Wegovy weight loss injections

When your pen arrives: Place your unopened pens in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) in line with the patient information leaflet.

Do not use the medication if frozen or if you are unsure about its condition. If you have any concerns about it, please get in touch.

Delivery: Wegovy can now be delivered in standard packaging without additional cooling materials in certain circumstances, provided it remains within the approved temperature limits (below 30°C for up to 48 hours during final delivery). This means that your Wegovy pens may not always include cooling materials.

Wegovy 7.2 mg will continue to be sent in insulated packaging as different delivery requirements apply to this strength. During warmer weather, this packaging may also be used for other dosage strengths to help keep the medication within the approved temperature range during transit.

Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but they're prescribed for different reasons. Wegovy has been licensed as a weight loss aid and while Ozempic can be a benefit for weight loss, it has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and will be prioritised for these patients.

Yes you can, however, to be eligible as an NHS patient, you need to meet their criteria. As this is classified as a Tier 3 weight management service, the NHS requirements differ from those for private (paying) patients. To qualify you must have a BMI of 35+, or a BMI between 30 and 34.9 with at least one weight related comorbidity and you've been referred to a specialist NHS weight management service.

A comorbidity is a health condition that exists alongside another and is made worse by excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.

Yes, it is possible to switch from Saxenda to Wegovy, as they are both GLP-1 medications. Some people find they prefer to have weekly injections rather than daily and speaking to your doctor, they can help guide this transition to ensure your safety.

The Wegovy price differs based on strength of the medication, length of the prescription and each pharmacy's individual pricing. Some pharmacies have special new patient prices, existing patient prices or bundles with coaching costs. With us, our costs include advice and support from our doctors and medical team. The prices for Wegovy are as follows:

£199.99 for 0.25mg

£129.99 for 0.5mg

£169.99 for 1mg

£189.99 for 1.7mg

£209.99 for 2.4mg

£289.99 for 7.2mg

To get the best results for your Wegovy weight loss, it's best to be in a calorie deficit and for an overall balanced diet, focus on:

• Lean proteins - they keep you fuller for longer and are used to maintain, repair and grow our bodies

• Complex carbohydrates - they take longer to digest, keep you fuller for longer and stabilise your blood sugar. The fibre keeps your bowel movements more regular than without

• Fruits and vegetables - they are high in fibre and are packed with vitamins and minerals that we can't get in other foods

• Dairy products - builds and maintains healthy bones and teeth while supporting the growth and repair of muscles 

• Healthy fats - aid in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), support the growth of cells and contribute to hormone production

• Drink plenty of fluid - water aids our body in a variety of functions, such as nutrient absorption, regulates body temperature and helps us expel waste through sweat, urine and bowel movements.

• Avoid high fat or high sugar foods, as they can make your side effects, like nausea worse.

Wegovy helps to control your appetite and increases your feelings of being fuller for longer. When you stop taking the Wegovy injection, your appetite will increase or it can go back to what it was before you started the medication.

This doesn't automatically mean that you will regain all the weight back, as a study found that those who stopped taking semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy), their average weight gain was 6.9%. This shows that it's important to maintain healthy habits, such as having a more active lifestyle, a balanced diet and for some, a calorie controlled diet.

Wegovy will start to work from your first injection, as you may notice signs of feeling fuller within the first week. You won't see any notable changes until around week 16, as this is when the clinical trial patients saw weight loss between 5-10% from their starting weight. As you follow the schedule and increase the dosage strength, the results will be more visible.

No, Wegovy is a prescription based medication. This requires that you have a consultation with a doctor who will go through your medical history, weight, BMI and other factors to determine if you are eligible. This is because there are strict criteria and it could impact the effectiveness of the treatment.

The manufacturer instructions and national clinical guidance confirm that alcohol wipes are not needed before using your pen. You should make sure your hands and the injection area are clean before using your pen. If you prefer to use wipes, you can buy them easily from most pharmacies. 

The alternative to Wegovy for weight loss include prescription and non-prescription options:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - GLP-1 and GIP hormone, prescription based weekly injection

• Saxenda (liraglutide) - GLP-1 hormone and a prescription based daily injection

• Mysimba (bupropion and naltrexone) - daily prescription based tablets that reduce cravings and control hunger

• Orlistat based tablets (e.g. Orlos, Xenical or Alli) - daily tablets that reduce the fat absorption in the intestines 

The best weight loss treatment depends on the individual needs, goals and their medical history and should be discussed with a medical professional. 

References: 

https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/0016-5085(94)90831-1/fulltext 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/ 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/ 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-pancreatitis/ 

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/ 

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13800.pdf 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7988425/

When prescribed and used correctly under medical supervision, GLP-1 injections like Wegovy are generally considered safe and effective for weight management. These medications have undergone rigorous clinical testing and are approved for use in the UK and many other countries.  

The safety of the medication depends on several factors, including having a consultation to ensure you're a suitable candidate, having the correct dosages with a dosage schedule, and regular monitoring by a clinician. This gives you professional guidance and support should you need it, such as managing side effects or issues with your medication.  

However, the popularity of GLP-1 medications has increased, which has coincided with the increase of illegal and falsified versions of medicines like Wegovy. These may be falsely advertised online and on social media. Taking unauthorised GLP-1 medication can cause serious or unexpected side effects and may interact dangerously with any other medication you’re taking.  

GLP-1 injections are only available on prescription and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Never buy them without a prescription or from unverified sources. 

You should always follow your clinician’s advice and the guidance in the Patient Information Leaflet when it comes to administering Wegovy. You can also read the manufacturer’s guidance here. 

You should always follow your clinician’s advice and the guidance in the Patient Information Leaflet when it comes to administering Wegovy. Suitable injection sites include the thigh and abdomen (at least 5 centimetres from the belly button), while the back of the upper arm is possible if administered by another person. Injection sites should be rotated weekly. 

The most common side effects of Wegovy include: 

• Constipation 

• Bloating, burping and wind 

• Indigestion, heartburn and reflux 

• Diarrhoea and loose stools 

• Nausea and sickness 

• Headache 

• Dry mouth or changes in taste 

• Feeling weak or tired 

The information provided in the side effects section is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects associated with weight loss medication. For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) provided with your medication or consult your healthcare professional. 

If you experience any side effects, including those not listed, you are encouraged to report them via the Yellow Card Scheme or contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This information is intended as a summary for general awareness and does not replace professional medical advice. 

Wegovy can take time to work, and everyone’s experience will vary slightly depending on their individual health profile and circumstances.  

However, there are things you can do to encourage a healthy rate of weight loss and support Wegovy’s effectiveness, such as... 

• Reduce your calorie intake by aiming for about 1,900 kcal per day for men and 1,400 kcal per day for women 

• Choose wholegrain carbs by opting for wholegrain pasta, rice, and bread whenever possible 

• Explore protein sources by including beans and pulses as alternatives to meat and fish, and, if your diet allows, aiming for two servings each week 

• Stay hydrated by aiming for 6–8 cups of fluid a day, with water as the best choice, though tea, coffee, and soup also count toward your intake 

• Limit your dairy intake, choosing low-fat, reduced sugar options when you can 

• Aim for two portions of vegetables with your main meal each day 

• Swap your butter for a low-fat spread 

• When you’re cooking with oil, options like olive, sunflower, and rapeseed are healthier options thanks to their unsaturated fat content 

A healthy rate of weight loss when taking Wegovy is 1 to 2 pounds each week. After 15 months of treatment, adults with obesity who took part in clinical trials lost, on average, 15% of their starting body weight. This should help to give an estimate of what you could expect to lose if you choose to continue your Wegovy treatment for 1 year+.  

This will be completely individual to you. The clinician will consider your treatment plan, your medical history, your individual details including current and target BMI, and your own feedback on your experience so far, before making their recommendations as to what dose will be the safest and most effective dose for you. The clinician will have the final say, but this is always in consultation and collaboration with the patient. 

You should store Wegovy in the refrigerator at 2 to 8°C and never freeze it, as a frozen pen must not be used. Once opened, the Wegovy pen can be kept unrefrigerated at temperatures up to 30°C for a maximum of 42 days (6 weeks), after which it should be discarded. 

Whether you experience side effects when using Wegovy injections depends on the dosage of the medication you take and how your body responds to it. You will tend to begin GLP-1 injections on a low dose and gradually increase it, with a clinician regularly assessing how well your body is tolerating the medication. As with all medicines, GLP-1 injections can cause side effects, although most of these are mild and generally improve within a few weeks. 

If you experience any side effects, you are encouraged to report them via the Yellow Card Scheme or contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. 

The Wegovy FlexTouch for 0.25mg – 2.4mg contains 4 fixed doses to be taken once weekly. The pre-filled pens are colour-coded for different strengths: green for 0.25 mg, pink for 0.5 mg, brown for 1.0 mg, blue for 1.7 mg, and black for 2.4 mg. 
 
Pens for the 7.2mg dose, which are coloured purple, each contain a single weekly dose. Each box of the 7.2mg dose contains four of these pens.