Description
Weight management
Wegovy® is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet
and increased physical activity for weight management,
including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults
with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of:
• ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity), or
• ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence
of at least one weight-related comorbidity.
Cardiovascular risk reduction
Wegovy® is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet
and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major
adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal
myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with
established cardiovascular disease and either obesity
or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2).
Knee Health (with Wegovy® 2.4 mg)
Wegovy® is the only approved pharmacotherapy to demonstrate clinically
meaningful improvement in knee OA-related pain and superior weight loss
vs placebo, in adults with obesity and moderate knee OA, over 68 weeks,
in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
Adolescents ≥12 years
Wegovy® is indicated as an adjunct to a reducedcalorie diet and increased physical activity for
weight management in adolescents ages
12 years and above with:
• obesity*
and
• body weight above 60 kg.
Treatment with Wegovy® should be discontinued
and re-evaluated if adolescent patients have not
reduced their BMI by at least 5% after 12 weeks
on the 2.4 mg or maximum tolerated dose.
Wegovy® is the only once-weekly
weight management medication
with a cardiovascular risk reduction
indication and an adolescent
weight management indication.
In STEP 1, over 68 weeks, in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, patients on
Wegovy® once-weekly 2.4mg*
achieved:
• ~15–17% weight loss vs 2.4% with placebo
STEP UP trial: ~19-21% weight loss with 7.2mg Wegovy®
How does Wegovy® work?
• Normally, your body sends signals to your brain to tell you when you are hungry or if you crave
certain foods. These signals are known as ‘appetite hormones’
• After you finish eating, your body releases a gut hormone called ‘GLP-1’ (glucagon-like peptide-1)
• Semaglutide mimics the way that GLP-1 works in the body. It acts on the parts of the brain that
control your appetite
By mimicking the hormone GLP-1, Wegovy® helps you to feel fuller
so that you feel less hungry and have fewer cravings.
Oral contraception
Wegovy® is not anticipated to reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
• There are no requirements in the SmPC for women of childbearing age to switch
to a non-oral contraceptive method whilst on Wegovy®
Weight related health conditions which can be supported with Wegovy:
Metabolic & Endocrine
- Type 2 diabetes
- Pre-diabetes / impaired glucose tolerance
- Metabolic syndrome
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) / NASH
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hypothyroidism (worsened by obesity)
- High cholesterol / dyslipidaemia
- High triglycerides
Cardiovascular
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease / coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Stroke / TIA history
- Peripheral arterial disease
Respiratory
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- Asthma (worsened by excess weight)
Musculoskeletal
- Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, lower back)
- Chronic joint pain
- Gout
Mental Health
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem / poor body image
- Binge eating disorder
Reproductive Health
- Irregular or absent periods
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pregnancy complications (e.g. gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia)
Your prescriber will confirm eligibility after reviewing your health history, BMI, and current medicines.
Side Effects
For a full list of side effects, warnings and precautions, please refer to the Patient Information leaflet.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your healthcare provider before using Wegovy® or during treatment
if you have:
Very common side effects: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach Pains
- Feeling week or tired
- Feeling sick (nausea)
Common side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Feeling dizzy
- Upset stomach or indigestion
- Burping
- Gas (flatulence)
- Bloating of the stomach
- Inflammed stomach (gastritis) - signs include stomach ache, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Reflux or heartburn
- Gallstones
- Hair loss - may occur more frequently with Wegovy 7.2mg
- Injection site reactions
- Change in taste
- Change in skin sensation - this usually goes away over time and may happen more frequently with Wegovy 7.2mg
- Low blood sugars in patients with diabetes
- Complications of diabetic eye disease
Reporting side effects
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information promptly. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get.
See https :// yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ for how to report side effects. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects
not listed in the package leaflet. Side effects should also be reported to Novo Nordisk Limited (Telephone Novo Nordisk Customer Care Centre 0800 023 2573). Calls may be
monitored for training purposes. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine
Patient Information Leaflet
Please see HERE for the Patient Information Leaflet
Additional Info
Do not use Wegovy if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. Tell us before starting if you have or have had:
- Pancreatitis or unexplained severe abdominal pain (especially with vomiting)
- Gallbladder problems (e.g., gallstones) or yellowing of the skin/eyesSignificant gastro-intestinal disease
- Kidney or liver problems
- Type 2 diabetes with a history of diabetic retinopathy (your prescriber may tailor advice)
- We will also review all your current medicines and supplements. Semaglutide can delay stomach emptying, which may influence how quickly some tablets are absorbed; we’ll advise if anything needs timing adjustments.
Interactions & monitoring
- Tell us if you take diabetes medicines (including insulin or sulfonylureas)—your prescriber may advise extra monitoring for low blood sugar.
- Share all prescription, OTC, and herbal products you use.
- We’ll suggest simple self-checks: weekly weight, waist measure, side-effect tracker, plus messages at key titration steps.
How to store Wegovy®
- Keep your Wegovy® pen out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not freeze Wegovy® and do not use if it has been frozen
- Keep the pen cap on when the pen is not in use to protect it from light
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the pen label and carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
- Before opening: keep the pen refrigerated (2°C to 8°C). Keep the pen away from the cooling element inside the fridge
- During use: partially used pens must be stored with the needle removed. Pens can be kept for 6 weeks when stored at a temperature below 30°C or in a fridge (2°C to 8°C) away from the cooling element
- Do not store the pen with a needle attached
Change to Wegovy® Storage Conditions
Due to recent updates to the Wegovy® licence it has been confirmed that Wegovy® FlexTouch® pens: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg pens can now be transported to you, the patient, at temperatures below 30°C for up to 48 hours. Because of this, your prescriber or pharmacy may use a different delivery method than before, and your Wegovy® may not arrive in a cooled package.
This change does not change how Wegovy® is intended to be used, please refer to the patient information leaflet.
How to dispose of Wegovy® Pens and Needles
When the pen is empty, dispose of the pen without a needle on as instructed by your pharmacist or local authorities. The pen cap and the empty carton can be
disposed of in your household waste. You can now recycle your pens.
Novo Nordisk provides a pre-filled pen recycling initiative, PenCycle®. Click here to learn more about PenCycle®.
Always dispose of the needle immediately after each injection using a sharps bin. Keep your sharps bin in a safe place so it is not a risk to other people and is out of the sight and reach of children.
Sharps bins must not be disposed of in household waste. Discuss with your healthcare provider the procedure for disposing of sharps bins in your area.
When to contact us or seek urgent help
- Severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting)
- Signs of dehydration from ongoing vomiting/diarrhoea
- Possible allergic reaction (wheezing, facial swelling, rash with breathing difficulty)
- Side effects that don’t settle or interfere with daily life
We’re here to help—message our team through your account anytime.
Directions
How to take Wegovy
- Dose frequency: Inject once per week on the same day, at any time of day, with or without food.
- Titration: You usually start on a lower dose and step up gradually if you tolerate it well. This helps minimise tummy-related side effects.
- Injection sites: Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites each week to reduce skin irritation.
- Consistency: Set calendar reminders; aim for a steady weekly routine.
We’ll provide your personal titration schedule and clear, illustrated instructions in your parcel and online account.
Using the pen
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Attach a new provided needle.
- Choose and clean the injection site.
- Prepare the pen exactly as shown in the included leaflet (remove cap, check window, prime if it is a new pen being used for the first time).
- Inject at 90° and hold for the recommended time to ensure the full dose is delivered.
- Dispose needle safely in a sharps bin (don’t put used pens/needles in household waste).
How-to-use Wegovy® video & poster are hosted at www.weogvy.co.uk
If you’re new to injections, our team can talk you through your first dose.
FAQs
How soon will I notice a difference?
Many people feel less hungry within the first couple of weeks. Weight change tends to build gradually when you pair Wegovy with balanced meals and activity.
Can I drink alcohol?
Light to moderate alcohol is generally acceptable, but it can worsen reflux or nausea and adds calories. If you have diabetes or other conditions, ask your pharmacist about safe limits.
Can I pause and restart?
If you stop for a while, don’t restart on a high dose. Contact us—your prescriber may advise returning to a lower dose and titrating again.
Do I need blood tests?
Not routinely for everyone, but your prescriber may recommend checks based on your medical history.
What They Say About Us...
Great service, the follow up phone call to ensure that I was getting the correct medication was appreciated. Would yes 24 HR Pharmacy again.
Excellent customer service and prompt communication. My enquiry was resolved quickly, and my order was delivered ahead of time.
The service I received was faultless. Sehar is very knowledgeable and supportive in her consultation. The service was quick and easy to use.