Wegovy is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists.
Semaglutide was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to help with weight loss. It is now FDA-approved for long-term weight management when combined with diet and exercise. Specifically, the FDA approves Wegovy for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² and up
- Adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m² and up who also have a medical condition that has been known to improve with weight loss including T2D and high blood pressure
- Children who are at least 12 years old with a BMI at the 95th percentile for their sex and age
Wegovy is administered weekly via subcutaneous injection. If you’re wondering about Wegovy and how to inject it, you’ll find the answers in this post.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy acts similarly to a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1 and it works in three main ways:
- When blood sugar levels increase, Wegovy binds to GLP-1 receptors to prompt the release of insulin.
- GLP-1 prevents the liver (or at least slows it down) from breaking down glucagon, which would otherwise release glucose into the bloodstream.
- It also slows gastric emptying, so it delays the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine to make you feel fuller and less hungry after eating.
Like other GLP-1 medications, Wegovy is intended to be part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Wegovy Safety Information You Need to Know
Before you take Wegovy, there are things you should know. This drug tends to cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting especially at the beginning of treatment.
Wegovy should not be used by people who have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The FDA has mandated a boxed warning regarding the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
Patients should keep an eye out for symptoms of pancreatitis, changes in heart rate, serious gastrointestinal distress, hypoglycemia and diabetic retinopathy when using this medication and should report any such occurrences to a healthcare provider immediately.
Wegovy Pen How to Inject
Confirm You Have the Correct Medication and Dose
While it may seem basic, you should make sure you have the correct medication and dose. Your pen should be labeled Wegovy and contain a colorless and clear liquid. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to gradually increase your dose. You will most likely be advised to “step up” through a series of lower doses over several months until you reach your maintenance dose.
Rotate Your Injection Site
Each time you’re ready for an injection, use a new pre-filled pen. The needle is already attached and hidden, so you won’t need to see it. Your healthcare provider should have shown you how to inject Wegovy® properly and identified the appropriate injection sites. Avoid using the same spot repeatedly and instead establish a site rotation schedule with your healthcare provider’s guidance.
Be Sure to Complete the Injection
Administering the injection takes about 10 seconds and you may need to flatten your skin with two fingers to create a firm area for injection. Hold the pen straight against your body so you can see the pen’s window. Then press the pen firmly against your skin until you hear a click, which indicates the injection has started.
You will see a yellow bar moving in the pen’s window. If it’s not moving, press the pen more firmly against your skin. After a second click, keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving.
Always Log Your Dose
Avoid confusion about whether you took your dose by logging it immediately after administration. Use the My Medicine section of the WeGoTogether® portal to securely store your dosing history. Or you can write it in a journal or log it on your phone. Whatever works for you.
Set a Reminder for Your Next Dose
To help remember your next dose, incorporate it into your weekly routine. You can take Wegovy® at any time of day, so select a time that fits your schedule.
If you want a more detailed information on Wegovy how to inject and the best injection sites, you may refer to the manufacturer’s Wegovy injection guide.
Where Should You Inject Wegovy?
Inject Wegovy into your lower abdomen (at least 2 inches from your navel), upper arm, or front upper thigh. All these sites are equally effective for Wegovy administration. Although you can use the same body area, I always recommend that you vary the exact injection spot each time. For example, inject into the upper left thigh one week and the upper right thigh the next, or use different spots within the same thigh area.
Avoid injecting into areas with stretch marks, skin that is tender, discolored, bruised or hard. If you find it difficult to inject into a soft area, choose a firmer location like your upper thigh or stand while injecting into your lower abdomen for tauter skin.
When Should You Inject Wegovy?
Inject Wegovy once a week on the same day each week. I suggest you choose a day that fits your schedule so you can be consistent long term. Mark this day in your calendar, or use a medication reminder app to help keep track of your weekly dose.
What Time of Day Should I Take Wegovy?
As for the time of day to inject, there’s no specific time of day for administering Wegovy so choose a time that works best for you. You don’t need to coordinate your Wegovy injections around meals either as food does not impact the medication’s effectiveness.
Administer Wegovy at any convenient time of day, as it is a once-weekly medication. For example, you could choose every Sunday. When starting Wegovy, consider a day and time that suits your weekly routine. The timing of meals does not affect how Wegovy works.
If you wish to change your injection day, simply move your next scheduled dose to the new preferred day, ensuring at least 48 hours have passed since your last dose.
What Should I Do if You Miss a Wegovy Dose?
The usual dosing schedule for Wegovy is as follows:
Weeks 1-4 0.25 milligram (mg) once weekly
Weeks 5-8 0.5 mg once weekly
Weeks 9-12 1 mg once weekly
Weeks 13-16 1.7 mg once weekly
Weeks 17 and beyond 2.4 mg once weekly
If you miss a dose and your next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If the next scheduled dose is less than 48 hours away, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. For missed doses exceeding two weeks, take your next dose on the scheduled day or consult your healthcare provider on how to restart your treatment.
How to Avoid Missing Your Weekly Wegovy Injection
Missing doses can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and lead to setbacks. A study on a similar GLP-1 agonist, liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza), showed that consistent use resulted in 6.5% more weight loss over a year compared to those who missed doses.
Here are some tips to help you remember your weekly Wegovy injection:
- Use electronic notifications or physical reminders like calendar alerts or sticky notes.
- Align your Wegovy administration with an existing weekly task. For example, if you take out the recycling every Tuesday, administer Wegovy before or after this activity.
- If you take other weekly medications, consider administering Wegovy at the same time.
Tips on How to Save Money on Your Wegovy Prescription
Since Wegovy is only available as a brand-name medication, here are some cost-saving tips. First, if you have commercial insurance, you might be eligible to pay as little as $0 using a manufacturer’s savings card. Another option is to get the semaglutide or other GLP-1 RAs online. Licensed online pharmacies and telehealth services may offer compounded GLP-1s, like tirzepatide and semaglutide, at a lower cost than the brand-name versions.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Wegovy?
Wegovy is designed for long-term use to manage obesity, a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment, similar to conditions like hypertension or diabetes. However, some individuals might choose to or need to stop using Wegovy due to intolerable side effects or medication shortages.
When you stop taking Wegovy you may experience relief from any adverse effects you had.
Weight loss will likely stop and you might regain some of the weight you lost. The extent of weight regain depends on the duration of use, the amount of weight lost, and the length of the discontinuation period.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Inject Wegovy
1. What should I do if my medication leaks from the injection site?
First check that you are using the correct Wegovy injection technique. Minor leakage is normal, but significant leakage should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
2. When is the best time to inject Wegovy?
The best time to inject Wegovy can vary based on personal preference and routine. It’s important to administer it on the same day each week. Consistency is key, so choose a time when disruptions are least likely.
3. Is it necessary to vary the injection site for Wegovy?
Yes, varying the injection site helps reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and other skin issues. The optimal injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm. If possible, rotate these sites with each injection.
Testimonials and Reviews from Wegovy Users
Teresa
I started Wegovy exactly 4 weeks ago today. I have had 4 injections 0.25 mg. I am down 16 lbs. on Wegovy when nothing else worked at all. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes 19 years ago. It never went away I had my last child when I was 39 so you know that weight was really hard to loss. Thank Goodness for this medication. I have never been an overeater and have severe back problems and can not exercise which is why I was approved for this through my insurance.
Lovew
I started at a size XXL/pants size 16 and 213 lbs. After a little over a year, I am now 125 lbs and a size small/pants size 2. This drug literally reset my entire body chemistry and metabolism. I never dieted nor exercised the past year. I don’t want to lose any more weight, so I just went down to a 1 mg half dose to maintain my weight loss. I am so grateful for this medicine!
razorwirebeth
Went from 242lbs to 185lbs so far. It’s been amazing but it’s also been hard for me personally bc I went into thinking this was a magic shot that would fix everything. I realize now that although wegovy is a godsend I still have to fix my relationship with food and there’s a good chance my body will look very different despite being a normal BMI! I have never struggled with my weight until I got pregnant at 21 and 23. Gained 80 lbs by the end of it. Now that I’m starting to look how I use to… I’m starting to realize i don’t look how I use to. Tons of lose skin, stretch marks. I kind of just realized that even when I get to my goal weight my body just may look completely different. So in some ways it’s not like a magic fix but I think I prefer being a good weight and all these issues. Before I had high blood pressure that caused me to have two emergency c sections just from my weight. Now im like 110/80! Wegovy has changed many things for me all for the better, but i think from reading so many success stories I just thought unrealistic things like that I would magically look like a skinny queen lolol kinda forget about all the other things
How Much Will Wegovy Cost Me?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication for managing chronic weight issues and is priced at approximately $1,350 for a 28-day supply. If you do the math, the yearly expense for Wegovy without any discounts or insurance coverage totals around $16,000. Most insurance companies don’t cover weight loss medications, though there may be exceptions based on your insurance type and location.
Regardless of any discounts, Wegovy remains a costly option for many people. The good news is Brightmeds provides a cost-effective alternative to access semaglutide for weight management. Brightmeds consists of healthcare experts who will review your medical profile, check your eligibility for semaglutide, and issue a prescription if you qualify. They also offer semaglutide and tirzepatide at lower rates than the brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic.
How to Begin with BrightMeds
If you’re considering starting your weight management plan with Brightmeds head over to their website and provide some information such as your state, age, weight, height, and contact details. Their medical team will assess your information to determine your eligibility. They will then contact you with your treatment options, and your medication will be shipped to you quickly and conveniently.