What Wegovy is
Wegovy is semaglutide, a once-weekly injection from Novo Nordisk approved for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 and older with obesity, and in adults with overweight plus a weight-related condition. It is the same molecule as Ozempic, which is approved for type 2 diabetes, but Wegovy goes to higher doses and carries a weight-loss label.
Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in adults with established heart disease and overweight or obesity, which can help with insurance coverage.
Doses and schedule
You inject Wegovy under the skin of your stomach, thigh or upper arm once a week, on the same day each week. The dose goes up every four weeks so your body can adjust:
| Weeks | Weekly dose |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | 0.25 mg |
| 5–8 | 0.5 mg |
| 9–12 | 1 mg |
| 13–16 | 1.7 mg |
| 17 onward | 2.4 mg maintenance (7.2 mg available for some patients) |
Your clinician may slow the schedule if side effects are hard to tolerate.
How much weight people lose
In the STEP 1 trial, adults without diabetes taking Wegovy 2.4 mg lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks, compared with 2.4% on placebo. About a third lost 20% or more.
The higher 7.2 mg dose was tested in the STEP UP trial, where participants lost an average of about 18.7% over 72 weeks.
Most of the loss happens in the first year, then levels off. Stopping usually leads to regaining much of the lost weight.
Side effects
The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache and tiredness. They are usually worst while the dose is going up and ease over time.
Less common but serious risks listed on the label include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems from dehydration, low blood sugar when combined with some diabetes medicines, and serious allergic reactions. Wegovy carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents; don't use it if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. More in our side effects guide.
Cost and how to get it
Through NovoCare Pharmacy, self-pay Wegovy costs $349 a month for most doses and $399 for 7.2 mg, with $199 introductory fills for new patients on the first two low doses through December 31, 2026. See the full cost guide.
You need a prescription from a licensed clinician. If you don't have one who will prescribe, an online clinic can evaluate you and send the prescription to NovoCare or your pharmacy.
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