When Elon Musk tweeted about how fasting and Wegovy helped him achieve a “fit, ripped, and healthy” physique, the Internet went abuzz. All of a sudden, people were curious about Wegovy.
How does Wegovy help you lose weight?
Where do you inject Wegovy?
How do you use it?
Is it safe?
We’ve been getting these questions a lot lately so we decided to answer them all in this post.
But before we talk about how to use Wegovy and learning more about the correct Wegovy injection site, let’s discuss briefly what Wegovy is and how it can help you lose weight.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy along with Ozempic has garnered a lot of attention for their effectiveness among celebrities and influencers. It is a widely-used weight loss medication manufactured by the same company that made Ozempic. It’s a weekly injectable that was approved by the FDA back in 2021 and is designed for long-term weight management. It contains a higher dose of semaglutide compared to Ozempic to better aid in weight loss.
According to the FDA, there are no approved generic versions of Wegovy. However, some compounding pharmacies in the U.S. such as Brightmeds have been found to offer off-brand versions of the drug which many have found to be effective.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy works by decreasing your appetite and slowing down the emptying of your stomach, so you will feel less hungry and will in effect eat less. It also boosts the production of insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1 analogues) which means it mimics how the hormone GLP-1 works. GLP-1 is produced naturally by the gut, pancreas and nervous system.
The drug Wegovy is intended for people who are obese or overweight – specifically for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have other health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol – conditions that make weight loss important and necessary.
In practice, some people without obesity or weight-related health conditions have been using Wegovy to lose around 10 pounds or so.
Where is the Wegovy Injection Site?
Wegovy is an injectible and it is injected once a week. If you’re wondering where to inject Wegovy, there are three recommended injection sites – under the skin of your abdomen, upper arms or upper thigh. Each area is equally effective.
You can either stick to one area or alternate injection sites each time. It’s advisable not to inject in the exact same spot within an area every time as rotating injection sites weekly can help prevent skin reactions.
The Wegovy needle is thin and short but long enough to reach under the skin, so the injections are generally painless. But make sure to avoid injecting Wegovy into muscles, scars, veins or any areas that appear bruised, red or cut.
Here are some tips for each injection site:
- The stomach is often the easiest place to inject Wegovy. Many people find this area less painful than others. If you choose this spot, just remember to avoid injecting within 2 inches of your belly button.
- If injecting in the upper thigh, avoid the inner thigh. You can inject while sitting or standing.
- The upper arm can be difficult to reach on your own, so you might want to ask a family member or friend for help.
How Should You Inject Wegovy?
Now that you know the 3 Wegovy injection sites, let’s talk about how to inject this drug. Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it goes under the skin. Once you’ve selected your injection site, follow these steps to inject your dose:
- Choose a quiet area where you can focus on your injection and make sure you have a clean table or counter to work on.
- Take a new Wegovy pen out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you inject. You should also have an alcohol swab, a gauze or cotton pad, and small container ready.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds so they are clean and dry before proceeding.
- Make sure that your pen is not damaged and the medication appears clear in the pen window. You should also check the expiration date, discard if expired.
- Clean the area with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Let it dry completely before injecting, and avoid blowing on it or touching it after cleaning.
- Once the skin is dry, remove the cap from the pen. The needle is already attached and hidden inside the needle cover.
- Check to see if you can see the pen window. Press the pen firmly against the cleaned area of skin, which will deploy the needle. The pen will click once to start the injection, and a yellow bar will move down the pen window. It will click again when the injection is complete. Once that’s done, remove the needle from your skin.
- At this point, you might see a little blood after the injection. This is normal. Simply use a clean cotton pad or gauze to wipe the area.
Each Wegovy pen is for single use only so be sure to dispose of the used pen in a sharps container to prevent anyone from getting injured by the needle. If your Wegovy pen malfunctions, such as the yellow bar not moving even after applying enough pressure or stopping too early, contact your prescriber or manufacturer.
When Should You Inject Wegovy?
You need to inject Wegovy once every week and on the same day each week. Choose a day that fits well into your schedule and stick to it.
There isn’t a specific time of day that is best for injecting Wegovy. The key is to keep to the same day every week. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to plan your injection around meals and you can take Wegovy with or without food, as food doesn’t affect its efficacy.
Who is Eligible to Receive Wegovy for Weight Loss?
Here are the criteria for using Wegovy, which also influence whether health insurance plans might cover the prescription:
If your BMI is 30 or above, you are eligible.
If your BMI is 27 or higher and you have additional health risks, you are also eligible.
If you don’t meet these criteria, using the medication would be considered “off-label,” or not in accordance with FDA approval. This off-label use is acceptable if your healthcare provider deems it necessary.
Are There Side Effects If You Take Wegovy?
Yes, there are other potential risks to taking Wegovy. People may have an increased risk of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas often caused by gallstones, alcohol use, or high triglycerides.
Also if you have a history of MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2) or medullary thyroid cancer, you should not take Wegovy.
What Should You Do If You Miss a Wegovy Dose?
Life happens, and you might miss a dose of Wegovy. If your missed dose is within the next 48 hours (2 days), just wait and take it on your next scheduled day. Do not take two doses within 48 hours or less.
If more than 48 hours remain until your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your usual injection schedule.
If you’ve missed two or more weeks of doses, it’s best to consult your prescriber. They might allow you to resume where you left off or restart the dosing schedule to minimize side effects.
Now if you always forget to take your Wegovy dose on time you should set a weekly alarm or reminder on your phone. You may also find it helpful to write down your injection dates on the Wegovy box or in your calendar.
Can I Change My Wegovy Injection Day?
If your chosen injection day is no longer convenient, then yes you can change it. Just make sure not to inject two doses within 48 hours of each other. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help you switch your injection day safely.
What Can You Do If You Experience Side Effects From Wegovy?
Many people find Wegovy side effects manageable and they usually subside over time. Side effects are more common when you first start or when your dose increases, which occurs gradually over several months. The most common side effects of Wegovy include:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Upset stomach
Although these side effects are often temporary, they can make it hard for a person to stay on treatment. So should you experience these, here are some tips to manage the Wegovy side effects:
- Start by eating low fat and bland foods.
- Eat slowly and mindfully.
- Limit spicy foods and alcohol.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Don’t lie down right away after eating.
- Try to walk for at least 10 minutes after meals.
Be sure to let your healthcare team know if these side effects persist or worsen over time. They can help you manage your symptoms or adjust your dose if necessary.
How Effective is Semaglutide?
Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus are among the brand-name medications containing semaglutide as their active ingredient. Ongoing research continues to affirm the effectiveness of semaglutide injections for weight loss. But semaglutide is not a miracle cure and may not be suitable for everyone.
“It’s important to recognize that obesity is heterogeneous, chronic, and complex,” states Dr. Vijaya Surampudi, a physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO). “There is no cure for obesity. It necessitates lifelong treatment that isn’t one-size-fits-all.”
Semaglutide is part of a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut in response to eating.
One function of GLP-1 is to stimulate the body to produce more insulin, so it lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels. It’s for this important function thati healthcare providers have utilized semaglutide for over 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes.
In higher doses, GLP-1 also interacts with brain regions that curb appetite and signal your body that it is full. When combined with diet and exercise, semaglutide can result in major weight loss and reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease in overweight and obese individuals.
How Effective is Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Non-Diabetics?
There have been various anti-obesity medications aimed at suppressing appetite and achieving weight loss, but semaglutide operates on an entirely new level.
An early study involving 2,000 obese adults compared individuals using semaglutide alongside a diet and exercise regimen with those making the same lifestyle changes without semaglutide. Sixty eight weeks later half of the participants on semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, and about 30% lost 20%. Those who only made lifestyle changes lost approximately 2.4% of their body weight.
Other studies have yielded similar outcomes but also indicated that participants tend to regain the weight lost once they discontinue semaglutide.
“The core of obesity management will always be modifications to diet and exercise,” says Dr. Surampudi. “But anti-obesity medications provide another tool in the toolkit, depending on the individual’s clinical history.”
How Much Does Wegovy Cost?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication used for chronic weight management and at the moment it has a list price of $1,350 (28-day supply). If you do the math, you’ll determine that the annual cost of Wegovy is around $16,000 without discount or insurance coverage. Most insurance providers do not cover weight loss medications although there are some, depending on the kind of insurance you have and where you live.
But whether or not you get some kind of discount for Wegovy, the matter stands – it’s still prohibitive for most Americans. There are telehealth services such as Brightmeds that offer an affordable way for you to get access to semaglutide to help you manage your weight effectively. They are a team of healthcare professionals that will review your medical profile, determine your eligibility for semaglutide and provide the prescription if you are found to be eligible. Moreover, Brightmeds make semaglutide and tirzepatide more affordable than the brand name GLP-1 RAs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
How to Get Started with BrightMeds
Starting your weight management journey with Brightmeds is easy. All you have to do is visit their WEBSITE and answer a few questions such as the state where you reside, your age, weight, height and contact information. Their medical team will then review your information to determine if you’re eligible. They will then get back to you to provide you with your treatment options and your prescribed medication will be shipped to your address quickly and conveniently.