If you’re trying to lose weight, you might be thinking about starting on Wegovy. It’s prescribed by clinicians to help people manage their weight, but it’s not right for everyone.
To be prescribed Wegovy, you need to meet certain criteria based on factors like BMI and your personal or family health history, and it needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
So, is Wegovy right for you? Here, we’ll take a look at who can use Wegovy for weight loss and who should avoid it.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription weight loss medication and GLP-1 receptor agonist containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It mimics the hormone GLP-1, which is produced by the gut. It reduces appetite, slows digestion and sends signals to the brain telling it that the stomach is full, so people using Wegovy often eat less. In turn, it can help people lose weight.
People need a prescription to get Wegovy for weight loss, and it’s self-administered weekly as an injection. You’ll begin with the lowest dose, and most people will gradually increase their dose over time. Greater weight loss is generally seen at the highest dose, which is 7.2mg.
While Wegovy can be an effective tool to help people lose weight, it’s most effective alongside lifestyle changes, including a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Who can benefit from Wegovy?
Wegovy is used to help people lose weight, but not everyone is eligible. Generally speaking, you need to meet one of the following requirements:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater
- A BMI between 27 and 30 and a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Wegovy is aimed at people who struggle with their weight despite making lifestyle changes, as long as they reach the BMI requirements. For people from a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic background, the BMI threshold is often lower.
Who should avoid Wegovy?
Wegovy isn’t prescribed for people who don’t meet the above criteria, but even some people who are eligible should avoid it for health reasons, including the following:
- People under 18
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- People with a known allergy to semaglutide
- People with an individual or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- People with a history of pancreatitis
- People with severe gastrointestinal disease, such as gastroparesis
- People already using a different GLP-1 medication, such as Mounjaro
While Wegovy is sometimes prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for insulin. Similarly, in patients with the condition, taking a sulfonylurea or insulin with semaglutide may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). And in some type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic retinopathy, using semaglutide alongside insulin can lead to a temporary worsening in the condition.
If you have any concerns, it’s best to be open and honest with your clinician. Together, you can work out the best options for you.
What to expect when starting Wegovy
If you’re eligible for Wegovy, you’ll begin on the lowest dose, which is 0.25mg each week. Gradually, you’ll increase over the course of a few months, though some people decide they’re happy with their results at a lower dose. As we covered earlier, the highest dose is now 7.2mg each week, but not everyone will reach this dose. It’s between you and your clinician.
You might experience some side effects when you begin Wegovy, though everyone’s experience is different. These are some of the most common, with more than one in 10 patients experiencing them:
- Headaches
- Tiredness or perceived weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches
Some slightly less common side effects include:
- More severe digestion issues
- Belching, bloating and flatulence
- Stomach inflammation
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
- Hair loss
- Reactions at the injection spot
- Gallstone development
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
There are some rare but serious side effects, too. They include increased heart rate, pancreatic enzyme increase in the blood, gastroparesis and serious allergic reactions like swelling. If you experience any of these, or a milder side effect that doesn’t go away after a few weeks, you should see your doctor.
Taking the next step
If you think you might be eligible for Wegovy for weight loss, and it’s something you’d like to explore, consult a healthcare provider, like The Virtual Slimming Clinic, for more information.
Wegovy is safe for most people, helping them on their weight loss journeys, and making informed decisions for your health is the best thing to do.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to take Wegovy for weight loss?
Wegovy is generally prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or between 27 and 30 if they have a weight-related health condition or are Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background.
What are the potential side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach aches, headaches and tiredness. These side effects are often mild, but more serious side effects can occur, so monitoring by a healthcare professional is important.
Can anyone take Wegovy safely?
Wegovy isn’t recommended for people who are under 18, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with a personal or family history of certain conditions, including medullary thyroid cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, or people with a history of pancreatitis.
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