How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?
Key highlights
- The STEP-1 clinical trial studying the efficacy of once-weekly Wegovy showed that individuals with obesity or excess weight and a related health condition lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight (35 pounds).
- Studies also show that patients receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg lost a mean body weight of 6% by week 12 (3 months) and 12% of their starting weight by week 28 (7 months).
- Continued use of semaglutide showed 10.2% weight loss compared to 1.5% reduction in weight in the placebo group over 208 weeks (4 years).
- The lost weight also depends on the maintenance dose of Wegovy, duration of taking the medication, diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, and other health conditions and medications.
- You can lose weight faster and more effectively with Wegovy by following a low-calorie diet, exercising regularly, improving your quality of sleep, and managing stress.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight loss drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in obese and overweight patients with one weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Clinical trials have shown that 2.4 mg of semaglutide once weekly alongside lifestyle changes resulted in a consistent reduction in body weight with an average of 14.9% of body weight reduction at 68 weeks.
Research shows that Wegovy is not only superior at reducing body weight compared with other antidiabetic drugs, but it is also cardioprotective. Another prescription drug with the same active ingredient, Ozempic (semaglutide), made by the same manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is approved for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Wegovy and Ozempic are helpful in weight loss when accompanied by lifestyle changes like physical activity and a low-calorie diet.
This article covers the details on how much weight you can lose on Wegovy and factors to help you shed the extra pounds faster and more effectively with this weight loss medication.
How much weight do you lose on Wegovy?
The STEP 1 clinical trial studied the effects of once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Participants in the semaglutide group lost 14.9% of their body weight on average compared to 2.4% body weight loss with placebo at week 68. The overall results were as follows:
- 86.4% of individuals taking semaglutide lost 5% or more of their starting body weight compared to 31.5% average weight loss for individuals taking the placebo.
- 69.1% of individuals taking semaglutide lost 10% or more of their starting body weight compared to 12% average weight loss for individuals taking the placebo.
- 50.5% of individuals taking semaglutide lost 15% or more of their starting body weight compared to 4.9% average weight loss for individuals taking the placebo.
Patients taking semaglutide also showed improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors and physical functioning, another positive health benefit associated with the medication in addition to weight loss.
Similar results were seen in STEP 2 trial with a mean weight loss of 9.6% with semaglutide 2.4 mg and 3.4% weight reduction with placebo over 68 weeks. Patients taking Wegovy also showed improvement in cardiometabolic factors like high blood pressure, atherogenic lipids, and physical function.
The STEP 5 trial analyzed the efficacy and safety of once weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in comparison to placebo (alongside lifestyle changes) for long-term treatment of adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, without diabetes. At the end of the study, participants taking semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved a mean weight loss of 15.2%, exhibiting a significant difference of 12.6% compared to placebo. The mean weight loss is also higher than that reported at similar time points in trials with other weight loss drugs.
Furthermore, over 75% participants lost 5% or more of their body weight, 61.8% lost 10% or more of the baseline weight, and over a third reported at least 20% weight loss at week 104 in the semaglutide group.
Common side effects like constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were commonly reported by the participants. Less-common side effects of Wegovy include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease like gallstones, and allergic reactions.
The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial also evaluated the efficacy and safety of semaglutide in obesity, overweight, or cardiovascular diseases without diabetes over 4 years. Male and female participants of varying body sizes and races from diverse regions reported weight loss at the end of the trial. At 208 weeks, semaglutide showed 10.2% weight loss compared to 1.5% reduction in weight in the placebo group.
The study on semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes showed the superiority of semaglutide over placebo in reducing the incidence of death from nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular causes at 39.8 months.
Weight Loss Calculator
How much weight can you lose in a month on Wegovy?
Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk does not promise a specific amount of weight loss in a particular period with Wegovy. However, the data from clinical trials and studies shows that people lose almost 2% of their initial body weight on taking semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly. Some people may also lose up to 5% of their baseline body weight in the first month.
How much weight can you lose on Wegovy in 3 months?
Studies show that patients receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg lost a mean body weight of 6% by week 12 (3 months) and 12% of their body weight by week 28 (7 months). The results can vary by person. The weight people lose over a period may also depend on their physical activity and eating and sleeping habits.
How does Wegovy work?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient of Wegovy, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that mimics the action of GLP-1 hormone. The activation of the GLP-1 receptor signals glucose-dependent insulin secretion is known to help regulate blood sugar levels. Moreover, it reduces glucagon release, diminishes appetite and slows down gastric emptying. As a result, Wegovy makes you feel fuller for a long time, contributing to faster weight loss in chronic weight management.
Tips for maximizing weight loss on Wegovy
Some people taking semaglutide might lose more weight than others in a shorter time. The amount of lost weight depends on lifestyle changes like adhering to a low-calorie diet and exercising regularly. Follow these tips to maximize weight loss on Wegovy.
Healthy diet
A low-calorie, healthy diet can help you lose weight faster with Wegovy. People taking Wegovy often mention that they do not feel as hungry as they did before taking the medication. It’s important to eat meals that provide you with all important nutrients without eating too much. Healthcare practitioners suggest eating a protein-rich diet and minimizing carbs and fats. A healthy, bland diet can also help you manage GLP-1 related gastrointestinal side effects of Wegovy better.
Exercise
Novo Nordisk emphasizes the importance of physical exercise when you take Wegovy. Research showed that weight loss was greater in the group with a higher amount of physical activity. Another study showed the importance of exercise in relationship to improved cardiovascular fitness, glycemic control of type 2 diabetes, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure. Regular exercise, including aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training, can help lose weight and regulate blood sugar levels, making it critical in chronic weight management with Wegovy.
Stress reduction
Stress has been seen to influence weight loss results negatively and managing stress can promote weight loss when taking Wegovy. Research shows that chronic stress can cause weight gain because of changes in feeding behavior leading to unhealthy dietary choices. Reducing your stress by limiting the stressors and engaging in stress-relieving activities like physical exercise and meditation can help shed excess fats faster.
Better sleep
Inadequate sleep patterns have been associated with weight gain and an increased risk of obesity. A meta-analysis of studies found out that people who slept less than 7 hours daily had a 9% higher risk of obesity for every missed hour of sleep. Another review of 31 cross-sectional studies mentioned that reduced sleep duration is linked to overweight and obesity. Designing a proper sleep schedule and taking at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep can also accelerate weight loss with GLP-1 medications.
Factors that influence weight loss on Wegovy
Besides the weight loss maximization tips we’ve shared above, some other factors can influence weight loss with Wegovy. Managing these factors can help you potentially lose more weight than the average weight loss achieved by using these drugs.
Time
The weight you lose with Wegovy is directly related to how long you have been taking the medication. Many people who stop taking Wegovy mention regaining weight. The SELECT trial showed that people taking semaglutide over 208 weeks (almost 4 years) lost 10.2% of their body weight on average compared to 1.5% weight loss in the placebo group.
Dose
Besides the duration of taking weight loss medication, the rate of weight loss also depends on the dose of Wegovy. Though doctors usually start with a lower dose to subside the gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 agonist drugs, higher doses show better results in weight loss. Studies show that patients receiving 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg semaglutide lost 12.1% of their body weight in six months, whereas patients taking 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 1.25 mg lost 9.2% of their total body weight.
Diet
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy make you feel fuller for longer, suppressing your diet. It’s important to eat a protein-rich diet to preserve lean mass while you lose body fat. It’s also suggested to avoid food containing carbohydrates and fats to avoid dense calories that contribute to weight gain. A study showed that people with healthy lifestyle changes such as a low-calorie diet with pharmacological treatment of obesity lost 10.8% of their body weight compared to 4.1% weight loss with the medication alone.
Exercise
Regular exercise along with dietary changes can help to promote weight loss, whereas a sedentary lifestyle might restrict it. Studies suggest that physical exercise and reducing sedentary time can help with weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus management over the long term. While you can exercise according to your preference, aerobic training has been seen to be consistently effective in weight loss compared to people without exercise. Moreover, exercise training also provides other health benefits in obese and overweight individuals at a risk of cardiovascular diseases or with existing CV conditions.
Stress
Research shows that stress may lead to weight gain through binge eating and unhealthy food cravings. Stress-eating mechanisms are related to cortisol secretion under stressful conditions that encourage unhealthy eating and cause weight gain. Another study on stress-induced weight changes concluded that stress can influence your weight and BMI (body mass index) due to abnormalities in food intake behavior and diet. The American Psychological Association suggests relaxing, meditating, and physical activity to manage stressors. If needed, consult a healthcare provider so they can suggest a suitable regimen to help you feel relaxed.
Sleep
If you crave comfort foods when staying up at night, you’re not alone. A report by JAMA Network mentioned that individuals who sleep less crave high-calorie foods and consume more calories. Another study shows the relationship between sleep and weight loss is bi-directional and disturbed sleeping patterns may lead to an increase in energy intake through snacking.
Other health conditions
Sometimes, medical conditions may make it harder to lose weight when using Wegovy. Women with PCOS have reported finding weight loss difficult because of hormonal imbalances. At the same time, diabetes has also been seen to restrict weight loss. Research found out that insulin-resistant men without diabetes mellitus lose more lean mass and gain less fat mass than insulin-sensitive men. Furthermore, chronic stress, depression, and hypothyroidism may also promote weight gain, making it hard to lose weight with GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs.
Other medications
Some medications like insulin lead to weight gain, requiring more effort to lose weight with weight loss drugs. Anticonvulsant drugs like carbamazepine and valproate have also shown an increase in weight when taking these medicines. Many people taking medical therapies for mood disorders, depression, and other psychiatric illnesses may also gain weight during the treatment.
Bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved drug for chronic weight management like Zepbound. It is prescribed to patients with obesity and overweight with one weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. The STEP-1 trial studied the efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The 68-week clinical trial showed that individuals with obesity or excess weight with a related medical problem lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight (35 pounds) at 68 weeks. Studies have concluded that semaglutide can help lose up to 6% of their baseline weight by week 12 and 12% of their body weight by week 28. People have also reported 10.2% weight loss over four years of taking Wegovy.
You can maximize weight loss results with Wegovy by exercising daily, including flexibility, aerobic, and resistance exercises. Moreover, a low-calorie diet, high-quality sleep, and managing stressors better can also boost weight loss.
