sugar levels, and insulin release. By binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, Wegovy controls your hunger and appetite, making it an effective weight loss medication.
Wegovy supports weight loss by:
As your dose of Wegovy increases, you’ll notice your appetite reducing and that you have fewer cravings. Because you feel more satisfied with smaller meals and less food, you’ll enter a calorie deficit (eating fewer calories than you burn) which combined with other healthy lifestyle changes contributes to weight loss.
Wegovy also regulates blood glucose levels and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, which is particularly useful for people with type 2 diabetes. These mechanisms are what make Wegovy an effective and multifaceted treatment for weight loss and your wider metabolic health.
Wegovy is administered via a once-weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. Each pen is pre-filled with four doses of semaglutide, so there’s no complicated drawing up procedure. You’ll start on the lowest Wegovy dose of 0.25 mg per week which is gradually increased over 16 or 20 weeks, until you reach the maintenance dose that’s most effective and comfortable.
Wegovy can be injected into your:
You can find out more about how to use Wegovy in our dedicated guide.
Although the average weight loss on Wegovy can vary, clinical trials show that patients can lose up to 15% of their starting body weight at the highest dose over 68 weeks. However, weight loss is a personal journey and your own results may be different because of several factors, including diet, exercise, and existing health conditions.
Additionally, 66% of people lost at least 10% of their body weight compared to just 12% of people given a placebo. While 30% of people dropped at least 20% of their body weight compared to just under 2% of people on a placebo.
A study comparing the effectiveness of semaglutide (Wegovy) and another popular weight loss medication, liraglutide, previously known as Saxenda, found that the average weight loss was greater in the Wegovy group (15.8%) than the Saxenda group (6.4%) over 68 weeks.
Wegovy works best alongside healthy lifestyle changes like a calorie-controlled diet and increased exercise. Most people will start to notice results within the first few weeks of treatment, but the most noticeable weight loss occurs after 3 to 6 months. Be patient with your progress just because some people may see results faster than others, remember it’s not a race.
Wegovy should never be considered as a quick-fix solution. In fact, there is no such thing as a miracle weight loss treatment. So, it will take a huge amount of effort, perseverance and patience to reach your goals, and Wegovy can make the journey a little easier. However, several factors can impact Wegovy weight loss, including:
That said, there are several things you can do to support your weight loss journey and maximise the effect of weight loss injections. Here are 5 ways to increase weight loss with Wegovy.
Clinical trials show that the highest dose of Wegovy, 2.4 mg per week, is the most effective dose for weight loss. However, this is an average and the most effective Wegovy dose for you will depend on your individual needs and how well your body tolerates semaglutide.
Results from the STEP 1 trial show the following:
Week | Dose (mg) | Average Weight Loss |
---|---|---|
4 | 0.25 | ≈ 2% |
8 | 0.5 | ≈ 4% |
12 | 1.0 | ≈ 6% |
16 | 1.7 | ≈ 8% |
20 | 2.4 | ≈ 10% |
While the higher doses may be more effective for weight loss, they also increase the risk of Wegovy side effects. That’s why it is important to increase the dose slowly over a number of weeks, so a clinician can monitor how your body tolerates the medication. Some people get great results on lower doses, too, so if you feel that a less potent Wegovy dose is working for you, speak to your clinician about sticking with it.
Wegovy has produced some impressive weight loss transformations, in both clinical trials and in the real world. These dramatic before and after results have been shared by many users, giving you a greater idea of what to expect with Wegovy treatment.
Whether your goal is to smash your weight loss goals out of the park, improve your metabolic health, gain confidence, or a combination of all three, our patients share their stories to show you just how possible this is with Wegovy.
Mounjaro is generally considered to be more effective than Wegovy for weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that Mounjaro could help you lose 21% of your body weight after 18 months, compared to 15% in 17 months on Wegovy. However, everyone’s experiences are different, so it’s important to carefully compare both options, to find the best fit for you.
One factor to consider when choosing between Wegovy or Mounjaro is how well you cope with the various side effects each medication can cause. For example, research has shown that around 4% of people stop taking Wegovy because of side effects compared to around 7% of Mounjaro users.
If you have any underlying health conditions, you may also find that one medication works better for you than the other. A registered clinician will be able to go through your options and recommend what they believe is the best course of action.
Wegovy and Ozempic are both GLP-1 receptor agonists that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they are prescribed for different purposes. Ozempic works in the same way as Wegovy, but only the latter is licensed for weight loss while the former is prescribed for type 2 diabetes and managing very high blood sugar levels in the UK.
While it’s true that Ozempic patients do indeed lose weight, Wegovy is prescribed in higher doses, formulated specifically for weight loss, making it effective for this purpose. At Prescription Doctor, we will always recommend Wegovy for weight loss, not Ozempic.
Despite being an effective and convenient weight loss medication, Wegovy may not be suitable for everyone. You may have health conditions that are incompatible with semaglutide or your body may not tolerate Wegovy well, resulting in unpleasant side effects. Whatever the reasons, alternative weight loss treatments are available, including prescription options like orlistat and MySimba or over-the-counter pills like alli.
The main Wegovy alternatives available from Prescription Doctor are:
Now that you have a better idea of how Wegovy works, you may think that you’d benefit from adding this medication to your diet and exercise plans. If this is the case, Prescription Doctor is here to help and provide you with all the support you need to confidently embark on your weight loss journey.
Simply complete our online health consultation and our registered clinicians will determine if Wegovy is suitable for your needs. They’ll assess your medical history and individual circumstances and either issue your prescription or recommend an alternative weight loss treatment. We provide a completely personalised experience.
With the consultation complete, we could deliver your medication the very next day, using discreet packaging that ensures a private and confidential service.
We’ve been helping people just like you since 2013 to achieve their weight loss ambitions, while the fact our dispensing pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) means you can be completely confident that you’re in safe hands.
Ready to kick-start your journey to a healthier you? Start your Wegovy consultation today.
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