What it's approved for
- Chronic weight management, with diet and exercise, in adults and children 12 and older with obesity, or adults with overweight (BMI 27 or higher) and at least one weight-related condition
- Reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight (added March 2024)
- Noncirrhotic MASH (fatty liver disease with scarring) in adults, added in 2025
How it works
It mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone released after meals. It slows stomach emptying, lowers appetite and helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high.
Wegovy has a half-life of about 1 week for the injection, so steady levels take 4 to 5 weeks.
The same medicine is sold as Ozempic. See Ozempic vs Wegovy.
Dose steps on the label
Increase every 4 weeks; if a step isn't tolerated, the label allows delaying the next increase by 4 weeks. Maintenance: 2.4 mg once weekly (1.7 mg if 2.4 mg isn't tolerated).
What the main trial found
Most common side effects
| Side effect | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% | 16% |
| Diarrhea | 30% | 16% |
| Vomiting | 24% | 6% |
| Constipation | 24% | 11% |
| Stomach pain | 20% | 10% |
| Headache | 14% | 10% |
Placebo-controlled weight-management trials in the Wegovy label (2.4 mg). See all side effects.
Cost snapshot
| Option | Per month | Per year | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| List price | $1,349 | $17,537 | List price per 4-week supply, before insurance |
| All doses (NovoCare Pharmacy self-pay) | $349 | $4,188 | Self-pay |
| Intro offer for new self-pay patients, first fills | $199 | $2,388 | Self-pay |
Compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly. All savings options.
Everything about Wegovy
Dosage
Every dose step, timing and the maximum
OpenSide effects
How common each one is vs placebo
OpenCost and savings
List price, self-pay and savings cards
OpenInsurance coverage
Prior authorization and appeals
OpenMissed dose
What the label says to do
OpenStorage
Fridge, room temperature and travel
OpenHow to take it
Step by step, from the label
OpenWarnings
Boxed warning and who shouldn't use it
OpenExplainer · 0:23
Read the transcript
- After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
- It slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel full sooner and stay full for longer.
- It also acts on appetite centers in the brain, which quiets hunger and constant thoughts about food.
- When blood sugar is high, it helps the pancreas release insulin. Tirzepatide also acts on a second gut hormone, GIP.
Compare Wegovy
Common questions
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk. It's a once weekly injection.
What is the starting dose of Wegovy?
The label starts at 0.25 mg, 4 weeks first. Increase every 4 weeks; if a step isn't tolerated, the label allows delaying the next increase by 4 weeks.
What is the highest dose of Wegovy?
The highest dose on the label is 2.4 mg once weekly (a higher-dose option has been reviewed in some markets; check the current label).
How much weight do people lose on Wegovy?
In STEP 1, people on 2.4 mg lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks, vs 2.4% on placebo. Results vary widely.
What if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
If the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it's less than 2 days away, skip it. If you miss more than 2 weeks, ask your prescriber how to restart.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error