Wegovy 0.25mg

Wegovy Overview

Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine used to help manage weight in adults who are either obese or overweight accompanied by weight-related health issues. Wegovy 0.25mg is the starting dose, priced at £168.99 (per pen) at Prescription Doctor. It should be taken alongside a lower-calorie diet and increased exercise for the best results. It works to slow digestion which means you feel full for longer leading to less food eaten. 

The active ingredient is semaglutide which mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), causing you to feel more full and eat less. GLP-1 is a hormone and Wegovy targets this to reduce food intake which can help towards weight loss.

Benefits of Wegovy 0.25mg

Wegovy has shown many clinical health benefits. The key ones include:

• Aids in weight reduction – Combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise, Wegovy can help you to reduce and maintain a healthy weight loss.
• Reduces appetite – By interacting with the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, it reduces hunger and food cravings which leads to better portion control.
• Enhances blood sugar control – If you have Type 2 diabetes, Wegovy can help as it stimulates insulin release when blood sugars get higher and reduces them.
• Decreases risk of cardiovascular problems – Wegovy has been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke and cardiac death.

Who is Wegovy Suitable For?

Wegovy is suitable for adult use if it satisfies either of the following criteria:

• An initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of:
  • ≥ 30 kg/m² (obese) or
  • ≥ 27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) plus at least one weight-related health problem such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).

To get the best results with Wegovy, it is recommended to follow a balanced diet plan.

Who Shouldn’t Use Wegovy?

Wegovy is unsuitable for some people. These include people who have:

• Specific thyroid cancers (or if present in the family)
• History of allergic reactions
• History of gallbladder problems and pancreatitis

An extensive list can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet. If you are in doubt, speak to one of the Pharmacists at Prescription Doctor.

How to Use Wegovy

Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week. The best places to administer are in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen. It can be given with or without food, any time of day.

3 tips to maximise and ensure effectiveness:

1. Rotate injection sites frequently to avoid skin irritation
2. Maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity
3. Keep a log of your weekly doses to ensure you don’t forget which day to administer

If you have looked at our guide on how to use Wegovy and are still unsure how to administer it, consult with your pharmacist or doctor.

Dosage

Wegovy 0.25mg is the starting dose in the treatment plan, to allow time for your body to adjust to the medication. A typical dosing schedule includes:

Initial Dose (Week 1-4):

Inject 0.25mg once weekly.

This initial phase helps minimise potential side effects and allows the body to get used to the medication.

Titration Phase (Week 5 onwards):

After four weeks on the 0.25mg dose, the dose can usually be increased to 0.5mg weekly.

Further increases are based on your progress, how well you tolerate the drug and a thorough discussion with our pharmacist. Subsequent dose increases are: progressing to 1.0mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg - the maintenance dose.

If you miss a dose and it has within five days, administer it as soon as possible. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and resume on your next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose. You should work closely with one of the pharmacists at Prescription Doctor to achieve the best results from Wegovy.

Does Wegovy Have Side Effects?

Like all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects. The most common include:

• Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach discomfort are common, especially during the initial phases.
• Headache and nausea: As your body adjusts, you may feel mild headaches or dizziness.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired or low on energy is more commonly seen in the initial stages of treatment.

It’s rare but Wegovy can occasionally cause more serious side effects such as pancreatitis (severe stomach pain), increased heart rate (tachycardia) and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

If the side effects are severe or persist, consult our healthcare provider immediately. It may be that the dose needs to be increased slower or more frequent check-ups are needed to monitor response.

How to Store Wegovy

Wegovy should be stored in the fridge between 2°C to 8°C before first use. Do not freeze. After the first use, store below 30°C at room temperature or back in a fridge for up to 6 weeks. Keep the pen away from sunlight or extreme temperatures. Proper storage ensures Wegovy is both safe and effective to use throughout the treatment period.

How to buy Wegovy 

Wegovy can be purchased at Prescription Doctor with a starting price of £168.99 for the 0.25mg pen (x1). Our dedicated medical team will then support you through the process, starting with a short questionnaire to learn about your medical history, which is reviewed by our clinicians who will generate a prescription. Once this is reviewed in our pharmacy, the medication is securely packaged and delivered straight to your doorstep.

Authored By

Dr Giuseppe Aragona

Doctor

Dr. Giuseppe utilises his extensive experience in general practice to ensure the accuracy and safety of the website's content.

Published on: 30/01/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 30/01/2025