This page has been reviewed by
Dr. Nicolette Lammers.
Possible side effects of Wegovy
The correct use and dosing of Wegovy are important. Always use this medicine exactly as agreed with your doctor. On this page you will find information on possible Wegovy side effects from the patient information leaflet, along with guidance on what to do if warning signs occur.
This information does not replace individualized medical advice. If you experience acute, severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately. If you notice any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). If you have diabetes, tell your doctor if you develop eye problems such as vision changes while using this medicine.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Signs of pancreatitis may include severe and persistent pain in your abdomen that may radiate to your back. See your doctor immediately if you experience such symptoms.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema). Seek medical help immediately and inform your doctor right away if symptoms occur such as breathing difficulties, swelling, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and loss of consciousness, or rapid swelling under the skin in areas such as the face, throat, arms, and legs, which can be life-threatening if swelling in the throat blocks the airways.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Intestinal obstruction. A severe form of constipation with additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, etc.
Other side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling weak or tired: these are mainly observed during dose escalation and usually go away over time.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach or indigestion
- Belching
- Gas (flatulence)
- Bloated abdomen
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis): signs include stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Reflux or heartburn, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gallstones
- Hair loss
- Injection-site reactions
- Changes in the taste of foods or drinks
- Changes in skin sensation
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The warning signs of low blood sugar may occur suddenly. They may include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea or intense hunger, vision changes, tiredness or weakness, nervousness, anxiety or confusion, difficulty concentrating, and shaking (tremor).
Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs.
Low blood sugar is more likely to occur if you also take a sulfonylurea or use insulin. Your doctor may reduce the dose of these medicines before you start using this medicine.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up or sitting up due to a drop in blood pressure
- Racing heartbeat
- Increases in pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase) detected in blood tests
- Delayed gastric emptying.
Here you will find common questions about Wegovy side effects, use, and warning signs. The answers are based on the patient information leaflet. If symptoms are severe, persist, or worsen, seek medical advice.
What is Wegovy and what is it used for?
Wegovy is a medicine for weight loss and weight maintenance that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. According to the patient information leaflet, it is used together with a diet and physical activity for weight loss and to help maintain weight. It is used in adults with obesity or with overweight and weight-related health problems. It may also be used for weight management in adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity and a body weight above 60 kg.
How does Wegovy work according to the patient information leaflet?
Wegovy is similar to the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). According to the package leaflet, it acts on targets (receptors) in the brain that control appetite and may lead to increased feelings of fullness, reduced hunger, and fewer cravings. This is intended to help you eat less and reduce body weight.
Which Wegovy side effects are very common?
Very common side effects listed include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and feeling weak or tired.
Which Wegovy side effects are common?
Common side effects listed include dizziness, upset stomach or indigestion, belching, gas (flatulence), bloated abdomen, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), reflux or heartburn, gallstones, hair loss, injection-site reactions, changes in the taste of foods or drinks, changes in skin sensation, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Are there serious side effects of Wegovy?
Yes. The package leaflet lists the following as serious side effects: complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy), inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema), and intestinal obstruction with frequency not known.
How long do Wegovy side effects last?
For feeling weak or tired, it is stated that these are mainly observed during dose escalation and usually go away over time. The patient information leaflet does not provide specific timelines for other side effects.
Which symptoms may indicate acute pancreatitis?
According to the patient information leaflet, severe and persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to the back may be a sign of pancreatitis. The package leaflet recommends seeing a doctor immediately if this occurs.
Which symptoms may indicate a severe allergic reaction?
The package leaflet lists, among others, breathing difficulties, swelling, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating and loss of consciousness, or rapid swelling under the skin in areas such as the face, throat, arms, and legs. This can be life-threatening if swelling in the throat blocks the airways. According to the patient information leaflet, you should seek medical help immediately and inform your doctor right away
What is intestinal obstruction as mentioned with Wegovy?
The package leaflet describes intestinal obstruction as a severe form of constipation with additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, etc. The frequency is not known.
Can Wegovy cause low blood sugar?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is listed as a common side effect in patients with type 2 diabetes. According to the patient information leaflet, warning signs may occur suddenly and include cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea or intense hunger, vision changes, tiredness or weakness, nervousness, anxiety or confusion, difficulty concentrating, or shaking.
When is hypoglycemia more likely?
According to the package leaflet, hypoglycemia is more likely to occur if you also take a sulfonylurea or use insulin. Your doctor may reduce the dose of these medicines before you start using this medicine.
Are there notes about eye problems in diabetes?
Complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) are listed as a common serious side effect. If you have diabetes, the patient information leaflet says you should tell your doctor if you develop eye problems such as vision changes during treatment.
How is Wegovy used?
According to the patient information leaflet, Wegovy is injected under the skin. It is intended to be used once weekly, preferably on the same day each week. The injection can be given at any time of day, with or without meals.
How does dose escalation work?
The patient information leaflet states that treatment starts at a low dose and is increased stepwise over 16 weeks of treatment. Once the recommended dose of 2.4 mg is reached, the dose must not be increased further.
What should I do if nausea or vomiting is very bothersome?
According to the package leaflet, you should talk to your doctor about increasing the dose more slowly or reducing your dose to the previous dose until symptoms improve.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If it has been 5 days or less since the missed dose, use Wegovy as soon as you remember and then inject the next dose as usual on your scheduled day. If it has been more than 5 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and inject the next dose as usual on your next scheduled day. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Can I change the day of the week for the injection?
According to the patient information leaflet, you may change the day of the week as long as at least 3 days have passed since the last injection. After that, once-weekly dosing continues on the new day.
Can I drive while using Wegovy?
According to the patient information leaflet, Wegovy is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, some patients may experience dizziness, especially during the first 4 months of treatment. If you feel dizzy, you should be particularly cautious. In patients with type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia can impair concentration. According to the package leaflet, you should avoid driving or operating machines if you notice signs of hypoglycemia.
Wegovy and alcohol: is there guidance in the patient information leaflet?
In the patient information leaflet used here, there is no specific information about alcohol. If you have questions, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there Wegovy side effects affecting mental health?
Psychiatric side effects are not listed in the side effects list in Section 4. If you notice changes in how you feel during treatment, talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional.
How many doses are in a Wegovy pre-filled pen?
According to the patient information leaflet, each pre-filled pen contains 4 doses.
How long can I use a Wegovy pen after first use?
According to the package leaflet, the pen can be used for 6 weeks during use if it is stored below 30°C or in a refrigerator, but not near the cooling element. Wegovy must not be frozen.
Can I use Wegovy during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
According to the patient information leaflet, the medicine must be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy. If you become pregnant, are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you should tell your doctor immediately before using it, as treatment must be stopped. During breastfeeding, the medicine should not be used because it is not known whether it passes into breast milk.
How can I report side effects?
According to the patient information leaflet, side effects can also be reported directly to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Pharmacovigilance Division, Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, D-53175 Bonn, website: www.bfarm.de.
Sources
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy (INN: semaglutide): EPAR product information (SmPC and package leaflet, DE). Document.
- PatientenInfo-Service. Wegovy solution for injection in a pre-filled pen: patient information leaflet (information for patients). Page.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wegovy (semaglutide) injection: prescribing information (label). Document.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Wegovy 2.4 mg FlexTouch solution for injection in a pre-filled pen: summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Page.
Note on the side effects section: The content in the “Possible side effects of Wegovy” section was taken from the patient information leaflet and edited only for formatting (headings and lists).