What is Wegovy?

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management. It’s the same active ingredient as Ozempic but at a higher dose and approved specifically for obesity and overweight.

How is Wegovy Different from Ozempic?

Both medications contain semaglutide, but they differ in approved use and dosing:

Feature	Wegovy	Ozempic
Approved For	Weight management	Type 2 diabetes
Maximum Dose	2.4 mg weekly	2 mg weekly
FDA Approval	June 2021	December 2017

How Does Wegovy Work?

Wegovy works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that affects appetite and food intake:

1. Reduces hunger signals in the brain
2. Increases feelings of fullness after eating
3. Slows stomach emptying so you feel satisfied longer
4. Improves blood sugar control as a secondary effect

Who is Wegovy Approved For?

FDA-Approved Indications

Adults with:

• Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher), OR
• Overweight (BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related condition (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

Also approved for:

• Cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease

Pediatric Use

Approved for adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity.

What Does the Research Show?

Clinical trials (STEP program) demonstrated significant weight loss:

Trial	Population	Weight Loss (2.4 mg)
STEP 1	Obesity, no diabetes	14.9% vs 2.4% placebo
STEP 2	Obesity with diabetes	9.6% vs 3.4% placebo
STEP 3	With intensive behavioral therapy	16.0% vs 5.7% placebo

Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Dosing	Once weekly injection
Titration Period	16-20 weeks to reach maintenance dose
Administration	Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm)

Common Side Effects

• Nausea (typically improves over time)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Important Considerations

Wegovy carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents. It should not be used by people with:

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2

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This guide is for educational purposes only. Wegovy is a prescription medication requiring medical supervision.