Wegovy is semaglutide licensed for weight management. It reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying, so you feel full sooner and for longer. It is prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity, not instead of them, and it is intended for specific weight and health criteria rather than general use.
It is licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related health problem such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnoea. Eligibility is assessed individually.
The dose is increased in steps over several months to the maintenance dose, which reduces nausea considerably. It works alongside dietary change and activity — the medicine reduces appetite, but the eating pattern is what you build during that time.
Weight is usually regained after stopping unless the changes made during treatment are sustained. That is worth knowing before starting rather than after.
Injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh or upper arm once a week, on the same day each week, with or without food. Rotate the injection site.
If a dose is missed, take it within five days and resume the usual day. If more than five days have passed, skip it.
Store pens in the fridge before first use; after first use follow the leaflet for storage and expiry. Never share a pen.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, burping, tiredness and headache are common, worst after each dose increase, and usually ease. Smaller portions, eating slowly, and avoiding rich or fatty meals all help.
Report persistent vomiting with signs of dehydration, and any changes in vision if you have diabetes.
Tell your prescriber about all other medicines, and about any planned surgery or procedure requiring sedation, as GLP-1 medicines slow stomach emptying.
Never buy these medicines from unregulated online sellers. Falsified pens have caused serious harm in the UK, including hospital admissions from insulin sold as semaglutide. If you are prescribed one, get it from a registered pharmacy.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Ask our pharmacist →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
