Wegovy Weight Loss Injection

Wegovy® is primarily used to support weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight who have related medical conditions. It works by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite, helping to reduce hunger and calorie intake.

Clinical trials have shown that patients using Wegovy® may experience weight loss of up to 15% of their body weight, depending on factors such as dosage, diet, and exercise.

The duration for using Wegovy varies depending on your response to treatment and your weight loss goals. Most patients use Wegovy for several months or longer to achieve and maintain significant weight loss. Your prescriber will review your progress regularly to determine how long treatment should continue.

Yes, Wegovy® is a prescription-only medication. Its use will only be approved after an assessment by our clinical team to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you.

Wegovy is administered as a once-weekly injection under the skin (subcutaneous), typically into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. The treatment comes in a pre-filled, single-use injection pen, designed for easy at-home use.

You'll start on a lower dose and gradually increase over time. This helps your body adjust and reduces the likelihood of nausea, a common side effect of Wegovy. Your online pharmacist will provide detailed instructions when starting Wegovy, and our support team is always available if you have questions.

Be sure to follow the guidance provided during your online consultation, including instructions on what to do if you miss a weekly injection. Proper storage of Wegovy, typically in the refrigerator, is also vital to ensure effectiveness.

It’s important to combine Wegovy with a healthy diet and increased physical activity for optimal results. As a weight loss drug, Wegovy works best when part of a sustainable, long-term health plan.

How to use Wegovy

Wegovy can be injected into:

1. Your upper arms
2. Your abdomen (stomach area)
3. Your upper thighs Rotate injection sites each time to avoid irritation or discomfort.

You should use Wegovy once a week, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food. Choose a time that suits your routine and stick to it to maintain consistent blood levels of semaglutide.

Like all medications, Wegovy® can cause side effects, but serious ones are rare. These include:

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), which may cause severe and persistent pain in the stomach and back. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylactic reaction, angioedema). Symptoms may include breathing difficulties, rapid swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat (with difficulty swallowing), and a fast heartbeat. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical help and inform your doctor.

Like all medications, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda can cause some side effects. Generally, these side effects are mild and are likely to diminish or even disappear after a few weeks of treatment. 

We understand how challenging it can be to cope with these discomforts as your body adjusts to the medication. That’s why we’ve compiled our top tips for managing these potential side effects to help ease any discomfort you may experience. If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the Clinical Team at Happy Pharmacy.  

The most common side effects include:

- Nausea and/or vomiting 

- Constipation 

- Headache 

- Heartburn 

- Diarrhoea

- Injection site reactions 

- Gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder 

Nausea and/or vomiting 

Frequency: These side effects are very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) and are usually not severe. They are most common when first starting the treatment but decrease over time in most patients.  

Management Tips: 

Stay well-hydrated; aim for at least 8 cups of water daily. 

Eat small, regular meals to avoid an empty stomach. 

Try soothing beverages such as ginger, peppermint, or fennel teas. 

Take anti-sickness medications such as Cyclizine to help manage symptoms of nausea and vomiting as your body adjusts to the treatment. 

Visit the NHS website linked below for more information on dealing with nausea and vomiting.  

When to Seek Assistance: If vomiting occurs more than three times a day or if you experience symptoms of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness), stop the treatment and consult NHS 111. 

Constipation 

Frequency: This side effect is very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) and is usually not severe. It is most common when first starting the treatment but decreases over time in most patients.  

Management Tips: 

Stay well-hydrated; aim for at least 8 cups of water daily. 

Eat high-fiber foods such as prunes, figs and oats in your diet.  

Consider increasing your activity as this can stimulate bowel movements. 

Try a mild laxative.  

Visit the NHS website linked here for more information on dealing with constipation.  

When to Seek Assistance:  If you’ve tried the management tips above but are still constipated or notice blood in your stool, consult your GP or NHS 111 for advice. 

 

Headache 

Frequency: This side effect is very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) and is usually not severe.  

Management Tips: 

Stay well-hydrated; aim for at least 8 cups of water daily. 

Try to rest and relax. 

Take a simple painkiller like paracetamol.  

Visit the NHS website linked here for more information on managing headaches. 

When to Seek Assistance: If you’ve tried the management tips above but your headaches persist or worsen consult your GP or NHS 111 for advice. 

Heartburn

Frequency: This side effect is very common and often accompanied by nausea. 

Management Tips: 

Stay well-hydrated; aim for at least 8 cups of water daily. 

Eat small, regular meals can help. 

Avoid high-fat food that triggers your heartburn or makes it worse. 

Take a simple acid reflux medication such as Gaviscon or your pharmacist may recommend a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces how much acid your stomach makes such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole.  

Visit the NHS website linked here for more information on managing heartburn. 

When to Seek Assistance: If you’ve tried the management tips above but your heartburn persists or worsens, you have difficulty swallowing, are vomiting blood, or feel unwell, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice.

Diarrhoea 

Frequency: This side effect is very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) and is usually not severe. It is most common when first starting the treatment but decreases over time in most patients.  

Management Tips: 

Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water or diluted squash. 

Rest and eat small meals.  

Consider oral rehydration salts, which can be obtained from your pharmacy. 

Visit the NHS website linked here for more information on managing diarrhoea. 

When to Seek Assistance: Persistent diarrhoea, the presence of blood, or an inability to stay hydrated warrants immediate contact with NHS 111. 

Injection Site Reactions 

Frequency: This side effect is common and may affect up to 1 in 10 people and often resolves as your body adjusts to the treatment.  

 

Symptoms: Redness, bruising, itching, swelling, or pain. 

Management Tips: Use a non drowsy antihistamine cream or take an antihistamine tablet.  

When to Seek Assistance: If the reaction worsens, spreads, or becomes unbearable, discontinue the medication and consult your GP or NHS 111. 

Gallstones and Gallbladder Inflammation 

Frequency: Affects up to 1 in 10 users of Wegovy and Saxenda; up to 1 in 100 users of Mounjaro. 

Management Tips: 

Avoid rapid weight loss by maintaining a steady pace (no more than 1.5 kg or 3 lbs per week). 

Stay hydrated and eat smaller, frequent meals. 

When to Seek Assistance: Severe pain under the ribs, vomiting, fever, or other signs of gallbladder issues require immediate attention. Contact NHS 111 or visit A&E. 

Adjusting Dosages to Minimise Side Effects 

Mild Side Effects: Remain on your current dose for another week before increasing. 

Moderate Side Effects: Reduce your dose for up to a week, then increase it gradually. 

Severe Side Effects: Stop the medication immediately and seek medical advice. 

Rare but Serious Side Effects 

Pancreatitis: Symptoms include severe abdominal pain radiating to the back, nausea, or vomiting. Seek urgent medical attention via NHS 111 or A&E. 

Anaphylaxis: Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or severe allergic reactions necessitate calling 999 immediately. 

Dehydration: Symptoms include urine being dark in colour, you can’t keep fluids down, you are passing urine less often than usual, or you are feeling light-headed. Drink more fluids and seek medical attention via NHS 111 or A&E. 

Additional Information 

Our pharmacy team is available to assist with any concerns or side effects. Additionally, you can report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme or consult your healthcare provider for advice. 

The Happy Pharmacy Team are at hand to provide accurate support and advice as needed throughout your weight loss journey. 

For further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@happypharmacy.co.uk 

Do not use Wegovy® if you are allergic to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in the patient information leaflet.
Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using wegovy or during treatment if you have:

• Effects on the digestive system during treatment with wegovy, you may feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomiting), or have diarrhoea. These side effects can cause dehydration (loss of fluids). It is important that you drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. This is especially important if you have kidney problems. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Inflammation of the pancreas If you have severe and on-going pain in the stomach area see a doctor straight away as this could be a sign of inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
• Diabetes, Wegovy® must not be used as a substitute for insulin.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), Wegovy® can cause low blood sugar.
• The warning signs of low blood sugar levels. 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.
• If you have diabetes and are taking a sulfonylurea or an insulin with Wegovy® the risk of getting low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) might increase.
• Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) Fast improvements in blood sugar control may lead to a temporary worsening of diabetic eye disease. If you have diabetic eye disease and experience eye problems while taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
• Surgery, if you know that you are due to have surgery where you will be under anaesthesia (sleeping), please tell your doctor that you are taking Wegovy®.