Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol), for use in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
If eligible, Alfie providers may prescribe you Wegovy to help you lose weight. Read more to understand how Wegovy works for certain individuals to maximize weight loss.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 27, with comorbidities such as hypertension or dyslipidemia, or individuals who have obesity (BMI of over 30). It is a potent selective GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been shown to reduce hunger and increase the feeling of fullness in subjects with high BMI. Wegovy is one of the weight loss medications that may be prescribed by an Alfie healthcare provider for weight loss or a weight-related medical condition. It is produced by Novo Nordisk and recently received FDA approval for weight loss in June of 2021.
Wegovy should not be taken by individuals with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), in patients with a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or to any of the excipients in Wegovy, or in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Generic Name and Class
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Semaglutide is a synthetic peptide that acts like a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1. Semaglutide works by slowing the stomach from emptying, which helps you feel full after eating. It also slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, which helps keep blood sugar levels under control.
How it works
GLP-1 is a natural hormone in your body that acts on your brain to regulate your appetite and food intake. By acting like GLP-1, Wegovy lowers your appetite and how much food you eat to help you lose weight.
GLP-1s lead the pancreas to produce insulin after meals to bring down blood sugar. They also bind to receptors in the brain to suppress appetite. These receptors release chemicals that help diminish the desire to eat, reducing your hunger. GLP-1s are natural chemicals, but don't last long within the human body. That's why taking GLP-1s can help reduce your weight even though your body already produces its own.
Is this prescription effective for weight loss?
Wegovy is one of the fastest, most reliable methods to help you lose weight quickly and safely, and has been shown in clinical trials to help individuals lose an average of 15% of their initial body weight, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, compared to participants who took a placebo. Studies have shown that without lifestyle changes including exercise or diet, participants taking Wegovy have lost an average of 10% of their body weight.
How much does Wegovy Cost?
Wegovy may be an expensive medication, with an out-of-pocket cost above $1,000. Alfie works with the vast majority of commercial and employer insurance plans in order to get coverage for your doctor-prescribed medication. Wegovy is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
Can I get a Coupon for Wegovy?
Coupons for Wegovy are available through Novo Nordisk's website.
How do injection pens work?
Wegovy is taken via a once-a-week injection. However, don’t think you’re going to have to use a syringe and needle to take this medication. Everything comes pre-packaged in a simple to use, virtually painless tool.
If you are prescribed Wegovy, you can visit their webpage here for instructions on how to administer the medication, or visit the quick start guide here.
Wegovy should be injected per the instructions given by your provider in one of the locations shown below.
Understanding your dosage
Wegovy comes in 5 different dose strengths. You start Wegovy at a dose of 0.25 mg once a week and increase the dose every 4 weeks until you reach the full dose of 2.4 mg. It’ s important to follow the dosing schedule as recommended by your health care provider.
Potential Side Effects
Side effects of GLP-1 medications are extremely rare and over 95% of individuals who take these medications do not experience side effects. In those that do, nausea is often the most common and typically resolves within the first month of being on the medication.
Other potential side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distention, eructation, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Wegovy Reviews
Verified Wegovy user: "I started the medication in October 2021. I have tolerated it well and have lost 80 pounds. Easy to administer and is a good adjunct to a good diet and exercise. It remover the constant hunger feeling and cravings."
Verified Wegovy user: "I have been on Wegovy 2 months now and I'm down 17 lbs. I don’t exercise . Only thing I changed was stop drinking cokes and try eat a little better. I have found certain foods will make me nauseous. The medication pretty much tells me when I'm full if I try to push the amount I get sick to stomach. This medication works for me"
Verified Wegovy user: "Wegovy & Ozempic (both are Semaglutide, but Wegovy is a higher dose) have been LIFE-CHANGING. It has turned off the 24/7 hunger switch in my brain. I feel “normal” around food for the first time in my life. I started with Ozempic Jan 2021 and switched to Wegovy Oct 2021 (now at full 2.4 mg dose). To date, I’ve lost 87 lbs! I have 50 lbs more to lose. I’ve had virtually zero side effects, just minor upset tummy the 1st week. I feel full/satisfied with much less food, I no longer think of food constantly, I respond dramatically less to food cues (seeing or smelling food), and I no longer get overwhelmed at restaurants/holidays because of all of the delicious food options. I’m in control."
Alternative Medications
Wegovy is one of multiple weight loss drugs which fit into the GLP-1 category. Other GLP-1 medications include:
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