How Long Do You Take Wegovy for Weight Loss

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a popular FDA-approved weight loss injectable medication. This article will assist you in determining how long can you take Wegovy to achieve the desired weight loss and avoid Wegovy long-term side effects. You must consult with a registered healthcare service provider before you use or change the dose of any weight loss injections, e.g. Wegovy.

The FDA has approved Wegovy (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, for weight management treatment. It can be the best option for individuals who are worried about obesity and haven’t gotten any weight loss results through exercises and diets. If you are currently using Wegovy or plan to use it in the future, you may be interested in learning how long do you take Wegovy for weight loss. If YES! Please continue reading this article, where we discuss the average weight loss on Wegovy and share real-life Wegovy weight loss results.

How Does Wegovy Work

Wegovy is a brand name of semaglutide, a long-term injectable medication approved by the FDA for managing excessive body weight. This injectable medication helps reduce food intake because it mimics an appetite hormone called incretin, a natural glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone primarily produced in our digestive tract. The GLP-1 hormone is responsible for sending signals to the brain to regulate appetite. Also, it slows the gastric emptying process after you eat and makes you satiated for a long time. As a result, you eat less and consume fewer calories, which increases weight loss without feeling hungry. However, when combining this treatment with exercise, you can get more weight loss because your body uses stored fats for energy.

Semaglutide can also regulate blood sugar levels by promoting the release of insulin. People with type-2 diabetes can use the brand name Ozempic for weight loss. You cannot use any other GLP-1 receptor, such as Wegovy if you are already using one. If you wish to switch to a different brand name for any reason, you must consult with your doctor

How Long Does Wegovy Take to Work

Wegovy is a long-term injectable medication for weight loss that can be used once a week. The recommended starting dose is 0.25 mg and can be increased gradually every four weeks. The table given below shows the dosing schedule for Wegovy:

Weeks	Dose strength
Week 1-4	0.25 mg
Week 5-8	0.5 mg
Week 9-12	1 mg
Week 13-16	1.7 mg
Week 17 and onward	2.4 mg

At the starting 4 weeks the dose is small at 0.25 mg, so you may see a smaller weight loss. However, for noticeable weight loss, it takes at least 4-5 months but the treatment normally requires 15-17 months for desirable results.

How Long Do You Take Wegovy for Weight Loss

The length of obesity treatment using Wegovy may differ for each person, depending on their condition, age, eating habits, lifestyle, and weight loss goal. However, some studies show people achieve amazing weight loss results by using Wegovy.

Clinical Trial Report 2021:

A double-blind clinical trial conducted by Novo Nordisk involved 1961 adult candidates, some with a body weight of BMI ≥30 and other with BMI ≥27 who also had a chronic weight-related condition, such as blood pressure, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. The starting semaglutide dose for the participant was 0.25 mg, and we gradually increased it to 2.4 mg every four months. After 68 weeks from baseline, the participants who took semaglutide achieved an average weight loss of 14.9% from the baseline weight.

Wegovy Long-Term Side Effects

Wegovy has received approval as a safe and effective treatment for managing weight and heart-related diseases. Clinical trials have proven, albeit rare, that some people may experience adverse effects from this long-term weight loss treatment. These possible side effects include:

Common Side Effects

Nausea
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Dizziness
Headache
Flatulence
Low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes)

Serious Side Effects

Pancreatitis
Gallbladder disease
Kidney injury
Retinal problems (in people with type 2 diabetes)
Appendicitis (rare)
Thyroid cancer

If you face any issue or any sign of negative side effects, must contact your doctor. Then the doctor will suggest whether to stop of continue the treatment along with some prevention measures.

How to Get Wegovy Prescription for Weight Loss

To get Wegovy prescription for weight loss, the candidate must have a body mass index BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 along with a chronic weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. If Yes! Make an online or in-person consultation with a registered healthcare services provider. They will refer you to the doctor for evaluation, then the doctor will suggest Wegoney if needed or other treatment plans like diet and exercises.

Summary

If you haven’t experienced any potential side effects, you can continue using Wegovy for weight loss for a couple of months or even more than a year. However, considering how long do you take Wegovy for weight loss, this can be understood through a clinical trial in which people lose 14.9% of their weight from baseline to 68 weeks. For better weight loss results, proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes are required.

The doctor will gradually increase your dose every four months as per your condition and weight loss results. If you notice any long-term side effects from Wegovy, consult with a doctor to stop using it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do you lose weight on Wegovy?

When using Wegovy, you may notice a minor weight loss within a few weeks. But it takes a couple of months (at least 3–4 months) to see noticeable results. For better results, you may need to continue the treatment as long as a year or more.

Can I start Wegovy at 1.7 mg?

No! The recommended starting dosage of Wegovy for weight loss is 0.25 mg, which is recommended by its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. The doctor will suggest increasing it gradually every four months after analyzing your health condition and weight loss results.

How long does it take to lose weight on Wegovy?

Depending on the individual’s condition and weight loss goal, the treatment may range from 4 months to 17 months or more.

How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?

According to the clinical trial results conducted by Novo Nordisk, you may lose 2% of your weight after the first month, 4% after 2 months, 8% after 3 months, 10% after 4 months, 12% after 6 months, 14% after 14 months, and 15% or more after 17 months from the baseline weight.