Wegovy® Injectable Pen

Wegovy® (semaglutide) is an effective injectable weight loss drug for people with a BMI over 30. It is also available for people with a BMI over 27 who have additional weight-related health concerns, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and raised cholesterol.

Wegovy® mimics a natural hormone in the gut that helps control your appetite and makes you feel fuller, aiding in weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Wegovy® is an injectable medication that comes in a pre-filled pen. It should be used once weekly on the same day each week. The pen is simple to use, with very small needles making it relatively pain-free. You can inject Wegovy® into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, at any time during the day, with or without food. Instructions are provided with your first order, and additional information is available on the Wegovy® website, including a helpful video on how to use Wegovy®.

Wegovy® is suitable for adults with a BMI over 30, or a BMI over 27 with weight-related health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and raised cholesterol. It cannot be prescribed for weight loss to individuals with type 2 diabetes and a BMI less than 27.

Your treatment starts at a low dose and increases every four weeks. The starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks. The dose is then increased every four weeks until reaching the recommended dose of 2.4 mg a week. After six months of treatment, your weight will be reviewed to ensure effectiveness, with a requirement to have lost around 5% of your initial body weight for continued prescription.

Wegovy® is one of the most effective weight loss treatments, with over 85% of users experiencing weight loss. Two-thirds of participants lose more than 10% of their body weight, and nearly one-third lose more than 20%. On average, users lose more than 15 kg.

When ordering Wegovy® for the first time, you will receive the lowest dose pen, containing 4 doses for the initial 28-day treatment. It must be stored in a refrigerator between 2-8°C. Each box includes 4 needles, a sharps bin, an instruction leaflet, and extra tips for weight loss. Complete a consultation for an injectable weight loss pen and select the starter pack. With each new order, you’ll receive your next pen and 4 needles.

After three weeks of using Wegovy®, you will be reminded to order your next pen and complete a weight loss consultation. If you respond well to treatment, you will receive another pen and 4 needles in temperature-controlled packaging. Continued use requires storing the medication in a refrigerator between 2-8°C. Reassess your weight after six months of treatment to ensure continued prescription.

You can purchase a sharps bin for safe disposal of used needles. After each use, dispose of the needle in the sharps bin. Once the pen is empty, it can be discarded in household waste or the sharps bin. Full sharps bins can be collected by your local council for safe disposal.

Store Wegovy® under 30°C, preferably in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Do not freeze the pen, and avoid using it if it has been frozen. Keep the cap on when the pen is not in use to protect it from light.

Common side effects include stomach issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. These usually settle after a few weeks. You might also experience reactions at the injection site. For more information on side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet.

Always read the patient information leaflet before starting treatment. For more details, consult your healthcare provider, visit the official Wegovy® website, or ask our pharmacist.