Benefits and Risks of Wegovy® for Weight Loss

October 14, 2024

4 mins

Many people in the U.S. are on their own weight management journey. According to the CDC, one in five adults in the United States is living with obesity. Most men find out they are living with obesity at later stages in their lives than women.

Obesity is widespread and is influenced by more than just what you eat. Factors such as access to quality healthcare, hormonal imbalances, and preexisting health conditions can all contribute to obesity.

Wegovy® is a weight loss medication that helps control appetite and regulate blood sugar levels so you can more realistically reach your weight loss goals.

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What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a semaglutide injection medication for weight loss. It’s a treatment developed for people with obesity or type 2 diabetes. You may also qualify for Wegovy if you are overweight and at an increased risk for obesity.  

How Wegovy Works for Weight Loss

Combining Wegovy with a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity creates a holistic and well-rounded approach to losing weight. 

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy target GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors: proteins the body produces that control your appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonists also play a role in regulating blood sugar levels (and keeping them from spiking), which can help manage weight by improving metabolic health.

Who does it benefit?

Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss medication recommended for adults and children 12 years old or older with obesity or who are overweight. The FDA uses body mass index (BMI) as a standard for determining whether or not someone has obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. 

Keep in mind that BMI is not always the most accurate metric for what a healthy weight may look like. A healthy weight is also dependent on your body type. A healthcare provider can assess what obesity looks like for you through additional tests and metrics, in addition to BMI.

Benefits of Wegovy for Weight Loss

Having obesity often increases your risk for conditions affecting your heart. Studies have shown that losing weight with GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy can also help reduce the risk of heart attack and heart failure in those with obesity.

Medications containing semaglutide treat people with diabetes by lowering high blood sugar levels. Wegovy can help prevent other diabetes-related health complications including kidney failure, gum disease, and diabetic retinopathy (vision loss from diabetes).

Dosage

Wegovy is administered using a pre-filled dosing pen. This form of semaglutide is used weekly by injecting one dose under the skin into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. 

Be sure to always check the label of your medication for instructions on safe use and proper dosage. Your healthcare provider can also provide specialized instructions on dosage for you if prescribed.

It’s recommended to wait at least 48 hours before injecting your weekly dose of Wegovy. A healthcare provider may suggest that adults increase dosage after four weeks to reduce potential gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and constipation. Generally, children 12 years or older should stay at a consistent dose of 2.4 milligrams (mg) once a week.

While it may not be the case for everyone, a licensed healthcare provider may adhere to the following schedule if they find that increasing your dosage is the best next step for you:

What if I miss a dose?

If your missed dose is more than two days away, take it as soon as possible. If your next scheduled dose is in two days or sooner, wait until the next week to continue your medication.

Injecting more than one dose within two days may increase your risk of potential side effects. It’s always best to double check with your healthcare provider about what to do after missing a dose. 

If you miss more than two weeks of doses, your provider may suggest restarting your treatment.

Side Effects

Using Wegovy may cause mild or more severe side effects that can affect both adults and children taking the medication.

Common side effects of Wegovy include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Dizziness

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Fatigue

• Abdominal pain

• Gas

• Heartburn

Hypoglycemia — or low blood sugar — may occur in people with type 2 diabetes. Some people who have taken GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy may also experience more severe health complications.

Although rare, in some cases taking Wegovy may lead to health complications like:

• Pancreatitis: Chronic or short-term inflammation from digestive enzymes taking over the pancreas

• Gallbladder disease: A blockage in the flow of bile in the gallbladder

• Acute kidney injury: An increase in creatine and an overall reduction in kidney function

• Diabetic retinopathy: Changes in vision in people with type 2 diabetes that causes damage to the retina and potentially blindness

• Tachycardia: A sudden increase in heart rate at a rate over 100 beats per minute

Risks

Health experts do not recommend Wegovy for those who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. If you decide you want to plan for pregnancy while taking Wegovy, stop use at least two months beforehand. 

As with any other medication, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to semaglutide. Speak with your healthcare provider if you start experiencing any possible allergy symptoms. If the reaction is severe, seek in-person care immediately.

Weight loss can be a long and emotional process. It’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of clinical depression or see general changes in your behavior or mood while treating obesity. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed healthcare provider if you need assistance with feeling emotionally overwhelmed during treatment.

How to reduce the risk of infection

Never share Wegovy pens with other people or reuse old needles from past injections. This can cause infections, especially since Wegovy is injected underneath your skin. Be sure to keep the needles you use clean — and carefully follow storage instructions. Reach out to your healthcare provider right away if you think you may have used an infected needle. 

The liquid inside each dose should appear clear and colorless. Consult your pharmacist or your healthcare provider if you notice particles floating around in the injection pen. This could be a sign of poor storage or issues with the manufacturing of the drug.

Cost and Shortages

The cost of Wegovy varies depending on whether or not you have health insurance (as well as your type of health coverage). Without insurance coverage, the cost of Wegovy is more likely to be expensive. Still, there are other cost-efficient options available.

High demand across the country has resulted in shortages of Wegovy and related weight loss drugs. Although the availability of doses has increased since demand for weight loss medications is still at a high in the United States.

Alternatives to Wegovy

Other popular weight loss injection medications include Zepbound® (tirzepatide) and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). Other sources of semaglutide including compounded semaglutide are also available.

Unlike Wegovy, compounded semaglutide is not an FDA-approved drug. Still, compounded semaglutide adheres to federal and state quality requirements based on where you live. Semaglutide is the main active ingredient in both versions of the medication.

How Can Rex MD Help?

The Rex MD Weight Management Program may be able to help you achieve your weight loss goals. If you qualify, you’ll gain access to compounded semaglutide medications along with clinical oversight, metabolic testing, and ongoing support from licensed healthcare providers to improve your overall health.

There’s no commitment to get started. See if you qualify to lose weight with Rex MD.