Wegovy pen (Semaglutide)

Wegovy (Semaglutide) is a weight loss treatment now available in the UK. It helps users by making them feel a reduction in appetite by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the body. Alongside a balanced diet and an exercise regimen, it can help patients lose up to 3x more weight. 

Thinking of switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy? Contact us via chat, email or call 0208 262 3252.

Check out our Weight Loss Hub for more information, articles and support. 

How does Wegovy/Semaglutide work?

Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. 

GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking the natural effects of hormones called incretins, which control the functions of the pancreas.  GLP-1 agonists increase insulin production and reduce glucagon levels in the body. Doing this causes the stomach to slow down gastric emptying, making you feel fuller and ultimately helping patients to lose weight. 

The full patient information leaflet for Wegovy can be found here.

Unlike SAXENDA, Semaglutide only needs to be treated once weekly, making it an easier treatment to adhere to than daily injections.

If you would like to recycle your pens, you can do so through the pen-cycle service with Novo Nordisk. 

Order form - https://order-form.pen-cycle.co.uk/

You can find out more information here: https://www.pen-cycle.co.uk/insulin-patients/how-can-i-pencycle.html

What Vitamins Help With Weight Loss?

Alongside a balanced diet and exercise, several vitamins can help promote weight loss. Some of the key vitamins include Vitamin D, Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. Vitamin A supports fat metabolism and can also help regulate appetite. Vitamin B complex is essential for energy production and again, the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Vitamin C helps the body make carnitine, a compound that helps the body convert fat into energy.

Other Weight Loss Injections

Mounjaro is another weight loss injection that is available on the UK market. This is suitable for patients with a BMI over 30 or a BMI of 27-30 with an underlying health condition. 

The Wegovy weight loss injection comes in a prefilled pen. This pen allows you to inject the drug yourself.

Each Wegovy pen comes with 4 needles.

You should use a new needle every time when injecting yourself with this drug.

There are five different wegovy pen strengths. All contain 2 mg/1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL) of the drug, but the pens give different doses.

WEEKS 1 to 4 - Inject 0.25mg on the same day ONCE A WEEK - Starter Dose

WEEKS 5 to 8 - Inject 0.5mg on the same day ONCE A WEEK

WEEKS 9 to 12 - Inject 1mg on the same day ONCE A WEEK

WEEKS 13 to 16 - Inject 1.7mg on the same day ONCE A WEEK

WEEK 17 ONWARDS - MAINTENANCE DOSE - Inject 2.4mg on the same day ONCE A WEEK

1. Before each use, wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Prepare your pen. Check your pen to be sure the liquid medicine is clear, colorless and free of particles. If not, don’t use it.
3. Attach the needle. Pull off the outer and inner needle caps and throw them away. The wegovy pen should be used with Novo Nordisk disposable needles that are supplied with your pen. Always use a new needle for each injection.
4. Check the wegovy flow before your first injection with each new pen.
5. If you drop your pen or suspect a problem, attach a new needle and check the Wegovy flow before you inject.
6. Select your dose by dialing the pen to the dose that the doctor prescribed for you. If you select the wrong dose, you can turn the dose selector forward or backwards to the correct dose.
7. Wipe your skin using an alcohol pad at the place where you will inject and let it dry. Insert the needle into your skin in the stomach (abdomen), thigh or upper arm.
8. Press down on the center of the dose button to inject until “0 mg” lines up with the pointer.
9. Keep the dose button pressed down, keep the needle under the skin, and slowly count to 6 to make sure the full dose is injected. Keep your thumb on the injection button until you remove the needle from your skin.
10. Withdraw the needle from your injection site. If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball. Do not rub the area.
11. Carefully remove the needle from the pen and dispose of it in a sharps bin. Do not throw away loose needles and pens in your household rubbish.
12. Do not put the needle caps back on the needle to avoid needle sticks. Store your pen without the needle attached. DO NOT reuse or share needles.
13. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect wegovy from light.
14. Always keep your pen with you. Do not leave it in a car or other place where it can get too hot or too cold. Keep it out of reach of others, especially children and pets.

CHECK THE FLOW

1. The first time you use each new wegovy pen be sure to dial to the flow check symbol. You only need to do this once with each new pen. Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol lines up with pointer.
2. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Keep the needle pointing up and press the dose button until "0 mg" lines up with the pointer. A drop of wegovy will appear at the tip of the needle.
3. If there is no drop, repeat steps 1 and 2, up to 6 times, until a drop of wegovy appears at the needle tip. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat Step 1 and 2 one more time.

For proper administration and to make sure that this drug is suitable for you, follow all the precautionary measures that are mentioned here:

• Before taking this medication make sure that you are not allergic or intolerant to Semaglutide or any other ingredient present in this medication.
• If you are using any prescription or non-prescription medication, tell your doctor about it.
• If you have or ever had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), diabetic retinopathy or any kidney disease make sure you’re doctor knows about it.
• If you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before using this medication. If you are planning a pregnancy, your doctor will likely tell you to stop this drug two months before pregnancy.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than five days have passed since you’ve taken a dose, skip this missed dose and take the next one on the schedule.
• Before using the wegovy pen, make sure that the liquid in the pen is clear. Don’t use this pen if the liquid appears to be coloured, cloudy, thickened or contains particles.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) has some side effects but the majority of the times people don’t experience any side effects. But if you notice any of these side effects tell your doctor immediately.

The common side effects of this medication are fairly tolerable, they include burping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain.

Some serious side effects are decreased urination, water retention.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the above description and patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for “MHRA yellowcard” in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.