Wegovy® (Semaglutide)
Wegovy® is a brand-name injectable semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It works by mimicking a hormone your body naturally produces in response to food, reducing appetite signaling and slowing gastric emptying. It is FDA-approved as a once-weekly injection for chronic weight management in adults.
*Prescription required. Results may vary. For additional information, see product information.
Wegovy® is injected once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. It is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Your physician will start you at a lower dose and gradually increase it over a period of weeks to help reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Take Wegovy® exactly as prescribed by your health care provider.
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy® pens include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach or abdominal pain, altered skin sensation, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, abdominal bloating, burping, low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, gas, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hair loss.
Injection site reactions may include itching, redness, inflammation, hardening, irritation, bruising, pain, swelling, or discomfort at the injection site.
Wegovy® may also cause serious side effects, including pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, dehydration that can lead to kidney problems, severe stomach or intestinal side effects, serious allergic reactions, changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes, increased heart rate, and pulmonary aspiration during procedures requiring anesthesia or deep sedation.
Postmarketing reports with semaglutide include acute pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis, sometimes resulting in death; ileus; intestinal obstruction; severe constipation including fecal impaction; anaphylaxis; angioedema; rash; hives; pulmonary aspiration; and acute kidney injury.
Seek medical care right away if you have severe or persistent stomach pain, pain that spreads to your back, severe nausea or vomiting, signs of dehydration, reduced urination, symptoms of low blood sugar, yellowing of the skin or eyes, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, severe rash, fainting, a racing heartbeat while at rest, sudden vision changes, or sudden severe symptoms after using Wegovy®.
Tell your healthcare provider if side effects are severe, persistent, worsening, or concerning.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription products:
- Contact FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch
The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Important Safety Information
Important Safety Information — Wegovy® Pens
What is Wegovy®?
Wegovy® pens contain semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, receptor agonist, supplied as a subcutaneous injection in a prefilled, single-dose pen.
Wegovy® injection is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight; to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity, and adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related condition; and for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis in adults.
This men’s section summarizes key warnings, precautions, contraindications, and possible side effects for Wegovy® pens. This page does not include all possible information about Wegovy®. Always follow your prescription label and the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Boxed Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
In studies with rodents, semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Wegovy® causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, or MTC, in humans.
Do not use Wegovy® if you or anyone in your family has ever had MTC, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, also called MEN 2.
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of a thyroid tumor, including a lump or swelling in the neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or persistent hoarseness.
Who should not use Wegovy® pens?
Do not use Wegovy® if you have a personal or family history of MTC or if you have MEN 2.
Do not use Wegovy® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or to any ingredient in Wegovy®.
Do not use Wegovy® with other semaglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider.
Do not use Wegovy® if the medication appears cloudy, colored, contains particles, has been frozen, appears damaged, or otherwise looks unusual.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Wegovy®.
Stop using Wegovy® and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have severe or persistent stomach pain, especially if the pain spreads to your back or occurs with nausea or vomiting.
Gallbladder Problems
Wegovy® is associated with an increased occurrence of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. Substantial or rapid weight loss can also increase the risk of gallstones.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop upper stomach pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, clay-colored stools, or pain after eating that may suggest gallbladder disease.
Low Blood Sugar
Wegovy® lowers blood glucose and can cause low blood sugar. The risk may be higher if Wegovy® is used with insulin or an insulin secretagogue such as a sulfonylurea.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have diabetes or take medications that lower blood sugar. Your healthcare provider may monitor your blood glucose and may adjust your diabetes medications.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include sweating, shakiness, hunger, dizziness, headache, confusion, irritability, weakness, blurred vision, slurred speech, anxiety, mood changes, drowsiness, or a fast heartbeat.
Kidney Problems Due to Dehydration
Acute kidney injury has been reported in patients treated with semaglutide, including cases requiring hemodialysis. Most reported events occurred in patients who had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal reactions that led to dehydration.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, reduced urination, dizziness, weakness, or signs of dehydration.
Severe Gastrointestinal Reactions
Wegovy® can cause gastrointestinal side effects that may be severe. Wegovy® is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have severe, persistent, or worsening nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, reflux, burping, gas, or other stomach or intestinal symptoms.
Serious Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with Wegovy®.
Stop using Wegovy® and seek medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe rash, hives, fainting, dizziness, very rapid heartbeat, or sudden severe symptoms after using Wegovy®.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy complications have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with semaglutide. Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have type 2 diabetes or a history of diabetic retinopathy. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®.
Increased Heart Rate
Wegovy® may increase resting heart rate. Your healthcare provider may monitor your heart rate during treatment.
Tell your healthcare provider if you feel palpitations or a racing heartbeat while at rest. Wegovy® should be discontinued if a sustained increase in resting heart rate occurs.
Procedures Requiring Anesthesia or Deep Sedation
Wegovy® delays gastric emptying. Rare cases of pulmonary aspiration have been reported in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists during procedures requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation.
Tell your healthcare providers before any planned surgery or procedure if you are taking Wegovy®.
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy® pens include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach or abdominal pain, altered skin sensation, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, abdominal bloating, burping, low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, gas, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hair loss.
Other reported side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, fainting, appendicitis, injection site reactions, allergic reactions, changes in taste, kidney stones, increased amylase or lipase, certain liver test changes, ileus, intestinal obstruction, and severe constipation including fecal impaction.
Tell your healthcare provider if side effects are severe, persistent, worsening, or concerning.
Injection Site Reactions
Injection site reactions may include itching, redness, inflammation, hardening, irritation, bruising, pain, swelling, or discomfort at the injection site.
Contact your healthcare provider if injection site symptoms are severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with warmth, drainage, fever, or increasing pain.
Drug Interactions
Tell your healthcare provider about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter products you take.
Wegovy® may increase the risk of low blood sugar when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas. Your healthcare provider may adjust the dose of insulin or insulin secretagogues to reduce this risk.
Wegovy® delays gastric emptying and may affect the absorption of medications taken by mouth. Your healthcare provider may monitor medications taken by mouth, especially medications with a narrow therapeutic index or medications that require clinical or laboratory monitoring.
Use in Adult Men, Pediatric Patients, and Older Adults
This men’s section is intended for adult male patients. Wegovy® injection is approved for certain uses in adults and for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity.
The safety and effectiveness of Wegovy® injection have not been established in pediatric patients under 12 years of age, for cardiovascular risk reduction in pediatric patients, for use of the 7.2 mg once-weekly dose in pediatric patients, or for treatment of noncirrhotic MASH in pediatric patients.
Older adults may be more likely to experience serious adverse reactions. Patients aged 75 years and older reported more serious adverse reactions overall than younger adult patients in the cardiovascular outcomes trial.
How to Use Wegovy® Pens
Use Wegovy® exactly as prescribed. Wegovy® pens are injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
Before using Wegovy®, receive training from your healthcare provider on proper injection technique. Wegovy® pens are single-dose pens and should be discarded after use.
Before each use, inspect Wegovy®. The solution should appear clear and colorless. Do not use Wegovy® if it is cloudy, colored, contains particles, has been frozen, appears damaged, or otherwise looks unusual.
Do not remove the pen cap until you are ready to inject. Do not reuse Wegovy® pens. Do not share Wegovy® pens with other people.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Wegovy® injection and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, use Wegovy® as soon as possible.
If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away, do not use the missed dose. Resume dosing on the regularly scheduled day of the week.
If 2 or more consecutive doses are missed, contact your healthcare provider. You may be instructed to resume dosing as scheduled or restart the dose-escalation schedule to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
Overdose
Overdose with GLP-1 receptor agonists has been associated with severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe low blood sugar.
Because Wegovy® has a long half-life, a prolonged period of observation and treatment may be necessary after overdose.
In case of overdose, seek medical attention immediately or contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Storage
Store Wegovy® pens in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F / 2°C to 8°C.
If needed, before removing the pen cap, Wegovy® may be kept at 46°F to 86°F / 8°C to 30°C for up to 28 days.
Do not freeze Wegovy®. Do not use Wegovy® if it has been frozen. Do not store Wegovy® directly next to the refrigerator cooling element.
Keep Wegovy® in the original carton until use to protect it from light. Discard the Wegovy® pen after use.
Keep Wegovy® and all medicines out of reach of children.
Medication Disposal
Dispose of used Wegovy® pens in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not place used pens directly into household trash.
Do not flush unused medication down the toilet or pour it into a sink or drain unless specifically instructed. Follow local disposal guidance or ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of unused medication and injection supplies.
When to Contact Your Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, reflux, dizziness, fatigue, headache, injection site symptoms, signs of dehydration, changes in vision, symptoms of low blood sugar, palpitations, gallbladder symptoms, or any side effect that feels unusual or concerning.
Seek Emergency Medical Care
Seek emergency medical care if you experience severe or persistent stomach pain, pain that spreads to your back, severe vomiting or diarrhea, signs of severe dehydration, reduced urination, severe low blood sugar, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, severe rash or hives, fainting, chest pain, symptoms of stroke, sudden vision changes, severe dizziness, or sudden severe symptoms after using Wegovy®.
Reporting Side Effects
Tell your healthcare provider if you experience side effects or symptoms that concern you.
You may report suspected adverse reactions to Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-833-934-6891 or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Telemedicine Disclosure
This prescription may be issued through telemedicine after review by a licensed healthcare provider. If you experience concerning symptoms, contact your ATHS provider or seek emergency medical care.
Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your symptoms, medical history, medications, allergies, prior reactions, diabetes status, blood sugar history, pancreas history, gallbladder history, kidney function, eye disease, thyroid cancer history, MEN 2 history, planned procedures, or other relevant health information may result in serious harm.
Disclaimer
This information is not comprehensive and does not include all possible risks, side effects, interactions, warnings, or precautions associated with Wegovy® pens. This page does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
For questions about your medication, prescription, dosing, side effects, or treatment plan, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
For more information, see the Wegovy® prescribing information.
Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
A single subcutaneous injection taken once a week, designed for self-administration with a prefilled, single-dose pen.
Significant weight loss
In a 68-week clinical trial, adults taking once-weekly Wegovy® injection lost an average of about 15% of body weight versus 2.4% with placebo, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Cardiovascular event risk reduction
FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese.
Wegovy via NovoCare®
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Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Alchemical Transformations Health Services, P.C. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Eli Lilly and Company.
Wegovy® and Ozempic® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Alchemical Transformations Health Services, P.C. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk.
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