How long does Wegovy take to work?

Key takeaways

• Most people reach a maintenance dose of Wegovy after around 17 weeks, and measurable weight loss typically happens over several months. Clinical trials suggest people may lose up to 19% of their body weight over 72 weeks, though individual results vary.
• Stopping Wegovy entirely can lead to weight regain — research indicates people might regain up to two-thirds of lost weight within a year. Your doctor may recommend a maintenance dose or a gradual tapering plan rather than stopping completely.

Overview

Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medication that’s most typically used for weight management in adults and some children with obesity, adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, and adults with noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Wegovy is considered a long-term treatment, so you likely won’t see drastic results right away. You’ll need to take the medication for some time and combine it with diet and lifestyle changes to see the most success. However, you might notice some effects shortly after starting the medication.

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When will I start to notice changes?

There is no single expected timeline for when you will start to see results on Wegovy. You might notice some changes in how you feel early in treatment, but it may be several months before you reach weight loss goals.

For example, in the first month of Wegovy treatment, you’ll be at the starting dose, which is the lowest possible dosage. This dose isn’t designed to have a strong clinical effect — it’s used to get your body used to the medication.

Most people don’t notice many changes in weight in the first few weeks, but you might start to notice the first side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and low energy.

You will likely experience mild changes, such as decreased appetite, feeling fuller for longer, or reduced food cravings. In month 1, you may notice slight weight loss, although this is different for everyone — don’t feel disheartened if you don’t see changes on the scale yet.

Learn more about what to expect in the first month of GLP-1s.

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When will I notice weight loss?

Measurable weight loss with Wegovy typically happens over a period of months. Your dosage will be increased on a monthly basis until you reach a maintenance dose, which is the highest dose that’s effective for you with the fewest side effects.

You should typically reach the maintenance dosage after around 17 weeks of treatment. Once you reach this dose, you should start to notice the most weight loss.

How long it will take to see the maximum weight loss depends on individual factors. Some clinical trials of Wegovy found that weight loss continues for at least 65 weeks and is maintained for around 4 years.

You may eventually reach a weight loss plateau where weight reduction stalls or stops altogether, although this will be at different times for everyone. Wegovy is considered a long-term treatment, so you may still continue taking it for years to maintain your weight.

How much weight can I lose with Wegovy?

According to Wegovy’s manufacturer, people taking it may lose up to 19% of their body weight over a 72-week period. For reference, if you have a starting weight of 248 pounds (lbs), you could lose around 47 lbs.

Results can also differ depending on your health conditions. In clinical studies of Wegovy injection, people with type 2 diabetes generally lost less weight than people without type 2 diabetes.

However, it’s important to follow the prescribing instructions for Wegovy. Doctors will typically recommend lifestyle changes, such as following a balanced diet and increasing exercise, to support weight loss and overall well-being. This can help increase the amount of weight you can lose.

Can I stop taking Wegovy when I reach my goal?

If Wegovy isn’t right for you or isn’t working, you can stop taking it with the guidance of a healthcare professional. For many, stopping the medication entirely can lead to a return of hunger signals and weight regain. In fact, some research finds that people might regain up to two-thirds of the weight they lost in the year after stopping semaglutide.

Because of this, your doctor may discuss a maintenance dose — the lowest dose needed to keep your weight stable — rather than stopping completely.

How do I stop?

While GLP-1s don’t typically cause a withdrawal effect like some medications, stopping can lead to a rapid increase in appetite and blood sugar spikes. Many doctors recommend a structured taper over 8 to 12 weeks to help your metabolism adjust.

Common tapering methods include gradually reducing the strength before stopping, or increasing the interval between doses (e.g., every 10 days instead of 7).

Learn about switching to a new GLP-1.

Online care for Wegovy

If a doctor has prescribed a GLP-1, it’s important to take the medication as directed for as long as your doctor recommends. However, some people might face barriers to accessing GLP-1s, including high costs and access to healthcare appointments.

With Optum Perks Online Care, you can request a new weight loss prescription, get a refill, or get help with an existing prescription. There’s no monthly membership needed — all you’ll pay is $39 for the appointment plus the cost of the medication.

With this service, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your condition, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after, without the need to make an in-person appointment.

Next steps

If you’ve been prescribed Wegovy and you’re curious about results, here are some next steps to consider to help you monitor your progress:

• Adapt your diet and exercise to help support your treatment.
• Keep track of your weight in a diary, but don’t be disheartened if you don’t see much change yet.
• Think about some non-scale victories, such as fitting into a smaller clothing size or having more energy, to show how far you’ve come.
• Speak with your doctor if you feel like you aren’t making any progress.

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Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.