FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Find answers to common questions about Wegovy®. Wegovy® is a prescription medicine for adults with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related medical problem, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, to help them lose weight and keep it off.
FAQ sections on this page:
FAQs About Wegovy®
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy® and is what helps you lose weight, along with diet and exercise. Novo Nordisk® is the only company in the United States with FDA-approved medicines containing semaglutide.
Compounded or knockoff semaglutide has not been approved by the FDA and has not been proven to be safe or effective.
If it's not made by Novo Nordisk®, it’s not FDA-approved semaglutide.
FDA=Food and Drug Administration.
Your brain gets signals from different places in your body. Some of these signals are called appetite hormones, like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which help regulate how much food you eat. Wegovy® works like GLP-1 to regulate appetite and calorie intake by helping to reducing appetite, so you eat less and lose weight.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy®, which is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, often referred to as GLP-1's. Wegovy® pen was the first once-weekly GLP-1 approved by the FDA for weight loss. Wegovy® is also the first GLP-1 daily oral medication for weight loss.
FDA=Food and Drug Administration
People respond to medication, including Wegovy®, differently, so there is no set time when you can expect to see results with Wegovy®. Ask your healthcare professional about what might be realistic for you.
For adults with obesity, along with diet and exercise, Wegovy® is available in 2 forms-a pen and pill. The Wegovy® pen allows you to self-inject the medicine once a week and the Wegovy® pill is taken once daily to help you lose weight and keep it off.
Is Wegovy® pen right for me?
In a medical study, adults living with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related medical problem, who used Wegovy® pen, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost on average about 35 lb, which was about 15% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who used placebo lost on average about 6 lb, or about 2.5% of their body weight. The average starting weight for both groups was 232 lb.
83% or about 8 in 10 adults achieved 5% or more weight loss with Wegovy® compared with 31% taking placebo.
Results are from a 68-week medical study of 1,961 adults with obesity (BMI >=30 kg/m2), or with overweight (BMI >=27 kg/m2) and at least one weight-related medical problem, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded. Patients were taking either Wegovy® pen or placebo. Both groups received instruction for a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. During the trial, 17% of participants taking Wegovy® discontinued treatment compared with 22% taking placebo.
BMI=body mass index.
In a medical study, adults living with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related medical problem, who used the Wegovy® pen, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost on average about 35 lb which was about 15% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who used placebo lost on average about 6 lb, or about 2.5% of their body weight. The average starting weight for both groups was 232 lb. Use the weight loss calculator to get an idea of how much you could potentially lose with Wegovy®.
83% or about 8 in 10 adults achieved 5% or more weight loss with Wegovy® compared with 31% taking placebo.
Results are from a 68-week medical study of 1,961 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) and adults with overweight (BMI ≥27) who also had weight-related medical problems, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Adults with diabetes were excluded. Both groups received instruction for a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. During the trial, 17% of participants taking Wegovy® discontinued treatment compared with 22% taking placebo.
BMI=body mass index.
People respond to medication, including Wegovy®, differently, so there is no set time when you can expect to see results with Wegovy®. Ask your healthcare professional about what might be realistic for you.
Is Wegovy® pill right for me?
In a medical study, adults living with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related medical problem, who took Wegovy® pill, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost on average about 33 lb, which was about 14% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who took placebo lost on average about 6 lb, or about 2.4% of their starting body weight. The average starting weights were 235 lb and 231 lb for the Wegovy® and placebo groups, respectively.
76% or about 8 in 10 adults achieved 5% or more weight loss with Wegovy® compared with 31% taking placebo.
Results are from a 64-week medical study of 307 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), or with overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) and at least one weight-related medical problems, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded. Patients were taking either Wegovy® pill or placebo. During the trial, 18% of adults in the Wegovy® group discontinued treatment compared with 26% of adults in the placebo group.
BMI=body mass index.
While everyone’s response to treatment will be different, in the medical study, people who took Wegovy® pill lost on average about 14% of their starting weight. Use the weight loss calculator to get an idea of how much weight you could lose with Wegovy®.
In the medical study, adults living with obesity, or with overweight and with at least one weight-related medical problem, who took Wegovy® pill, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost on average about 33 lb which was about 14% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who took placebo lost on average about 6 lb, or about 2.4% of their body weight. The average starting weights were 235 lb and 231 lb for the Wegovy® pill and placebo groups, respectively.
76% or about 8 in 10 adults achieved 5% or more weight loss with Wegovy® compared with 31% taking placebo.
Results are from a 64-week medical study of 307 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or with overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) and at least one weight-related medical problems, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded. Patients were taking either Wegovy® or placebo. During the trial, 18% of adults in the Wegovy® group discontinued treatment compared with 26% of adults in the placebo group.
BMI=body mass index.
People respond to medication, including Wegovy®, differently, so there is no set time when you can expect to see results with Wegovy®. Ask your healthcare professional about what might be realistic for you.
Side effects
and safety
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
Talk to your healthcare professional about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are some common side effects of Wegovy®. If you experience these side effects, talk with your healthcare professional. Ask them about general tips like eating more slowly, eating foods that contain water, and going outside for fresh air. You can also ask questions such as:
Feeling tired (fatigue) is a common side effect seen with Wegovy®. Make sure to let your healthcare professional know how you are feeling.
The science of weight loss
BMI is a number that is calculated based on how tall a person is and how much they weigh. It is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms [kg]) by your height (in meters squared [m2]):
BMI=weight (kg)/height (m2)
The answer gives you and your doctor a sense of whether you are underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. BMI alone is not enough information to diagnose weight-related issues or overall health.
Losing weight is not easy. No matter how hard you try, sometimes your body works against you. It’s a matter of biology.
As you lose weight, several things can happen. Your metabolism may slow. Metabolism is the sum of all the processes that happen in your body to turn food into energy. Additionally, your body‘s hormones may adapt to make you feel more hungry and less full as more weight is lost, which can make keeping weight off challenging.
Making life-long changes to your diet and exercise routine can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is a complicated disease that is more than just carrying too much body weight. It is a serious condition that, in addition to an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise, can be the result of many other factors, including, but not limited to:
Obesity also increases the risk for other serious conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
While both terms describe excess body weight, they differ based on one’s BMI:
BMI interpretation above is for adults 20 years and older.
BMI=body mass index.
Save on Wegovy®
Your out-of-pocket cost for either Wegovy® pen or pill will depend on several factors, such as your insurance coverage. You can see if you have coverage for Wegovy® and your estimated cost right now. It only takes a few minutes.
There are ways to save on the cost of Wegovy® pen, even if you don’t have insurance. Take a moment to see your options.
There are ways to save on the cost of Wegovy® pill, even if you don‘t have insurance. Take a moment to see your options.
Support
resources
WeGoTogether® is designed to support you as you work to lose weight and keep it off with Wegovy®. It offers personalized content, ways to track your progress, and health coaching.
From the maker of Wegovy®, the WeGoTogether® app gives you:
The WeGoTogether® app has articles and guides to help you with taking Wegovy® and eating well. You’ll also get ideas for mindful living, making movement fun, and much more. Choose what works best for you and your treatment goals.
Weekly check-ins let you see your progress over time and make it easier to share it with your healthcare professional during your appointments. You can track your dosing info, weight and waist measurements, and appetite.
Deepen your support experience with free health coaching. Health Coaches work with your unique needs to help you reach your goals.
Using Wegovy® pen
Wegovy® is a once-weekly injection that you give yourself. It is taken on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.
Wegovy® comes in 5 different doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Each dose comes in a pen of a different color.
It’s recommended that you use Wegovy® pen on the same day every week, at a time that is most convenient for you. If you need to change the day of the week, you may do so as long as your last dose of Wegovy® was given 2 or more days before.
It’s important to properly dispose of your used Wegovy® pens. After injecting your dose, do not throw away the pen in your household trash or recycling bin. Instead, use one of the following:
You can request a complimentary sharps disposal container from Novo Nordisk®. The way you dispose of your sharps container is also important. Follow the guidelines for where you live. Learn more
Only use Wegovy® pen if the liquid is clear and colorless as seen through the pen window. If it is not clear, properly dispose Wegovy® pen and contact our Patient Customer Care Center at 1-833-934-6891 for a replacement.
Taking Wegovy® pill
Take your Wegovy® pill on an empty stomach in the morning with water (up to 4 ounces). Wait at least 30 minutes after taking before having any food, drinking beverages, or taking other oral medications. It is also important that the pill be swallowed whole.
If you miss a daily dose of Wegovy® pill, skip that day’s dose and get back on track by taking the scheduled dose the next day.
SNAC (salcaprozate sodium) is included in every Wegovy® pill. It allows the medicine to be taken by mouth once daily because it helps the medicine survive in the stomach long enough to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Technically, SNAC protects the medicine from acid and enzymes in the stomach and temporarily increases local absorption through the stomach lining so the medicine can reach the circulation when taken by mouth. Without SNAC, almost none of the medicine would be absorbed from the pill so there would be no treatment effect.
Become a WEGOVY® INSIDER
Stay in the know with the latest Wegovy® news, including safety information and what you might expect from treatment.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Wegovy®.
Wegovy® is a prescription medication.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site is intended for US patients only.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg are prescription medicines used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to:
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help children 12 years and older with obesity to lose weight and keep the weight off
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® injection is safe and effective:
It is not known if Wegovy® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg are prescription medicines used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to:
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help children 12 years and older with obesity to lose weight and keep the weight off
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® injection is safe and effective:
It is not known if Wegovy® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Wegovy®.
Wegovy® is a prescription medication.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site is intended for US patients only.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg are prescription medicines used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to:
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help children 12 years and older with obesity to lose weight and keep the weight off
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® injection is safe and effective:
It is not known if Wegovy® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age.