Wegovy Results: Real User & Study Results
It is estimated that obesity affects 1 in 4 adults in the UK. Obesity and excess weight are health concerns as they increase the risk of developing problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. They also affect mental health.
Obesity and excess weight are complex conditions with many different causes, making it a difficult journey to lose weight. The best option to treat obesity and excess weight is through a change in lifestyle, such as diet and exercise. When these efforts are no longer working, weight loss treatments such as Wegovy can be used as a tool for lifestyle changes to shed weight.
Due to the global popularity of Wegovy, there is currently a worldwide shortage of this medication and other weight loss medications. If this shortage negatively impacts you, talk to your healthcare provider about other weight management tools.
In this article, we discuss Wegovy results from studies and real users, Wegovy injection results and how long it takes to see an effect when taking this medication.
Wegovy overview: What it is and how to use it
Active ingredients
The active ingredient in Wegovy is called semaglutide. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1- 1(GLP-1) receptor, similar to the hormone GLP-1, that is released from the intestine after you have eaten a meal.
What does Wegovy treat?
Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine that treats chronic obesity and helps manage weight. This medication is used for managing weight and weight loss in adults who have:
- A BMI between 27 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 with weight-related problems
- A BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity)
Wegovy is designed to be used as a tool alongside a healthy diet and exercise.
How does Wegovy work?
The active ingredient in Wegovy is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1. GLP-1 is released from the intestines (gut) after a meal has been eaten, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 interacts with the receptors in the brain that control appetite, making you feel less hungry and reducing food cravings. GLP-1 also slows down the amount of time your stomach takes to empty. When a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise are combined with Wegovy injections, you may find you are better equipped to lose excess weight and control weight-related health conditions.
Click here to learn more about how Wegovy works for weight loss.
When to see results from Wegovy
Wegovy will start working from the time you take your first dose (injection). However, weight loss is an individual journey that varies from person to person, and how long Wegovy results take to become apparent depends. You may only begin to notice weight loss changes after the first few doses or several weeks.
To ensure you get the most effective results when taking Wegovy, following your doctor or pharmacist's instructions is essential while maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program. If you are unsure what your diet should look like, talk to your doctor or pharmacist; they can advise you or recommend a dietician.
How long after taking Wegovy is it most effective?
Several clinical trials have demonstrated how effective Wegovy is in helping weight loss in those with obesity or excess weight.
For example, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 1,961 participants with obesity or excess weight were randomly assigned 2.4mg or 1.0mg once weekly injections of Wegovy or a placebo for a period of 68 weeks.
This study found those on Wegovy injections lost an average of 14.9% and 16% of their starting body weight in the 1.0mg and 2.4mg groups, respectively. The participants in the placebo group lost, on average, 2.4% of their starting body weight.
How long does Wegovy last?
Wegovy can last in your body (half-life) for 5-7 weeks after your last dose. This is because Wegovy is slowly released into your body from fat tissue, helping the medication maintain its effectiveness over a longer period. This is why it is only administered once weekly.
It is also important to remember that Wegovy affects everyone differently as its effects are influenced by factors such as metabolism, body weight and any health conditions.
How much Wegovy can be prescribed on the NHS?
Currently, Wegovy is not available for prescription on the NHS. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Wegovy in adults with obesity or excess weight as part of their treatment in an NHS specialist weight management service.
However, Wegovy can be obtained from registered online pharmacies after an online consultation, or from high street pharmacies in person. Requirements for getting a Wegovy prescription on the NHS may differ from those of getting a private prescription.
Dosage and usage recommendations
Wegovy has five different dosages that are administered once a week via a self-administered injection. The starting dose for Wegovy is 0.25mg, with the optimal dose being 2.4mg. Dosage gradually increases over 16 weeks, with your doctor or pharmacist assessing your treatment on a regular basis.
Dosage recommendations generally comply with the following table:
- Week 1-4 - 0.25mg
- Week 5-8 - 0.5mg
- Week 9-12 - 1mg
- Week 13-16 - 1.7mg
- Week 17+ - 2.4mg
Once you have reached the recommended dose of 2.4mg, it is important not to increase the dose further.
Wegovy is a self-administered, subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The best places to administer the injection are the upper legs, stomach or upper arms. Ensure that you do not inject it into a muscle or vein.
Before using the pen (injection) for the first time, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use it. We also recommend reading the patient information leaflet on how to use the injection pen.
Wegovy is used once a week, normally on the same day. The injection can be administered at any time of the day and is not affected by when you eat your meals.
If you have to, you can change the day of your once-weekly injection; however, you should make sure it has been at least three days since your last injection. Once you have chosen your new injection day, continue with once-a-week dosing.
Here’s what to do f you forget to take your weekly injection:
- If it has been more than 5 days since you should have taken your injection, skip your missed dose. Take your next dose as usual on your next scheduled day. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
- If it has been less than 5 days since you missed your Wegovy injection, take the dose as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose as scheduled.
When using Wegovy, always use it exactly as your pharmacist or doctor has told you. If you are not sure about doses or how to administer your medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your pharmacist or doctor.
How does it feel after taking Wegovy?
After starting Wegovy, you may find you have some mild side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea. These side effects will ease as you get used to the medication. If you experience vomiting and diarrhoea, it is important to keep drinking fluids such as water to ensure you do not become dehydrated.
Are there any known side effects?
As with any medication, there are reported side effects that may occur when taking Wegovy; however, not everyone may experience them. Talk to your doctor or GP for further advice if you notice persistent common side effects when taking Wegovy.
Common side effects of Wegovy:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling tired or weak
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Hair loss
- Gallstones
- Reflux or heartburn
- Flatulence (gas)
- Stomach bloating
- Inflamed stomach
- Burping
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with diabetes
- Injection site reactions
- Changes in the way food and drink tastes
If you are diabetic and are at risk of experiencing low blood sugar, your doctor will advise you to notice signs of low blood sugar and how to treat it.
Uncommon side effects of Wegovy:
- Delayed defecation
- Fast heartbeat
- Increase of pancreatic enzymes such as amylase and lipase (shown in blood tests)
Rare side effects of Wegovy:
- Kidney problems and kidney failure
- Depression
- Thyroid tumours and cancer
- Diabetic retinopathy (complications of diabetic eye disease)
- Acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
- Severe allergic reactions such as angioedema or anaphylactic reactions
It is important to seek emergency medical attention if you experience a severe allergic reaction to Wegovy. Symptoms include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Swollen face, tongue or lips resulting in difficulty swallowing
- Fast heartbeat
- Wheezing
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Pale and cold skin
Interactions with other medications
Before taking Wegovy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following points below apply to you:
- If you’re taking sulfonylurea or insulin, this may increase the risk of getting low blood sugar levels when taken with Wegovy.
- If you have diabetic eye disease (retinopathy), talk to your doctor if you experience eye problems while taking Wegovy.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other prescription medications, have recently taken any medications or are planning on taking any other medicines.
How much does Wegovy cost in the UK?
From 2023, Wegovy has been made available to treat those with obesity in the UK. After a free online consultation, you can be prescribed Wegovy by a pharmacist at Cloud Pharmacy. Currently, Cloud Pharmacy stocks Wegovy with prices starting from £159.
Wegovy real results from users
Most reviews of Wegovy results are positive, with reviewers reporting that the medication worked well for them and did exactly as claimed. The following Wegovy results were reported:
- Wegovy first week results: a user reported they lost 4 lbs in the first week and another 3 lbs in the second week
- Wegovy results in the first month: a user reported they lost 12 lbs, with two other users reporting they lost 6kg and 3 lbs, respectively, within the first month.
- Wegovy results after 1 month: a user reported they lost 13 lbs in 5 weeks, while another user reported they lost a stone and a half after 2 months.
A common theme among Wegovy injection results and reviews was the cost of Wegovy, with users finding it expensive, although they found the medication worth it overall. Regarding side effects, users reported they experienced common side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea, but they were occasional and mild.
Wegovy study results
A study was conducted to determine Wegovy injection results and effects over a 2-year period. STEP 5 is a 104-week trial of 304 adults with obesity (BMI of 30 and over) or who were overweight (BMI of 27 and over) and had at least one weight-related condition.
The results of this study found 77% of patients on Wegovy maintained an average of 5% weight loss at the 2-year mark. Therefore, Wegovy is currently the only GLP-1 RA proven to maintain approximately 15% mean weight loss after 2 years.
Where can you buy Wegovy?
Wegovy can be purchased with a prescription either from a doctor or a licensed online pharmacy.
Cloud Pharmacy is a UK-registered online prescribing service that provides a free online consultation to determine eligibility for this medication. Once Wegovy is determined as the most appropriate medication to support your weight loss journey, it will be dispensed and sent in discreet packaging to your UK address via next-day delivery.
Cloud Pharmacy also provides patients on their weight loss journey with confidential check-ups and advice.
Click here to visit the Cloud Pharmacy website and book your free consultation.
FAQs
How much weight do you lose in a month with Wegovy?
According to clinical trials, patients taking Wegovy can lose an average of 5% of their starting body weight after one month.
How quickly do people see results on Wegovy?
After starting Wegovy, it can take 8-12 weeks before you may begin to notice significant weight loss.
