Wegovy for Weight Loss
Introduction
Chronic obesity is a complex condition that affects over 40% of adults in the United States. Today, researchers better understand the factors that determine and influence body weight. This knowledge has shifted how doctors view and manage obesity.
Weight loss improves blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and stabilizes blood pressure. Treating obesity reduces one’s risk of heart attack and stroke.
Helping patients lose weight is vital for preventing severe health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It can also enhance one's sense of well-being and self-esteem. A medical weight loss program utilizes effective medications and supportive counseling to help patients lose weight and keep it off.
Wegovy is one of the most talked about weight loss injections because of its effectiveness and safety. Familiarizing yourself with how it works, who qualifies for it, what it can do for you, and its possible side effects will prepare you for a consultation with a weight loss doctor.
What is Wegovy and How Does it Work?
Wegovy is the name-brand form of the drug semaglutide. It received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a treatment for obesity in 2021. The medication comes in an injectable pen that patients self-administer once a week. The standard dose is 2.4 mg. Wegovy is only available with a prescription because it is FDA-regulated.
The body produces several hormones as part of its digestive processes. Wegovy works by mimicking the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The medication interacts with the part of the brain that regulates appetite. This action reduces the amount of calories consumed by telling the body it is sated. Decreased caloric intake helps create the caloric deficit that leads to weight loss.
Wegovy also slows digestive processes. This effect keeps your stomach fuller for longer to extend the sense of satiety that suppresses appetite.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of Wegovy and incrementally increase it over 16 to 20 weeks. This gradual process reduces the extent and severity of the drug’s gastrointestinal side effects by allowing your body to adjust to the medication.
Who is Eligible for Wegovy?
Doctors recommend Wegovy for patients with body mass indexes (BMIs) over 27 and one weight-related health diagnosis, like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. Patients with BMIs over 30 are also eligible without a secondary condition. Most adults who fit this diagnostic criteria are eligible.
You should not take Wegovy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or a family history of thyroid cancer. In addition, it's vital to alert your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, or digestive disorders. These conditions may contraindicate Wegovy. Your doctor can rule them out during your consultation.
How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Month with Wegovy?
Weight loss occurs when the body burns more calories than it consumes. Wegovy helps achieve the necessary deficit by depressing your intake. The amount of potential weight loss varies from person to person based on starting weight and the extent of the caloric deficit. Creating a wider gap increases the level of weight loss. Exercising can increase how many calories you burn. Modifying your diet can further reduce caloric intake.
One study of Wegovy found the mean weight loss for patients who took the medication was 14.9% after 68 weeks, compared to 2.9% in the placebo group. Weight loss was most rapid over the first 20 weeks but continued with ongoing treatment.
Participation in a medical weight loss program helps maximize the amount of weight you lose and the rate at which you lose it while keeping you safe. This process uses Wegovy, supportive counseling, and ongoing reassessment to measure progress. Your doctor and their team can help you understand the underlying factors responsible for weight. They can also adjust your dose, suggest forms of exercise, and/or discuss nutrition if your weight loss plateaus.
Side Effects of Wegovy
Most Wegovy side effects are gastric because the medication affects digestion. Beyond engaging the area of the brain that manages hunger, Wegovy also slows gastric emptying. As food stays in your body, the chance of stomach or intestinal side effects increases. The most common conditions include:
Bloating and gassiness
Burping
Constipation
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Increased flatulence
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach discomfort, swelling, or tenderness
While not everyone experiences these side effects, they are possible for all Wegovy patients. Gradually increasing your dose will reduce their intensity. Some people report their side effects fade the longer they take the medication. Two recent trials found that less than 12% and 10% of patients discontinued semaglutide due to side effects.
In some cases, patients experience light-headedness and fatigue. It's important to talk to your doctor about side effects. They may modify your dose or suggest diet modifications to help you manage them.
Alerting your doctor if your symptoms are persistent or bothersome is critical for preventing serious side effects or complications. More significant side effects include:
Elevated heart rate
Gallbladder inflammation or gallstones
Low blood sugar
Pancreatitis
How Much Does Wegovy Cost?
Prices may vary slightly by region, but a monthly supply of Wegovy costs about $1,400. Complying with your assigned injection schedule is critical to ensuring the drug facilitates weight loss because it must reach a medicated dose within your bloodstream to be effective.
Insurance plans may cover Wegovy as an obesity treatment because it is one of the few FDA-approved weight loss medications. However, your plan's prescription benefit will dictate your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
The best way to get an accurate price is by meeting with a doctor for a prescription and consulting your insurance provider.
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August 15, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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