Wegovy

How Does Wegovy Work

Wegovy contains the active ingredient, semaglutide, a man-made version of glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally releases after eating to stabilise your blood sugar levels and tell your brain you are full.

Wegovy is called a ‘GLP-1 agonist’. It is injected once per week, either by you or someone who cares for you and works to make your portion sizes smaller and lower your appetite, enabling you to lose weight.

Your clinician will advise you that to gain the full benefit of Wegovy treatment, you’ll need to follow a diet and exercise plan. 

Can I Buy Wegovy Online?

When you buy Wegovy online from Prescription Doctor, you can be rest assured that you are buying from a regulated service. To be eligible for Wegovy, our clincians will review your consultation making sure it is safe for you to use. If one of our registered clinicians doesn’t feel Wegovy (semaglutide) is right for you you will receive a full refund as part of Prescription Doctor’s money-back guarantee.

Once your order is approved, Wegovy weight loss pens will be delivered to you in discreet, temperature-regulated packaging. You will receive a white mailing bag and inside will be a white die-cut box containing a temperature-controlled pouch with reusable freezer packs. You can keep these packs in the freezer for later use.

When your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via email. Our couriers will deliver between Monday and Saturday. 

Wegovy Pricing

Wegovy prices start from £139.99 at Prescription Doctor. You can find a full breakdown below:

How to take Wegovy 

Wegovy is available in 5 doses, ranging from the starting dose of 0.25 mg to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. It is injected once per week under your skin and should be injected on the same day and time each week.
Each dose is provided in a different colour Wegovy pen. One of our clinicians will increase your dose until you reach the maintenance dose, but the way you use the Wegovy weight loss injection pen is the same, regardless of the dosage. 

Choose your preferred injection site. You should rotate your injection site each week. The prefered injection sites are:

• Stomach
• Upper arms
• Upper legs 

Before injecting your dose, check you have the right dose pen, just to make sure you have the correct one.  The following steps are for guidance only and should not replace the information given to you by your clinician or the patient information leaflet.

To inject your first Wegovy dose, you should:

• Check the contents: The Wegovy FlexTouch Pen pack should contain one injection that’s pre-filled with 4 weekly doses of semaglutide,  and 4 disposable needles, one for each week.
• Check Pen: Inspect the Wegovy pen to make sure it hasn’t been used, isn’t broken and the medicine is clear and colourless, and check the expiry date hasn’t passed.
• Attach the needle: Remove the pen cap and attach a new needle from the pack by pushing it into the pen and twisting it until it is secure.
• Prime the Pen: Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol. With the needle pointing up in the air, tap the cartridge gently to collect air bubbles at the top. Press the dose button until a drop appears on the needle tip.
• Dose Selection: Turn the dose selector until the prescribed dose appears in the window; depending on your pen, this will be 0.25, 0.5, 1,1.7 or 2.4. 
• Injection Site: Choose where you would like to inject yourself: Lower stomach (at least 5 cm from the belly button), thigh or upper arm. You can inject into the same area each week but make sure you choose a different location from your last injection.
• Injecting Dose: Insert the needle into the skin, so that the pen is straight. Make sure you can see the dose counter. Press and hold the dose button until the dose selector shows 0 and you hear a click. Continue to hold the dose button in and slowly count to 6 to make sure the full dose is delivered.
• Post Injection: Carefully lift the weight loss injection from your skin. and dispose of the needle in your sharps bin. Never reuse needles!
  If you have doses left in your pen, place the cap carefully back on and safely store it for future use.

More information with images on how to administer the injection.

Tips for using Wegovy

Keep a Wegovy diary. Log the day, date, time and dose you have injected. This will help you remember you have taken your dose, avoiding confusion if you’re not sure.

Set an alarm to remind you to take your next Wegovy dose. You could set an alarm on your phone for the day and time you usually inject your Wegovy pen.

For the best results when using Wegovy weight loss injections, you should avoid foods that will stop you from losing weight. For example, it’s best to avoid food that’s high in sugar or fat, especially saturated fat, but increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains that provide your body with energy and fibre.

Wegovy Dosage Schedule

Wegovy pens are available in 5 doses. You must begin Wegovy treatment on the starting dose of 0.25 mg once per week for one month. Your clinician will then advise you to increase your weekly dose each month until you reach the maximum dose of 2.4 mg.

The schedule will be:

• First month (Weeks 1 to 4): 0.25 mg once per week (Green pen)
• Second month (Weeks 5 to 8): 0.5 mg once per week (Pink pen)
• Third month (Weeks 9 to 12): 1.0 mg once per week (Brown pen)
• Fourth month (Weeks 13 to 16): 1.7 mg once per week (Blue pen)
• Fifth month (Week 17 onwards): Maintenance dose remains at 1.7 mg (Blue pen) or your clinician will increase your dose to 2.4 mg once per week (Black pen) 

What if I miss a Wegovy dose?  

You should not take two Wegovy doses in one week. Accidentally double dosing can cause side effects, such as severe nausea, vomiting, and dangerously low blood sugar levels. If this happens, you should go to the nearest accident and emergency department immediately, taking the packaging and remaining medicine with you.

How Much Weight Can You Lose on Wegovy?

In clinical trials, people with a BMI of 27 or greater lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This is equivalent to about 26 pounds.

Wegovy is effective for weight loss when it is used alongside a diet and exercise plan. People who use Wegovy weight loss injections can lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight after one year. 

The effectiveness of Wegovy was evaluated in The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People (STEP) trials. 

The results from these trials showed: 

• Taking weekly 2.4 mg Wegovy injections resulted in an average weight loss of between 14.9% and 17.4%. 
• Almost 80% of people lost at least 10% of their weight. 

Who should not take Wegovy? 

Do not use Wegovy if you: 

• Or any member of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) 
• Or any family member has Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) 
• Have ever had a serious allergic to Wegovy, semaglutide or any of the ingredients in the Wegovy weight loss injections

Before using Wegovy, let your clinician know if you:

• Are aged 76 or over
• Are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• Have kidney or pancreatic issues
• Have type 2 diabetes or diabetic retinopathy
• Have experienced mental health issues, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• Take any other medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal remedies and supplements
• Take medication for diabetes, such as insulin sulfonylureas or other weight-loss medicines
• Have an eating disorder

Can I switch GLP-1 agonists?

To find out if it is suitable for you to switch from one GLP-1 agonist to another, you should speak to your clinician. It is important to follow the clinician's instructions carefully if they think it is appropriate for you to switch treatments.

Switching from Saxenda to Wegovy

Speak to your clinician who will assess you and your current situation, such as your current weight, medical issues, and any side effects you may have experienced while using Saxenda. If they feel it is appropriate for you to switch, they will devise a plan and prescribe the appropriate dose and dosing schedule for Wegovy.

If you are currently taking Saxenda, you should be able to begin the starting dose of Wegovy the next day.

Continue to use Wegovy as your clinician instructed.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy

Mounjaro and Wegovy must not be taken at the same time. If you are switching to Mounjaro from Wegovy, you will need to use your first Mounjaro injection at least one week after your last Wegovy injection.

When you switch to Mounjaro from Wegovy, you will need to start on the lowest dose of Mounjaro and titrate up until you reach the highest dose. You will need to do this even if you were using the maintenance Wegovy dose and under the direction of your clinician.

Wegovy Contraindications & Drug Interactions

• Allergy: Do not use Wegovy if you have had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in the injection.
• Digestive System Side Effects: Wegovy can cause digestive system side effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to stay hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration, especially for individuals with kidney problems.
• Pancreatitis: Although uncommon, pancreatitis may be experienced as a side effect. If you notice severe stomach pain or other symptoms of pancreatitis, stop using Wegovy and seek medical attention immediately. For more information on pancreatitis symptoms, refer to the NHS website.
• Diabetes: Wegovy should not be used as a substitute for insulin in people with diabetes. It can also increase the risk of low blood sugar levels when taken with other diabetic medicines. Please refer to section 2 of the patient information leaflet for a complete list of warnings.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: This medication is not suitable for individuals experiencing diabetic retinopathy. Consult your doctor before using Wegovy if this applies to you.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) and Pregnancy

• Pregnancy: Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm the fetus. It is advised to stop using Wegovy at least 2 months before planning a pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: Do not use Wegovy if you are breastfeeding.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Wegovy:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Improvement over Time:

• Side effects usually improve as the body becomes accustomed to the medication.
• Gradually increasing the dose every 4 weeks can help reduce the risk of experiencing these side effects.

Severe Side Effects:

• If your side effects are severe or do not improve, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice or call NHS 111.

Complete List of Side Effects:

• For a comprehensive list of possible side effects, please refer to section 4 of the patient information leaflet.

Wegovy Alternatives

Wegovy may not be the most suitable weight loss drug for everyone. There are several alternatives available:

Mounjaro 

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide and works by mimicking two important hormones involved in insulin release, called gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Mounjaro was originally a type 2 diabetes medicine but has recently been approved in the UK for weight loss.

There are also weight loss pills available:

• Mysimba: Mysimba is a prolonged-release weight loss pill that lowers your food intake.
• Xenical: Xenical contains the active ingredient orlistat and is available as a pill taken immediately before, during or after each of your three main meals daily. It works by stopping your body from absorbing fat, causing weight loss.
• Alli: Alli is also a weight loss pill that contains orlistat, but it is available over-the-counter without a prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions