Weight Loss
16 min read
Written by Stephanie Brown
Published: Apr 23, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sheelu Bhatnagar
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug approved for medication-managed weight loss. It’s been available since 2021. Find out what the data and real users have to say about using Wegovy to lose weight. In this article, we go over how it works and provide a look at Wegovy reviews to cover everything you need to know about using Wegovy.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in June 2021. It’s approved to be used in addition to a medical weight loss program that includes a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity. It’s only approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:
Free consultations available with select providers. Prescription not guaranteed.
Free consultations available with select providers. Prescription not guaranteed.
A GLP-1 agonist medication, Wegovy works for weight loss by promoting satiety or feeling full after eating. GLP-1 agonists mimic the effects of glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone the body releases naturally after eating. GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion, decreases inappropriate glucagon secretion, and delays the stomach emptying into the small intestine. This lowers blood sugar levels (glucose) and curbs appetite, so you may eat less and potentially lose weight.
With benefits like better blood sugar control, it’s no wonder that Wegovy shares an active ingredient with type 2 diabetes medications. Semaglutide was initially approved by the FDA in 2017 under the brand Ozempic. While obese and overweight patients taking Ozempic for type 2 diabetes experience weight loss, semaglutide-based drugs shouldn’t be used off-label. It’s better to choose Wegovy vs Ozempic when considering semaglutide for weight loss if you don’t have type 2 diabetes.
Before market release, Wegovy’s safety and effectiveness for weight loss were studied in 4 68-week trials. Three of the double-blind, randomized trials evaluated the efficacy of Wegovy against a placebo, while the fourth trial studied the effects of stopping Wegovy treatment.
The largest of the 3 efficacy trials followed patients who didn’t have type 2 diabetes but met the BMI criteria for taking Wegovy. It found that patients taking Wegovy lost 12.4% of their initial body weight on average, compared to those taking a placebo.
Another efficacy trial enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes. In this trial, individuals taking Wegovy lost an average of 6.2% of their initial body weight.
The amount of weight loss achieved with Wegovy varies by individual. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether medically-supervised weight loss with Wegovy is right for you.
Patient reviews of Wegovy are informative if you’re considering taking Wegovy for weight loss. We’ve combed online reviews to provide you with a look at what real patients have to say.
At the time of publication, Wegovy had an average consumer rating of 7.2 out of 10 on drugs.com. Webmd.com users rated it 3.5 stars for effectiveness and satisfaction and 4.5 stars for ease of use. Reviewers frequently listed side effects and supply shortages as their main issues with Wegovy. To alleviate side effects, like nausea and vomiting, many reviewers stress the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and reducing food intake.
One 10 out of 10 review on webmd.com states, “I started Wegovy 6 weeks ago…. I started at 211 lbs and am now 197 lbs, so [I] have lost 14 lbs and counting in 6 weeks. Not bad! Symptoms I’ve experienced include being slightly more tired than usual on the day of the injection, and some constipation at first. I haven’t had any extreme nausea, but the injection definitely makes me less hungry…. I feel like I’m getting back to my old self…. Wegovy has been a lifesaver.”
“GLP-1 medications can help patients regain control of their health. Medications, such as Wegovy, and Zepbound, have helped patients lose weight, lower blood sugar, decrease blood pressure, and make better food choices, resulting in overall better health. These medications can be used as a tool with proper diet, education, and medical supervision.”
— Megan Enyart, AGNP, PMHNP-BC, a weight loss provider on Klarity Health
Reddit users who’ve taken Wegovy discuss everything from side effects to insurance coverage. We’ve compiled some highlights for you here.
“I suffer from disordered eating and used to spend a ridiculous amount of time and money meal planning and obsessing over food to control my weight and would still binge/overeat/snack and dream about weekend cheat meals. This has gone on for 2 decades. Wegovy has changed my life by turning off the food noise and allowing me to just eat when I’m hungry. All foods fit now. I hardly think about food and my weekly grocery spend has been cut in half. I’m able to find joy in other things and pursue new interests because I’m no longer food-obsessed. It’s like a dream.” — AvoToastie83
“I have been on Wegovy for almost one year and have lost almost 80 pounds — this medication gave me my life back. I have tried every diet out there, but for me nothing ever mentally clicked like Wegovy.”
— Robin V, a patient of Megan Enyart, a provider on Klarity provider
“[I’m] Down 27 lbs and I just had a cardiologist visit this week (CHF patient)…since my last visit 1 year ago, I’ve dropped 30 lbs total, BP is now in the normal range (110/79), labs were great, kidney function is perfect, and they even stopped one of my heart meds since I’m doing so well. I have nothing to complain about [with] Wegovy.” — kimmetry
“I’m on week 9 [of Wegovy], just titrated to 1.0 [milligrams] and have lost 14 lbs. I’ve been sick with vomiting, terrible migraines and constipation. I keep thinking it’ll ease up and about the time it does, it’s time to up my dose. It’s still hard work. You have to watch what you eat and for me, there’s very little I can even stomach. Some people have no problems, I’m just not that person. Also the stress of not knowing if I’ll be able to find my next dose keeps me super stressed out.” — Sippi66
The Klarity platform connects patients with licensed healthcare professionals. One patient who found their weight loss provider on Klarity said, “I have been on Wegovy for almost one year and have lost almost 80 pounds — this medication gave me my life back. I have tried every diet out there, but for me nothing ever mentally clicked like Wegovy. It made me realize that I didn’t need all the food I was eating. [Before] I never wanted to get off the couch but now I enjoy exercising and have a new lease on life. [The] only side effect I had was nausea and that was mainly from too many carbs. I have learned how to eat better and will continue to do so. I can not thank Megan [Megan Enyart, a Klarity provider] enough for helping me on this journey and, medically-supervised, this medication is a game changer.” — Robin V
Healthcare providers who prescribe Wegovy and other weight loss drugs also have things to say about it.
In his review of Wegovy, Dr. Brandon Richland, MD said, “Wegovy stands out as a promising weight management tool. Its ability to help patients lose weight and improve their overall health profile makes it a noteworthy option in the field of weight loss medications.”
Megan Enyart, AGNP, PMHNP-BC, a provider who connects with her patients using Klarity, said, “GLP-1 medications can help patients regain control of their health. Medications, such as Wegovy, and Zepbound, have helped patients lose weight, lower blood sugar, decrease blood pressure, and make better food choices, resulting in overall better health. These medications can be used as a tool with proper diet, education, and medical supervision.”
Before starting any prescription weight loss drug, it’s important to consider the potential risks in addition to the benefits. In this section, we discuss Wegovy’s side effects and warnings, out-of-pocket costs, and availability issues.
Wegovy users commonly report side effects when starting out and after increasing their dose, which typically resolve after a few days or weeks. Reach out to your healthcare provider if symptoms persist or interfere with your daily life. Common side effects reported with Wegovy use include:
Serious side effects have been reported with Wegovy use. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:
Wegovy comes with a boxed warning for thyroid tumors and cancer. A boxed warning is the FDA’s strongest safety warning. Individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN 2) syndrome shouldn’t take Wegovy.
The average retail price for a 28-day supply of Wegovy is $1,430 according to drugs.com. With health insurance, your out-of-pocket cost will likely be lower and depend on your specific plan, drug copay, and deductible. Call your insurance company to see whether they cover Wegovy and what you’re responsible for paying.
You may be able to get Wegovy for free with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Savings Card program. If you have commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, this program lets you get it for free or at a discount depending on what your insurance pays. If your insurance plan doesn’t cover the drug, you can still use the Wegovy Savings Card to save up to $500 on a 28-day supply.
Wegovy shortages have been a problem since 2022 when demand for the drug outstripped the manufacturer’s production capabilities. Wegovy comes in 5 doses — 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 2.4 milligrams. Patients start with the 0.25 milligram dose and increase every 4 weeks until a maintenance dose is reached (usually the 1.7 or 2.4 milligram dose). While Novo Nordisk has ramped up production, the FDA reports limited availability on multiple dosages of Wegovy at the time of publication.
If you’re having trouble finding Wegovy in stock, reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss where you can find Wegovy in stock or what to do if you can’t.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight loss injection that’s been FDA-approved since 2021. Due to benefits like lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, Wegovy’s active ingredient was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes as Ozempic. When weight loss was reported as an added benefit, Novo Nordisk got semaglutide approved for weight loss under the brand Wegovy.
Wegovy reviews provide insight into personal experiences during treatment, including weight loss results, side effects, and supply shortages. Patient reviews of Wegovy are generally positive and clinicians regard it as a promising tool for weight management.
If you take Wegovy, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects and associated warnings. You should also know that Wegovy can be pricey and has suffered from supply shortages since 2022. Share any concerns with your healthcare provider before starting treatment with Wegovy.
If you’re considering Wegovy for your weight loss journey, the Klarity platform connects you with a licensed healthcare professional specialized in weight management. Your provider will help you determine whether Wegovy or another medication will help you reach your weight loss goals. Start your weight loss journey today when you find a provider on Klarity!
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
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