Wegovy
- Genuine UK medicine
- Click and collect in as little as 24 hours
- From a high street name you can trust
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injection that you give yourself once a week. It comes in a pre-filled and easy to use injection pen.
What is Wegovy used for?
Wegovy is used alongside a healthy diet and exercise to help lose excess weight.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating and helps regulate blood sugar levels. GLP-1 does this by reducing hunger levels and cravings, and results in better control of eating habits. It also works by slowing down how quickly your stomach empties, making you feel fuller for longer.
When using Wegovy, you should feel as though your appetite is reduced. Taken alongside a healthy diet and exercise, this will help with weight loss.
How to take Wegovy?
Wegovy comes in a pre-filled injection pen. To use it, you inject yourself just under the skin once a week. The pen has been designed to make it very easy to use, even if you’ve never used something like this before. You can watch our video to see how to use Wegovy.
Wegovy should be injected on the areas with the most fat, such as your belly (but not within 5cm of your belly button), your upper arms or thighs. You can inject Wegovy in the same area each time (like the upper thigh) but it’s important to change your injection sites and choose a different spot each time.
Wegovy dosage
Wegovy is taken in increasing doses over several weeks. You’ll start with a dose of 0.25mg, which increases every four weeks until you reach the maximum dose of 2.4mg. The normal dosing schedule is as follows:
- Weeks 1-4: 0.25mg a week
- Weeks 5-8: 0.5mg a week
- Weeks 9-12: 1mg a week
- Weeks 13-16: 1.7mg a week
- Week 17 and onwards: 2.4mg a week
Although this is the recommended dosing schedule, you might find that you want to stay at a lower dose for longer to manage any side effects, or if you’re finding the treatment effective at a lower dose. It’s very important that you do not increase the dose any faster than this schedule. Wegovy is designed to help with slow, sustained weight loss and increasing the dosage faster than is recommended can be dangerous.
If you’re struggling with side effects or think that a lower dose of Wegovy might help you to achieve your healthy weight loss goal, you can contact us via your online patient account to discuss this with our clinical team. We can also guide you on how to maintain your weight loss when you reach a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection. However, if you do miss a dose (or doses), what you need to do next depends on how many doses you’ve missed and the date of your last dose.
If you miss a dose for more than two weeks, please send us a message via your online account and we’ll advise you on what to do next.
Is it effective?
If you're interested in how much weight you can lose with Wegovy, clinical trials have shown that patients may lose up to 15% of their body weight over 12 months when semaglutide is used alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
Wegovy begins working immediately on GLP-1 receptors in your digestive system, but most people don’t notice that their appetite has been reduced until about 2 weeks in, sometimes only after increasing the dose. This is normal.
These medicines are meant to be taken gradually, with dose increases every 4 weeks as prescribed. Sticking to this schedule is key for effectiveness. Most see significant weight loss within 3–7 months. Studies have also shown that Wegovy can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke over time when used alongside changes in diet and physical activity.
This slow and steady approach helps you focus on lifestyle changes that support lasting weight loss and improved health.
What are the main side effects of Wegovy?
As with all medicines, Wegovy comes with some potential side effects. For most people, these are mild and usually lessen or even disappear completely after a few weeks of starting treatment. They may reappear when a dose is increased but should lessen as your body gets used to the treatment.
The most common side effects that people experience when taking Wegovy are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,constipation, fatigue and headache. You should also avoid driving or using heavy machinery if you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded when using Wegovy.
Other common side effects include: feeling lightheaded, excess wind (flatulence), tenderness or a skin reaction at the injection site, the development of gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux), or hair loss.
You can find guidance on managing the most common side effects at this link: https://onlinedoctor.boots.com/weight-loss/wegovy-saxenda-side-effects.
In rare cases, there can be serious side effects, such as pancreatitis (inflammation or swelling of the pancreas) or anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). If you experience any of the following symptoms, you need to get medical help immediately:
- severe abdominal pain with or without persistent vomiting
- difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing
For a complete list of possible side effects, please make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully before starting treatment.
What else should I know about Wegovy?
You should not use Wegovy if you’re pregnant since it’s not yet known how it might affect the unborn child. As a precaution, it’s recommended that you use contraception when taking Wegovy. If you become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant when taking this medicine, let your doctor or healthcare provider know straight away, as you’ll need to stop treatment.
If you’re planning to become pregnant or starting IVF, you should stop using this medicine at least two months in advance.
You should not use this medicine if you’re breastfeeding, since it’s not known if it passes into breast milk.
Wegovy may not be suitable for you if you’re taking certain medicines or have medical conditions such as a history of pancreatitis or thyroid cancer, or some gastrointestinal conditions. It’s important you provide us with your full medical history when completing our online questionnaire to ensure that we can prescribe Wegovy safely for you.
For a complete description of any Wegovy side effects and restrictions, please make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
What are alternative weight loss treatments?
There are several other weight loss treatments available through our Weight Loss Treatment service to help support weight loss, if suitable for you. Mounjaro and Nevolat work in a similar way to Wegovy by helping to regulate blood sugar and reducing appetite and cravings. Mounjaro comes in a pre-filled injection pen and is used once a week. Nevolat also comes in an injection pen but is used daily.
We also currently offer Orlistat or Xenical as prescription treatments to help support weight loss. These are taken with food and act by binding to the fat in food so that it passes through the digestive system without being absorbed by the body. Xenical is the branded version of Orlistat and both contain the same medicine (orlistat 120 mg).
Xenical and Orlistat are best used alongside a lower fat healthy eating plan. Eating less fat at meal times while taking your treatment can help to reduce any potential side effects and can help to support weight loss.
For more information on the alternative weight loss treatments we offer, visit the Boots Online Doctor Weight Loss Treatment service.
What are the non-drug alternatives to Wegovy?
If you decide that prescription weight loss treatments aren’t for you, there are ways that you can help yourself to lose weight in a healthy and sustained way.
Whether you take prescription weight loss treatment or not, you’re more likely to achieve lasting, healthy and sustainable weight loss if you have support. Boots Online Doctor offers several ways to help support your weight loss, many of which are free to use.
Wegovy is most effective when used alongside lifestyle changes including a healthy diet and increased activity. However, you can lose weight in a healthy, sustained way by adopting these lifestyle changes on their own.
You’re also more likely to lose weight if you keep track of what you eat and your daily movement which can help you become more aware of which habits support your weight loss and which ones can lead to weight gain. An easy and free way to keep track of your diet and exercise is by downloading our free Weight Loss Tracker app. As part of the app, you’ll find extra free resources to help you keep on top of your weight including:
- food diary: Keep track of your eating and drinking habits so you can identify any triggers that might lead to overeating, and find foods that you love that can help you maintain a healthy weight
- webinar: We offer free weekly webinars where you can ask questions of our clinical weight loss team to help you make sense of your weight loss journey
- videos: Our dedicated Boots Online Doctor YouTube channel has a series of free, easy exercise videos for every level of fitness that you can watch whenever is convenient for you
- podcast: In our Weight Loss 360° podcast, you can hear our clinical and lifestyle team talk about the ups and downs of weight loss, and what you can do to get the best results from your weight loss journey
If you need extra support, you can also sign up for one-to-one coaching through our Weight Loss Treatment service page (there is a charge for this). Our coaches can answer your weight loss questions, provide guidance on nutrition, help with your goals and activity, and offer regular check-ins to help keep you motivated. You’ll also have access to our weight loss community so you can chat with other people on their weight loss journey for support
Additional questions
Can I get Wegovy without a prescription?
Wegovy is available in the UK only by prescription and cannot be purchased over the counter.
Are there any other health benefits to using Wegovy?
There are many health benefits that come with reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Losing weight in a healthy, sustained way can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In clinical trials, Wegovy has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and death in people who have been diagnosed with heart disease. They also saw improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation. These heart benefits were even seen in those who didn’t lose much weight.
Does Wegovy burn fat?
Wegovy does not burn fat. It works by suppressing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. By reducing your appetite and helping you feel fuller for longer, you lose weight by burning more calories than you eat.
How much weight can I lose with Wegovy?
It’s important to remember that slow, steady weight loss is what results in long-term weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide can help patients lose up to 15% of their body weight over a 12-month period. However, it’s important to remember that these weight loss rates are the result of using Wegovy alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Does Wegovy need to be kept in the fridge?
Yes, you need to store Wegovy in a fridge (with a temperature between 2°C and 8°C) before your first dose. After your first dose, you can keep Wegovy at room temperature for 6 weeks (below 30°C) or in a fridge (with a temperature between 2°C and 8°C). Do not freeze Wegovy. You need to keep the cap on to protect it from light and discard it after 6 weeks.
Does Wegovy come in a tablet?
Wegovy is only available in an injectable form. Oral GLP-1 medications are available but not through our service.
Is Wegovy the same as Rybelsus?
Rybelsus is a prescription treatment for diabetes. Although it contains the same ingredient as Wegovy (semaglutide), it’s licensed to treat type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss.
How much does Wegovy cost?
At Boots Online Doctor, the cost of Wegovy depends on the strength prescribed. To find a complete list of our prices, take a look at our Weight Loss Treatment service page. You can also get 10% off and additional Advantage card points on all return orders (subject to Terms and Conditions).
Is mental health support available to patients undergoing weight loss treatment?
Yes, support is available. If you’re undergoing weight loss treatment and finding it challenging to manage your mental health or feel you need additional help, we’re here for you. Visit our Mental Health Hub to learn how we can help you. You can send us a message through your patient account or submit a consultation through our Depression and Anxiety treatment service . Additionally, you might find our free Boots Online Doctor podcast helpful: Your Better Mental Wellbeing focuses on managing stress and is accessible to everyone.
Why does weight loss plateau?
After losing some weight, it’s common to hit a plateau where weight loss slows or stops. This is a normal and important part of your journey.
During this time, keep up your lifestyle and behavior changes to help your body adjust to your new weight. Continue your treatment until you reach your target weight.
Resetting habits like understanding your relationship with food, managing hunger and cravings, and sticking to your plan, is crucial for long-term success.
We are here to support you with our free weight loss resources which you can access by downloading our free weight loss app.
Dr Anju is Clinical Lead for the Weight Loss service and Menopause Advisor. She is SCOPE certified (international gold standard for obesity management) and has a wealth of expertise across clinical medicine, general practice and digital healthcare.