Wegovy: How well does it work and how quickly?

Wegovy contains the active ingredient Semaglutide. It works by acting on different areas of the brain which are involved in regulating your appetite. It does this by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone in our bodies called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is 94% Trusted source FDA Government Source US FDA Drug Approval Reports Go to source similar to the GLP-1 hormone.

In the body, GLP-1 regulates our appetite and calorie intake. It is released in response to a meal, increasing feelings of fullness and reducing feelings of hunger. It also slows down the movement of food through the stomach so you feel fuller for longer.

As a result, you eat fewer calories and lose weight.

Clinical trials Trusted source FDA Government Source US FDA Drug Approval Reports Go to source have shown that Wegovy is effective for weight loss. Results from a 68-week medical study showed that:

• 83.5% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more weight, compared to 31.1% taking a placebo (a drug with no active ingredient)
• 66% of adults taking Wegovy lost 10% or more weight, compared to 12% taking a placebo
• 47.9% of adults taking Wegovy lost 15% or more weight, compared to 4.8% taking a placebo

In this study, those who took Wegovy lost more weight than those taking the placebo overall. These results occurred in addition to following a low-calorie meal plan and increasing exercise.

Similarly to Ozempic, and Saxenda, Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. These medicines are beneficial for both weight management and blood sugar control.

Wegovy vs Ozempic

Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, Semaglutide. However, Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is used for weight loss and long-term weight management. Doctors typically prescribe Wegovy at a higher maintenance dose than Ozempic, which is why patients may see more weight loss on this compared to Ozempic.

A 68-week trial Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source compared the effects of once-weekly doses of semaglutide 2.4mg (Wegovy maintenance dosage) or 1mg (Ozempic maintenance dosage) with a placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The results showed the following:

• Patients taking 2.4mg of Semaglutide lost 9.7kg
• Patients taking 1mg of Semaglutide lost 6.9kg
• Patients who took the placebo lost 3.5kg

Wegovy vs Saxenda

Saxenda contains a different active ingredient than Wegovy, called Liraglutide. One study Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source has shown that Wegovy is more effective than Saxenda. Patients taking Semaglutide lost 15.85% of their body weight compared to 6.4% of patients taking Liraglutide.

There is no set time for when you can expect to see results, as people respond to medicines differently. Your doctor will monitor you closely while taking this medication and offer support so that you get the most out of your treatment.

Studies Trusted source The New England Journal of Medicine Peer-reviewed Journals Medical Research and Review Go to source show that most people begin losing weight within the first 4 weeks of treatment. However, the full effects of treatment may not be seen for several months.

In this study, by the 20-week mark, patients taking Semaglutide had lost roughly 10% of their body weight. Significant weight loss continued to occur after reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4mg.

One study Trusted source National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Government Source Biomedical Research and Literature Go to source showed that after 12 weeks of treatment on Semaglutide, weight loss occurred because of reduced appetite and food cravings, better control of eating and lower preference for fatty, energy‐dense foods.

Each person will have a different experience on Wegovy. However, here is a general timeline of what you can expect when taking Semaglutide.

If you’re curious to find out how much weight Wegovy can help you lose, try our weight loss calculator below.

Like any medication, the effectiveness of Wegovy can vary from person to person. Here are some reasons why you may not be losing weight on this treatment:

Diet

If your diet is high in calories or unhealthy foods, it can counteract the effects of Wegovy and may slow down your weight loss. To make sure the medication works well, it's important to follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie diet.

Find out what foods to avoid on weight loss treatment

This will also encourage healthier eating habits that you can maintain after stopping this treatment.

Physical activity

Exercise plays a big role in weight loss. If you do not exercise regularly, it could hinder your weight loss progress. When you're physically active, your body burns more calories to fuel your activities. This, coupled with eating fewer calories, creates a calorie deficit that leads to weight loss.

Wegovy injection pens should be taken together with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity for you to see the best results.

Dose

It’s important to ensure you're taking Wegovy at the dose prescribed by your doctor. You must take your injections consistently once a week. If you're missing doses or not sticking to the recommended regimen, it could impact your weight loss results.

Expectations

It's essential to set realistic expectations, weight loss can be a slow and gradual process, and you won’t see results overnight. Some people may experience faster weight loss with Wegovy, while others may lose weight gradually.

Remember to celebrate your small wins such as your clothes fitting better, improved mood, or better health conditions. All of these are signs of progress on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

Order Wegovy

Many people experience side effects on Wegovy. Research shows that side effects usually occur during or shortly after your dose of this injection is increased. These usually last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks and go away over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

Many of the common side effects you may experience on this treatment are related to the digestive system. This is because this medicine slows down how quickly your stomach empties which means that food remains in there longer.

The most common side effects may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain or stomach upset, feeling bloated, or more.

To manage your side effects, your doctor will increase your dose slowly while on this treatment. Only 6.8% Trusted source FDA Government Source US FDA Drug Approval Reports Go to source of people had to stop taking this medication because of their side effects.

Studies Trusted source FDA Government Source US FDA Drug Approval Reports Go to source showed that patients taking this medicine achieved around 15% weight loss at 2 years compared to only 2.6% in patients taking the placebo. Wegovy not only helped patients lose weight but also helped them keep it off.

Around 77% of patients taking Wegovy sustained ≥5% weight loss at 2 years compared to only 34.4% of patients taking the placebo.

Long-term studies are still being carried out to further understand how safe and effective Wegovy is when used for extended periods of time.

Although Wegovy can play a big role in your weight loss journey, ultimately permanent lifestyle changes are needed to ensure you don’t gain back the weight you lost while taking your treatment.

A study Trusted source JAMA Network Peer-reviewed Journals Medical Research Go to source was done where after 20 weeks on Wegovy, patients were divided into groups where they either continued taking it or switched to a placebo. Adults who continued once-weekly treatment with Semaglutide had ongoing and persistent weight loss. Whereas, patients who switched to the placebo gained weight.

Overall, while Wegovy can be a valuable tool in weight management, it works best when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. Start by making small changes, for example, by adding in a daily walk or swapping out unhealthy snacks for healthier options.