How does Wegovy work for weight loss?

Wegovy works by targeting an area in the brain that helps to regulate appetite and how much you eat. It can also make you feel fuller for longer. It closely mimics a natural hormone in the body called incretin, which is made primarily in our digestive tract.

What is it?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor injection. It is approved by the FDA:

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established heart disease and either obesity or overweight.
• To reduce excess body weight and maintain weight loss in people 12 years of age and older with obesity.
• To reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction over the long-term in adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
• To treat adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced liver scarring (fibrosis), but not with cirrhosis of the liver. Continued approval for this indication may depend upon demonstration of further clinical benefit in studies.

Wegovy is used in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist medicine. Wegovy should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products (such as Ozempic or Rybelsus) or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.

It is not known if Wegovy is safe and effective for use in children under 12 years of age.

How does Wegovy affect appetite?

Wegovy (semaglutide) reduces appetite by mimicking the action of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is an appetite hormone made primarily in your digestive tract that targets areas of the brain to regulate appetite, especially after eating. It causes reduced appetite and the release of insulin.

Wegovy is classified as a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and occupies the GLP-1 receptor in the brain that regulates appetite. Wegovy slows how quickly the stomach empties, which makes you feel fuller for longer. It also enhances the production of insulin.

You will lose weight with Wegovy because you will typically eat less and feel fuller when you do eat. Wegovy treatment is recommended for long-term use if it’s effective for you, but be sure to use it in addition to a healthy diet and exercise to help promote weight loss.

• With continued use, Wegovy has been shown in studies to help people lose weight and keep it off for over two years. Studies were conducted in adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity.
• On average, people lost about 15% of their weight (equal to about 35 lbs) vs. a 2.6% (6 lb) weight loss in the group that took a placebo (inactive) treatment after 2 years time.
• About 77% of patients taking Wegovy maintained their weight loss at 2 years.

This is not all the information you need to know about Wegovy (semaglutide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.