> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hi-doctor.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Wegovy

> Wegovy (semaglutide): the EU dose ladder, injection technique, storage rules, and what the STEP 1 trial reported for weight management.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injection for weight management. It copies GLP-1, a gut hormone that signals fullness to your brain and slows how quickly your stomach empties. It is authorised across the EU and is prescribed by licensed doctors when clinically appropriate.

## What it is

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, an EU-authorised prescription medicine, authorised for use in the EU since 6 January 2022 under EMA marketing authorisation EMEA/H/C/005422. Because Wegovy is centrally authorised, one EU authorisation covers all 27 member states. It carries the same active substance as Ozempic but a different authorised indication and a different dose ladder.

<Info>
  Active ingredient: **semaglutide**. Dosage range: **0.25 – 2.4 mg / week**.
</Info>

Wegovy is authorised for:

* Weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
* Weight management in adults with a BMI of 27 to under 30 kg/m² who also have a weight-related health condition
* Weight management in adolescents aged 12 and over with obesity and a body weight above 60 kg

## How it works

Semaglutide is a once-weekly agonist that activates the GLP-1 receptor. It is a close copy of GLP-1, the hormone your gut releases after you eat, sharing about 94% of its structure — which is why it fits the same docking points on cells, though built to last much longer in the body. Once attached, it signals the parts of the brain that control hunger, including the hypothalamus and brainstem, so appetite falls and most people eat less without consciously trying.

## Dose schedule

<Steps>
  <Step title="Weeks 1–4 · 0.25 mg once weekly">
    Starting dose. Do not increase during this period.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Weeks 5–8 · 0.5 mg once weekly">
    Continue to build up. Your doctor may adjust based on your response.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Weeks 9–12 · 1 mg once weekly">
    Continue to build up. Your doctor may adjust based on your response.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Weeks 13–16 · 1.7 mg once weekly">
    Continue to build up. Your doctor may adjust based on your response.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Week 17+ · 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance)">
    Maximum maintenance dose. Your doctor will reassess every 3 months.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How to inject it

Wegovy is injected just under the skin (subcutaneous) — not into a vein or muscle. Do not shake the pen.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Choose and rotate your injection site">
    Rotate between abdomen, thigh, or upper arm each week. Clean the area with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Inject at the same time each week">
    Pick a day that works for you. If you miss a dose, take it within 4 days of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip that dose and take your next one on the regular scheduled day.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use a new needle every time">
    Remove the needle after each injection and dispose of it safely in a sharps container. Never reuse needles.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Storage">
    Store unused pens in the refrigerator (2–8°C). Once opened, keep at room temperature below 30°C for up to 30 days. Do not freeze. Keep away from direct heat and light.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What the studies reported

STEP 1, the peer-reviewed pivotal trial (N=1,961, 68 weeks, DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03548935), excluded adults with type 2 diabetes.

<Note>
  Additional Wegovy presentations — oral tablets of 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg, and a 7.2 mg pen — appear in the Spanish medicines register as authorised but not yet marketed there.
</Note>

## Managing side effects

| Side effect               | What's reported                           | Managing it                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Nausea                    | Very common in the first weeks            | Eat smaller meals, avoid fatty or fried foods, eat slowly — usually improves within 1–2 weeks                 |
| Constipation or diarrhoea | Common                                    | Drink plenty of water (6–8 glasses a day), include fibre-rich foods, gentle movement such as walking can help |
| Fatigue                   | Some people feel tired in the first weeks | Usually passes; rest when needed and keep meals light                                                         |

<Warning>
  Contact your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain that does not go away, persistent vomiting, signs of an allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat), or any symptom that worries you or feels unusual.
</Warning>

## What to expect

Most people notice reduced appetite within 2–4 weeks. Weight loss is assessed at 3 months — a loss of 5% or more of starting weight is considered a good response. Your doctor monitors progress and adjusts the treatment plan as needed.

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long does it take for Wegovy to work?">
    Most patients notice reduced appetite within 2 to 4 weeks. Weight loss is assessed at 3 months — a loss of 5% or more of starting weight is considered a good response. Your doctor monitors progress and adjusts the treatment plan as needed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I drink alcohol while taking Wegovy?">
    Wegovy slows how quickly your stomach empties, which can delay alcohol absorption and may increase its effects. Discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor if you are concerned.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I stop taking Wegovy?">
    If treatment is stopped, appetite and weight are likely to return. Wegovy is prescribed alongside diet and activity changes as part of a medically supervised plan — discuss any plan to stop with your doctor.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?">
    Both contain semaglutide, but Wegovy has a different authorised indication and a different dose ladder. Wegovy is authorised for weight management; Ozempic is authorised for type 2 diabetes. The Wegovy dose ladder goes up to 2.4 mg once weekly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I take Wegovy if I have type 2 diabetes?">
    Wegovy is authorised for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 to under 30 with a weight-related health condition. The STEP 1 pivotal trial excluded adults with type 2 diabetes. Discuss your medical history with the reviewing doctor.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are the most common side effects of Wegovy?">
    Nausea is very common in the first weeks — eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty foods and eating slowly usually helps it improve within 1 to 2 weeks. Constipation or diarrhoea and fatigue are also common. Contact your doctor for severe or persistent symptoms.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## How Hi-Doctor handles it

An EU-licensed doctor reviews your case and, if eligible, issues an electronic prescription valid at any EU pharmacy under Directive 2011/24/EU. See the [semaglutide](/library/medicines/semaglutide) page for the underlying mechanism and how Wegovy differs from Ozempic, [how it works](/essentials/how-it-works) for the consultation process, and [pricing](/essentials/pricing) for the consultation fee.

## Start a consultation

<Card title="Weight-loss consultation" icon="stethoscope" href="https://hi-doctor.ai/consultation/weight-loss/1">
  Answer the weight-loss questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it.
  They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose —
  and declining is a normal outcome. See [what it costs](/essentials/pricing)
  and [how the review works](/essentials/how-it-works).
</Card>

<Warning>
  This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription.
  Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor
  after reviewing your consultation.
</Warning>