Wegovy® Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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About Wegovy®

What is Wegovy®?

Wegovy® is an injectable prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:

  • to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
  • that may help adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose excess body 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® is safe and effective for use in children under 12 years of age.

Get more on lowering cardiovascular risk

Get more on weight management in adults

Get more on weight management in adolescents

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is the ingredient in Wegovy® that makes the medicine work. Novo Nordisk is the only company in the United States with FDA-approved medicines containing semaglutide. Compounded or knockoff semaglutide is not real FDA-approved medicine, and it’s not proven safe and effective. There is not an FDA-approved generic semaglutide medicine, and Novo Nordisk does not provide semaglutide to any entity for the purposes of compounding (ie, compounded semaglutide). Be sure to talk with your licensed health care professional if you have any questions.

Learn more about semaglutide medicines

What does “FDA-approved” mean?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to make sure that the medicines you take have been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, and quality. So to ensure this, they look at the results from medical studies to decide if a medicine can be approved.

Wegovy® is an FDA-approved medicine that’s made by Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide is the ingredient in Wegovy® that makes the medicine work. Compounded or knockoff semaglutide is not real FDA-approved medicine, and it’s not proven safe and effective. The FDA has warned that compounded medicines claiming to contain semaglutide can be risky. Some have been found to contain dangerous impurities, banned substances, or incorrect doses.

Unfortunately, patients have no way of knowing what is inside the products being promoted as “compounded semaglutide,” and that’s dangerous.

Learn more about the risks of non-FDA-approved compounded semaglutide medicines

How does Wegovy® work for weight loss?  

Wegovy® works by mimicking a hormone, called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which targets areas of the brain involved in regulating appetite and food intake. This can help you eat less, which can lead to weight loss.

Uncover the science of Wegovy® for weight loss

How much weight have adults lost taking Wegovy®?

In a medical study, which lasted about 1 year and 4 months (68 weeks), adults living with obesity or overweight with a related medical problem lost ~15% body weight (or about 35 lb). Adults taking placebo (an inactive injection) lost an average of ~2.5% body weight (or about 6 lb). The average starting weight for both groups was 232 lb.*

*Results are from a 68-week medical study of 1,961 adults with obesity (body mass index, ie, 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.

What could that mean for you? Well everyone is different, but take a closer look at the data to get some insight.

  • 83% or about 8 in 10 adults achieved 5% or more weight loss with Wegovy®, compared with 31% taking placebo 
  • 66% or about 6 in 10 adults achieved 10% or more weight loss with Wegovy®, compared with 12% taking placebo
  • 48% or about half of adults achieved 15% or more weight loss with Wegovy®, compared with 5% taking placebo

In the same study, about 1 in 3 adults (30%) lost 20% or more weight with Wegovy® compared with 2% of adults on placebo. That’s about 46 lb based on a starting weight of 232 lb. This result was not the primary goal of the study and should be considered as additional information.

Learn more and calculate your potential weight loss

How soon can I expect to lose weight with Wegovy®?

People respond to medicines differently, so there is no set time for when you can expect to see results with Wegovy®. Ask your health care professional about what might be realistic for you.

Learn more about weight loss with Wegovy®

How does Wegovy® work to lower the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events?

Research shows that when combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, Wegovy® lowers the risk of major CV events like death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.

It is not fully understood how Wegovy® lowers the risk of CV events.

Learn about lowering your CV risk

What are the most common side effects of Wegovy®?

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 health care professional if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

For more on side effects, see the Medication Guide

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Taking Wegovy®

Why are there different color pens?

Wegovy® comes in 5 different doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Each dose comes in its own color pen.

Learn more about the Wegovy® dosing schedule

Should I take Wegovy® with a meal?

You can take Wegovy® with or without food.

Learn more about taking Wegovy®

How often is Wegovy® taken?

Wegovy® is taken once a week, any time of day, with or without food.

Learn more about taking Wegovy®

Do I have to take Wegovy® on the same day every week?

Yes, it’s recommended that you take Wegovy® on the same day every week at a time that is most convenient for you.

Learn more about taking Wegovy®

Can I change the day or time I take Wegovy®?

Take Wegovy® 1 time each week, on the same day each week, at any time of the day. You may change the day of the week you take Wegovy® as long as your last dose was given 2 or more days before.

Learn more about the Wegovy® dosing schedule

How can I dispose of my used Wegovy® pens?

It’s always important to properly throw away your used Wegovy® pens. After injecting your Wegovy® dose, do not throw away the pen in your household trash or recycling bin. Instead, use either

  • An FDA-cleared sharps disposal container
  • A sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container. Make sure it’s puncture and leak resistant, properly labeled, and stored upright

You can request a complimentary sharps disposal container from Novo Nordisk. Learn more.

How you dispose of your sharps container is also important. Follow the guidelines for where you live. To find a sharps disposal location near you, visit safeneedledisposal.org.

Learn more about the Wegovy® pen

Can I travel with Wegovy®?

Yes, you can travel with your Wegovy® pen.

  • When traveling by air, keep your Wegovy® pen with you or in your carry-on. Otherwise, the medicine might freeze in the baggage compartment
  • If needed, Wegovy® may be stored between 46 °F and 86 °F in the original carton for up to 28 days

Be sure to check with the airline to see if they have any specific rules that might apply to you.  

For more about your Wegovy® pen

What should I do if I miss a dose of Wegovy®?

If your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible.

If your next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.

If you miss doses of Wegovy® for 2 or more weeks, take the next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your health care professional to talk about how to restart your treatment.

Learn more about the Wegovy® dosing schedule

What should I do if my pen is not working correctly?

If your pen isn't working correctly, please call 1-833-4-WEGOVY.

For more about your Wegovy® pen

What should I do if the liquid in my Wegovy® pen is cloudy?

Do not use Wegovy® if it is not clear and colorless. Contact our Patient Customer Care Center at 833-934-6891 for a replacement. But save the pen because you may be asked to ship it back to Novo Nordisk so we can further investigate the issue. Shipping materials will be provided.

Learn more about the Wegovy® pen

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Get the Wegovy® Quick Start Guide

Download the Wegovy® Quick Start Guide for helpful information on taking and storing Wegovy®, side effects, and more.

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Wegovy® cost, savings, & support

Is there a resource to help me find and fill my prescriptions for Wegovy®?

Yes, there’s an app for that. Find and fill your Wegovy® with the Find My Meds app. The app

  • Locates a nearby retail chain pharmacy with Wegovy® in stock and transfers your prescription there
  • Notifies you when your fill is ready and provides location details. The pharmacy will typically hold it for at least 7 days
  • Sends you reminders before your current prescription runs out

Visit FindMyMedsApp.com to learn more and download the app for free.

Visit FindMyMedsApp
How much does Wegovy® cost?

Your out-of-pocket cost for Wegovy® will depend on a number of factors. For example, your insurance coverage. You can see if you have coverage for Wegovy® and your estimated cost right now. It only takes a few minutes.

Check your cost & coverage

Can I save on Wegovy® costs?

With the Wegovy® Savings Offer, commercially insured patients with coverage for Wegovy® may pay as little as $0 for a one-month supply of Wegovy®.*

If your insurance does not cover Wegovy®, or you pay cash for your prescriptions, you can expect to pay $499 for a one-month supply.

See if you can save on Wegovy®

*28-day supply equivalent to one month of treatment. Pay as little as $0 subject to a max savings of $225/month. Government beneficiaries excluded. Novo Nordisk reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time. See WegovyTerms.com for full terms.

Is there a Wegovy® support program?

Yes, WeGoTogether® is for adults taking Wegovy®. The free, one-of-a-kind WeGoTogether® app is uniquely designed by Novo Nordisk for the day-to-day experience of managing weight with Wegovy®.

Explore WeGoTogether®
How will the WeGoTogether® app support me as I'm getting started with Wegovy®?

The WeGoTogether® app provides support for taking Wegovy® with features including:

  • Tips to help you stay on track with Wegovy®
  • Weekly dosing reminders and dose tracking
  • Answers to general product questions
Do I have to pay for the WeGoTogether® app or any of its features?

No, you do NOT have to pay to utilize this app or any of the features the app offers, including coaching. It is always free of charge and compatible with iOS and Android devices.

What data can I track in the WeGoTogether® app?

You can track weekly dosing, where you are on the dosing schedule, your weight, waist circumference, appetite, and how often you eat mindfully.

What if I'm experiencing problems with the WeGoTogether® app?

The WeGoTogether® app line is a triage phone line where consultants can escalate any issues or bugs that you report to share with the app team for further investigation.

You can call the WeGoTogether® app line at 1-833-4WGT-APP (1-833-494-8277) Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.

Will my data transfer from the WeGoTogether® portal to the WeGoTogether® app?

No, your data will not transfer from the portal to the app. However, you can download your Snapshot Reports before December 12, 2025. You will receive reminders to download your Snapshots before the portal is no longer available.

Still have questions?

You can call the Wegovy® Navigation Line at 1-833-4-WEGOVY, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.

GET INSPIRED BY REAL VOICES

Losing weight is hard and Wegovy® really helped me as a piece of the puzzle.

 

Terry, a father, golfer, and travel buff who has been taking Wegovy® since 2022*

Explore real stories

*Terry is a real Wegovy® patient and has been compensated for his time.

Terry, light-skinned and masculine-presenting, looks at the camera. Terry is a real person taking Wegovy since 2022.

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