Can I Start Wegovy at 1.7 mg?

The recommended starting dose for Wegovy, an injectable weight loss drug, is 0.25mg per week. The dose is gradually increased up to 1.7mg or 2.4mg per week, but you can’t start taking Wegovy at 1.7mg. This is because your body needs time to adjust to the medication, and taking too much too soon could cause serious side effects.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a brand name for a drug called semaglutide, which belongs to a class of anti-diabetic medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Semaglutide was originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. 

However, the drug has also been found to promote significant weight loss in people with and without diabetes. As a result, Wegovy has been approved as a preventative treatment for weight-related medical issues (like stroke or heart attack) in overweight or obese adults.

Who Should Take Wegovy?

Wegovy is recommended as a weight loss aid for obese individuals (i.e., those with a body mass index - BMI - of 30 or higher). It may also be given to people who are significantly overweight (with a BMI of 27 or above) and have at least one weight-related health condition. This medication should be used as part of a complete weight management plan that includes a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Wegovy comes as a liquid and is injected under the skin of the upper arms, thighs, stomach, or buttocks. You can do this yourself at home using pre-filled injector pens.

How Does Wegovy Work?

The drug in Wegovy - semaglutide - works by mimicking the actions of a hormone called GLP-1, which is released after eating and makes you feel full. Semaglutide does the same thing, but it lasts longer in the body than the natural hormone does. Therefore, Wegovy works by suppressing appetite, and people who use it typically lose weight because they don’t feel like eating as much.

One study found that people using semaglutide reduced their daily calorie intake by approximately 24%. The medication was also associated with:

• Reduced hunger
• Reduced cravings for high-fat foods
• Fewer overall food cravings
• Better control of eating
• Significant weight loss

Is Wegovy the Same as Ozempic?

Wegovy and Ozempic are different brand names for the same drug (semaglutide). Rybelsus also contains semaglutide, but unlike Wygovy and Ozempic (which are injectable), Rybelsus comes in tablet form.

What is the Recommended Dosage of Wegovy?

The recommended starting dose for Wegovy is 0.25mg per week for four weeks. If the patient tolerates this dose (i.e., has no severe or unacceptable side effects), they can increase the dose to 0.5mg per week.

If the 0.5mg dose is also tolerated, it can be increased to 1mg per week for four weeks, then 1.7mg per week for a further four weeks, then 2.4mg per week. 2.4mg is the highest recommended dose for Wegovy and it can be taken indefinitely unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise. If a patient experiences unacceptable side effects on a 2.4mg dose, they can scale it back to 1.7mg per week.

Why Do I Have to Start Wegovy At 0.25mg?

You need to start with a low dose of Wegovy to make sure you can handle the side effects of the medication. Gastrointestinal side effects are common on Wegovy, and at least 5% of patients experience:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Gas
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Starting at 0.25mg per week and slowly increasing the dose gives your body time to adjust to Wegovy and may reduce the risk or severity of side effects.

What Happens If I Start Wegovy at 1.7mg?

Starting Wegovy at a dose of 1.7mg would likely cause severe gastrointestinal side effects that may lead to other, more serious health complications. For example, dehydration caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea may lead to kidney injury and increase your risk of kidney failure. You would probably have to discontinue the treatment before seeing any significant weight loss benefits.

Using Wegovy as recommended by doctors (i.e., in gradually increasing doses) is the most effective way to achieve weight loss. One study found that patients treated with escalating doses of semaglutide (starting at 0.25mg and gradually increasing to 2.4mg) lost an average of 15.2% of their body weight after two years.

How To Get Better Weight Loss Results From Wegovy

Wegovy works by suppressing your appetite, making you less likely to overeat and reducing your overall calorie intake. 

You can get even better results from this medication by avoiding processed, high-calorie foods and exercising regularly. These lifestyle changes won’t just accelerate your weight loss; they will make it easier to maintain a healthy weight if you decide to stop taking Wegovy.

Want to buy Wegovy online? You can buy Wegovy in the UK from Prescription Doctor.

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 30/07/2024

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: 30/07/2024