Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It supports weight loss by suppressing your appetite and slowing down stomach emptying after eating. Regular physical activity and a nutrient-dense diet complement the effects of Wegovy.
Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Wegovy is a relatively new weight loss injection that’s been making waves in the world of obesity management.
Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management alongside a balanced diet and regular physical activity in adults with:
a BMI of 27 or higher and weight-related health concerns like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
Wegovy may be a suitable medication for individuals with obesity who have difficulty managing their weight through diet and exercise alone.
How does Wegovy work?
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The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone in your body that regulates blood sugar and appetite.
According to a 2022 literature review, by mimicking the action of GLP-1, semaglutide (Wegovy) can:
Reduce your appetite: You may benefit from Wegovy due to its appetite-suppressant effects. The exact way it does this is not yet fully understood. It may be because of the changes in your central nervous system, vagus nerve, and peripheral nervous system. Most people using semaglutide will see their appetite reduce gradually during the first few weeks.
Reduce cravings: The medication can reduce the rewarding feelings you experience when eating and make foods feel less palatable. Combined with an overall reduced appetite, you may get fewer or weakened food cravings.
Slow down how fast your stomach empties: Since food stays in your stomach longer, you will likely feel full after eating smaller portions. Feelings of fullness will also persist for longer after a meal.
Improve insulin sensitivity: Wegovy promotes insulin production and reduces glucagon secretion, which can support blood sugar management and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, other semaglutide medications, like Ozempic, are FDA-approved for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes.
Cause side effects: Certain side effects of the medication, like nausea and vomiting, may also contribute to weight loss, though in a less enjoyable way.
There is a need for more extensive research to better understand how semaglutide (Wegovy) affects your body and promotes weight loss.
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Studies demonstrate that Wegovy is remarkably effective for weight loss.
The 2022 literature review found that with a 0.5 milligrams (mg) weekly semaglutide injection, the participants saw a mean weight loss of 8.3 pounds (lbs), while a 1 mg injection led to a 10 lbs mean weight loss. The duration of the treatment was from 30–68 weeks.
One of the studies in this review was a 2021 study. According to this 2021 study, with a weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide injection, the participants saw a mean weight loss of 33.7 lbs.
For context, 2.4 mg per week is the intended dosage of Wegovy injections, as instructed on the medication label.
How long does it take to lose weight on Wegovy?
How much weight you lose when taking Wegovy injections may depend on factors such as:
dosage
diet
physical activity level
overall health
starting point
For reference, the 2021 study recorded the participant’s weight every 4 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, semaglutide had already led to a mean weight loss of over 2% of the body weight. It took 20 weeks to see a 10% weight loss.
What happens when you stop Wegovy?
If you discontinue Wegovy, you may regain some of the weight during the following months.
In a 2021 study, participants took a weekly semaglutide injection for 20 weeks. After this, the mean weight loss was 24.5 lbs or 10.6% of the total body weight. Then, participants continued to take either a placebo injection or 2.4 mg semaglutide per week for another 48 weeks along with lifestyle changes.
In the semaglutide group, the mean weight loss from weeks 20 to 48 was 15.7 lbs or 7.9% body weight. Meanwhile, the placebo group who stopped semaglutide after week 20 had gained 13.4 lbs or 6.9% of their body weight by week 48.
This suggests that despite lifestyle changes, stopping Wegovy may cause weight regain within the next year.
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Wegovy is not the only weight loss injection available. Here are some other options that you may consider:
Liraglutide
Liraglutide (Saxenda) is the only other FDA-approved weight loss injection in the United States. Like semaglutide, liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, so the effects are similar.
A difference between Saxenda and Wegovy is that you need to administer the Saxenda injection every day, as explained in the Saxenda prescription document. In contrast, you need to take a dose of Wegovy injections once per week.
Semaglutide
When comparing Ozempic versus Wegovy, you may notice that they both have the same active ingredient, semaglutide. They are also both injections that you administer under the skin once per week.
Despite these similarities, Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss. As per its information document, doctors prescribe it for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic dose is usually lower than Wegovy, but some healthcare professionals may still prescribe it for weight loss as studies show it to be effective for that purpose.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist. The difference with other drugs is that it is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor agonist. This means it acts on two different hormone pathways involved in insulin production: GLP-1 and GIP.
Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is FDA-approved for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes, but healthcare professionals also prescribe it off label for weight management in obesity.
The label instructs to inject Mounjaro once per week. It also explains that one of the possible effects of the medication is weight loss, which is why some doctors may also prescribe it for this purpose.
Wegovy has a proven track record for promoting weight loss in people with obesity and overweight.
It contains the active ingredient semaglutide. By reducing appetite, promoting fullness, and improving insulin sensitivity, Wegovy helps users shed excess pounds and improve their overall health.
To learn if Wegovy is right for you, you can speak to a healthcare professional.
