Wegovy (semaglutide)

Description Wegovy® is a weight loss medication with semaglutide. Injected weekly, it aids weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Approved in the UK and USA in 2021. Description Directions You inject Wegovy® once weekly into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Doses vary depending on your Wegovy® journey, gradually increasing to manage side effects until reaching a maintenance dose. Weeks 1-4: 0.25mg weekly Weeks 5-8: 0.5mg weekly Weeks 9-12: 1mg weekly Weeks 13-16: 1.7mg weekly Weeks 17 onwards: 2.4mg weekly Directions Warnings Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people • Complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). If you have diabetes you should inform your doctor if you experience eye problems, such as changes in vision, during treatment with this medicine. Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people • Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Signs of inflamed pancreas may include severe and longlasting pain in your stomach, the pain may move to your back. You should see your doctor immediately if you experience such symptoms. Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema). You should seek immediate medical help and inform your doctor straight away if you get symptoms such as breathing problems, swelling of face, lips, tongue, and/or throat with difficulty swallowing, wheezing, fast heartbeat, pale and cold skin, feeling dizzy or weak. Other side effects Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people • headache • feeling sick (nausea) • being sick (vomiting) • diarrhoea • constipation • stomach pain • feeling weak or tired. These usually go away over time. Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people • feeling dizzy • upset stomach or indigestion • burping • gas (flatulence) • bloating of the stomach • inflamed stomach (‘gastritis’) – the signs include stomach ache, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) • reflux or heartburn – also called ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux disease’ • gallstones • hair loss • injection site reactions • low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with diabetes. The warning signs of low blood sugar may come on suddenly. They can include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling sick (nausea) or very hungry, changes in vision, feeling sleepy or weak, feeling nervous, anxious or confused, difficulty concentrating or shaking. Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs. Low blood sugar is more likely to happen if you also take a sulfonylurea or insulin. Your doctor may reduce your dose of these medicines before you start using this medicine. Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people • fast heartbeat • increase of pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase) shown in blood tests. • a delay in the emptying of the stomach. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Great Britain: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Warnings Ingredients The active substance is semaglutide. The other ingredients are disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol,sodium hydroxide/hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), water for injection. 1- wegovy 0.25 mg FlexTouch solution for injection One mL of solution contains 0.68 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 1.0 mg semaglutide in 1.5 mL solution 2- wegovy 0.5 mg FlexTouch solution for injection One mL of solution contains 1.34 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 2.0 mg semaglutide in 1.5 mL solution 3- wegovy 1 mg FlexTouch solution for injection One mL of solution contains 1.34 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 4.0 mg semaglutide in 3 mL solution 4-wegovy 1.7 mg FlexTouch solution for injection One mL of solution contains 2.27 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 6.8 mg semaglutide in 3 mL solution 5- wegovy 2.4 mg FlexTouch solution for injection One mL of solution contains 3.2 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 9.6 mg of semaglutide in 3 mL solution Ingredients FAQs What is Wegovy®? Wegovy® is a weekly weight loss drug containing semaglutide. Injected into the body, it suppresses appetite and is most effective when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. Approved in the UK and the USA in 2021. How does Wegovy® work? Wegovy® mimics a hormone regulating appetite, making you feel fuller and less hungry. When combined with lifestyle changes, around 85% of users lost at least 5% of their weight. Who can take Wegovy®? Adults aged 18-75