Wegovy is a brand-name injection prescribed for weight management and to lower risk of cardiovascular problems. Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and belongs to the GLP-1 drug class.

Wegovy is used with exercise and a low calorie diet to:

  • help with long-term weight loss and weight management in:
  • lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems in adults with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Wegovy below.

FDA warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Animal studies found an increased risk of thyroid cancer in rats that were given Wegovy. But it isn’t known for sure if Wegovy increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans.

For more information about this warning, see the “Wegovy side effects” section below.

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The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Wegovy is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

As with all medications, the cost of Wegovy can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. You can refer to this Wegovy cost article for details.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Wegovy. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or your insurance company.

Before approving coverage for Wegovy, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Wegovy, contact your insurance company.

Cost with insurance

The price you’ll pay for Wegovy with insurance is generally less than you’ll pay without insurance. But your actual cost of Wegovy will vary.

Among other factors, the price depends on your location and the number of injection pens your doctor prescribes. To find out the exact cost of Wegovy with insurance, talk with your pharmacist or insurance company. Wegovy’s website also has some resources to help you determine what your insurance may cover.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Wegovy, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

By calling 833-4-WEGOVY (833-493-4689), you can speak with someone who can help explain the cost of Wegovy. They can also help you determine if you’re eligible for savings. For more information about saving money on Wegovy, see right below.

Wegovy coupon or savings card

Novo Nordisk Inc., the manufacturer of Wegovy, offers a savings card to help lower the cost of its drug. This savings card is similar to a coupon.

For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-4-WEGOVY (833-493-4689).

You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Wegovy (see below). These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Discover more about Wegovy

Wegovy Cost
Wegovy Interactions
Wegovy Dosage
Wegovy Side Effects

Mail-order pharmacies

Wegovy may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Wegovy, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Wegovy is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight management along with exercise and a low calorie diet.

Specifically, Wegovy is used to help with long-term weight loss and weight management in:

You can learn more about obesity and weight management by visiting Medical News Today’s weight management hub.

You should not use Wegovy with other products that contain semaglutide (Wegovy’s active ingredient) or with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. (GLP-1 agonists is the group of drugs that Wegovy belongs to.)

Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. See “Wegovy for reducing cardiovascular risks.”

Effectiveness for weight loss and weight management

Clinical studiesTrusted Source have found Wegovy to be effective for long-term weight loss and weight management.

For more information on how Wegovy performed in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

How to buy Wegovy

If you think Wegovy could be a good weight management option for you, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Wegovy might be right for you and provide a prescription.

Another easy way to purchase Wegovy is by using a telemedicine provider such as Calibrate or Ro. Through these services, a licensed telehealth professional will give you a health evaluation. If the evaluation shows that Wegovy could be a helpful option for you, the telehealth professional may provide an electronic prescription. You can then use this prescription to order the medication through the service’s site. After you start taking the medication, the service will provide coaching and other support to help you manage your weight.

If you get a Wegovy prescription through Calibrate or Ro, we encourage you to tell your doctor. It’s important that your doctor knows about all medications you take.

Wegovy is FDA-approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. Examples include heart attack, stroke, and death due to cardiovascular problems.

For this use, Wegovy is used in adults with cardiovascular disease (sometimes called heart disease) who are overweight or have obesity. It’s prescribed with exercise and a low calorie diet.

You should not use Wegovy with other products that contain semaglutide or with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.

Wegovy is prescribed for use with exercise and a low calorie diet, which can help with weight management and help reduce cardiovascular risks.

You should not use Wegovy with:

It’s important to note that it’s not known whether Wegovy is safe or effective when used with other weight loss or weight management drugs.

Wegovy can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Wegovy. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Wegovy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may concern or bother you.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Wegovy, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Wegovy. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Wegovy’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Wegovy can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Wegovy aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
† Wegovy has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the strongest warning required by the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. See the “Wegovy precautions” section below for details.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Side effects in children

Generally, the side effects of Wegovy in children are expected to be similar to those in adults. However, gallbladder problems were more common in children than adults in clinical trials.

Gallbladder problems can include gallstones (lumps in the gallbladder) and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). You can refer to “Gallbladder problems” under “Side effect details” for details about this side effect.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. In addition to the information below, you can also refer to this in-depth Wegovy side effects article.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a rare but serious side effect of Wegovy.

Symptoms of pancreatitis can include:

  • pain in the center of the abdomen, which may get worse after eating
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Wegovy. They’ll check you for this condition. If you have pancreatitis, they’ll likely prescribe a drug other than Wegovy for you.

Gallbladder problems

Gallbladder problems, such as gallstones (lumps in the gallbladder) and inflammation of the gallbladder, are rare but serious side effects of Wegovy. In clinical trials, this type of side effect was more common in children using Wegovy than in adults.

Symptoms of gallstones or gallbladder inflammation may include:

If you have symptoms of gallbladder problems while taking Wegovy, talk with your doctor. They’ll give you tests to check for this condition. Your doctor can advise if it’s safe for you to keep taking Wegovy.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Wegovy. This side effect wasn’t reported in Wegovy’s clinical trials. But allergic reaction has been reported in people taking the drug after it became available on the market.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Wegovy, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Wegovy.

How does Wegovy compare with Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza?

Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza all belong to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. But they have some important differences.

Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the active drug semaglutide. Trulicity contains the active drug dulaglutide, and Victoza contains the active drug liraglutide.

Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza are approved to treat type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in certain people. Wegovy is also approved to lower risk of cardiovascular problems in certain people, and is also approved for long-term weight management along with exercise and a low calorie diet. Some people with type 2 diabetes may use Wegovy, but it isn’t prescribed to treat this condition specifically, like the other drugs are.

For more information about how Wegovy compares with Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to this Ozempic vs. Wegovy article.

Are there any reviews available from people who have taken Wegovy?

No, the manufacturer of Wegovy has not provided reviews from people who’ve taken the drug.

You can learn more about what to expect with Wegovy, including some featured “patient experiences,” by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Or you can read the drug’s prescribing information.

For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I see before and after results from Wegovy treatment?

The manufacturer of Wegovy has not provided specific before and after results from people who have used the drug. But the drug website does provide some information about average weight loss, based on a clinical trial.

For more information about what to expect with Wegovy, talk with your doctor.

Is Wegovy used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

No, Wegovy isn’t used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes may use Wegovy, but it isn’t prescribed to treat this condition specifically. It’s approved for long-term weight management and to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems.

However, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) is also available as the brand-name drugs Ozempic and Rybelsus. Both Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved to treat type 2 diabetes. No form of semaglutide is currently approved to treat type 1 diabetes.

If you’re interested in taking other forms of semaglutide to treat your diabetes, talk with your doctor.

Can I use Wegovy with other weight loss and weight management medications?

It’s not likely. Currently, it is unknown if Wegovy is safe or effective when used with other weight loss and weight management drugs. Before taking Wegovy with other medications, supplements, herbs, or other weight management products, talk with your doctor.

You should not use Wegovy with other products that contain semaglutide or with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. (GLP-1 agonists is the group of drugs that Wegovy belongs to.)

Wegovy is meant to be used along with a plan that includes a low calorie diet and regular exercise. Some people may also benefit from behavioral therapy or guidance from a dietitian. Talk with your doctor about other safe ways to manage your weight along with Wegovy.

Other drugs are available for weight loss and weight management. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Wegovy, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Examples of other drugs that may be used for weight loss and weight management include:

  • benzphetamine
  • bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave)
  • liraglutide (Saxenda)
  • orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
  • phendimetrazine (Bontril PDM)
  • phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)
  • phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia)

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage of Wegovy. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled, single-dose injection pen.

Wegovy comes in several strengths:

  • 0.25 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters of liquid solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)
  • 0.5 mg/0.5 mL
  • 1 mg/0.5 mL
  • 1.7 mg/0.75 mL
  • 2.4 mg/0.75 mL

Each Wegovy pen delivers only one dose of the drug. You’ll use a new Wegovy pen for each dose.

Dosage for weight loss and weight management

The usual starting dose of Wegovy for weight loss is 0.25 mg. You’ll inject this dose once per week for 4 weeks.

Then, your doctor will likely increase your dosage every 4 weeks as follows:

  • 0.5 mg once per week during weeks 5 through 8
  • 1 mg once per week during weeks 9 through 12
  • 1.7 mg once per week during weeks 13 through 16

At week 17 and onward, you’ll start your maintenance (ongoing) dosage of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg per week. Usually 2.4 mg is recommended, but the maintenance dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on:

  • how effective Wegovy treatment is for you, and
  • how your body responds to the drug, such as whether you’re having side effects

You’ll likely continue your maintenance dosage long term, according to your doctor’s instructions.

For more information, you can refer to this Wegovy dosage article.

Children’s dosage

The usual starting dosages of Wegovy in children ages 12 years and older are the same as the dosages used in adults.

The usual maintenance (ongoing) dosage of Wegovy in children is 2.4 mg per week. Depending on side effects, your child’s doctor might lower the maintenance dosage to 1.7 mg per week.

What if I miss a dose?

What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy depends on a few factors:

  • If you miss one dose of Wegovy and your next dose is more than 48 hours away, take your missed dose as soon as you remember.
  • If you miss one dose of Wegovy and your next dose is less than 48 hours away, skip your missed dose. Then take your next dose according to your usual schedule.
  • If you miss two or more doses of Wegovy in a row, talk with your doctor. They may need to adjust your dosage temporarily.

If you aren’t sure whether to take a missed dose of Wegovy or to skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Yes, Wegovy may be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Wegovy is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

You should use Wegovy according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Wegovy comes as a liquid inside a prefilled, single-dose injection pen. It’s typically given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) into your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself Wegovy injections at home. For more Wegovy instructions, you can visit the drug manufacturer’s website. Or you can read these detailed instructions.

When to inject

You’ll self-inject a dose of Wegovy once a week on the same day each week. For example, you might inject the drug every Monday. You can inject Wegovy at any time of day.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Wegovy and food

You can inject Wegovy with or without food.

Wegovy helps lessen your appetite and food intake. It does this by mimicking the activity of GLP-1, a natural hormone in the body that works in your brain to regulate your appetite. Wegovy also slows the movement of food from your stomach to your intestines, which can help you feel full for longer. These effects can help with weight loss.

Wegovy also reduces your blood sugar levels by increasing your insulin levels and blocking a chemical involved in glucose production. This can lower your risk of cardiovascular problems.

For details, you can refer to this article about glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist.

How long does it take to work?

Wegovy starts working right after you inject your first dose. But it may take several weeks for you to notice a decrease in appetite or weight loss.

There are no known interactions between Wegovy and alcohol. However, alcohol can make it harder to lose weight and can make cardiovascular disease worse, especially if you consume large amounts.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink during Wegovy treatment.

Wegovy can interact with several other medications.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Note: In addition to the information below, you can also refer to this in-depth Wegovy interactions article.

Wegovy and other medications

The following list highlights some medications that can interact with Wegovy. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Wegovy.

Before taking Wegovy, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Drugs that can interact with Wegovy include:

  • Insulin. These medications are used to treat diabetes. Taking Wegovy with insulin can raise your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Examples of these drugs include:
  • Sulfonylureas. These drugs are used to treat diabetes. Taking Wegovy with sulfonylureas can raise your risk of hypoglycemia. Examples of these medications include:
  • Drugs taken by mouth. These are drugs that you take as tablets, capsules, or liquid solutions. If you take any of these medications with Wegovy, your body may not absorb them well enough.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Wegovy and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Wegovy. But you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Wegovy.

Wegovy and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Wegovy. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Wegovy, talk with your doctor.

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Wegovy is a safe choice for you.

You can also refer to this article for more information. If you have more questions, talk with your doctor.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Wegovy has a boxed warning about the possible risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Animal studies found an increased risk of thyroid cancer in rats that were given Wegovy. But animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. It is not known for sure if Wegovy increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans.

If you or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), your doctor will not prescribe Wegovy for you. MTC is a rare type of thyroid cancer. Your doctor also won’t prescribe Wegovy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). MEN2 is a rare genetic (inherited) condition that can cause thyroid cancer.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer can include:

Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. They can advise on the cause of these symptoms and recommend treatment options for your condition.

Other precautions

Before taking Wegovy, talk with your doctor about your health history. Wegovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Wegovy, see the “Wegovy side effects” section.

Taking more than the recommended dosage of Wegovy can lead to serious side effects. Do not use more Wegovy than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Wegovy from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date indicates how long the medication remains effective. The current stanceTrusted Source of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of it properly.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store Wegovy pens in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you use them. Or you can temporarily store unopened Wegovy pens at a room temperature of 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days. The pens cannot be refrigerated again after being stored at room temperature. Wegovy pens should never be frozen.

Wegovy pens should be stored in their original packaging to protect them from light.

Disposal

Right after you’ve used a Wegovy pen, dispose of it in an FDA-approved sharps disposal containerTrusted Source. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident or harming themselves with the needle. You can buy a sharps container online or ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health insurance company where to get one.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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