Pronunciation: wee-GOH'-vee
Generic name: semaglutide
Dosage form: pen injection, for subcutaneous use (0.25 mg pen, 0.5 mg pen, 1 mg pen, 1.7 mg, pen, 2.4 mg).
Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 11, 2025.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is used to help weight loss and maintain weight loss long-term in patients with obesity or who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems. Wegovy works by reducing appetite and slowing the gut down, so you eat less, which results in weight loss and helps with weight management. Wegovy is also used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death in adults with cardiovascular disease and who are obese or overweight.

Wegovy is a prescription medicine given as an injection once-a-week given under the skin. This medicine should be used together with a decreased-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity to help weight management.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is the same active ingredient in Ozempic and Rybelsus, therefore these products should not be used together. Ozempic (subcutaneous weekly injection) and Rybelsus (once-a-day tablet) are used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients. Ozempic is also used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events for some type 2 diabetic patients.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy is a man-made version of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body that acts in several areas in the brain to regulate food intake. When Wegovy activates the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, this lowers appetite and slows how quickly the stomach empties, so you feel fuller for longer and eat less, which leads to weight loss. Wegovy (semaglutide) mechanism of action (MOA) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Who can use Wegovy?

Wegovy is an anti-obesity medicine that is FDA-approved to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in:

• adults and patients over 12 years old with obesity
• adults who are overweight and have a weight-related medical problem (e.g., blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol)

Wegovy is also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke in:

•  adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight

This injection should be used in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

What is the cost of Wegovy?

The Wegovy cost may be $0 for a one-month supply with insurance, but with no insurance, Wegovy can cost $499 per month for cash-paying patients. The Wegovy cost varies depending on insurance, which pharmacy you use, and whether you have coupons, a savings card plan, or patient assistance. 

Wegovy cost with insurance

The Wegovy cost with insurance may be $0 for a 28-day supply for up to 13 fills if you use the Wegovy coupon or savings card program. The Wegovy coupon or savings card program is called WeGo Together by Novo Nordisk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you qualify, or check the Novo Nordisk terms and conditions.

Wegovy cost without insurance

Wegovy cost without insurance is $499 per month supplied from Novo Nordisk’s NovoCare® Pharmacy, a direct-to-patient delivery option for cash-paying patients.

Prices without insurance will vary depending on the pharmacy and any discounts or patient assistance programs you use. Wegovy list price is $1,349.02/package. This is the original price set by the manufacturer before discounts or rebates are used, and most people do not pay the list price.

Refer to our Wegovy price guide page for more information about costs, coupons, copay cards, and patient assistance.

These are the current prices as at 11 March 2025.

Wegovy side effects

Common Wegovy side effects

Common Wegovy side effects in adults may include: 

• nausea (44%)
• diarrhea (30%)
• vomiting (24%)
• constipation (24%)
• stomach pain (20%)
• headache (14%)
• tiredness (11%)
• Indigestion (9%)
• bloating (7%)
• burping (7%)
• low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (6%)
• gas or flatulence (6%)
• gastroenteritis (6%)
• heartburn (5%)

These side effects occurred in 5% or more of obese or overweight adult patients using Wegovy 2.4mg in clinical trials. They usually subside within a few weeks of starting treatment or a few weeks after your dose increases.  These Wegovy side effects are usually mild and temporary and most likely will not interfere with long-term treatment. Some Wegovy patients (16%) stopped treatment due to side effects compared to 8% of placebo-treated patients in clinical trials.

Tips for managing Wegovy stomach side effects

Wegovy stomach-related side effects are the most common. If you have stomach side effects like nausea when first starting treatment, you can help to manage it by:

• eating more slowly
• eat low-fat bland foods (like crackers, toast and rice)
• having smaller meals more often
• avoid fried or greasy food
• eating foods that contain water (like soup or gelatin)
• stay upright after eating, and not lying down after eating
• going outside for fresh air
• start with a low dose of Wegovy and increase slowly as instructed by your doctor

If your stomach side effects bother you, worsen, or do not go away, call your healthcare provider for advice.

If you do not tolerate the 2.4 mg once weekly maintenance dosage, your healthcare provider may reduce your maintenance dose to 1.7 mg once weekly. If you cannot tolerate the 1.7 mg once-weekly dosage, your doctor may discontinue your medication.

Serious Wegovy side effects

Wegovy can cause serious side effects, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney problems, serious allergic reactions, increased heart rate, suicidal thoughts or behavior eye complications in type 2 diabetic patients (diabetic retinopathy), and liquid or food getting into the lungs during deep sedation or anesthesia.

Allergic reaction - get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeats, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You should call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of other serious Wegovy side effects, including:

• vision changes;
• unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• signs of a thyroid tumor - swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
• symptoms of pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;
• gallbladder problems - upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low blood sugar - headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;
• kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath, or
• stomach flu symptoms - stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody).

Also, see the Warning section.

This is not a complete list of side effects from Wegovy, and other adverse effects may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Risk of thyroid C-cells tumors Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. In studies with rodents, Wegovy and medicines that work like Wegovy caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if this medicine will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.

You should not use this medicine if you have tumors in your glands called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to it or if you have:

• multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);
• a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer); or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach or intestinal disorder;
• pancreatitis;
• kidney disease;
• are planning surgery or other procedure that uses anesthesia or deep sedation;
• eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy);
• have or have had depression or suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues.

In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Pregnancy

You should stop using this medicine at least two months before you plan to get pregnant. This medicine may harm your baby. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby.

There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who use Wegovy during pregnancy. The reason for this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your doctor about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500.

Breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare professional if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is unknown if this medicine passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using this medicine.

How to inject Wegovy?

• Remove the pen cap when you are ready to inject.
• To inject Wegovy, push the pen firmly against the skin and hold until the yellow bar has stopped moving.
• If the yellow bar does not start moving, you should press the pen more firmly against your skin.
• You will hear two clicks during the injection. Click 1 is when the injection has started, and click 2 when the injection is still ongoing.
• Do not remove the pen from your skin before the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. If you remove the needle earlier, you may not get your full dose.
• If the yellow bar does not start moving or stops during the injection, contact your healthcare provider or Novo Nordisk at Wegovy.com or call Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-833-934-6891.
• The needle cover will lock when the pen is removed from your skin. You cannot stop the injection and restart it later.

Where to inject Wegovy

• Wegovy is injected under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm, using a single dose pen device. This medicine should not be injected into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously).
• Change your injection site with each injection. You may inject in the same body area each week, but it is important to use a different spot each time. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid injecting into areas with scars or stretch marks.
• Put the used Wegovy pen in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) the pen in your household trash.
• People who are blind or have vision problems should not use the Wegovy pen without help from a person trained to use the pen.

General Wegovy injection instructions

• Wegovy is used once a week, on the same day each week. You can be injected any time of the day and with or without food.
•  If you choose a different weekly injection day, start your new schedule after at least two days have passed since the last injection you gave.
• The Wegovy pen is for one-time use only, and the dose is already set on your pen.
• Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. 
• Check your injection, if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it
• The needle is covered by the needle cover, and the needle will not be seen.
• You should not touch or push on the needle cover as you could get a needle stick injury.

For complete instructions with diagrams on how to use Wegovy, see Instructions for Wegovy Use

Wegovy Dosing Information

The starting Wegovy dose is 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks, and then your Wegovy dose will increase every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose of 1.7 mg or 2.4 weekly. The Wegovy dosing schedule starts at a low dose and increases over months to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Wegovy Dosing Schedule

Initial Adult Wegovy Dose Escalation Schedule:

• 0.25 mg once a week for weeks 1 through 4 (month one)
• 0.5 mg once a week for weeks 5 through 8 (month two)
• 1 mg once a week for weeks 9 through 12 (month three) 
• 1.7 mg once a week for weeks 13 through 16 (month four)

Adult Maintenance Wegovy Dose:

• 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once a week from Week 17 and onward.  If patients do not tolerate a dose during dosage escalation, consider delaying dosage escalation for 4 weeks. 

Initial Wegovy Dose Escalation Schedule (Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older):

• 0.25 mg once a week for weeks 1 through 4 (month one)
• 0.5 mg once a week for weeks 5 through 8 (month two)
• 1 mg once a week for weeks 9 through 12 (month three) 
• 1.7 mg once a week for weeks 13 through 16 (month four)

 Maintenance Wegovy Dose (Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older):

• 2.4 mg once weekly from Week 17 and onward
• If patients do not tolerate the 2.4 mg once-weekly maintenance dosage, the maintenance dosage may be reduced to 1.7 mg once weekly. 
• Discontinue Wegovy if the patient cannot tolerate the 1.7 mg once-weekly dosage

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Use the medicine as soon as possible and then return to your regular schedule. But If your next dose is due in less than two days (48 hours), skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Call your doctor if you miss more than two doses in a row of Wegovy. You may need to restart the medicine at a lower dose to avoid stomach problems.
• Do not use two doses of semaglutide at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Overdose may cause severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar.

What strengths is Wegovy available in ?

Wegovy is available as Wegovy 0.25 mg pen, Wegovy 0.5 mg pen, Wegovy 1 mg pen, Wegovy 1.7 mg pen and Wegovy 2.4 mg pen.

What should I avoid while using Wegovy?

Never share an injection pen, even if you changed the needle. Sharing this device can pass infection or disease from person to person.

What other drugs will affect Wegovy?

Wegovy can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially insulin or other diabetes medicines, such as dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, Byetta, Trulicity, Victoza, and others.

Other drugs may affect Wegovy, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Storage

• Store in refrigerator from 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• If needed (prior to cap removal), the pen can be kept from 8°C to 30°C (46°F to 86°F) for up to 28 days.
• Do not freeze.
• Protect from light, and it must be kept in the original carton until the time of administration. Discard the pen after use.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: semaglutide

Inactive Ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection

Company

Wegovy Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Allé. DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark.

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