Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Generic name: semaglutide

Dosage form: pen injection, for subcutaneous use (0.25 mg pen, 0.5 mg pen, 1 mg pen, 1.7 mg, pen, 2.4 mg).

Drug class: Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)

Wegovy injection is used for weight loss and to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in specific people. Wegovy works by regulating appetite and reducing calorie intake, leading to weight loss, helping with weight management and lowering the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death. Wegovy is a prescription medicine given as an injection once-a-week given under the skin.

Wegovy (semaglutide) belongs to the class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a manufactured version of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body that acts in several areas in the brain to regulate food intake. When Wegovy is administered, it activates the GLP-1 receptors in the brain. This lowers appetite, reducing the calories consumed and leading to weight loss.

This medicine should be used together with a decreased-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity to help weight management.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is the same active ingredient in Ozempic and Rybelsus, therefore these products should not be used together. Ozempic (subcutaneous weekly injection) and Rybelsus (once-a-day tablet) are used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients. Ozempic is also used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events for some type 2 diabetic patients.