The Wegovy® Weight Loss Programme
Wegovy is a prescription medication used for treatment of overweight and obesity. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which belongs to the class of drugs called GLP1 receptor agonists. Wegovy works by reducing your hunger signals and helping you to feel fuller for longer, complementing your current lifestyle changes. It is delivered by a once weekly subcutaneous injection.
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How Effective is Wegovy?
Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 15% from baseline. However, individual results may vary. Your actual weight loss could be less or more depending on your lifestyle changes and clinical situation. 15% weight loss has many health benefits, including improvement in cardiovascular risk, resolution of type two diabetes, improved blood pressure etc.
The majority of patients can experience clinically significant weight loss with Wegovy 2.4mg:
Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002.
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How much could you lose?
Is Wegovy Safe?
Yes. Wegovy is safe for patients who meet the indications for treatment. Benefits of obesity treatment greatly outweighs the risks for most people. Many established clinical trials demonstrate the safety profile of semaglutide. The SELECT trial was published in November 2023 demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide 2.4mg. Close to 8800 patients received the active medication semaglutide for nearly three years. Compared to placebo, patients on semaglutide had no increased risk of cancer, kidney failure, pancreatitis and importantly, eye disorders.
Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232.
InBody Composition Analysis
At You & I Clinic, we offer comprehensive body composition analysis using the InBody 770 to measure your muscle mass, visceral fat, and percentage body fat. This allows for a personalised approach to the treatment of overweight or obesity, as no two individuals with the same weight are the same. The amount of lean muscle mass you have is crucial for goal setting and tracking your progress. As you progress through your weight-loss-journey, we suggest body composition measurements at regular intervals to ensure that you are preserving your lean muscle mass.
Wegovy® FAQs
What are the current indications for Wegovy?
Wegovy is indicated for patients with BMI >30kg/m2 or patients with BMI >27kg/m2 with at least one weight related medical condition.
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic are different brands for the same product, Semaglutide. Ozempic is Semaglutide 1.0mg licensed for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is Semaglutide 2.4mg licensed for obesity.
How does Wegovy work?
Semaglutide is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist family. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone made in your gut after you eat. One of its effects is to activate the ‘fullness signal’ in your brain. When you take semaglutide, it helps to turn up these signals, helping you feel more full and less hungry. It also slows down your stomach emptying, making you feel fuller for longer.
What are some side effects and risks?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal - nausea, change in bowel habit, and dehydration. Rarer side effects can include renal impairment. Acute pancreatitis has been observed but is rare. Careful monitoring is required for patients with Type 2 Diabetes on insulin/sulfonylurea medications to avoid hypoglycaemia. Semaglutide is associated with gallstones, though any significant weight loss increases this risk. You must inform your anaesthetist or endoscopist if you are using this medication. It should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding. You should not use Wegovy if you or your family have a history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer or MEN 2. Allergic reactions can happen.
The full datasheet can be viewed on medsafe.govt.nz.
How is Wegovy administered?
Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week using a pre-filled pen. You can inject it into your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. It's important to rotate injection sites each week.
What is the dosing schedule?
Treatment starts at a low dose (0.25mg once weekly) which is gradually increased every 4 weeks to the maximum dose of 2.4mg once weekly. This may take several months, or longer, depending on your side effect profile. This gradual increase helps your body adjust and reduces side effects.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
The first step is a comprehensive 30-60 minute assessment with our expert team to see if this programme is right for you. Consultations can be face-to-face or via telehealth. Take the free online assessment today to begin.
Follow-up appointments are necessary every month at least for the first 4 months until you reach your maintenance dosing. We will support you along your journey to make sure you do not get any side effects and receive the highest standard of care. You may need less frequent follow ups after this.
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