Wegovy Dosage, forms & strengths
Wegovy is a prescription drug containing semaglutide that is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 receptor agonist that is FDA-approved as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults over the age of 18. It is indicated in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m^2 or greater (obesity)
- 27 kg/m^2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition (hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia)
Wegovy forms and strengths
Wegovy is available in prefilled syringes of various strengths:
- 0.25mg/0.5ml prefilled syringe
- 0.5mg/0.5ml prefilled syringe
- 1mg/0.5ml prefilled syringe
- 1.7mg/0.75ml prefilled syringe
- 2.4mg/0.75ml prefilled syringe
Wegovy dosage for adults
The usual starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg injected under your skin once a week for 4 weeks. You will then increase your weekly dose every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once a week.
Wegovy adult dosage chart
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic weight management | 0.25mg injected under the skin once weekly. | 2.4mg injected under the skin once weekly following a dose escalation schedule. | 2.4mg injected under the skin once weekly. |
The safety and efficacy of Wegovy have not been established in children under the age of 18.
Wegovy dosage restrictions
- There is no dosage adjustment necessary in patients with renal (kidney) or hepatic (liver) impairment.
How to take Wegovy
- Read the Instructions for Use, Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide that comes with Wegovy.
- Take Wegovy as prescribed by your healthcare provider. They should instruct you on how to use Wegovy before you use it for the first time.
- Wegovy should be administered once weekly on the same day each week. It can be given at any time of day with or without food. You should rotate your injection site with each injection.
- Inject Wegovy under the skin (subcutaneous) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
- In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose before starting and during treatment.
- Inspect Wegovy visually before each injection. It should be clear, colorless, and contain no particles.
- If you miss one dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is less than 2 days away, do not administer the missed dose. Resume dosing on the regularly scheduled day of the week.
- If more than 2 consecutive doses are missed, resume dosing as scheduled or, start back at the initial dose of 0.25mg and follow the dose escalation schedule.
- Store the Wegovy pen in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) away from light. It can be stored from 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) in the original carton for up to 28 days if needed. Do not freeze Wegovy.
- If you become pregnant while taking Wegovy, discontinue this medication and contact your healthcare provider. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, you should discontinue treatment at least 2 months before due to its long half-life. It is not known if it passes into your breast milk.
- It is not known if Wegovy can be safely taken with other prescription medications or over-the-counter weight loss supplements.
Wegovy dosage FAQs
What are the most common side effects of Wegovy?
The most common adverse reactions in at least 5% of patients include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes
- Flatulence
- Gastroenteritis
Wegovy can cause some serious side effects, including:
- Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions
- Increased risk of thyroid c-cell tumors, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Pancreatitis
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts
- Gallbladder disease
- Acute kidney injury
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Increased heart rate
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy are both injectable medications manufactured by Novo Nordisk that contain semaglutide. The differences are in the conditions they are approved to treat and the doses they come in.
Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy is used along with diet and exercise for chronic weight management in patients with certain comorbid conditions and/or body mass index (BMI) measurements.
RELATED: Wegovy vs Ozempic
How much weight can you lose with Wegovy?
Studies show that people who took the maintenance dose of 2.4mg along with diet and exercise lost around 15% more of the starting body weight than those taking a placebo.
How long does Wegovy stay in the system?
With an elimination half-life of about 1 week, Wegovy will be present in your bloodstream for about 5 to 7 weeks after the last dose of 2.4 mg.
What happens if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
If you miss one dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, administer a dose as soon as possible. If it is less than 2 days away, do not administer the dose. Resume dosing on the regularly scheduled day of the week.
If more than 2 consecutive doses are missed, resume dosing as scheduled or, start back at the initial dose of 0.25mg and follow the dose escalation schedule.
What is the maximum dosage for Wegovy?
The maximum dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg once a week.
Which medications interact with Wegovy?
Wegovy lowers your blood sugar and can cause hypoglycemia. This risk is increased when it is used along with insulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas) or insulin.
Wegovy also delays gastric emptying which may affect the absorption of oral medications that are taken along with it.
Is it safe to use Wegovy while pregnant?
Based on animal reproduction studies, there are possible risks to the fetus you take Wegovy while pregnant. It should be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Wegovy, discontinue this medication and contact your healthcare provider. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, you should discontinue treatment at least 2 months before due to its long half-life.
