Wegovy®
FDA-approved semaglutide for chronic weight management
About Wegovy®
Wegovy® is the FDA-approved brand of semaglutide indicated for chronic weight management in adults and certain adolescents. Made by Novo Nordisk, it is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection delivered with a pre-filled pen. Wegovy® is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Manufacturer savings programs may make it more affordable for many patients.
Common reasons patients ask about Wegovy:
- FDA-approved with extensive trial data behind it
- Convenient pre-filled pen — no vial drawing required
- Approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in qualifying patients
- May qualify for manufacturer savings programs
Data
What the studies show
Wegovy® is supported by the STEP clinical program (weight management) and the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial. STEP 1 reported about 15% average body weight reduction at 68 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose; SELECT showed a 20% relative reduction in major cardiovascular events — death, heart attack, or stroke — in qualifying adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.
~15%
Average body weight reduction at 68 weeks on Wegovy® 2.4 mg in STEP 1
20%
Relative reduction in major cardiovascular events in SELECT
2021
FDA approval for chronic weight management
How it works
Regulates appetite and gastric emptying
Wegovy® delivers semaglutide, which mimics GLP-1 — a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, insulin release, and how quickly your stomach empties. By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut, it shifts the signals that drive hunger and satiety.
- 1
Signals fullness sooner
Smaller meals feel more satisfying.
- 2
Slows gastric emptying
Food stays in the stomach longer, extending fullness between meals.
Eligibility
Who Wegovy is for
Generally a good fit for
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27+ with a weight-related health condition
- Adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity (reduces risk of death, heart attack, or stroke)
- Adolescents 12 and older meeting BMI criteria
- Patients who want an FDA-approved branded GLP-1 with manufacturer savings access
Not appropriate for
- Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2
- History of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease
- Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any inactive ingredient
Calculate your BMI
A starting point your provider considers alongside your full health profile.
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Your provider will review your full health profile during the intake to determine eligibility.
Your BMI
—
Journey
What to expect & when
Weeks 1–4
- Smaller appetite and earlier fullness
- Possible mild nausea or constipation as your body adjusts
Weeks 5–12
- Cravings continue to quiet down
- Steady weight loss for most patients as dose titrates upward
Months 3+
- Continued weight loss through 9–12 months for many patients
- Maintenance dosing is personalized once goals are reached
Ongoing
- Continued monitoring, dose adjustments, and cycling decisions guided by your PreventiveMD provider
Side effects
Safety & side effects
Wegovy® shares the GLP-1 class side-effect profile. Most effects are gastrointestinal and tend to ease with time or slower titration.
Common
- Nausea, especially during titration
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Bloating or reflux
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
Less common but serious
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease, including gallstones
- Kidney injury from dehydration
- Possible thyroid C-cell tumors (class warning based on rodent studies)
If you have questions about whether Wegovy is right for you, your PreventiveMD provider will review your full health history once you get started.
Dosing
How to take Wegovy
Wegovy® is titrated from 0.25 mg weekly up to 2.4 mg weekly over roughly 16 weeks, with the dose strength changing as you progress through the pen series. Specific dose is set by your provider based on goals and tolerance.
How to inject
- 1Let the pen reach room temperature for about 15 minutes before injecting.
- 2Choose a fresh site each week — abdomen, upper thigh, or back of the upper arm.
- 3Clean the site, press the pen firmly against skin, and hold until the click and dose-window confirm delivery.
- 4Dispose of the used pen in a sharps container and record the dose.
Wegovy® is currently available as an injection pen. Specific dose is set by your provider based on goals and tolerance.
How to take
- 1Not applicable — Wegovy® is administered by injection pen.
Pricing
Transparent pricing, no surprises
Loading pricing…
FAQs
In case you were wondering
Both contain semaglutide. Wegovy® is an FDA-approved finished drug product manufactured by Novo Nordisk with pre-filled pens and standardized dosing. Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a pharmacy under physician supervision for individual patients — a different regulatory pathway.
Coverage varies by plan and indication. Many commercial plans cover Wegovy® for qualifying patients; Medicare coverage is more limited but expanding for cardiovascular risk reduction. Our team can help you check coverage and explore manufacturer savings.
Most patients notice reduced appetite in the first few weeks and visible weight loss within 1–2 months. Results continue through 9–12 months for many patients.
If fewer than 5 days have passed, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If more, skip it and resume your normal schedule. Never double up.
Our content is reviewed by our medical team and draws from peer-reviewed clinical research, FDA prescribing information, and recognized clinical guidelines. The primary sources cited on this page:
- [TODO: Pivotal clinical trial citation for Wegovy]
[TODO: Authors, journal, year (DOI when available)]
- [TODO: Mechanism of action / review article]
[TODO: Authors, journal, year (DOI when available)]
- [TODO: FDA prescribing information / regulatory source]
- [TODO: Clinical society guideline or consensus statement]
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