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.
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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 reduce 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 medicine 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?
With a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg: In a medical study, adults living with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related medical problem, who used Wegovy® 2.4 mg pen, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost ~35 lb, or on average 15% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who used placebo lost ~6 lb, or on average 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® 2.4 mg pen 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® 2.4 mg 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.
With a maintenance dose of Wegovy® HD (semaglutide) injection 7.2 mg: In a medical study, adults living with obesity who used Wegovy® 7.2 mg pen, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost ~47 lb, or on average 19% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who used placebo lost ~10 lb, or on average 4% of their body weight. The average starting weight for both groups was 248 lb.
About 1 in 3 adults achieved 25% or more weight loss, ~62 lb based on a 248 lb starting weight.†
†Results are from a 72-week medical study of 1,407 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded. Patients were taking Wegovy® injection 7.2 mg, Wegovy® injection 2.4 mg, or placebo. All groups received instruction for a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. During the trial, 12% of participants taking Wegovy® injection 7.2 mg discontinued treatment compared with 29% 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.
Wegovy® HD (7.2 mg) may be an option for adults who are looking to lose additional weight after being on the 2.4 mg dose for at least 4 weeks. Talk to your doctor about whether stepping up to a higher dose could be right for you.
Wegovy® HD is a higher dose of semaglutide, the same active ingredient that’s in the Wegovy® 2.4 mg pen. It is a single-dose pen, just like other Wegovy® once-weekly injections. Like all forms of Wegovy® (pill or pen), Wegovy® HD is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help you lose weight and keep it off.
The Wegovy® (semaglutide) pen is a prefilled, single-use pen used to deliver a once-weekly semaglutide injection for weight management. The pen contains a hidden needle and is preset with the prescribed dose. Patients should follow the Instructions for Use and guidance from their healthcare professional when administering Wegovy®.
Yes, unused Wegovy® pens should be stored in the refrigerator between 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C). Wegovy® pens can also be kept at room temperature (46 °F to 86 °F) before removing the pen cap and in the original carton for up to 28 days.
If you miss a dose of your Wegovy® injection and there are more than 2 days until your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's less than 2 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. If you miss doses of Wegovy® for 2 or more weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your healthcare professional to talk about how to restart your treatment.
No, each Wegovy® pre-filled pen contains one dose of semaglutide and is designed for single use. It should be properly disposed of after each weekly injection.
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 about 33 lb, or on average 14% of their starting body weight. In comparison, adults who took placebo lost about 6 lb, or on average about 2.4% of their starting 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® 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 potentially lose with Wegovy®.
In the 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 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.
The Wegovy® pill is a once-daily prescription GLP-1 medication containing semaglutide. It’s oral and is indicated for weight management, along with diet and exercise, in adults with obesity, or some adults with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems. Talk to your healthcare professional to learn more about the Wegovy® pill and whether it may be right for you.
Yes, Wegovy® (semaglutide) pill is an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Your body naturally makes GLP-1 hormone which helps regulate appetite. Wegovy® works similarly to that hormone, helping you eat fewer calories and lose weight by reducing your appetite.
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:
- Would smaller, more frequent meals help?
- Should I eat more slowly and stop as soon as I feel full?
- Should I avoid fatty and spicy foods?
- What bland, low-fat foods, like crackers or rice, are best?
- How can I stay hydrated without feeling too full?
- Should I avoid lying down after meals?
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:
- Poor sleep
- High amounts of stress
- Certain health conditions and medications
- Genetics
- Environment
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:
- Being overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 to less than 30
- Being obese is defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher
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:
- Personalized tips and tools to inspire long-term change:
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.
- Progress and milestones you can track:
Weekly check-ins let you see your progress over time and make it easier to share it with your health care professional during your appointments. You can track your dosing info, weight and waist measurements, and appetite.
- Coaching you can count on:
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® pen comes in 6 different doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg, and Wegovy® HD (semaglutide) injection 7.2 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:
- 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 to warn of hazardous waste inside the container, and stored upright
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, contact our Patient Customer Care Center at 1-833-934-6891 for a replacement.
Wegovy® HD is a higher dose of semaglutide, the same active ingredient that’s in Wegovy®. It is a single-dose pen, just like other Wegovy® once-weekly injections. Like all forms of Wegovy® (pill or pen), Wegovy® HD is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults lose weight and keep it off.
Wegovy® HD may be an option for adults who need to lose more weight after at least 4 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose. Talk to your doctor about whether stepping up to a higher dose could be right for you.
No, you do not need to prime the Wegovy® pen or attach the needle. The needle is already built-in and hidden. It requires no priming and no assembly.
There is exactly one dose in each Wegovy® pen. After you administer your dose, the pen should be disposed of in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container.
There are six different dose strengths of Wegovy® pen, each with its own color-coded pen: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg, and Wegovy® HD (semaglutide) injection 7.2 mg.
Store the Wegovy® pen in the refrigerator between 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C). Before storing Wegovy® in your refrigerator, make sure its temperature is within the proper range. If needed, before removing the pen cap, Wegovy® can be stored from 46 °F to 86 °F (8 °C to 30 °C) in the original carton for up to 28 days. Keep Wegovy® in the original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze.
If you miss a dose and your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regular day. Never take two doses at once. If you miss doses of Wegovy® for 2 or more weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your healthcare professional to talk about how to restart your treatment.
If the yellow bar does not start moving or stops during the injection, contact your healthcare professional or call Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-833-934-6891. Contact your pharmacy if you are concerned you did not receive the full dose.
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 dose of Wegovy® pill, simply skip that day's dose. Resume your treatment the next day at your regularly scheduled time. Do not take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose. If you have any concerns about a missed dose, consult your healthcare professional.
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.
To protect your medicine, store your pills at room temperature (68 °F to 77 °F) in a dry place. It is important to keep them in the original bottle and keep it tightly closed until you are ready to take your pill.
The cost of Wegovy® can vary depending on your insurance plan and pharmacy. Talk to your healthcare professional or pharmacist and visit our "Savings and Support" page to explore any financial support options that may be available to you.
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Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and other medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Do not use Wegovy® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy® injection or Wegovy® tablets. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?”
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Wegovy® tablets. It is not known if Wegovy® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk
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.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
- severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Wegovy®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, changes in skin sensations, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and hair loss.
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.
What is Wegovy?®
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets are prescription medicines 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.
- help adults with obesity, or some adults with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems 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:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, or stroke) in people under 18 years
- to help children under 12 years of age lose weight and keep the weight off
It is not known if Wegovy® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets are prescription medicines 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.
- help adults with obesity, or some adults with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems 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:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, or stroke) in people under 18 years
- to help children under 12 years of age lose weight and keep the weight off
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:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and other medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and other medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Do not use Wegovy® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy® injection or Wegovy® tablets. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?”
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Wegovy® tablets. It is not known if Wegovy® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk
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.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
- severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Wegovy®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, changes in skin sensations, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and hair loss.
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.
What is Wegovy?®
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection and Wegovy® (semaglutide) tablets are prescription medicines 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.
- help adults with obesity, or some adults with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems 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:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, or stroke) in people under 18 years
- to help children under 12 years of age lose weight and keep the weight off
It is not known if Wegovy® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age.