Wegovy is an injectable drug for the therapy of weight problems that’s quickly gaining recognition for its effectiveness in weight reduction.
This text supplies necessary details about this therapy.
What’s Wegobee?
Wegovy (semaglutide) not less than one weight-related illness (hypertension, sort 2 diabetes, excessive ldl cholesterol).
It was additionally accepted in 2024 to cut back the danger of cardiovascular loss of life, coronary heart assault, and stroke in adults with heart problems and who’re overweight or chubby.
As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, this drug:
Regardless of these advantages, it’s only accepted for weight reduction, not as a diabetes therapy.
Wegovy is a prescription-only injection that’s administered as soon as every week. Different medicine within the GLP-1 agonist class embrace Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide).
See beneath for extra data. Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which drug is best for you?
What are the advantages of Wegovy?
This remedy has a number of advantages, together with:
weight reduction
This drug has been proven to assist vital weight reduction by lowering urge for food and slowing down digestion, which prevents the discharge of glucagon from the liver and avoids spikes in blood sugar ranges. Masu.
Research have proven that adults who acquired the injections misplaced a median of 15 p.c of their beginning weight, and adolescents misplaced 16 p.c.
Bettering insulin sensitivity
This drug enhances blood sugar management, lowers A1C ranges, and improves insulin sensitivity.
The STEP 2 trial confirmed that sufferers with sort 2 diabetes not solely misplaced weight on Wegovy, but additionally skilled vital enhancements in blood sugar and A1c ranges.
Even in individuals with out diabetes, this therapy may also help enhance insulin resistance and should delay or forestall diabetes.
Lowered cardiovascular threat
The lively ingredient, semaglutide, has been proven to cut back the danger of main cardiovascular occasions comparable to coronary heart assault, stroke, and loss of life by 26% in adults with sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness.
Why am I being prescribed Wegovy?
This drug is accepted by the FDA for weight problems, weight reduction, and continual weight administration, and though it could assist decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1c, it’s not a diabetes therapy.
To be eligible for prescription, you will need to meet sure physique mass index (BMI, a measure of weight in relation to top) standards: a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI of 27 and not less than one weight-related illness. yeah. Excessive ldl cholesterol, hypertension (hypertension), or sort 2 diabetes.
This therapy can also be accepted for continual weight administration in individuals 12 years of age and older, so long as the youth’s BMI is at or above the ninety fifth percentile for his or her age and gender.
If you don’t meet the standards for this therapy, you might be eligible for one more GLP-1 drug, comparable to Ozempic, particularly in case you are managing sort 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Discuss to your physician about whether or not Wegovy or different drugs are best for you.
What are the uncomfortable side effects?
If you begin utilizing this treatment, many individuals expertise delicate to average uncomfortable side effects, comparable to:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdomen ache
- constipation
- weight reduction
- Hypoglycemia (if taking insulin)
Uncommon however severe uncomfortable side effects embrace:
- thyroid tumor
- pancreatitis
- modifications in imaginative and prescient
- kidney issues
- extreme allergic response
Search rapid medical consideration should you develop a fever, expertise modifications in imaginative and prescient, really feel weak point or ache, suspect an allergic response, or have extreme low blood sugar. Extreme hypoglycemia could be life-threatening if not handled shortly.
See beneath for extra data. Wegovy uncomfortable side effects: what that you must know.
What’s the appropriate dose?
Dosage will depend on particular person elements comparable to top, weight, well being targets, way of life, and medical historical past. The obtainable doses are:
- 0.25 milligrams (mg, beginning dose)
- 0.50mg
- 1mg
- 1.7mg
- 2.4 mg (most weekly dose)
Every pen delivers one pre-measured weekly dose. Don’t exceed the prescribed dose as overdosage could trigger severe uncomfortable side effects.
For extra data, see: Wegovy Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to I Take?
How a lot Wegovy ought to I take?
Your well being care supplier will decide the suitable dose based mostly in your medical historical past, targets, way of life, top, and weight.
There isn’t a “typical” dose. Customers sometimes begin with a low dose of 0.25 mg per week and enhance step by step to realize the specified weight reduction or upkeep.
The utmost dose is 2.4 mg per week, however most individuals attain this quantity relying on their response to the drug and uncomfortable side effects.
What occurs should you take an excessive amount of Wegovy?
Take this treatment solely as soon as every week.
If by chance taken in extra, severe uncomfortable side effects can happen, together with debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, and hypoglycemia (particularly in case you are utilizing insulin), which could be life-threatening. there’s.
In case of overdose, search medical consideration instantly.
I forgot to take Wegovy. What now?
Even should you neglect to take it occasionally, it is not going to hurt your physique or have an effect on your weight or blood sugar ranges.
For finest outcomes, take the treatment constantly. In the event you miss a dose, you’ll be able to take it inside a number of days.
If greater than 5 days have handed, skip the missed dose and proceed along with your common schedule.
How you can inject Wegovy
Earlier than utilizing the injection pen, verify the treatment for particles or discoloration. In the event you discover any of those, don’t use the pen as it could be expired or broken.
Clear the injection website with rubbing alcohol earlier than injection.
Rotate injection websites weekly to stop harm and scar tissue.
This drug is normally injected underneath the pores and skin within the thigh, stomach, or higher arm.
Discuss to your well being care supplier about the most effective injection websites and carry out rotations.
See beneath for extra data. Wegovy Injection Information: The place and How you can Inject.
Who shouldn’t use Wegovy?
This therapy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by a health care provider.
Not beneficial for individuals who are pregnant, planning to change into pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use medicine containing Wegovy or semaglutide should you or a member of the family has a historical past of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or a number of endocrine neoplasia syndrome sort 2 (MEN 2).
Moreover, keep away from this therapy in case you are allergic to semaglutide.
In the event you want a GLP-1 agonist however are allergic to semaglutide, contemplate speaking along with your physician about various drugs comparable to Victoza, which comprises liraglutide.
How do I cease taking Wegovy?
If you wish to cease taking this treatment, speak to your physician first.
Sudden stopping just isn’t beneficial. Your well being care supplier will possible recommend that you just step by step cut back your dose.
Discontinuing Wegovy could result in relapse of insulin resistance, elevated urge for food, elevated blood sugar ranges, and weight achieve.
On common, roughly two-thirds of the load misplaced is regained inside 1 12 months of discontinuing semaglutide-based remedy.
Talk about various drugs, train, and dietary plans along with your physician to handle potential rebound results.
Can Wegovy change insulin?
No, it’s not a alternative for insulin.
If you’re utilizing insulin, you will want to proceed taking it after beginning Wegovy.
Wegovy may also help decrease blood sugar ranges over time, however it does not decrease blood sugar ranges immediately like insulin.
After taking this treatment for a number of months, you might discover a lower in your want for insulin, however it’s unlikely that your want for insulin will disappear utterly.
Can I take Wegovy with my diabetes treatment?
Whether or not it may be used with different diabetes medicine will depend on the drug you might be utilizing.
Wegovy shouldn’t be used with different GLP-1 medicine comparable to Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
For extra data, see: Wigoby vs Munjaro: what’s the most suitable choice?
Nevertheless, Wegovy’s lively ingredient, semaglutide, can be utilized with metformin, insulin, or different drugs.
At all times seek the advice of your physician earlier than combining Wegovy with different medicines and ensure your physician is aware of about all of the medicines you take.
How ought to I retailer Wegovy?
Retailer within the fridge at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to eight°C), shielded from mild and in its authentic field.
As soon as opened, it may be used for as much as 56 days. If desired, Wegovy could be saved with the pen cap on at room temperature (46°F to 86°F or 8°C to 30°C) for as much as 28 days.
Don’t freeze the pen or expose it to direct daylight or excessive temperatures.
How a lot does Wegovy price?
Prices differ relying in your insurance coverage plan, and the quantity you pay every month (out-of-pocket quantity) can differ extensively.
To find out your particular copays, use your prescription or medical card and Wegovy’s protection and copay calculator, obtainable out of your insurance coverage firm or Novo Nordisk.
It’s sometimes coated by many insurance coverage for weight administration, however protection could differ. It is very important contact your insurance coverage firm immediately to grasp your particular protection particulars.
When you have questions on protection or copays, please contact Wegovy Help at 1-888-693-6489.
For many who qualify, affected person help packages (PAPs) could present free or low-cost drugs. For extra details about this program and eligibility necessities, please name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free quantity 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription for Wegovy?
Please seek the advice of your physician to acquire a prescription. Wegovy could be prescribed should you meet the BMI standards or are chubby with a qualifying continual situation.
In the event you’re not eligible, your physician could recommend different FDA-approved weight reduction drugs which are higher suited to your wants.
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