Wegovy

Wegovy

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that makes you feel fuller from eating less food, leading to safe and sustainable weight loss. On average people lose up to 15% of their starting weight (when taking the maintenance dose of 2.4mg for 68 weeks).

In stock
from £195.00

Product details

Wegovy is an injectable weight-loss medication for overweight adults or adults with obesity. Taken once a week, it works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite.

With our Wegovy weight loss service you’ll get:

*Please contact the pharmacy prior to collection if you have not received confirmation that your order is ready to collect.

Dr Babak Ashrafi Clinical Lead for Service Development

Medically reviewed by

Dr Babak Ashrafi

Last reviewed: 18 Jan 2023

Wegovy prices

Pack Size Price
0.25 mg - 1 pen £195.00
0.5 mg - 1 pen £195.00
1.0 mg - 1 pen £195.00
1.7 mg - 1 pen £245.00
2.4 mg - 1 pen £295.00

How it Works

About Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is an injectable weight-loss medication for overweight adults or adults with obesity.  Taken once a week, it works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite. It can only be prescribed to adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 kg/m2 or to people with a BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 or more. It is prescribed as part of a weight management programme that might include diet changes, exercise or surgery. 

How to buy Wegovy

Where can I buy Wegovy?

You can buy Wegovy from online services and pharmacies, provided you have a prescription for it from a doctor. This is because Wegovy is a prescription-only medication. It will be prescribed as part of a weight management programme.

What alternatives are there to Wegovy?

The closest medicine to Wegovy is Saxenda, which is made by the same company, Novo Nordisk, but rather than a weekly dose is injected once daily. Saxenda works in the same way as Wegovy by suppressing your appetite, so you feel less hungry in general and fuller for longer after meals. It is also a prescription-only medication. Other weight loss medicines include:

Wegovy vs Saxenda

Both drugs work in the same way – by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, but they contain different ingredients. Saxenda contains liraglutide rather than semaglutide and is injected daily rather than weekly. This makes Wegovy a easier option as you only need to inject it once a week.

  • Saxenda is injected daily rather than weekly.
  • Saxenda is licensed in the UK for teenagers as well as adults.
  • Wegovy is a more effective weight loss drug than Saxenda. In a 2022 trial, people using Wegovy lost significantly more weight than those taking Saxenda. Both groups combined the treatment with diet and exercise.

Wegovy vs Orlistat

Orlistat (available over the counter as alli) works very differently from Wevogy. It's a lipase inhibitor, which means it reduces the amount of fat that’s absorbed by your body. It is used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise programme and is only prescribed if you have a body mass index of 28 or more and other weight-related conditions or a BMI of 30 or more. It has common gastrointestinal side effects that include pooing more frequently and an oily discharge from your rectum.

Wegovy vs Mysimba

Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that reduces your appetite, so you’ll feel full after eating less food. This is similar to how Wegovy works. The average weight loss recorded by patients taking Mysimba was around 3.7-5.7% of their weight, but this also depends on whether they made dietary changes and exercised. You can expect to lose 5% of your starting weight after 16 weeks (4 months) with Mysimba. But if you lose less than 5% of your body weight, your doctor will advise you to stop Mysimba and may suggest alternative weight loss treatments.

Wegovy vs Xenical

Xenical is a weight loss pill that works by reducing how much fat from each meal your body absorbs. Instead of absorbing this fat from each meal, your body gets rid of it as waste. Xenical is taken 3 times a day before each meal. You must make sure the meals you take Xenical with include some fats. Xenical takes around 24 to 48 hours to change how you absorb fat, and you should start to see results from taking it within a few weeks.

Alternatively – or in addition to – a prescription for Wegovy, a GP might recommend alternative routes to weight loss, including:

  • Joining a local weight loss group
  • Exercise on prescription
  • Changing your diet
  • Trying a diet programme or very low calorie diet
  • Increasing time spent exercising
  • Setting realistic goals and monitoring your progress

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy, which is also known as semaglutide, works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating and boosts insulin release. It makes you feel full, so helps regulate your appetite, and therefore aids weight loss.

How long does Wegovy stay in your system?

Wegovy stays in your body for 5–7 weeks after your last dose.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

Wegovy starts working straight away, and you should start feeling fuller after your first few doses. However, people respond to medicines in different ways, so there’s no set time for when you’ll start to see results. It might take several weeks before the full effects are seen. If you do not see any results within 6 weeks of taking Wegovy, your doctor may want to try an alternative treatment.

How effective is Wegovy?

Wegovy has been proven to be an effective tool for weight loss. In a 68-week medical study of 1961 adults living with obesity or excess weight with a related medical problem, about one in three achieved a 20% reduction in weight (in conjunction with a plan of reduced-calorie meals and increased physical activity).

  • 83% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more weight, compared to 31% taking a placebo
  • 66% of adults taking Wegovy lost 10% or more weight, compared to 12% taking a placebo
  • 48% of adults taking Wegovy lost 15% or more weight, compared to 5% taking a placebo
  • 30% of people taking Wegovy lost 20% or more weight, compared to 2% of people taking a placebo

Dosages

What are the different dosages of Wegovy

There are five different doses of Wegovy: 0.25 mg, 0.5mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Each dose comes in its own colour pen. Each pen contains 4 doses and last for 4 weeks before you need to switch pens.

What is the recommended dosage of Wegovy?

Wegovy dosage starts low and increases gradually as you get used to the medication. This is done over a period of a few months.

Month 1:

You will most likely start with the recommended dose of is 0.25mg.

Month 2:

Your dose will be increased to 0.5mg one a week.

Month 3:

Your dose will be increased to 1mg.

Month 4:

Your dose will be increased to 1.7mg

Month 5 and beyond:

After Month 4, your dose will be increased to 2.4mg. This is the dose you will continue taking for the rest of your treatment.

To help you make sure you’re always using the correct dose, your doctor will give you clear advice and instructions. Each dose of Wegovy also comes in a different colour, so you will quickly and easily be able to tell which dose you need and what it looks like.

You will always be given a clear dosing schedule by your doctor and they will be available to support you if you have any questions or need help.

Safety and side effects

What are the possible side effects of Wegovy?

Wegovy may cause serious side effects including:

  • possible thyroid tumours, including cancer. You should not use it if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • gallbladder problems
  • increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • kidney problems and kidney failure
  • serious allergic reactions
  • change in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • increased heart rate
  • depression or thoughts of suicide
  • If you notice signs of any of these serious side-effects you should contact your doctor or healthcare professional.

Less serious and more common side effects may include:

  • nausea
  • diarrhoea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • lower stomach pain
  • headache
  • tiredness
  • upset stomach
  • dizziness
  • feeling bloated
  • belching and gas
  • heartburn

Contact your doctor or healthcare professional if any of these side effects bother you or don’t go away.

Is Wegovy safe?

Yes, Wegovgy is safe for most people to take if a doctor has said it’s suitable for you. However, there are certain conditions and health circumstances that may make your doctor less likely to prescribe the medication. For example, if you have or have had pancreatitis, your doctor might not prescribe Wegovy. It’s also not safe to use if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, and you should stop using it two months before you plan to become pregnant. It’s not known if Wegovy passes into your breast milk, so avoid it if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Wegovy?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking Wegovy. There are no known interactions between Wegovy and alcohol. However, alcohol and Wegovy both lower blood sugars, so it is advisable that you monitor your reaction to the medication in case you become lightheaded or dizzy.

Can I drive while taking Wegovy?

Yes, you can drive while taking Wegovy, but it is recommended that you proceed with care until you are sure how Wegovy affects you.

Can I take Wegovy long-term?

Wegovy has been approved by the MHRA for long-term treatment of obesity, and can be used for as long as it remains beneficial.

Is Wegovy addictive?

There is no evidence to suggest Wegovy is addictive.

Do I need a prescription for Wegovy?

Wegovy is prescription-only. You can not purchase Wegovy legally without a prescription.

Can I get Wegovy over the counter?

No, you cannot get Wegovy over the counter as it is a prescription-only medication. This means you will need to speak to a doctor and have a health assessment to make sure that Wegovy is safe and appropriate for you to take. There are some alternative weight loss treatments that are available over the counter, such as Orlistat.

Who can take Wegovy?

In the UK, only adults who match strict criteria and have a prescription can take Wegovy

Who should not take Wegovy?

You should not take it if:

  • you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • you have had a serious allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in Wegovy
  • you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
  • you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

In addition, you should tell your doctor if you:

  • have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
  • have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
  • have been depressed, suicidal or have had mental health issues
  • are breastfeeding

FAQ

Is Wegovy available in generic form?

There is no generic version of Wegovy available.

Can I take Wegovy with other weight loss medications?

In America, the FDA recommends that it should not be used in combination with any other product intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs or herbal products.

Sources

Patient Reviews