How does Wegovy work?

If you have been exploring weight loss options, you may have come across Wegovy, an increasingly popular medication that’s helping many people achieve their weight loss goals. But what exactly is Wegovy, and how does it work?

This blog will dive into the science behind Wegovy, a medication specifically designed to support weight loss by affecting hunger signals in the body. We’ll break down how it works, what to expect, and why it’s considered a game-changer for people who have struggled with traditional weight loss methods. Whether you’re curious about its effectiveness and safety or just want to know if Wegovy might be the right option for you, read on to learn everything you need to know.

We will go over a lot in this blog to give the whole story about Wegovy, but if you want to skip ahead to topics that interest simply use the navigational table below.

How does Wegovy work?

How does Wegovy work I hear you ask? What is Wegovy? It sounds like a pop band.

Well Wegovy is used for weight loss-but you have to remember that for it to be effective it needs to be a joint effort. The Wegovy will do its thing, but you must do yours. Otherwise as soon as you stop using it, the same old habits will creep in, and the weight will creep back on.

You can achieve significant weight loss when Wegovy is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Clinical trials have shown that people taking Wegovy can lose an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. So for someone weighing 70 kg that’s a loss of 10.5kg after 68 weeks of Wegovy treatment. (Mayo Clinic 2023).

This figure would no doubt be higher with a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity and coaching (to change those bad habits).

Wegovy is something quite amazing-because it mimics the amazing stuff our body produces naturally. Let’s go through some science stuff to help you understand a bit more clearly.

Wegovy is an injectable medicine that helps you lose weight by making you:

• Feel less hungry via appetite suppression
• More satisfied with smaller meals

How? Well it contains the active ingredient semaglutide.

What is semaglutide?

Well without getting too technical on you, it is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for weight management. It functions by mimicking the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone found in your body, which plays a crucial role in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism.

What does GLP-1 do I hear you ask-well its nothing short of amazing!

GLP-1 is a hormone released in the gut after eating, and it plays several important roles in managing appetite and blood sugar. Here’s what it does:

• Reduces Appetite: GLP-1 signals the brain to feel full and satisfied, which helps reduce hunger and the desire to eat, thus reducing calorie intake. This is key in weight management, as it helps you feel content with smaller meals.

• Slows Stomach Emptying: It delays the movement of food from the stomach into the intestines, which keeps you feeling full for longer and helps prevent spikes in blood sugar.
• Increases Insulin Production: When blood sugar levels go up after eating, GLP-1 helps the pancreas (an organ in your body) release more of the hormone insulin, lowering blood sugar by helping cells absorb glucose. (Essentially insulin is the hoover for glucose in the body).

• Decreases Glucagon Release: GLP-1 reduces the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that typically signals the liver to release more glucose. Lowering glucagon helps keep blood sugar from rising too much.

So by imitating GLP-1, semaglutide which is the active ingredient in Wegovy helps manage hunger and supports stable blood sugar levels, both of which contribute to weight loss.

Wegovy is known by a few other names in its different formulations:

• Ozempic – A drug you no doubt have heard about and which is used for weight management. It also contains semaglutide, but it’s typically prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes rather than specifically for weight loss. It can, however, aid in weight loss as a side benefit. It is administered as a once weekly injection

• Rybelsus – This is the oral (pill) form of semaglutide, taken daily and primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

How do you take Wegovy?

Wegovy is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.

Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under your skin. This is the area where medications like Wegovy, are injected because it allows the medication to be absorbed gradually into the bloodstream.

How to inject Wegovy?

Inject it I hear you cry! I have to inject Wegovy? Don’t panic. The needle is small. Here are a few tips to help you understand on how to inject Wegovy.

When you pinch the skin on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm, the soft layer you feel is mostly subcutaneous fat. Have a pinch of where you feel the most fat. Often this tends to be around the stomach and is the most common site for injecting.

Where to inject Wegovy?

Sites where you can inject are:

• Stomach (abdomen): This is the most common site and probably one of the least painful. Avoid injecting too close to the belly button.
• Upper Thighs: You can inject into the front of the thigh, as this area has a good amount of subcutaneous (fatty) tissue.
• Upper arm: You can also use the back of your upper arm, but this may require assistance from someone else to ensure a safe injection, so probably not the best place even though feasible.

Ok-so once you have located the area that you want to inject you need to prepare for the injection. You can do this yourself and as with anything, the more often you do it, the easier it becomes.

Steps on how to inject Wegovy

Preparation

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry. You can buy these from a pharmacist

Prepare the pen

• Take out your Wegovy pen and check that it’s the correct medication and the correct dose.
• Inspect the pen for any particles or discoloration in the medication—if you notice anything unusual, don’t use it.

Attach the needle

• After preparing the pen, take a new needle (often provided with the medication or prescribed separately) and twist it onto the tip of the pen until it’s secure.
• Remove the outer and inner needle caps to expose the needle.

Pinch the skin

• Gently pinch a small fold of skin and the subcutaneous fat layer underneath. This helps ensure that the medication goes into the fatty layer rather than muscle, especially if you’re injecting in a leaner area.

Insert the needle

• Once the needle is fully in, press the injection button to release the medication slowly and steadily. This helps ensure the medication is fully absorbed and reduces any potential discomfort.
• You’ll usually hear a click, indicating the start of the injection.
• Keep holding the pen against your skin until you hear the second click, which signals that the injection is complete.
• After the second click wait a few more seconds (5-10 seconds) to ensure the full dose is delivered

Withdraw the needle

• Release the pinch on your skin and gently remove the needle from the skin at the same angle it went in.

Aftercare

• Dispose of the pen in a designated sharps container (do not throw it in the bin).
• If needed, press a cotton ball or gauze to the injection site for a few seconds
• Avoid rubbing the area.

The steps above help the medication be absorbed effectively into the subcutaneous fat, minimizes pain, and reduces the risk of bruising. It’s a good idea to rotate injection sites each week to minimize any irritation or hardening of the skin.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

The effects of Wegovy and how long it takes to work is individual and varies. However you can generally expect the following:

Initial Effects: Many people begin to feel less hungry within the first week or two, but significant weight loss usually starts to become noticeable after a few weeks.

Visible Weight Loss: Most clinical studies show that noticeable weight reduction occurs within the first 4–8 weeks (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

How quickly does Wegovy work?

What are the numbers over a period of time. How quickly does Wegovy work? Can I be at my goal weight by Christmas?

Wegovy works progressively, and patience is key. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise, it can lead to significant weight loss over time.

The weight loss you can expect on Wegovy is gradual. The medication aims for sustainable, long-term weight reductionrather than rapid loss.

Over 3 months, you might see about 5-6% of body weight lost, with more substantial loss (around 15%) over a year.

As an example for a person weighing 70 kg, here’s how the weight loss might look over 3 months and a year if using Wegovy:

Over 3 Months (about 12 weeks)

• Expected weight loss: 5-6% of body weightwhich equates to a total weight loss range after 3 months of 3.5 to 4.2 kg
• New weight range after 3 months from 70kg is a range of 66.5 to 66 kg

Over a Year (68 weeks or ~16 months)

• Expected weight loss is expected to be around 15% of body weight which equates to a total weight loss after a yearof 10.5 kg
• New weight after a year: 59.5 kg

These values represent average expectations based on clinical studies, and individual results may vary depending on factors like diet, activity level, and adherence to the medication (Astrup et al., 2021).

What should I expect in the first week?

In the first week you are more likely to experience side effects which we will talk about later. Nothing magical happens except that you will start to feel less hungry and easily full after smaller portions.

Wegovy typically begins to show effects gradually, with noticeable weight loss starting in the first few weeks, although individual experiences may vary. However here is a summary of what you can expect in the first week of taking Wegovy:

Reduced Appetite: Many people feel less hungry, which may help reduce portion sizes.

Mild Side Effects: You might experience nausea, diarrhoea, or mild stomach discomfort as your body adjusts. These side effects often improve with time as the body adjusts to the medication (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2023).

Gradual Weight Loss: Some people might notice slight weight loss within the first week or two, but it’s typically more subtle.

At what dose does Wegovy start working?

The starting dose of Wegovy treatment usually begins at a lower dose of Wegovy 0.25 mg to allow your body to adjust, then gradually increases each month.

By around week 16, patients usually reach the full maintenance dose of Wegovy 2.4 mg weekly. Most people begin to see significant results after reaching this dose, but some weight loss may occur at lower doses as well (Novo Nordisk, 2023).

The dosing regimen for Wegovy is designed to start at a low dose and gradually increase over time. This approach helps the body adjust to the medication and minimizes side effects like nausea. Here’s the typical dosing schedule:

Wegovy Dosing Schedule:

Week 1-4: Start with Wegovy 0.25 mg once weekly. This initial low dose helps the body begin adjusting

Week 5-8: Increase to Wegovy 0.5 mg once weekly. At this dose, you may start to experience a noticeable reduction in appetite.

Week 9-12: Increase to Wegovy 1 mg once weekly. The dose increases progressively to keep side effects manageable.

Week 13-16: Increase to Wegovy 1.7 mg once weekly. By this stage, you may begin to see more significant weight loss effects.

Week 17 onward: Increase to the full dose of Wegovy 2.4 mg once weekly which is the maintenance dose. This is the target dose for ongoing weight management, where patients typically experience the most substantial weight loss over time.

Wegovy side effects: what are they?

Wegovy side effects can be divided into common, less common and serious side effects

Common Side Effects:

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, headache, fatigue, and abdominal Pain: These are frequently reported side effects, especially at the beginning of treatment or after dose increases (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Less Common Side Effects:

Less common side effects include dizziness, injection site reactions, belching, gas, indigestion, decreased appetite, and an increased heart rate: These side effects occur less frequently and are generally mild. They often improve over time as the body adjusts (Novo Nordisk, 2023).

Serious Side Effects:Serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems, thyroid tumour’s, and allergic reactions: While rare, these serious side effects require immediate medical attention if they occur (FDA, 2023).

Contraindications to taking Wegovy

Not everyone will be able to take Wegovy.

Contraindications to taking Wegovy include the following:

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), pregnancy and breastfeeding, severe gastrointestinal disease, hypersensitivity to semaglutide or ingredients in Wegovy, and diabetic retinopathy. Wegovy is not recommended for individuals with these conditions, due to safety concerns and risk factors associated with semaglutide (NICE, 2023).

Foods to avoid when taking Wegovy

There are no strict food restrictions which you are specifically told to avoid while taking Wegovy. However, because nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms are common, you may want to limit certain foods including:

Greasy or Fatty Foods: These can worsen nausea and stomach discomfort

Large Meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce discomfort

High-Sugar Foods: These can cause blood sugar spikes, which may be more noticeable when adjusting to Wegovy

It’s also helpful to eat slowly, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, and avoid alcohol if it worsens nausea or other symptoms (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2023).

How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?

Wegovy should ideally be stored in the refrigerator. However, it can be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C or 86°F) for up to 28 days. After 28 days at room temperature, it should not be used and should be disposed of properly (Novo Nordisk, 2023).

Can I drink alcohol with Wegovy?

Yes, moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe with Wegovy, but it’s important to be cautious. Alcohol can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), especially for those managing diabetes. Additionally, alcohol can irritate the stomach and may worsen nausea or other digestive side effects.

Monitoring your body’s response is essential, and ideally alcohol should be avoided as it can cause a risk of hypoglycaemic attacks (remember Wegovy reduces blood sugar), can potentially increase the side effects relating to the digestive system and can increase calorific intake. (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Summary

So now you know everything you need to know in order to start your journey with Wegovy. However, Wegovy can only do so much-the rest is up to you to ensure that any weight lost remains off, which can be achieved through a healthier diet, being more active and coaching to retrain your thought processes. So here’s to a healthier you the MedicalMojo way!

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.

References:

1. Mayo Clinic (2023) ‘How does Wegovy (semaglutide) work for weight loss?’, Mayo Clinic Diet Blog. Available at: https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2024/how-does-semaglutide-work/ (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2023) ‘Semaglutide (Wegovy) for managing overweight and obesity’, NICE Guidelines. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875 (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
3. Mayo Clinic (2023) ‘How does Wegovy (semaglutide) work for weight loss?’, Mayo Clinic Diet Blog. Available at: https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2024/how-does-semaglutide-work/ (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
4. Novo Nordisk (2023) ‘Wegovy: How it works and dosing schedule’, Novo Nordisk. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.com/products/wegovy.html (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
5. Astrup, A., Rössner, S., Van Gaal, L.F., et al. (2021) ‘Effects of a sustained-release glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue on weight reduction and maintenance in obese subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial’, The Lancet, 385(9983), pp. 1512-1520. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61748-7.
6. Mayo Clinic (2023) ‘Wegovy side effects and contraindications’, Mayo Clinic Diet Blog. Available at: https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/wegovy-side-effects (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
7. Novo Nordisk (2023) ‘Wegovy: Risks and side effects’, Novo Nordisk Product Information. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.com/products/wegovy.html (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2023) ‘Wegovy (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use: Prescribing Information’, FDA. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/wegovy (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
9. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2023) ‘Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity’, NICE Guidelines. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875 (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
10. Novo Nordisk (2023) ‘Wegovy: Usage and storage instructions’, Novo Nordisk Product Information. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.com/products/wegovy.html (Accessed: 3 November 2024).
11. Mayo Clinic (2023) ‘Wegovy side effects and dietary recommendations’, Mayo Clinic Diet Blog. Available at: https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/wegovy-side-effects (Accessed: 3 November 2024).