What is Wegovy?
- Approved use: Wegovy is licensed for weight management; Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes
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Cardiovascular indication: Wegovy is also authorised to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI ≥27; Ozempic does not carry this specific weight-management or CV-risk-reduction licence
- Strengths: Wegovy is available in a wider range of dose strengths suitable for weight-management titration.
Who should not use it?
Do not use Wegovy if you:
- Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any excipient
- Have a personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Tell your prescriber before starting if you have or have had:
- pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, significant gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., gastroparesis, Crohn’s disease), thyroid disease, diabetic retinopathy,
- a heart-rate disorder, or a history of mental-health conditions including suicidal ideation.
How does Wegovy work?
- Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
- By enhancing the effects of the GLP-1 hormone it:
- Lowers appetite and food cravings Slows gastric emptying so you feel fuller for longer Helps regulate glucose, which can improve metabolic health
- The result, when combined with diet and activity changes, is a gradual reduction in calorie intake and weight.
Who may be eligible?
A Mederoo prescriber may consider
- Wegovy for adults who meet one of the following: BMI ≥ 30,
- or BMI ≥ 27 with a weight-related condition (e.g., type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, dyslipidaemia/high cholesterol, hypertension, established cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, PCOS, osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, fatty liver disease). Suitability is confirmed only after a clinician-led assessment.
Dosing (Standard Titration)
To improve tolerability, dosing starts low and increases gradually:
Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg once weekly Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly Weeks 9–12: 1.0 mg once weekly
Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg once weekly Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly (usual maintenance) Always follow the prescriber’s instructions on if/when to increase your dose.
Using the pen (overview)
- Inject once weekly, on the same day each week. you need to change the day, ensure at least 72 hours between doses.
- Approved sites: abdomen, thighs, or upper arms Before each use: check the pen label/strength, solution clarity, attach a new needle,
- perform the flow check as per the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL), and dispose of used needles in a sharps container
Missed dose
- If you remember within 5 days of the missed dose, take it as soon as possible and then resume your usual schedule.
- If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on your usual day.
- Do not inject extra doses .
Expected outcomes (efficacy snapshot)
In clinical trials of adults following lifestyle advice plus semaglutide vs placebo over ~68 weeks, a higher proportion of those taking Wegovy achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (e.g., ≥5% of starting weight), with average losses around 15% of body weight in many participants. Individual results vary and depend on adherence to diet, activity, and ongoing review. Potential benefits beyond weight loss Improved glycaemic control and metabolic markers Lower cardiovascular risk (for those with established cardiovascular disease) Better mobility and energy levels Improvements in self-esteem and health-related quality of life.
Storage & Disposal
Unused pens store refrigerated 2–8°C; do not freeze (discard if frozen).
In-use may be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 28 days. Keep away from heat and light. Dispose of needles in a sharps bin and follow local guidance for pen disposal.
Interactions and special cautions
- Semaglutide may slow stomach emptying and can influence the absorption of oral medicines.
- Inform your prescriber about all prescription/OTC medicines and supplements.
- Extra monitoring may be needed with narrow therapeutic index medicines (e.g., warfarin, digoxin).
- Your prescriber will advise.
- Discuss contraception needs if pregnancy is possible; do not use during pregnancy and stop treatment if you become pregnant.
Side effects
Common
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion/heartburn, headache, dizziness, fatigue—usually during titration and often settling with time.
Seek urgent advice/stop the medicine and contact a clinician if you develop:
Serious
Severe, persistent abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis)
Signs of dehydration (very dark urine, confusion, dizziness), especially if vomiting/diarrhoea lasts >72 hours or you cannot keep fluids down Severe allergic reactions (swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, breathing difficulty, fainting, severe rash)
Vision changes Symptoms of hypoglycaemia if you use other diabetes medicines Always read the PIL and speak to Mederoo if side effects worry you or do not improve.
How to obtain treatment through Mederoo Health
Complete Mederoo’s secure online consultation.
A registered prescriber will review your medical history to confirm suitability. If approved, we dispense in temperature-controlled packaging and provide ongoing check-ins, education and lifestyle support.
Obtaining treatment through Mederoo Health
Shared decision-making: You and your prescriber will agree a plan based on your goals and clinical status. For safety, the prescriber makes the final decision on whether Wegovy is appropriate and at what dose.
