Wegovy

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

It is licensed in the UK for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in people who meet the relevant licensed criteria.

Semaglutide acts on the GLP-1 receptor.

GLP-1 is involved in appetite regulation.

Semaglutide acts on pathways involved in appetite/calorie intake and can increase fullness while reducing hunger and food cravings.

Injectable Wegovy is administered once weekly under the skin.

Standard escalation:

Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg weekly

Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg weekly

Weeks 9–12: 1 mg weekly

Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg weekly

From week 17: 2.4 mg weekly

For adult patients with obesity, current UK product information also permits escalation to 7.2 mg once weekly if needed after at least four weeks at 2.4 mg.

This higher licensed maintenance dose is not appropriate for every patient.

Escalation may need to be delayed/adjusted where significant gastrointestinal symptoms occur.

Can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• abdominal pain
• headache
• tiredness/weakness
• indigestion/reflux
• bloating
• dizziness
• gallstones
• hair loss
• injection-site effects

Serious side effects are possible.

Severe persistent abdominal pain requires urgent medical attention because acute pancreatitis can occur.

People with diabetes should discuss important changes in vision with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Current semaglutide information contains warnings relating to relevant eye complications.

Gastrointestinal symptoms can result in dehydration.

Stop taking this medicine and seek urgent medical help for severe, persistent abdominal pain, with or without nausea or vomiting. This may indicate acute pancreatitis.

Seek urgent medical advice for sudden loss of vision or rapidly worsening eyesight, whether or not you have diabetes. The current patient leaflet includes a warning about non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy.

It should be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy.

Suitability is individual.

Route of administration, previous treatment, medical history, potential adverse effects and preferences can all form part of the assessment.