Wegovy is a once-weekly prescription drug increasingly popular for its effectiveness in weight loss, but it comes with potential side effects.
Key Points:
- Wegovy is a weight-loss medication approved in 2021 for people with obesity or overweight with related conditions.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which often decrease over time.
- Serious side effects can occur, such as thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia.
- Around 71.4 percent of trial participants experienced some side effects, with 10 percent discontinuing due to these effects.
Table of Contents
- What is Wegovy?
- What are the side effects of Wegovy?
- What are the more serious side effects?
- Do most people experience side effects?
- How can I reduce the side effects of Wegovy?
- How long does it take for the side effects to stop?
- Does Wegovy cause mood swings?
- Does anyone gain weight on Wegovy?
- Does Wegovy cause hair loss?
- Is Wegovy linked to thyroid tumors or cancer?
- What are the symptoms of taking too much Wegovy?
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2021, is a weight-loss drug containing semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic.
It works by reducing appetite, slowing digestion, and improving blood sugar management.
Available in five doses, Wegovy is taken once weekly, with your doctor gradually increasing your 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 congestion
Nausea is the most common side effect and is something you should be prepared to experience, at least temporarily.
Side effects can start as soon as the first dose and may occur at any time during treatment. Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, are more common during the first 4 months.
Most of the side effects are not serious and tend to fade as your body adjusts to the medication. However, it’s important to report any side effects to your healthcare provider for proper management.
What are the more serious side effects?
Wegovy may cause rare but serious side effects, such as:
- Thyroid tumors, including cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Changes in vision (e.g., blurred vision, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, and changes to the macula)
- Kidney problems
- Mental changes or depression
- Serious allergic reactions
- Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar (especially if taken with insulin)
Recognizing symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, confusion, shakiness, and a fast heartbeat, is important.
If you experience any serious side effects, stop taking Wegovy and seek medical attention immediately. Your healthcare provider should discuss all potential side effects with you and address any concerns.
Do most people experience side effects?
Many people taking Wegovy experience side effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues:
- About 44 percent of those on a maximum dose report nausea
- 30 percent experience diarrhea
- 25 percent experience vomiting.
Overall, 71.4 percent of clinical trial participants had some side effects, with around 10 percent stopping the drug due to issues like nausea.
How can I reduce the side effects of Wegovy?
To help reduce common side effects, the manufacturer recommends several strategies:
- Emphasize bland, low-fat foods like crackers, toast, or rice.
- Include water-rich foods in your diet, such as soups and gelatin.
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating.
- Get fresh air if you feel nauseous.
- Slow down your eating pace.
Many users also suggest breaking meals into smaller portions throughout the day.
If side effects continue, report them to your provider, who may adjust your dosage temporarily.
Most side effects lessen within a week, and if you stop taking Wegovy, they typically resolve within 1 to 2 weeks, with the drug fully leaving your system in about 5 to 7 weeks.
How long does it take for the side effects to stop?
The common side effects usually decrease within a few days to a week.
If symptoms last beyond a week, report them to your healthcare practitioner, even if they seem minor.
Doctors typically start with a lower dose and gradually increase it to help your body acclimate and minimize side effects like nausea. If higher doses are difficult to tolerate, your provider might temporarily lower the dose before gradually increasing it again.
Most side effects stop within a week or two after discontinuing Wegovy, with the medication fully leaving your system in about 5 to 7 weeks.
Does Wegovy cause mood swings?
Mood swings are a rare side effect of Wegovy and other semaglutide drugs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Wegovy may cause agitation, irritability, abnormal behaviors, or even suicidal thoughts and depression in some people.
Although uncommon, it’s vital to inform your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your mood or mental state.
Does anyone gain weight on Wegovy?
While most people lose about 16 percent of their body weight after a year on Wegovy, not everyone experiences weight loss.
Trial data from 2022 showed that over 20 percent of people did not lose 5 percent or more of their body weight on semaglutide drugs like Wegovy.
A small number may even gain weight, though this is rare and not listed as an adverse effect in clinical trials. Weight regain after stopping Wegovy, however, is common.
See more in: Can Wegovy Help You Lose Weight?
Does Wegovy cause hair loss?
Wegovy itself does not cause hair loss, but 3 percent of participants in one clinical trial reported hair loss while taking the drug.
This may be due to the body’s stress response to rapid weight loss, similar to what some people experience after bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.
Since both Wegovy and weight loss surgeries can lead to rapid weight loss, hair loss can occur in a small number of cases.
Is Wegovy linked to thyroid tumors or cancer?
The FDA’s approval of Wegovy includes a box warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
People with a personal or family history of thyroid tumors, specifically medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), should not take Wegovy or other semaglutide medications.
This concern stems from studies in rodents, where some developed thyroid tumors, including cancer, after being given the drug.
However, this risk has not been confirmed in humans, as no participants in clinical trials developed these tumors. It’s essential to be aware of thyroid tumor symptoms and discuss your medical history with your doctor.
What are the symptoms of taking too much Wegovy?
Never take more Wegovy than prescribed. If you accidentally do, contact your doctor or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
An overdose can cause severe nausea, persistent vomiting, and dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Since Wegovy stays in your system for a long time, you may need medical monitoring to ensure proper hydration and safe blood sugar levels.
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