What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a prescription medicine that contains semaglutide. It is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help with chronic weight management in certain adults, and it is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with established heart disease who also have obesity or overweight. Official prescribing information and the manufacturer website currently describe Wegovy in both injection and tablet forms.

What is Wegovy used for?

Wegovy is used for long-term weight management in certain adults with obesity, or in some adults with overweight who also have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved to help reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. Wegovy should be used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

What kind of drug is Wegovy?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is part of a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medicines mimic a natural hormone involved in appetite, digestion, and blood sugar regulation. GoodRx describes Wegovy as a GLP-1 medication used for weight loss and long-term weight management.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy works by acting like a hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite and food intake. In plain English, it helps many people feel fuller, which can support lower calorie intake over time when combined with lifestyle changes. GoodRx’s current explanation also notes that semaglutide affects appetite and helps reduce hunger.

How do you take Wegovy?

Wegovy currently comes in both a once-weekly injection and a once-daily tablet, according to the current prescribing information and manufacturer website. The injection version is started at a lower dose and gradually increased over time. Dose changes and the right form of Wegovy should always be determined with a licensed healthcare professional.

Who may be a candidate for Wegovy?

Wegovy may be an option for adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have a weight-related medical condition. In certain adults with established heart disease and obesity or overweight, it may also be used to help reduce cardiovascular risk. A licensed clinician can help decide whether Wegovy is appropriate based on your health history, goals, and other medications.

Important things to know before taking Wegovy

Wegovy has important safety information and is not right for everyone. The FDA-approved labeling includes a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents and says it is unknown whether Wegovy causes these tumors in humans. The prescribing information also says Wegovy should not be used together with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonists. People should review the full safety information and talk with a healthcare professional before starting treatment.

What are people usually trying to figure out about Wegovy?

Most people looking into Wegovy are usually trying to answer a few practical questions:

• What does Wegovy cost?
• Will insurance cover it?
• Is there a savings program?
• Can I get it online?
• How does it compare with other GLP-1 medications?

Those are often the best next pages to explore once you understand the basics.

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