Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is an injectable prescription medication. Wegovy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used along with reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:
- Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obese)
- Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with one or more medical conditions that are considered risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes
- Pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with a BMI at the 95th percentile or higher
Wegovy is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. According to the prescribing information, Wegovy works on areas of the brain that are associated with appetite regulation. It helps decrease appetite, leading to fewer calories being taken in, resulting in weight loss.
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Wegovy is injected once a week by subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin) of the stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
How to inject Wegovy
Before using Wegovy, make sure you understand how to inject the medication. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use Wegovy. Also, be sure to read the information leaflet and Medication Guide provided by your pharmacy. Carefully read the prescription label and be sure you understand the instructions. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns before using Wegovy.
Here is a step-by-step guide to the process of injecting a dose of Wegovy.
- Check everything. Before using Wegovy, check the expiration date, the medication, and the dose (to make sure it is the correct medicine for the correct person), and check that the medicine is clear and colorless (air bubbles are okay).
- Gather your supplies. You’ll need the Wegovy pen, an alcohol swab, a cotton ball or gauze pad, and a sharps container for disposal.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Choose and prepare your injection site. You can inject Wegovy on the upper front part of your thigh, the lower part of your stomach (at least 2 inches from the belly button), or your upper arm. Always rotate injection sites. You can use the same body area, but move the spot. For example, you can inject on the right side of your lower stomach one week, then the left side the next week. Make sure the area is not tender, bruised, hard, or red, and also make sure the area doesn’t have scars or stretch marks. Clean the site with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Let the skin dry.
- Remove the pen cap, and inject Wegovy. Pull the pen cap straight off the pen. Inject Wegovy by pushing the pen firmly against your skin. Continue to apply pressure until the yellow bar stops moving. If the yellow bar does not start to move, press the pen more firmly against the skin. You will hear two clicks during your injection.
- Wipe away blood. If blood appears, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball.
- Dispose of your pen. Place your used Wegovy pen in a sharps container.
Best injection site for Wegovy
Of the approved injection sites, there is no one best place to inject Wegovy. According to the prescribing information, clinical trials found that semaglutide is absorbed to a similar extent, regardless of whether it was injected in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
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It is important to make sure you change your injection site every time you inject Wegovy. To help you remember where you injected it the week prior, it can help to make a note on your calendar or the box itself so you know not to use the same spot the next week.
Tips for maximizing Wegovy effectiveness
Here are some tips for using Wegovy effectively, according to the prescribing information:
- Always rotate your injection site. Do not use the same injection site two weeks in a row.
- Be sure to store Wegovy properly. Store Wegovy in the refrigerator (never freeze Wegovy). Or, if needed, before removing the pen cap, you can store Wegovy at room temperature in the original carton for up to 28 days. Discard the pen if it has been frozen, if it has been out of the refrigerator for 28 days or longer, or if it has been exposed to light or temperatures over 86 F.
- If you have Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider will give you instructions on monitoring your blood sugar levels.
- Inject Wegovy once a week, on the same day every week. You can inject Wegovy any time of day, and you can take it with or without food. If you need to change your injection day, you can—just make sure it has been at least two days since the previous dose.
- If you miss a dose of Wegovy, and the next dose is in more than two days, you can inject the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if the next dose is in less than two days, skip the missed dose and resume your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
- Because Wegovy slows stomach emptying, it may interfere with the absorption of drugs taken by mouth around the same time. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to worry about drug interactions. They may advise you to take your medications at a different time on the day you take Wegovy.
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Wegovy leaked out of injection site: What to do
According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, patients should remember that the injection takes about 10 seconds. During the ten seconds, you will hear two clicks. You’ll need to press the pen firmly for the entire injection and keep the pen inserted until the yellow bar stops moving. If you remove the pen too early, or if you do not press the pen firmly against the skin for the entire ten seconds, you may notice some medicine coming out of the needle or appearing on your skin.
If you notice any medicine appearing on the skin or leaking out of the injection site, make sure that during the next injection, you keep applying pressure on the pen until the yellow bar stops moving.
How to treat Wegovy injection side effects
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most common side effects of Wegovy injections are related to the stomach and may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Burping
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Your healthcare provider will instruct you to gradually increase your dose to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg or 1.7 mg per week, which may help reduce side effects. In many cases, side effects go away as your body adjusts to the medication. If side effects persist or are severe or interfere with your daily life, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.
In the meantime, to cope with these side effects, you can try to adjust your diet to make yourself more comfortable. For example, experts at Cleveland Clinic suggest:
- If you are constipated, try eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- If you have diarrhea, eat bland foods like bananas, rice, and toast, and avoid things like dairy and fried or spicy foods.
- If you have nausea, try ginger and electrolyte drinks.
To decrease the risk of injection site reactions (such as itching, redness, swelling, and skin irritation), be sure to rotate your injection site with each weekly injection. Avoid injecting Wegovy into any area that is tender, bruised, hard, red, scarred, or has stretch marks. If you have a skin reaction that is concerning, check with your healthcare provider.
Who should not take Wegovy
Wegovy is not safe for everyone. The prescribing information notes that you should not take Wegovy if:
- You are allergic to semaglutide (also known as brand names Ozempic or Rybelsus), any GLP-1 agonist, or any ingredient in the medication
- You have medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or a family history of MTC
- You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
When to see a doctor
In addition to keeping regular follow-up appointments with your doctor, the NIH suggests checking with your doctor (or getting emergency medical help if symptoms are severe or life-threatening) for the following symptoms:
- Hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat—all symptoms of an allergic reaction that requires emergency medical help
- Stomach pain that may spread to the back and be accompanied by vomiting
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
- Decreased urination
- Changes in vision
- Dizziness or fainting
- Symptoms of liver problems: upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Fast heartbeat
- Symptoms of low blood sugar, such as feeling shaky, sweaty, dizzy, confused, anxious, jittery, weak, or hungry
- Symptoms of thyroid tumors, such as a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or trouble breathing or swallowing
In rare cases, some individuals taking this medication have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you or your close friends, family, or caregivers notice any change in mood or behavior, notify your healthcare provider right away. For an urgent situation, you can also call 911 for emergency help or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
You should also check with your doctor if you have any symptoms or side effects that persist or are bothersome.
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