Wegovy

Generic name: Semaglutide

Drug class: Incretin mimetics

Dosage forms: Pen injection

Root of administration: Subcutaneous

Dose: 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.4 mg

Mechanism of action: Wegovy is a once-a-week injection given under the skin. Wegovy works by regulating appetite and reducing calorie intake, leading to weight loss and helping with weight management. Wegovy is a prescription medicine.

Drug usage cases: Wegovy (semaglutide) injection is used for weight loss in obese adults and teenagers or overweight adults with other weight-related medical problems. This medicine should be used together with a decreased-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity to help weight management. Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is the same active ingredient in Ozempic and Rybelsus, therefore these products should not be used together. Ozempic (subcutaneous weekly injection) and Rybelsus (once-a-day tablet) are used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients. Ozempic is also used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events for some type 2 diabetic patients.

Drug contra indications: You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to it or if you have:

multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands); a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer); or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment). Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a stomach or intestinal disorder; pancreatitis; kidney disease; eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy); have or have had depression or suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues. In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Side effects: Allergic reaction – get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeats, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You should call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of other serious Wegovy side effects, including:

vision changes; unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself; pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; signs of a thyroid tumor – swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath; symptoms of pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate; gallbladder problems – upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); low blood sugar – headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or stomach flu symptoms – stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody).

Warnings: Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. In studies with rodents, Wegovy and medicines that work like Wegovy caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if this medicine will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. You should not use this medicine if you have tumors in your glands called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: You should stop using this medicine at least two months before you plan to get pregnant. This medicine may harm your baby. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who use Wegovy during pregnancy. The reason for this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Tell your healthcare professional if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is unknown if this medicine passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using this medicine.