What is Wegovy? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Wegovy

• Your healthcare provider should show you how to use the Wegovy pen before you use it for the first time.

• Wegovy is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. 

• The Wegovy pen is for one-time use only. The dose is already set on the pen.

• The needle is covered by the needle cover, and the needle will not be seen.

• Do not remove the pen cap until you are ready to inject.

• The Wegovy injection will begin when the needle cover is pressed against your skin.

• Do not remove the pen from your skin before the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. If the needle is removed earlier, you may not get your full dose of Wegovy.

• The needle cover will lock when the pen is removed from your skin. You cannot stop the injection and restart it later.

• Rotate your injection site after each injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.

• Use Wegovy once each week, on the same day each week, at any time of the day.

• Wegovy can be taken with or without food. 

• Store the Wegovy pen in the refrigerator; do not freeze.

• Keep Wegovy in the original carton to protect it from light.

• Do not use your Wegovy pen if:

  • the pen appears to have been used, or any part of the pen appears broken (e.g., if it has been dropped), or

  •  the Wegovy medicine is not clear and colorless through the pen window, or

  •  the expiration date (EXP) has passed.

What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy

• If you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than two days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible. 

• If you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is less than two days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.

• If you miss doses of Wegovy for more than two weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your healthcare provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.

Wegovy contraindications - Who shouldn't take Wegovy?

Do not use Wegovy if:

• You or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or

You have had a serious allergic reaction to the active ingredient semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy.

Wegovy warnings

Before using Wegovy, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:

• Have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys, or

• Have type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of diabetic retinopathy, or

• Have had depression, suicidal thoughts, mental health issues, or

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or

• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not use Wegovy with other semaglutide-containing products such as Ozempic. Wegovy may affect the way some medicines work, and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy works.

Wegovy interactions & what to avoid when taking Wegovy

• If you are taking other drugs to treat diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or insulin, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) is increased. 

• Wegovy slows stomach emptying and may affect other medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.