Frequently Asked Questions

1. References

   Wegovy [Package Insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk; 2023

2. What are the ingredients in Wegovy?

   The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Inactive ingredients include disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, water for injection, and possibly hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

3. What should I do with empty Wegovy pens after using them?

   It’s important to dispose of your Wegovy pens correctly. Avoid simply throwing them into your regular household garbage. Instead, opt for an FDA-approved sharps disposal container or a durable household container with a secure lid, such as a sturdy plastic receptacle. Ensure that this container meets specific criteria, including being resistant to punctures, stable when upright, leakproof, and appropriately labeled.

4. What should I do if the solution in the Wegovy pen appears cloudy?

   Wegovy is expected to have a clear and colorless appearance. If it does not appear clear and colorless, it is important NOT to use it. Please make sure to safely dispose of the Wegovy pen.

5. Do I need to take Wegovy with food?

   It’s suitable for consumption with or without a meal.
   What are the recommended steps for managing a Wegovy overdose situation?
   In case of Wegovy overdose, you may encounter severe nausea, intense vomiting, and a significant drop in blood sugar levels. It is important to contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical help if you experience any of these symptoms

6. What if I miss a dose of Wegovy?

   If you miss a Wegovy dose and the next one is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. But if the next dose is less than 2 days away, don’t take the missed dose, just take your next one on the usual day.

7. How to use Wegovy?
   • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and read the provided Instructions for Use carefully.
   • Wegovy is injected under the skin, typically in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Change the injection site each time.
   • You’ll use Wegovy once a week, on the same day, at any time of day.
   • Start with a small dose of 0.25 mg in the first month, then increase it to 0.5 mg in the second month, 1 mg in the third month, and 1.7 mg in the fourth month. After that, your doctor may keep you on 1.7 mg or increase it to 2.4 mg.
   • If you need to change the day you use it, make sure it’s been at least 2 days since your last dose.
8. Can Wegovy interact with other medications?

   Yes, Wegovy may affect how other medicines work and vice versa. Let your healthcare provider know about all the medicines, including diabetes medications like sulfonylureas or insulin, you are taking.

9. What should I tell my doctor before using Wegovy?

   Before starting Wegovy, inform your doctor about any medical conditions you have, including problems with your pancreas or kidneys, diabetic retinopathy, depression, or suicidal thoughts. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor because Wegovy may harm an unborn baby. If you’re breastfeeding, discuss the best feeding options with your healthcare provider.

10. What are the possible side effects of Wegovy?

    Serious Side Effects:

    • Pancreatitis: Stop using Wegovy and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe and persistent abdominal pain, with or without vomiting, which may radiate to your back.
    • Gallbladder Problems: Wegovy may lead to gallbladder issues, including gallstones. Symptoms to watch for include upper abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, and clay-colored stools.
    • Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): This is especially relevant for patients with type 2 diabetes who also take sulfonylureas or insulin. Low blood sugar can be both serious and common. Signs and symptoms include dizziness, sweating, shakiness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, anxiety, hunger, headache, irritability, confusion, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.
    • Kidney Problems (Kidney Failure): In individuals with kidney problems, dehydration due to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting can worsen kidney function. It is crucial to stay hydrated.
    • Serious Allergic Reactions: If you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, severe rash or itching, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fainting, or dizziness, seek immediate medical help.
    • Change in Vision: Notify your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your vision while taking Wegovy.
    • Increased Heart Rate: Wegovy can elevate your resting heart rate. Your healthcare provider should monitor your heart rate, and if you experience a racing or pounding heart that persists for several minutes, inform your provider.
    • Depression or Self-Harming Thoughts: Be vigilant for mental changes, especially sudden alterations in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings. If you experience new, worsening, or concerning mental changes, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

    Common Side Effects in Adults and Children Aged 12 and Older:

    • Nausea
    • Abdominal pain
    • Dizziness
    • Stomach flu
    • Diarrhea
    • Headache
    • Feeling bloated
    • Heartburn
    • Vomiting
    • Fatigue
    • Belching
    • Runny nose or sore throat
    • Constipation
    • Upset stomach
    • Gas

    Remember that these are not an exhaustive list of potential side effects of Wegovy, and it’s essential to discuss any side effects that trouble you or persist with your healthcare provider. If you experience any unusual or severe reactions, contact your doctor for medical advice.

11. What is the most important thing to know about Wegovy?

    If you notice a lump in your neck, have trouble swallowing, or experience hoarseness or shortness of breath, tell your doctor. Wegovy has caused thyroid tumors in rodents, but it’s not clear if it can do the same in people.
    Also, if you or your family has ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), you should not use Wegovy.

12. Who should not use Wegovy?

    Do not use Wegovy if you or your family has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have MEN 2. If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to semaglutide or any ingredients in Wegovy, do not use it.

13. How does Wegovy help you lose weight?

    Wegovy works by imitating a hormone that specifically acts on parts of the brain responsible for controlling hunger and food consumption. This imitation can result in reduced food intake, ultimately promoting weight loss.

14. Is Wegovy safe to use with other medications?

    Wegovy contains semaglutide, so you should not use it with other semaglutide-containing products or similar medicines. It’s also not clear if Wegovy is safe to use with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss products.

15. What is Wegovy?

    Wegovy is a medicine that helps some adults and children aged 12 and older with obesity or adults with excess weight (overweight) and weight-related medical problems lose weight and keep it off. You should use Wegovy along with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.