Wegovy side effects

Common Wegovy side effects may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, stomach flu symptoms, headache, dizziness, tiredness, runny nose or sore throat, and low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes).

Serious Wegovy side effects

Allergic reaction – get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeats, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You should call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of other serious Wegovy side effects, including:

• vision changes;
• unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• signs of a thyroid tumor – swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
• symptoms of pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;
• gallbladder problems – upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low blood sugar – headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;
• kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• stomach flu symptoms – stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody).

Who should not use Wegovy?

Allergies to Ingredients.ÂPeople who are allergic to any of the following should not use Wegovy.

• Semaglutide
• Wegovy
• Rybelsus
• Ozempic
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Wegovy.

Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Wegovy should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your healthcare provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.

Pregnancy.ÂDo not take Wegovy if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. See the PregnancyÂsection below for more details.

What should I know about Wegovy before using it?

Follow the instructions for use when using Wegovy for the first time or when you have not used it in a while.

Do not use Wegovy unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Wegovy with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Wegovy out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Wegovy can affect your alertness or coordination by causing dizziness. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Wegovy affects you.

People who are 75 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Wegovy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.

Use Wegovy on the same day each week, at any time of day.

Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Wegovy by rotating where you inject it.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Wegovy?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Wegovy is right for you.

What other drugs will affect Wegovy?

Wegovy can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially insulin or other diabetes medicines, such as dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, Byetta, Trulicity, Victoza, and others.

Other drugs may affect Wegovy, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Does Wegovy interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Wegovy and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Wegovy. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Wegovy.

Wegovy Dosing Information

The dose starts low and escalates to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.

Initial Wegovy Dose Escalation Schedule for patients aged 12 years and older:

• Weeks 1 through 4 (month one): 0.25 mg subcutaneously once a week
• Weeks 5 through 8 (month two): 0.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
• Weeks 9 through 12 (month three): 1 mg subcutaneously once a week
• Weeks 13 through 16 (month four): 1.7 mg subcutaneously once a week

Maintenance Wegovy  Dose:

• Week 17 and onward: 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a week. See additional notes below about maintenance dosing.

Maintenance Dosage Adult Patients. The maintenance dosage is 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. If the patient does not tolerate the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dosage, then the dosage can be temporarily decreased to 1.7 mg once a week, for a maximum of 4 weeks. After four weeks, the dose should be increased to the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dosage. Discontinue this medicine if the patient cannot tolerate the 2.4 mg dosage.

Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older. The recommended maintenance dosage of Wegovy is 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. If the patient does not tolerate the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dosage, the maintenance dosage may be reduced to 1.7 mg once weekly. Discontinue this medicine if the patient cannot tolerate the 1.7 mg dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Use the medicine as soon as possible and then return to your regular schedule. But If your next dose is due in less than two days (48 hours), skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Call your doctor if you miss more than two doses in a row of Wegovy. You may need to restart the medicine at a lower dose to avoid stomach problems.
• Do not use two doses of semaglutide at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Overdose may cause severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar.

StorageÂ

Wegovy single-dose pen:

• Wegovy should be stored in refrigerator from 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).Â
• If needed (prior to cap removal), the pen can be kept from 8°C to 30°C (46°F to 86°F) for up to 28 days.Â
• Do not freeze.Â
• Protect Wegovy from light, and it must be kept in the original carton until time of administration. Discard the Wegovy pen after use.