Wegovy Weekly Injection Pen

*Note: Our medical team must review your online consultation before approving this treatment. They will determine if the requested treatment and quantity are safe, appropriate, and effective for you.

Wegovy is a weight loss injection. It is used for weight management in obese or overweight adults.

Its active ingredient is semaglutide. It works by making you feel less hungry, which can lead to weight loss. It works best when combined with a healthy diet and ample exercise.

Semaglutide was originally prescribed for type 2 diabetes in the form of Ozempic. However, experts noticed that patients would also lose weight as a side effect.

Since then, Novo Nordisk has manufactured the medicine under the name ‘Wegovy’, which was approved by the MHRA in 2021 for weight loss treatment.

Recent studies have shown that Wegovy can also reduce the risk of serious heart problems in obese or overweight individuals. So, in 2024, the weight loss injection was approved to prevent cardiovascular events in overweight or obese people.

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor antagonist.

A GLP-1 receptor antagonist works in four main ways.

How does GLP-1 work?

Releases insulin

GLP-1 hormone signals the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high. This action moves sugar into cells and the body uses it for energy.

Slows digestion

The hormone slows down the movement of food through your stomach. This makes you feel full for longer after eating.

Reduces sugar production in the liver

The hormone reduces the amount of sugar the liver produces, especially when it is not required.

Controls appetite

GLP-1 alters the areas of the brain that control appetite. As a result, you feel less hungry.

Wegovy works by making you feel more full by slowing down digestion. This signals your brain to eat less, enabling you to consume fewer calories and eventually lose weight.

Wegovy’s benefits go beyond weight loss. Here is how the injection benefits human health:

• Clinical trials show that patients on Wegovy can lose up to 15% of body weight in 68 weeks.
• Wegovy is the first and only weight management medicine that is MHRA-approved to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients.
• Wegovy improves blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
• Obesity and type 2 diabetes are linked with increased levels of depression. Losing weight with Wegovy can, therefore help improve mental health.
• A once-a-week injection schedule makes the treatment more manageable.

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy is effective for weight loss.

One study looked at the weight loss effects of Wegovy versus a placebo drug on 1,961 obese or overweight participants over 68 weeks. All participants had a BMI of 30 or over, or 27 and over, and had a weight-related condition.

They found that:

• 86% of participants lost 5% or more weight on Wegovy, compared to just 31% of participants on placebo.
• 69% of participants lost 10% or more weight on Wegovy, compared to just 12% of participants on placebo.
• 50.5% of participants lost 15% or more weight on Wegovy, compared to just 5% of participants on placebo.

On average, participants lost 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs) after 68 weeks of treatment.

Weight loss with Wegovy vs placebo: A clinical study

A separate 2-year study was conducted with 304 obese or overweight participants who had at least one weight-related medical condition.

Some participants were administered a Wegovy injection along with diet and exercise, while others were given a placebo.

They found:

• 77% of participants lost 5% or more weight on Wegovy. In contrast, only 34% of participants lost the same amount of weight on a placebo.
• Participants taking Wegovy lost an average of 15.8 kg (34.8 lbs), while those taking a placebo lost an average of 2 kg (4.4 lbs).

This shows that Wegovy injection not only helps obese or overweight people lose weight but also helps them sustain weight loss in the long run.

Use this helpful weight loss calculator to see how much you could lose on Wegovy.

You can follow personalised diet and exercise recommendations from our experienced healthcare team. Regular check-ins with our specialists can help monitor your progress. This will also help make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Wegovy may or may not be suitable for you. Speak with your doctor to make sure you can take it. If it is not suitable, they may suggest an alternative.

Who can take it?

Wegovy is suitable for people with a BMI of 30 or higher. You can also take it if you have a BMI of 27 and over and have one weight-related condition, such as:

• prediabetes
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease (including high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease) 
• obstructive sleep apnoea
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• osteoarthritis or gout
• chronic back pain
• fatty liver disease
• gallbladder disease

NICE also recommends a lower BMI threshold for South Asian, Black African, Chinese, or Caribbean ethnic groups.

Who cannot take it?

You cannot use it if you:

• have a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC).
• have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).
• have had an allergic reaction to semaglutide in the past.
• are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cautions

You should also ask your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as you may be at a greater risk of side effects:

• gallbladder problems
• a history of pancreatitis
• a history of mental disorders and/or suicidal thoughts
• thyroid problems
• diabetic retinopathy (conditions affecting the eyes in diabetic patients)
• conditions affecting the heart rate
• kidney problems
• digestive issues

You should always consult your doctor before starting any medication.

To use Wegovy correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our medical team prescribes. This ensures the medication’s effectiveness, increases the chance of success and helps avoid side effects.

Wegovy dosage schedule

Wegovy injection pen for weight loss comes in five different doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. You start on the lowest dose and then increase your dose over time so you lose weight gradually.

Wegovy dosage schedule

Before you inject yourself with Wegovy, it is important to understand what the Wegovy injection pen looks like.

This will also help when prepping the needle before each dose.

What the Wegovy pen looks like

A: Expiry date

The expiry date is printed on the back of the pen. Check the date to ensure that Wegovy hasn’t expired.

B: Dosage

Ensure that there is the right amount of dose as prescribed by your doctor.

C: Check pen window

Ensure that Wegovy is clear and colourless. You might notice air bubbles, and that is normal.

D: Needle cover

Before use: The needle will be behind the cover.

After use: The needle cover will lock after use.

E. Pen cap

The pen cap needs to be removed before injecting yourself.

How to inject Wegovy

2. Choose an injection site

• Your doctor will guide you in choosing the best injection site.
• You can inject Wegovy into your upper legs, lower stomach, or upper arms.
• Do not inject in a sensitive, bruised, red, or hard area. Avoid areas with scars or stretch marks.
• You can inject in the same area every week. But switch spots for better efficacy.

3. Remove the pen cap

• Pull the pen cap from your pen.

4. Injecting Wegovy

Push the pen against your skin.

• Keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving.
• If the yellow bar doesn’t move, press the pen more firmly against your skin.

You will hear two clicks upon injecting

• 1st click: This click indicates that the injection has started.
• 2nd click: This click indicates that the injection is ongoing.

If the injection site bleeds, press lightly with a gauze pad or a cotton ball.

If the grey plunger stops moving midway through the injection, the needle may be damaged or blocked. This means the dose wasn’t properly administered. If this happens, change the needle as instructed above and set the dose again.

Dr. Anup JethwaClinical Lead

While using Wegovy, it’s important to create healthy habits.

A healthy lifestyle will boost your weight loss, ensure the medicine’s success and help you maintain your weight once you finish Wegovy.

Here are some lifestyle changes you need to make while taking Wegovy:

You do not have to spend long hours in the kitchen to eat well. Keep a stock of pre-cut vegetables and whole grains that cook quickly - like quinoa or instant brown rice, rotisserie chicken, and canned beans. Protein-rich snacks like greek yoghurt, tinned tuna, and nuts don’t require cooking.

Silvia FondaNutritionist

How to store Wegovy injection pens

• Store the pen in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2℃ and 8℃.
• Once opened, pens can be kept in the fridge or in temperatures no higher than 30℃.
• Keep the pen in its original packaging.
• Store away from direct sunlight.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• Do not freeze the pen.

How to dispose of Wegovy injection pen

• Do not throw your pens in your household bin. Use a sharps bin container to dispose of the used injection pens.
• Sharps bins can be disposed of with your local council. Contact them for more information.

Wegovy works differently on different people. Most people who use Wegovy notice the first signs of weight loss within the first month of starting Wegovy.

You might feel less hungry and crave less food. Plus, you might feel full more quickly and for longer after finishing a meal.

By the time you reach your maintenance dose, you should have lost a significant amount of weight. This usually happens by the beginning of the fifth month.

You need to stay on Wegovy for as long as your doctor advises. This is usually once you reach a healthy BMI.

Usually, your doctor will ask you to take or increase your Wegovy dosage until you meet your weight loss goals. Once you have met your goals, your doctor may prescribe a maintenance dosage to keep you at your desired weight.

However, you should not use Wegovy for more than 2 years. This is because the effects beyond that time have not been studied.

Like all prescription medicines, Wegovy may cause some side effects.

Common side effects

Very common and common side effects occur in 1 -10 in every 100 people using this medicine. These may include:

• gallstones
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• stomach discomfort
• very low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)*
• nausea
• vomiting
• diabetic retinopathy (an eye condition in those with diabetes)
• dizziness
• headache

*In patients who take other diabetes medicines

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects occur in less than 1-10 in every 100 people. These may include:

• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• taste changes

Rare side effects

Rare side effects occur in less than 1-10 in every 1,000 people. Rare side effects include:

• swelling
• allergic reactions

Most side effects usually go away within a few days to a few weeks. If they do not subside, talk to your doctor.

To view a full list of side effects, check out the Wegovy medication guide information leaflet.

Are you feeling nauseous after taking Wegovy injection? Follow the tips below to handle nausea with ease.

Tips for managing nausea

	Eat bland, low-fat foods - like biscuits, toast, and rice.
	Eat foods with water content - like juicy fruits or soups.
	Do not lie down immediately after eating.
	Go for a small outdoor walk. Fresh air helps prevent nausea.
	Eat slowly and mindfully.

Here are some common medications that may interact with Wegovy, by either reducing or increasing its efficacy:

• insulin (used to control diabetes)
• other diabetes medicines
• metformin (used to manage diabetes)
• levothyroxine (used to treat thyroid)

This is not a complete list of the medicines that Wegovy can interact with. To view the full list of drug interactions, refer to BNF.

When taking Wegovy, it's important to keep some safety advice in mind. This ensures the medicine’s efficacy is not compromised and its side effects are minimised.

No, you cannot buy Wegovy without a valid prescription. You will need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it.

That way, our doctors can ensure the medication is safe and suitable for your needs.

Ordering Wegovy online from HealthExpress is quick, simple and convenient.

1. Complete a quick online medical questionnaire that asks for your medical history.
2. A UK-registered doctor will review your medical details to make sure the treatment is right for you.
3. If approved, a prescription will be issued and then sent to our partner pharmacy.
4. They will then dispense and deliver to your chosen address in discreet packaging.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure and encrypted transactions that comply with UK medical standards to ensure your information is confidential.

Start your consultation today to enjoy professional healthcare from the comfort of your own home.

HealthExpress is an online healthcare provider trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its secure and convenient services. Here's why:

1. Experienced UK-registered doctors who manage your consultations and prescriptions.
2. Online consultation and delivery service, meaning no long wait times for doctor appointments or in pharmacy queues.
3. Around-the-clock customer service, on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
4. Manage your prescriptions online through our secure, hassle-free platform.

Start your weight loss consultation now with HealthExpress and experience our expert care.

The price of Wegovy at HealthExpress includes everything you need:

• Free consultation with UK-registered doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free next-day doorstep delivery
• Dedicated customer support
• Needles and sharps bin

Wegovy cost starts at: £169.00

Wegovy is not the only weight loss medicine out there. Other alternatives exist, and they might be more suitable for you.

Check out the table below to learn more.