Wegovy is prescribed for weight management and to lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. During the first week of treatment, weight loss is possible, but it may take time to see the full results of the drug.
Wegovy is a brand-name injection. It is used to help with weight management and to lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. Wegovy is meant to be used along with exercise and a low calorie diet.
Wegovy is typically given once per week. Your doctor will start you with a low dose of Wegovy and gradually increase the dose until you reach the appropriate maintenance dose.
Learn more about what to expect after your first dose of Wegovy, including side effects and weight loss.
After your first dose of Wegovy, you may begin to feel the effects of the medication, which may present as side effects. The more common side effects reported by people who took Wegovy in clinical trials include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Wegovy has the potential to cause serious side effects as well, such as severe gastrointestinal problems or low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy also has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. (A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration [FDA].)
Talk with your doctor if you experience serious side effects while using Wegovy.
Weight loss during the first week of Wegovy treatment is possible, but it may depend on other factors such as:
- diet
- exercise
- starting weight
Wegovy starts working after the first dose. The starting dose of Wegovy for weight loss is 0.25 milligrams (mg) once per week. Your doctor will gradually increase the dose until you reach a maintenance dose of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg per week. It may take time for your body to adjust to the medication.
You may notice minor changes in your body weight during the first week, but significant weight loss can take time. Some people have noticed significant changes after 4 weeks of treatment. In the drug’s studies, Wegovy was shown to be effective for weight loss after several months of treatment.
If you have questions about Wegovy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Wegovy is a prescription injection used for weight management and to lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. Like most drugs, Wegovy can cause side effects, including constipation and nausea.
The drug should begin working right away, but it may take several weeks for you to see significant changes in weight.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about what to expect from treatment with Wegovy.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
