Wegovy

Wegovy works by targeting several biological mechanisms involved in appetite regulation and metabolism, leading to significant weight loss:

Appetite Suppression: Semaglutide increases feelings of fullness (satiety) and reduces hunger by acting on the brain’s appetite regulation centers. It helps reduce the desire to eat, especially for people who struggle with constant hunger or cravings, which leads to a natural reduction in calorie intake.

Slowed Gastric Emptying: The drug slows down the movement of food through the stomach, making you feel full longer after eating. This effect helps to reduce overall food consumption and contributes to weight loss.

Increased Insulin Sensitivity: Semaglutide enhances insulin sensitivity, meaning it helps your body process sugar more efficiently. While this is beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, it may also help with weight management by reducing fat storage and promoting fat utilization.

Reduced Fat Storage: The drug has been shown to help reduce fat storage, which is crucial for weight loss. The balance between calories in and calories out is shifted toward burning fat rather than storing it.

• In clinical trials, semaglutide 2.4 mg has been shown to produce weight loss of 15-20% of body weightover about 12 months. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, this could translate to a weight loss of about 30-40 pounds.
• The amount of weight loss varies by individual, and some people may lose more or less depending on factors such as diet, exercise, and adherence to the medication.

Like all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them. The most common side effects are related to the gastrointestinal system and often improve over time:

• Common Side Effects:

1. Nausea (especially when starting the medication or increasing the dose)
2. Diarrhea
3. Vomiting
4. Constipation
5. Abdominal pain or discomfort
6. Indigestion

• Serious Side Effects

1. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms.
2. Thyroid tumors: There have been concerns about a potential increased risk of thyroid tumors in animals, but it’s not clear if this applies to humans. Ozempic is not recommended for people with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
3. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Ozempic alone usually does not cause low blood sugar, but if combined with other diabetes medications (e.g., insulin or sulfonylureas), there may be an increased risk of hypoglycemia.

• Other Considerations:(rare but important to know):

1. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
2. Thyroid tumors: There is a potential increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer and thyroid C-cell tumors based on studies in rodents, though this has not been definitively shown in humans. As a precaution, Wegovy is not recommended for people with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
3. Kidney issues: Some individuals may experience kidney problems, especially if they become dehydrated due to gastrointestinal side effects like vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Wegovy alone does not typically cause hypoglycemia, but when combined with other diabetes medications (like insulin), there is a risk of low blood sugar.

• Other Considerations:

Wegovy has been shown to be highly effective in helping people with obesity or overweight lose weight. In clinical trials, people using Wegovy lost significantly more weight compared to those using a placebo. Here are the key findings:

STEP Trials:

• The STEP trials (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) were conducted to assess the effects of Wegovy on weight loss:
• In STEP 1, patients without diabetes who took semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly for 68 weeks lost an average of 15-20% of their body weight. This was a significant improvement compared to the placebo group, which lost only around 2.4%.
• STEP 4: In a continuation of the STEP trials, people who maintained their treatment with Wegovy over an additional 68 weeks saw continued weight loss or maintenance of weight loss of around 17-18% of body weight.

Other Studies:

• In people with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide (administered as Ozempic) led to 5-10% weight loss, along with improved blood sugar control.
• In individuals with overweight and obesity, Wegovy has been shown to lead to substantial reductions in body fat, particularly abdominal fat, which is a major contributor to metabolic health risks.

Prepare the Wegovy Pen

• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the pen and the needle.
• Check the medication: Ensure the Wegovy pen has not expired and is stored correctly. Wegovy should be refrigerated before use, but once opened, it can be kept at room temperature (below 86°F or 30°C) for up to 28 days.
• Inspect the solution: Make sure the medication is clear and colorless. Do not use the pen if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.

Attach the Needle

• Remove the outer cap from the Wegovy pen.
• Remove a new needle from the package, and carefully remove the protective outer cap from the needle.
• Screw the needle onto the pen by twisting it securely until it's attached properly.

Prime the Pen

Priming the pen ensures that you get a full dose and removes any air bubbles from the needle.

• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up.
• Turn the dose selector to 0.25 mg (the initial starting dose) or to the prescribed dose (your doctor will guide you on this).
• Press the injection button all the way down to ensure a drop of medication appears at the tip of the needle. This confirms the pen is ready for use.
• If no drop appears, repeat the priming process until a drop is visible.

Set the Dose

• After priming, set the dose on the pen to the prescribed amount by turning the dose selector.

1. Starting dose: Typically, Wegovy is started at 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks.
2. Dose increase: After 4 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose to 0.5 mg, then to 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and finally to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg (the highest recommended dose).

Choose the Injection Site

• Injection sites for Wegovy include:

1. Thigh (outer or front part)
2. Abdomen (avoid a 2-inch area around the navel)
3. Upper arm (back of the upper arm)

It’s important to rotate your injection sites each week to avoid irritation. Try not to inject into the same spot twice in a row.

Inject the Medication

• Pinch a fold of skin around the chosen injection site to lift the tissue slightly.
• Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle (straight in) into the pinched skin.
• Press the injection button fully to deliver the medication. Hold the button down for about 5-10 seconds to ensure the full dose is administered.
• Release the pinch and remove the needle from your skin.

Dispose of the Needle

• After the injection, remove the needle carefully by unscrewing it from the pen.
• Dispose of the needle in a sharps container. Do not throw used needles in the regular trash.

Store the Pen

• After use, place the cap back on the pen to protect it.
• Store the pen as instructed: if you're using it within the 28-day window, you can store it at room temperature. If you're not using it, keep it in the refrigerator.

Record Your Injection

Make a note of the date and injection site so you can track your weekly injections and avoid injecting into the same spot consecutively.