Wegovy requires a prescription from a doctor, whether people choose to get it online or in person. Learn how to safely get a Wegovy prescription online and read our expert’s insights into Wegovy consultations.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication with
The drug is the brand-name version of the medication semaglutide. People take it as a once-weekly injection under the skin.
It is a very popular medication that is effective when individuals use it alongside exercise and a diet that also promotes weight loss.
There are two options to get Wegovy: in person or from online telehealth companies. Both ways require speaking with a doctor, who will then prescribe the medication if they think it is appropriate. It is not possible to get Wegovy over the counter or without a prescription.
- Ro Body | health and weight loss coaching | Learn more
- Noom | weight loss program | Learn more
- PlushCare | accepts uninsured members | Learn more
- Sesame Care | wide choice of doctors | Learn more
- Calibrate | holistic approach | Learn more
- In person | Learn more
Below, we look into some of the best places to get Wegovy online. Telehealth services offer several weight loss medications, including Wegovy. While many may accept insurance to reduce the cost of their weight management services, you will still have to check with your insurance provider to see if they will cover the cost of any medication.
Getting Wegovy online may also be more convenient and discreet than going to a doctor’s office to get a prescription in person. Online services may also offer holistic weight loss support, making them suitable for those requiring extra support.
The following table compares the services offering Wegovy prescriptions online.
| Service | Wegovy cost | Eligibility criteria | Subscription price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ro Body | from $270 per month without insurance | adults with obesity adults with overweight and a weight-related health condition | $45 for the first month, $145 monthly thereafter |
| Noom Med | no information available | adults with obesity adults with overweight and a weight-related health condition | $69 for the first month, $99 monthly thereafter |
| PlushCare | $1,300 to $1,500 per injection | adults with obesity adults with overweight and a weight-related health condition | $19.99 per month or $99 per year |
| Sesame Care | $249 per month | adults with obesity adults with overweight and a weight-related health condition | $10.99 per month or $99 per year |
| Calibrate | $25 a month or less for members who have commercial insurance | adults with obesity adults with overweight and a weight-related health condition | $199 per month or $1,749 per year |
People must make an appointment with their doctor’s surgery or local clinic to get Wegovy in person.
Healthcare professionals will take a medical history and physical examination and may order lab tests to determine whether Wegovy is the right medication for a person’s needs.
Healthcare professionals may also refer people to other organizations or professionals, such as weight loss clinics or dietitians, that can help support their weight loss journey.
What to expect at your initial appointment
Janelle Duah, MD, an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, describes what a person can expect at their first appointment.
“When any weight loss medication is being prescribed, particularly Wegovy, a thorough intake must be undertaken. Firstly, it’s important to understand the person’s history with weight management. The person should expect to be asked why they want to lose weight, if they’ve tried to lose weight in the past, and if so, what worked best and what didn’t work at all.”
Dr. Duah advises people to expect to discuss the following:
- weight and diet history
- weight loss goals and motivations
- exercise habits
- stress levels and mood
- sleep habits
- medical history
- potential inciting factors such as marriage, divorce, pregnancies, relocation, or retirement
- previous weight loss medications they have taken
“[A thorough intake and assessment] is necessary to make sure Wegovy is the correct and safe choice.”
Yes, it is possible to get a Wegovy prescription online. Several telehealth companies offer this medication if a healthcare professional believes it is appropriate.
Once you sign up for an online weight management service, a doctor on the platform will contact you via phone or the service’s website. After this consultation, you will likely need to complete lab tests to ensure Wegovy is the right medication for your needs.
One advantage of getting Wegovy online is that it is quicker and more convenient than visiting a physical doctor’s office, especially if you live in a more rural location. Some services may send the medication directly to your home, or you can pick it up at your local pharmacy that same day.
Medical News Today carefully vets every telehealth service that offers glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications. We only include companies that meet the following criteria:
- Safety: These services do not offer compounded semaglutide. Compounded semaglutide can be dangerous and
causeTrusted Source adverse health reactions. - Privacy: These services have clear and accessible privacy policies and will not sell a customer’s personal or medical history.
- Access to healthcare professionals: These services work with board certified healthcare professionals to review responses, provide consultations, and prescribe medication.
- Insurance: All these services work with major insurance companies to cover as many medications as possible.
Wegovy is the first GLP-1 medication for weight loss to gain approval from the FDA. The organization approved it in
However, there are strict eligibility criteria that you will need to meet before a healthcare professional will prescribe the medication:
- you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over
- you must have a BMI of 27 and over and have at least one weight-related health condition
- children of ages 12 and over must have a BMI in the 95th percentile for their age and gender
Weight-related health conditions include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Healthcare professionals will also recommend following a calorie-reduced diet and increasing your physical activity while taking this drug.
It is important to note that Wegovy does not change the body’s anatomy like weight loss surgery. If people stop using this drug and practice eating and exercise habits that do not help them maintain a moderate weight, they may put back on any lost weight.
Discover the best meal delivery services for weight loss.
Who should not use Wegovy?
Wegovy may be unsuitable for some individuals. To the best of your knowledge, you must answer any healthcare professional’s questions to help reduce the risk of severe and possibly fatal side effects.
People with
- a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2
- a high risk of pancreatitis
- severe allergic reactions to semaglutide or other ingredients in Wegovy
A note on Wegovy shortages
Wegovy is just one of the popular weight loss injections experiencing shortages. Due to increased demand, some doses of Wegovy (semaglutide) are currently in short supply. Depending on the strength a doctor prescribes, you may find it difficult to get this medication.
While some pharmacies may offer compounded semaglutide, it is best to avoid buying non-branded medication. The
Healthcare professionals may prescribe alternative glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications, such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Zepbound.
Read more about alternatives to Wegovy.
It is important to choose a safe online pharmacy when purchasing any medication. Some
A safe online pharmacy will:
- always need a valid prescription before providing medication
- have a physical address and telephone number in the United States
- have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions
An unsafe online pharmacy may:
- not ask for a prescription
- not have a United States or board license to operate
- not have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions
- send medication that is in broken or damaged packaging, in an unexpected language, or has expired
- offer Wegovy at prices that seem very low, or offer discounts or coupons
- not provide a clear privacy policy or may sell personal and medical information to other sites
- may use counterfeit medications that can contain dangerous substances or incorrect doses
- A
2024 studyTrusted Source found that Wegovy caused an average weight loss of 10.2% across 208 weeks. The study also revealed that female study participants lost slightly more weight than males, and those with a lower BMI at the beginning of the trial lost less weight than those with a higher BMI. - A
2022 studyTrusted Source found that participants had regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost 1 year after stopping Wegovy.
The cost of Wegovy can vary widely depending on insurance coverage and which pharmacy a person chooses. According to Optum Perks, a free price and coupon search engine, Wegovy can cost $1,300 to $1,400 per dose.
How to save on Wegovy
At the time of publishing, generic semaglutide is unavailable for purchase. Companies can only sell a generic version after the brand-name drug has been on the market for a
However, insurance may reduce the cost of this drug. People can contact their insurance company to see whether it offers coverage for this medication.
Individuals may also wish to use Wegovy’s savings card. It allows people with commercial insurance to save up to a maximum of $225 per 28-day supply of Wegovy. Individuals without insurance can save up to $500 for the same period.
Wegovy insurance coverage
Individual insurance policies may differ. Many telehealth companies offer to work with insurance companies to ensure coverage. An individual will need to contact their insurance company to find out whether it will cover the cost of Wegovy.
Medicare does not cover anti-obesity medications such as Wegovy. However, Medicare may cover all or part of gym subscriptions and counseling costs.
Wegovy is just one of several GLP-1 medications that can help you lose weight and manage any weight-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is also the main ingredient in Ozempic. While Ozempic does not have FDA approval for weight management, doctors may prescribe it off-label.
While there are no studies investigating the effectiveness of Wegovy versus Ozempic, doctors prescribe Wegovy at a higher dose, which may mean you notice more weight loss. It is important to ask your doctor about each medication’s side effects and attend follow-up appointments to adjust or change your medication as necessary.
Learn more about the differences between Wegovy and Ozempic.
Yes, Wegovy may help you lose weight. This drug delays gastric emptying, meaning food stays longer in your stomach, making you feel fuller. However, Wegovy is not a “miracle drug.” You must still make lifestyle changes, such as reducing your calorie intake and increasing physical activity.
According to research, people who use GLP-1 medication may lose, on average, 2.9 kilograms compared with a control group.
Another 2021 study of adults with overweight or obesity found that participants who took semaglutide lost a mean average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Study participants reported being able to move around more easily, and lab work found that they had lower cardiometabolic risk factors than before.
However, a 2024 study found that Wegovy caused an average weight loss of 10.2% across 208 weeks.
Online services that offer weight loss programs, such as Noom and Calibrate, can help you with sustainable lifestyle changes both during and after taking medication.
It is important to ask your doctor any questions that you may have before starting any medication. This can help you decide whether you trust them to professionally and supportively assist you on your health journey.
If you do not like the way the healthcare professional answers your questions or feel as though they will not give you the support you need while taking medication, you might need to find another doctor. Having a healthcare professional who can answer your questions in a way you can understand is very important.
Some questions you may wish to ask include:
- What dose will you be prescribing, and why?
- What side effects can I expect with this dose?
- How do I store the medication?
- How do I use the medication?
- Do you offer any further help and support, or can you refer me to someone who does?
- What happens if my dose is out of stock?
Wegovy is a drug that you can stay on long term. However, some people may need to stop taking this medication, especially if they are experiencing side effects.
If you stop taking Wegovy, you may gain some of the weight you previously lost. However, there are ways to stop or limit this rebound weight.
A study that the European Congress of Obesity featured found that people can maintain their weight loss by slowly tapering down the dosage. You may wish to consult your doctor to determine a tapering schedule to maximize your likelihood of maintaining weight loss.
A 2024 study found that using semaglutide while exercising can help maintain weight loss after stopping the medication. You can increase your physical activity at a gym or use home gym equipment, which may be more cost-effective.
Several FDA-approved pills can help people manage weight, including:
However, none of these medications work in the same way as Wegovy. There are no weight loss pills with the same mechanism of action as GLP-1 injectable medications.
Yes, it is possible for people to get a Wegovy prescription online. A range of telehealth companies will prescribe Wegovy after a person has a health consultation with a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional will only prescribe Wegovy if they think it is medically appropriate.
Many people are wondering how to get Wegovy as the drug increases in popularity and availability. Several online services, including PlushCare and Sesame Care, offer prescriptions for this medication. It is important to vet each online pharmacy carefully to ensure it offers a safe version of this drug.
