Wegovy is an increasingly popular weekly prescription drug for its weight loss efficacy, but it comes with potential side effects.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2021, is a weight loss drug that contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic.
It works by reducing appetite, slowing digestion and improving blood glucose control.
Available in 5 doses, Wegovy is taken once a week, and the doctor gradually increases the dose.
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
Many people experience mild to moderate side effects. The most common are:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- constipation
- heartburn
- Gas or bloating
- Fatigue
- headache
- Runny nose, sore throat, or crowded
Nausea is the most common side effect and you should at least be prepared to experience it temporarily.
Side effects start immediately after the initial dose and can occur any time during treatment. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea are more common for the first four months.
Most side effects are not serious and tend to fade as the body adapts to the medication. However, it is important to report side effects to your health care provider for proper management.
What are the more serious side effects?
Wegovy can cause rare but serious side effects such as:
- Thyroid tumors containing cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Changes in vision (e.g. blurred vision, worsening diabetic retinopathy, and changes in the macular))
- Kidney problems
- Psychological changes or depression
- Serious allergic reactions
- Hypoglycemia, or hypoglycemia (especially when taken with insulin)
It is important to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness, confusion, trembling, and fast heartbeat.
If you experience serious side effects, stop taking Wegovy and seek medical attention immediately. Your healthcare provider should discuss with you about all potential side effects and address your concerns.
Do most people experience side effects?
Many people who employ Wegovy experience side effects, especially gastrointestinal problems.
- Nausea approximately 44% of maximum dose report
- 30% have experienced diarrhea
- 25% of vomiting experience.
Overall, 71.4% of clinical trial participants had side effects, and about 10% stopped the drug due to problems like nausea.
How can I reduce the side effects of Wegovy?
To reduce common side effects, manufacturers recommend several strategies.
- It highlights bland low-fat foods such as crackers, toast and rice.
- Include water-rich meals such as soups and gelatin in your diet.
- Do not lie down immediately after eating.
- If you feel nauseous, get some fresh air.
- Slow down the pace of your meals.
Many users also suggest breaking the meal into smaller portions throughout the day.
If side effects persist, report them to your provider. Providers may temporarily adjust dosage.
Most side effects decrease within a week, and if you stop taking Wegovy, it usually resolves within 1-2 weeks, leaving the system completely in about 5-7 weeks.
How long does it take for the side effects to stop?
Common side effects usually decrease within a few days to a week.
If symptoms persist for more than a week, even if they appear to be mild, please report them to your healthcare professional.
Doctors usually start at a lower dose and gradually increase it to adapt and minimize side effects like nausea. If high doses are difficult to tolerate, providers may temporarily lower the dose and then gradually increase it.
Most side effects stop within 1-2 weeks of discontinuing Wegovy, and the medication leaves the system completely in about 5-7 weeks.
Does Wegovy cause mood fluctuations?
Mood fluctuations are a rare side effect of Wegovy and other semaglutide drugs.
According to Mayo Clinic, Wegovy can cause agitation, irritability, abnormal behavior in some people, as well as suicidal thoughts and depression.
Unusually, it is important to notify your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your mood or mental state.
Is anyone gaining weight on Wegovy?
Most people lose about 16% of their weight after a year on Wegovy, but not everyone experiences weight loss.
2022 study data showed that over 20% lost more than 5% of their body weight on semaglutide drugs like Wegovy.
A minority may gain weight, but this is rare and is not listed as a negative effect in clinical trials. However, weight recovery after stopping Wegovy is common.
See more details: Does Wegovy help you lose weight?
Does Wegovy cause hair loss?
Wegovy itself does not cause hair loss, but 3% of participants in one clinical trial reported hair loss while taking the drug.
This may be due to the body’s stress response to weight loss, as well as those who experience it after obesity (weight loss) surgery.
Hair loss can occur in a small number of cases, as both Wegovy and weight loss surgery can lead to rapid weight loss.
Is Wegovy related to thyroid tumors or cancer?
FDA’s Wegovy approval includes a box warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
People with a personal or family history of thyroid tumors, especially those with medulla thyroid cancer (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplastic syndrome type 2 (male 2), should not take Wegovy or other semaglutide medications.
This concern comes from studies in rodents who developed thyroid tumors, including cancer, after being administered the drug.
However, this risk has not been confirmed in humans as participants in the clinical trial have never developed these tumors. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of a thyroid tumor and discuss your medical history with your doctor.
What symptoms do you have to take too much Wegovy?
You will not take more Wegovy than prescribed. If you do this incorrectly, contact your doctor or call Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose can cause severe nausea, persistent vomiting, and dangerous hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia).
Wegovy will stay in your system for a long time, so medical surveillance may be required to ensure proper hydration and safe blood sugar levels.
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