Last year, it was also revealed that this study found a 20% reduction in the risk of a major cardiovascular event for up to five years. FDA approves treatment for serious liver disease known as ‘MASH’. For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, you can pay $349 per month for the injection or $299 per month for the pill. The list price is around $1,350 for a 1-month supply, but the medication can cost even more out of pocket due to pharmacy markups. There are also some less common side effects — which occur in less than 10% of people who take Wegovy — that may happen due to the effect the medication has on your body. The reason so many are gastrointestinal in nature is because GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Wegovy slow down the speed at which food moves through your GI tract. You probably have certain hopes when you go on a GLP-1 medication like Wegovy, which is FDA-approved for weight management. With the Wegovy Savings Card, you can get the medication for as little as $25 if you have commercial insurance coverage and qualify. You may also be able to get a prescription for Wegovy online, using a telehealth service. Yes, accessing Wegovy requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Type 2 diabetics with obesity could be the most affected in the event of a shortage, but there is a wide arsenal of antidiabetic drugs from the same family and from other families that can replace them.” The miracle drug that makes you lose weight without any effort on the part of the user does not exist,” adds the expert. “Wegovy is the same as Ozempic, the active ingredient is the same (semaglutide), and it is also marketed by the same company. Wegovy belongs to the family of GLP-1 analogues and contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which it shares with Ozempic, derived from a naturally occurring hormone that is released from the intestine after eating. Before any surgery or medical procedure, tell the care team that you're taking Wegovy (semaglutide). Wegovy (semaglutide) also comes as tablets that are swallowed once a day. It comes in prefilled pens you use to inject the medication under the skin once a week. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Sign up now for expert patient guides, personalized treatment options, and cutting-edge insights that can help you push for the best care plan. "Over time, this can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins, and minerals - nutrients essential in maintaining good health, especially in older adults," said Roberts. It is important for older people to stay active and include muscle-building exercises. And while those side effects are often manageable, some studies indicate that older adults may face increased risks, such as a potential loss of muscle mass and bone density. While the outcomes can be positive, Consumer Reports warns that there are important considerations, especially for older adults, before starting these treatments. If you’re not sure whether Wegovy or Mounjaro is right for you, talk to your healthcare team. Wegovy has additional approved uses that Mounjaro doesn’t. Both Wegovy injections and pills provide similar weight-loss results. The best way to save on Wegovy or Mounjaro is to use your health insurance. Price your Wegovy® In addition, these conditions can sometimes prevent patients from receiving the recommended first-line therapies, as well as increase a patient’s risk of undergoing surgery. Given as weekly subcutaneous injections It is normally prescribed to manage blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning that it mimics the effects of GLP-1 in the body. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is why it’s so important to work with a medical provider who can follow up with you often and make adjustments to your dose if needed, such as the ones available to you with WeightWatchers Clinic. Side effects that can affect your health long-term are also possible, although they are rare and some have only been seen in animal trials. Experts aren’t sure why some of these occur, but others can be linked to the effect GLP-1 has on lowering blood glucose levels. Although some people on Wegovy have constipation, others can have diarrhea, which is when you have three or more loose, watery stools per day. It's important to note that off-label use is legal and sometimes necessary in medical practice, allowing doctors to adapt treatments to individual patient needs. Additionally, pregnant women, women who are trying to conceive, or women who are breastfeeding may not be prescribed semaglutide. This information will help reduce the risk of any drug interactions or severe side effects. It is not prescribed to individuals who are of normal weight but want to lose a few pounds. Although semaglutide has been approved for blood sugar control in people with type II diabetes, under the brand name Ozempic, and for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy, it has not been approved for use as an immune booster and cancer preventative. Another Novo Nordisk medication, Ozempic, which is approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels, also contains semaglutide — but at a lower dose than Wegovy. It is beneficial for lowering blood sugar, aiding weight loss, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues in people with diabetes. Wegovy and Mounjaro work in similar but different ways Your results may depend on your dose, diet, activity level, and other factors. Your healthcare professional can help you compare these treatments and choose the one that’s best suited for your goals, preferences, and medical history. A comparable amount of weight loss has been seen with the Wegovy pill. Wegovy may potentially counteract some of the hormonal changes that happen during weight loss. Diet and Exercise Considerations for Cancer Survivors Wegovy (semaglutide) can lower your blood sugar. GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, which is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to release glucose and helps people feel full for longer. A rising blood insulin level causes all the body tissues to start absorbing glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. The drug, which is administered as a weekly injection, assists the body by helping the pancreas make more insulin, ultimately lowering blood sugar levels. FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight. When supplied as Ozempic or Rybelsus, its use as a weight loss aid is “off-label.”People taking the weekly maintenance dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg) reported a 9.6% average reduction in body weight.Wegovy is a brand name for the medication semaglutide.If you have a medical concern, it is critical to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions.Maintaining a healthy weight can lead to significant health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, improved mobility, better sleep, and enhanced overall well-being. What are alternatives to Wegovy (semaglutide)? Some people taking Wegovy (semaglutide) have had swelling or inflammation in the pancreas. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about the risk of thyroid cancer with Wegovy (semaglutide). It's not known if Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause thyroid cancer in people. It was more likely to happen when rats got higher doses or were given the medication for a long time. In animal studies with rats, Wegovy (semaglutide) was linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer. The FDA has approved three versions of semaglutide, indicating that it is safe for many patients requiring treatment for one or both conditions. Participants taking semaglutide lost an average of 15.2% of their initial body weight, while those on the placebo only lost 2.6%. It is not intended to be the sole treatment for obesity but rather a supportive component of a comprehensive approach to weight management. In addition, semaglutide is most effective as a chronic weight management aid when combined with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. This is thought to be one of the reasons it’s often difficult to maintain weight loss long term. Your appetite, metabolism, and body weight are influenced by several different hormones in your body. Eating fewer calories can result in weight loss over time. So, how exactly does Wegovy work for weight loss? Similarly, Mounjaro acts like GLP-1 in the body. After injecting a dose, it acts like the incretin GLP-1. Wegovy is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist medication class. When a medication mimics an incretin, it can help you feel fuller faster and for longer when you eat, and it can reduce feelings of hunger. Incretins signal the pancreas to release insulin after eating and tell the liver to make less glucose (sugar). If you are curious about semaglutide or any other weight loss drug, talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not these treatment options are right for you. Liraglutide helps with weight loss by lowering blood sugar levels, suppressing appetite, and delaying stomach emptying. In summary, Rybelsus and Ozempic primarily focus on blood sugar and weight control for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Those uncomfortable with needles should talk to the prescribing healthcare professional about alternatives to injectable weight loss medications. “We want to find a right balance between weight loss and symptoms you can manage,” says Rao. For relief, over-the-counter medications such as lmodium (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol® (bismuth subsalicylate) can help. This is why Narang says she starts her patients at the lowest dose and keeps them there for one month to get their body acclimated before increasing the dosage. “The motto with medication like Wegovy is that you have to start low and go slow,” says Dr. Disha Narang, M.D., endocrinologist and director of obesity medicine at Endeavor Health in Skokie, IL. Wegovy side effects are usually their most bothersome when you first start taking the medication or when you increase your dose. Wegovy does this by mimicking the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a gut hormone involved in regulating blood glucose (sugar), appetite, and digestion. Wegovy is a weight-loss medication that comes in both injectable and pill form. And while losing weight isn’t easy or simple, Wegovy (semaglutide) is an option to consider if you’re feeling stuck. The Mayo Clinic Diet helps you achieve lasting weight loss with custom meal plans and proven strategies. Discover how long it will take to reach your weight loss goals with our free weight loss calculator. When semaglutide binds to these receptors, it signals the brain to reduce appetite and curb cravings. Additionally, slower stomach emptying can create a feeling of fullness, reducing overall food intake and contributing to weight management. Semaglutide is a synthetic compound that imitates the effect of the natural hormone GLP-1 in the body. However, according to some studies, over 53% of the US population would be considered eligible for a semaglutide prescription. To qualify for Wegovy, you must have a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition. The Mayo Clinic Diet’s specialized meal plan is also designed to help minimize side effects by emphasizing higher protein intake and balanced nutrition, supporting better tolerance of GLP-1 medications. Always discuss medical history thoroughly with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication. If you have diabetes, tell your health care provider about all medicines you use for this condition before starting Wegovy. For example, some people have reported a rare problem where the intestines stop moving food through the body. The dose that your health care provider may want you to take long-term may depend on how well you tolerate Wegovy. If you have any of these side effects, your health care provider may wait to increase your dose longer than the usual four weeks for the injection or 30 days for the tablet. This discount is only available to people with a valid prescription who live in the U.S. Keep in mind that your insurer may require prior authorization or have you try other treatments before you can get coverage. Medications prescribed solely for weight-loss purposes are not covered. However, if you take Wegovy to reduce the risk of a heart condition, it may be covered. (Additional discounts are available for lower doses.) It comes in a convenient pill form taken by mouth, enhancing sugar processing while supporting weight loss. Novo Nordisk produces three medications, Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Wegovy, all containing semaglutide. Semaglutide is FDA-approved as Wegovy for chronic weight management in patients without type 2 diabetes. Ovarian Cancer None of the participants on semaglutide developed type 2 diabetes during the study. The study concluded that semaglutide was effective in helping participants lose weight. Semaglutide users were also more likely to achieve a weight loss of at least 5%. Most of the participants were female (77.6%) and white (93.1%), with an average age of 47.3 years, an average weight of 106.0 kg, and an average body mass index—BMI—of 38.5 kg/m². Glucagon prompts the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, but semaglutide intervenes in this process. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time. It works in a similar way to GLP-1, a hormone your body normally makes that regulates your appetite. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. By following a healthy, nutritious eating plan, you can harness the full potential of Wegovy and improved health. You may experience a poor appetite and struggle to eat because of the initial common side effects of the medication. For best results, you should take Wegovy while following a low-calorie diet. If you are trying to lose weight and taking, or considering taking, Wegovy, here are 5 ways to boost your chances of success. If you feel anything unusual, even if you aren’t sure it’s from the medicine, let your health care provider know. Make sure that you tell your health care provider if you get nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach pain. You will likely start Wegovy at a low dose to lower the chance of having certain side effects. Most of the 17,604 people in the trial were male (72%), and the average age was 62 years (range, years). This is especially important if you take a medicine that requires regular blood tests to check your levels. Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take. Because Wegovy slows down your digestion, it can change how your body absorbs other pills you swallow. Medicare is also prohibited by law from covering prescription medications taken solely for weight loss. Many insurance companies and employers that provide healthcare coverage don’t consider weight-loss medications medically necessary. A healthcare professional must evaluate you and decide whether the medication is appropriate based on factors such as your body mass index (BMI), medical history, and weight-related health conditions. Medicare plans are prohibited by law from covering prescription medications taken solely for weight loss. Coverage for obesity care and weight-loss medications varies widely among insurance plans. Even a little weight loss can work wonders for your health. — Weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are gaining popularity as millions turn to them for quick results and potential health benefits. Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial showing an average weight loss of 20.2% vs. 13.7%. Wegovy injections and pills can lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems for people with heart disease who are considered overweight or obese. But only Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss. Gallbladder-related disorders occurred in 2.8% of people who used Wegovy, and 2.3% of people who received the placebo. Side effects included gastrointestinal disorders (including nausea and vomiting), which affected 10% of people who used Wegovy compared to 2% of people who used the placebo. This was higher than the 8.2% of participants (718 people) who received the placebo (with no active ingredient). Thyroid tumors and cancer have been detected as a risk in animal studies, yet are rarely seen in human scientific literature. Wegovy is available in prefilled single-dose pens with doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg. This depends on your weight loss goals and medical needs, so it’s best to discuss a long-term plan with your healthcare provider. However, much of this early weight loss is water weight rather than significant fat loss, as the body adjusts to eating less. In the first month, most people experience a noticeable drop in appetite, leading to mild weight loss, typically around 5-10 pounds. This hormone is crucial in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, where it can be utilized for energy. This action can slow down the absorption of nutrients, including glucose (sugar), from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. In 2019, a new form of semaglutide was FDA-approved under the brand name Rybelsus. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 as a part of the approval process for Ozempic, an injectable medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. Sesame’s Editorial Team is committed to delivering useful, relevant and reliable health information to our readers. If you have a medical concern, it is critical to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions. Sesame content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is also gaining attention for its off-label use, helping patients lose weight. For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, you can pay $349 per month for the injection or $299 per month for the pill.Because Wegovy slows down your digestion, it can change how your body absorbs other pills you swallow.But Mounjaro likely leads to greater weight loss than Wegovy.Wegovy and Ozempic are injectable medications, while Rybelsus is supplied as an oral pill.Medications in this class can help manage blood sugar levels better than GLP-1 agonists for people with Type 2 diabetes.Keep in mind that Wegovy works best if you combine it with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise.Because Wegovy is FDA approved for chronic weight management, many insurance providers won’t cover it.This is similar to what’s reported in FDA data, which shows the most common side effect, nausea, happens in 44% of people on Wegovy (compared to 16% of people on a placebo).Unlike the other two forms of semaglutide (which cause weight loss but aren’t FDA-approved for it), Wegovy is specifically indicated to help individuals with overweight or obesity to lose weight. Integral to blood sugar control, GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut in response to food. It was first approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in 2017. Although it has not been FDA-approved for weight loss, the drug has been prescribed by some doctors. Wegovy is approved for use in children over 12 with an initial BMI in the 95th percentile for their age.Some people are more sensitive to these changes, which can contribute to the side effects.Both medications contain semaglutide.This information will help reduce the risk of any drug interactions or severe side effects.For instance, your plan might not include coverage for weight management medications like Wegovy.No, Mounjaro isn’t approved for weight loss. Semaglutide is a drug that can be prescribed by healthcare providers to treat a range of conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Many people using Wegovy are able to maintain their weight loss. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight-loss medication that comes in both injectable and pill form. The brand name Zepbound, containing tirzepatide, is specifically approved for treating obesity in individuals without type 2 diabetes. It works by helping regulate blood sugar levels, curbing appetite, and slowing down stomach emptying. Tirzepatide, available as Mounjaro or Zepbound, is a medication used to manage both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Discover how clinically-proven weight loss medication can help you achieve your weight management goals for just $99/mo. Wegovy, the third medication, is specifically intended for weight management in individuals who are either overweight or obese, regardless of whether they have diabetes. This restriction applies even if your insurance plan includes prescription medication coverage. For future fills and other Wegovy doses, you can pay $349 per month for the injection or $299 per month for the pill. Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, but they are not exactly the same. If it’s been more than 5 days, skip that dose and resume your regular weekly schedule.As per a recent study, and lowering their cancer risk, as a link between weight and cancer does exist.However, it might cover it to treat MASH or for MACE risk reduction if you have heart disease.Don't use Wegovy (semaglutide) if you've had an allergic reaction to it or to other semaglutide medications (Ozempic, Rybelsus).However, according to some studies, over 53% of the US population would be considered eligible for a semaglutide prescription.While both medications work similarly, Wegovy is the preferred choice for weight loss, while Ozempic is mainly for diabetes treatment but is sometimes used off-label for weight loss. Dr. Tufano-Sugarman said that this is especially true for women; they lower their risk of developing breast cancer and endometrial cancer when they lose weight and keep it of. “While all cancers cannot be prevented,” she said, “losing weight is a great way to reduce one’s risk.” In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Stephen Freedland of Cedars Sinai Medical Center said, “Some of the best data we have is that obesity increases the risk of not just getting prostate cancer, but actually dying from prostate cancer. As per a recent study, and lowering their cancer risk, as a link between weight and cancer does exist. There were 107 reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among people taking semaglutide, sadly including six actual deaths. However, other serious side effects are also possible because of the whole-of-body impact of the medication. For those who stop taking the medication, analyses have shown that about two-thirds of weight lost is regained. The treatment starts with a dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks, after which the dose is gradually increased until reaching a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. There are other weight-loss medications that may be safer to combine with Mounjaro than Wegovy is. Taking it for weight loss when you don’t have diabetes would be considered an off-label use. For instance, your plan might not include coverage for weight management medications like Wegovy. And people who used Wegovy for the entire study lost nearly 21% of their body weight. Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause some serious health issues. The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. For heart health and MASH, it's not fully known how Wegovy (semaglutide) helps with these problems. So, it’s recommended to find nutrient-packed foods that you like to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition during treatment. But for some people, this can mean losing your taste for some of your favorite foods. Some people using Wegovy say that it also quiets down “food noise” in their head — described by some as constant thoughts revolving around food. It works in several unique ways to help you lose weight. Weight loss can be a frustrating journey, especially if you’ve made numerous attempts to manage your weight without achieving your desired results. The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider is essential to determine eligibility based on medical history and overall health status. Wegovy works by acting like a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1. But in 2025, a new version was approved that you can take as a daily oral tablet. “Of course, the indiscriminate use of Wegovy can produce, firstly, supply problems and serious harm to those who really need it and, secondly, a health problem for those who do not follow medical supervision. So how does Wegovy work and how much weight can you expect to lose while taking it? It's intended to be used in combination with a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity. The weight-loss drug Wegovy is now available in Australia. For Crystal, adopting healthier habits has been the key to her long-term success. Treatment with a GLP-1 receptor agonist diminishes the decrease in free plasma leptin during maintenance of weight loss. The effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesity. It works several different ways to help with weight loss. Many people regain at least some of the weight they lost after stopping Wegovy. And it can take several months to see significant weight loss. Wegovy is approved for use in children over 12 with an initial BMI in the 95th percentile for their age. While instances are rare, semaglutide may cause more serious side effects in some patients. These effects can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or events like heart attack or stroke. The second approach, the 'trial product' estimand, focused on how semaglutide worked when participants took it as intended. The study used two different approaches to analyze the effectiveness of semaglutide. Rybelsus is an oral version of semaglutide that’s also approved for blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you take it with other diabetes medications like insulin or glipizide, your blood sugar could drop too low. US health policy and prescription drug coverage of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of obesity. Wegovy and Mounjaro are also approved for different age groups.The brand name Zepbound, containing tirzepatide, is specifically approved for treating obesity in individuals without type 2 diabetes.It doesn’t show how much of your weight is muscle and how much is fat.Semaglutide is a drug that can be prescribed by healthcare providers to treat a range of conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.It can also help your body regulate your blood sugar levels.Insurance coverage policies for weight-management medications such as Wegovy are evolving. Wegovy is also among 15 medications covered under Medicare Part D selected for price negotiations in 2025. As mentioned, Wegovy was FDA approved in March 2024 to reduce the risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events in certain adults. For example, Cigna, a private insurance company, covers Wegovy injections if they are considered medically necessary for weight loss, but you must meet all the criteria. At that time, it became the first weight-loss medication to gain this indication. The biggest difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro is in their FDA-approved uses.So, it’s recommended to find nutrient-packed foods that you like to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition during treatment.This article will examine Ozempic’s efficacy as a weight loss drug, how it works, and what to consider before taking it.The weight-loss drug Wegovy is now available in Australia.Wegovy (semaglutide) is a medicine used to help people lose weight and keep it off.While these symptoms aren’t guaranteed when you’re on Wegovy (a brand name for the drug semaglutide), they can happen.How does obesity increase the risk of developing cancer? Wegovy and Ozempic are injectable medications, while Rybelsus is supplied as an oral pill. Wegovy is specifically designed for weight management in overweight or obese individuals with or without diabetes. Patients should be informed when a medication is being used off-label and have the opportunity to discuss the decision with their healthcare provider. Like with other medications, individual responses to weight-loss medications vary. Exercise is foundational in any weight-loss program, but particularly important while taking weight-loss medications for two key reasons. There's a healthier way to lose weight with weight-loss medication. If you have heart disease and are overweight, Wegovy can also help protect your health by lowering your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a medicine used to help people lose weight and keep it off. They were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide (152 participants) or a placebo (152 participants). It's important to note that semaglutide is typically prescribed with lifestyle modifications such as calorie reduction and increased physical activity. Additionally, semaglutide slows down the rate at which the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine. This means that individuals taking semaglutide tend to experience reduced hunger and greater satisfaction from smaller meals. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Some people with private insurance may be eligible for help with out-of-pocket costs through a Wegovy savings offer. To get this medicine, you need a prescription from a health care provider. Compounded medicine is not FDA-approved and may include too much or too little medicine and dangerous or unneeded ingredients. Wegovy is an FDA-approved medicine made by Novo Nordisk. What are the requirements to qualify for Wegovy? What’s more, Wegovy injections are approved to treat MASH (a type of fatty liver disease) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver scarring. The biggest difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro is in their FDA-approved uses. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have been making headlines since they came to market. The field of weight management is evolving–and fast. It should not be regarded as a substitute for guidance from your healthcare provider. Conversely, in participants with normal blood sugar at the start, very few developed prediabetes. Semaglutide also positively affected waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other health markers. Based on the 'treatment policy' estimand, semaglutide significantly reduced body weight compared to the placebo after 104 weeks. By controlling glucagon, semaglutide helps keep blood sugar levels steady, mitigating the hunger pangs often caused by low blood sugar. Furthermore, semaglutide effectively inhibits the production of glucagon, another hormone responsible for elevating blood sugar levels. But it can also happen to people without any known kidney problems. People who already have kidney damage are at higher risk. In studies, gallbladder problems happened more often in children than in adults who took Wegovy (semaglutide). Stop using Wegovy (semaglutide) and call your care team if you have symptoms of pancreatitis. People with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) also shouldn't use this medication. Because of this, you shouldn't take Wegovy (semaglutide) if you've had thoughts of self-harm before. If your heart rate stays too high, you might need to stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide). Tell your healthcare team if you feel your heart racing while you're resting. However, most people don’t pay list price if their health insurance covers their medications. A recent study found that over four years, participants taking Wevovy as indicated experienced an average weight loss of 10.2% body weight and a reduction in waist circumference of 7.7cm. By managing blood glucose levels effectively, the medication aims to reduce the risk of major complications, such as heart disease. In Australia (and the United States), Ozempic is approved for use to improve blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Another role of GLP-1 is to stimulate the body to produce more insulin, a hormone which helps lower the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Remember, Mounjaro is currently approved only for Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy and Mounjaro can both lead to significant weight loss. The table below highlights the different age groups that each medication is approved for. It works best when combined with a diabetes-friendly diet and regular exercise. Wegovy isn’t approved to treat diabetes. But a clinical trial compared the weight-loss results for people without diabetes taking Zepbound (which contains tirzepatide) to those taking Wegovy. People taking the weekly maintenance dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg) reported a 9.6% average reduction in body weight. And just under one-third of people reported at least a 20% body-weight reduction. The Mayo Clinic Diet now supports your journey with a special Companion program for weight-loss medication. The program offers a meal plan designed specifically for those taking weight-loss medication. Our new Mayo Clinic Diet for Weight-Loss Medication program can help support your medical weight loss while taking Wegovy. If you haven’t lost weight for 2 to 4 weeks, try changing up your diet and/or exercise routine. Insurance coverage varies widely, depending on the medication, your health plan, and your medical need. Hair shedding can happen with rapid weight loss, but Wegovy itself isn’t directly responsible. At BuildingBetter.Health our team is on a mission to help you reach your goals and simplify your weight loss journey. By Month 6 and beyond, Wegovy users who follow a high-protein diet and maintain regular activity can expect to have lost 15-25% of their starting weight.