Wegovy injection (semaglutide)
Effects, Usage, Side Effects, and Frequently Asked Questions About Wegovy
This page has been reviewed by
Dr. Nicolette Lammers.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is an injectable medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It is used, in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for weight management in people with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related comorbidity.
On this page, you will learn how Wegovy works, who it may be suitable for, how treatment works, and what is important to know about side effects, costs, and stopping treatment. You can read more about the gradual dose escalation on our page Wegovy dosage. If you are interested in medically supervised treatment, you can get advice at our locations or online via video consultation.
Who is Wegovy suitable for?
Wegovy may be suitable for adults who have obesity or who are overweight and already have a weight-related comorbidity. This may include, for example, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or lipid disorders. What matters is not only BMI, but always the overall medical situation.
Whether semaglutide is appropriate is assessed by a doctor based on pre-existing conditions, concurrent medication, previous weight loss attempts, and possible risks. Wegovy is not intended as a short-term solution for cosmetic weight loss, but rather as part of a medically supervised treatment concept with weight loss medications.
What is Wegovy approved for?
In the European Union, Wegovy is approved, in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for weight management. In adults, this includes the treatment of obesity with a BMI of 30 or higher, as well as overweight with a BMI of 27 or higher if at least one weight-related comorbidity is present.
In addition, Wegovy is also approved for adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity under the conditions specified in the prescribing information. Whether treatment is medically appropriate in an individual case must always be assessed individually. You can read more about the regulatory framework of GLP-1 agonists and their approved indications in our blog.
How does the Wegovy injection work?
The active ingredient semaglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. It mimics a natural hormone in the body that is involved in the regulation of hunger, satiety, and blood sugar. As a result, Wegovy can prolong the feeling of fullness, reduce hunger, and lower calorie intake in everyday life.
In addition, semaglutide slows gastric emptying and supports glucose metabolism. For many patients, this combination is particularly relevant because it can make dietary changes more manageable. However, Wegovy does not replace a healthy diet or physical activity, but is used as part of a structured treatment plan.
How is Wegovy used?
Wegovy is injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled pen. Suitable injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It can be used regardless of meals, but should ideally be taken on a fixed day of the week.
Dosage
Treatment usually begins with a low dose, which is gradually increased so that the body can get used to the active ingredient more easily. What is especially important is this: the exact dosage is always determined by a doctor. Relevant factors include tolerability, pre-existing conditions, concurrent medication, and the course of treatment so far.
Wegovy should therefore not be increased or reduced independently. Even in cases of uncertainty, missed doses, or symptoms, the dosage should not be changed on your own, but reviewed by a doctor.
Use in everyday life
For safe use, it is important to use the pen correctly and to rotate the injection site regularly. Especially in the early phase of treatment, it is worth paying attention to tolerability, eating habits, and fluid intake. You can find a detailed overview of warning signs, practical everyday tips, and common symptoms on our page about Wegovy side effects.
Your Journey to Sustainable Weight Loss Starts Here.
Who developed Wegovy?
Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The active ingredient semaglutide is also used in Ozempic, although with a different approval and a different therapeutic focus.
Manufacturer
The marketing authorisation holder is Novo Nordisk A/S, based in Denmark. For patients, what matters most is that Wegovy is an approved, prescription-only medication and should only be used as part of medically supervised treatment.
Availability in Germany
Wegovy is available in Germany as a solution for injection in a pre-filled pen. It is dispensed through pharmacies with a prescription. Which treatment option is medically appropriate can also be assessed depending on the individual starting point, including in comparison with Mounjaro or Saxenda.
Where can I buy Wegovy?
Wegovy is not available over the counter. Before purchasing it, a medical assessment is necessary to determine whether the medication is medically appropriate, which risks need to be taken into account, and which dosage may be suitable in the individual case.
Only after this assessment can Wegovy be obtained from a pharmacy with a prescription. For many patients, what matters is therefore not simply buying the medication, but receiving a proper medical evaluation that takes into account comorbidities, previous treatments, and tolerability. You can find more information on costs and possible reimbursement on our page about health insurance and cost coverage for weight loss injections. If you would like a medical assessment, you can directly book an appointment for a consultation.
What are the possible side effects?
Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, Wegovy can also cause side effects. They most commonly affect the gastrointestinal tract and occur especially during dose escalation. Many symptoms improve over time, but they should be taken seriously if they are severe, persist, or lead to fluid loss.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Indigestion, belching, or bloating
You can read in detail which symptoms are especially common during the starting phase, how long they may last, and what may help in everyday life on our page about
Wegovy side effects.
Rare or serious warning signs
In addition to the more common symptoms, there are warning signs that should be assessed by a doctor. These include severe persistent abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, allergic reactions, or a sudden worsening of vision. Low blood sugar can also occur, especially if insulin or certain other diabetes medications are used at the same time. You can find the full overview with usage and safety information in the Wegovy package leaflet.
What is important regarding safety, interactions, and contraindications?
Wegovy is approved in the European Union and is subject to additional monitoring. This means that new safety findings are continuously collected and evaluated. The medication should only be used within its approved indications and under medical supervision.
Interactions
Semaglutide delays gastric emptying. As a result, the absorption of other oral medications may change. This is particularly important for blood glucose-lowering medications, insulin, or sulfonylureas, because the risk of low blood sugar may increase. Closer monitoring may also be required with oral anticoagulants such as warfarin. Wegovy should also not be used together with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Contraindications and special precautions
Wegovy must not be used if there is hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients. The medication should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Special caution is required, among other things, in people with a history of pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, gastroparesis, or before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation. Before starting treatment, the entire medical history, including all current medications, should therefore always be discussed with a doctor.
Wegovy treatment in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, or online.
How does Wegovy differ from other medications?
Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In direct comparison with other medications for weight loss or metabolic treatment, the active ingredient, approval, dosage, and frequency of use sometimes differ considerably. For this reason, the choice should never be made in a generalised way, but always on the basis of a medical assessment of your individual situation, pre-existing conditions, and treatment goals.
Wegovy vs. Ozempic
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide. The key difference lies in the approved indication: Wegovy is intended for weight management, while Ozempic is primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The available dosages and the therapeutic classification also differ.
Wegovy vs. Mounjaro
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and acts not only on the GLP-1 receptor but also on the GIP receptor. This means that Mounjaro differs mechanistically from Wegovy. Both medications are generally injected once a week, but they are not simply interchangeable and should always be assessed individually from a medical perspective.
Wegovy vs. Saxenda
Saxenda contains liraglutide and, unlike Wegovy, is injected daily. Wegovy is used once a week. For many patients, the active ingredient is therefore not the only important difference, but also how the treatment fits into everyday life.
Which medication may be suitable depends, among other things, on BMI, comorbidities, previous treatments, tolerability, and your personal treatment goals. A medical decision is therefore more important than a general product comparison.
Is Wegovy covered by health insurance?
Coverage of Wegovy is a common topic during consultations in Germany. Statutory health insurance providers generally do not cover the costs of medications for weight loss. Whether different rules apply in individual cases should always be clarified directly with your own insurer. For privately insured patients, possible reimbursement depends on the individual tariff, the medical justification, and the specific contract conditions. A general statement is therefore not helpful. You can find more information on how costs are assessed on our page about health insurance and reimbursement for weight loss injections.
How can I stop using Wegovy?
Wegovy should not be stopped or changed without medical advice. Whether treatment should be ended, temporarily interrupted, or adjusted depends on several factors, for example tolerability, treatment goals, comorbidities, or a planned pregnancy.
What matters most is that the decision to stop treatment is medically supervised. This makes it possible to assess whether a dose adjustment is sufficient, whether another treatment would be more appropriate, or whether treatment should be discontinued.
This is particularly relevant if you are planning to become pregnant: if a pregnancy is planned, Wegovy should be stopped in good time beforehand. The same applies if new symptoms occur, if side effects become problematic, or if a medical procedure is planned. In all of these situations, continued use should always be discussed with a doctor.
How much does a Wegovy injection cost?
The cost of Wegovy depends on the prescribed dosage, the pack size, and the pharmacy. In addition, there may be costs for medical consultations and ongoing medical supervision if the treatment is part of a programme.
Is Wegovy prescription-only in Germany?
Yes, Wegovy is prescription-only in Germany. The medication may only be prescribed after a medical assessment.
Who is Wegovy suitable for?
Wegovy is suitable for adults with obesity. It may also be considered for people who are overweight if at least one weight-related comorbidity is present, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea. Whether Wegovy is medically appropriate should always be assessed by a doctor.
What is the active ingredient in Wegovy?
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Semaglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists and influences, among other things, appetite, satiety, and glucose metabolism.
What does GLP-1 stand for?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a natural hormone produced by the body that influences feelings of fullness, gastric emptying, and blood sugar regulation. Wegovy mimics this effect.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy can reduce hunger, increase feelings of fullness, and lower calorie intake. The active ingredient semaglutide acts on receptors involved in appetite regulation. Wegovy is used in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
How is Wegovy used?
Wegovy is usually injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled pen. The injection is typically given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The day of use should ideally remain the same each week.
How is Wegovy dosed?
The dosage of Wegovy is always determined by a doctor. Treatment usually begins with a low dose, which is gradually increased in order to improve tolerability. The dose should not be changed independently.
What side effects can Wegovy cause?
The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and headaches. These symptoms often occur at the beginning of treatment or during dose escalation. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms are severe or persistent.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both medications contain semaglutide. However, Wegovy is intended for weight management, while Ozempic is primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Which medication is appropriate should always be decided individually by a doctor.
Is Wegovy covered by health insurance?
In Germany, the cost of Wegovy is generally not covered by statutory health insurance. For private insurance, possible reimbursement depends on the individual tariff and the specific case.
Can I simply stop taking Wegovy?
Wegovy should not be stopped without medical advice. If side effects occur, a pregnancy is planned, or the treatment needs to be changed, the next steps should always be discussed with a doctor.
Sources
- Wilding, J.P.H., Batterham, R.L., Calanna, S. et al. 2021. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine. Read study.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy: EPAR overview page. Open page.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy: EPAR Medicine Overview. Open PDF.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy, INN-semaglutide: EPAR Product Information. Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet (PDF).
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy: EPAR Public Assessment Report. Open assessment report (PDF).
- European Commission. Union Register of medicinal products: Wegovy. Open entry.