Wegovy contains semaglutide, a compound that has been shown to help weight loss. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which is produced in the gut after eating. GLP-1 helps to stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas and reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
Semaglutide is usually taken once a week by injection under the skin (subcutaneously), although it is also available in tablet form (called Rybelsus). It has been shown to improve glycemic control, reduce body weight, and lower the risk of cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes. It has also been shown to have benefits for people with obesity who do not have diabetes.
Wegovy is simply the brand name of injectable semaglutide medication that is licensed for weight loss, rather than for blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
It is important to note that semaglutide should be used in combination with diet and exercise to achieve optimal results.
Ozempic and Wegovy are both injectable medications that contain semaglutide, but they differ in their dosages and indications.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication that contains semaglutide 0.25mg, 0.5mg, or 1mg. It is used to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in people with established cardiovascular disease. It is also commonly prescribed off-label for use in combination with diet and exercise to help adults with obesity achieve weight loss.
Wegovy, on the other hand, is a higher-dose formulation of semaglutide, which is given once a week as an injection under the skin. It contains a maximum of 2.4mg of semaglutide and is indicated for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, or a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia.
In summary, Ozempic and Wegovy are both formulations of semaglutide, but they differ in their dosages and indications. There is a bit of crossover between them, however, because many patients who are unable to access Wegovy (such as those in the UK, because Wegovy is not yet available) will get a private prescription for Ozempic, even though they do not have type 2 diabetes.
On 4th September 2023 Novo Nordisk announced that a limited supply of Wegovy will be made available to individuals who meet the NICE eligibility criteria through the NHS or privately through registered healthcare providers.
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Some patients will be be able to access Wegovy on the NHS, however the availability will be very limited. The NHS has said that about 35,000 patients per year will be able to access specialist weight management programmes which include a Wegovy prescription, and this will only be for patients with a BMI of 35 or greater, with certain weight-related conditions.
You can buy Wegovy online but it's not available over-the-counter. You will need to go through a legitimate health care provider and meet the NICE eligibility criteria in order to get a prescription. Your health care provider will carry out an online assessment and put forward the best treatment plan for you which may or may not include a Wegovy prescription. This can all be done online and if you are eligible you can purchase your programme online.
As with all medications, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects before starting on a newmedication.
The most commonly reported side effects include:
If your side effects are unmanageable, it's important to alert your prescriber and potentially stop treatment. Whilst Ozempic is generally regarded as being very safe, everyone reacts differently.
The side effects of Ozempic tend to be greater alongside dosage increases (i.e. when you take your first dose of a new concentration) and subside within a few days. If you are experiencing unexpected or unmanageable side effects, please contact your GP so that they can determine the best plan of action.
While the NHS will only allow patients to access Wegovy for up to two years, there is no limit on how long you can take Wegovy as a private patient.
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