Semaglutide (obesity)
WEGOVY
Pronunciation: sem-a-GLOO-tide (wee-GOE-vee)
“(Rebel, Olympic, & Wig governor) See my glue tide”
Glasses on the mascots → “see my glue tide”
Rebel saying “You ain’t injectin’ me!” → Rybelsus is oral, unlike Ozempic/Wegovy
What it isGLP-1 receptor agonist formulation for chronic weight management in obesity.
Why this oneUnlike diabetes-branded semaglutide, it is labeled specifically for obesity treatment and cardiovascular risk reduction.
What limits itGI intolerance often limits escalation. Delayed gastric emptying matters before anesthesia; gallbladder disease can end treatment.
Semaglutide (obesity) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Obesity meds (1959–2026). Semaglutide (obesity) enters in 2018 (estimated).
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryNot assigned — PLLR-era drug
Defining liabilityGI intolerance, gallbladder disease and rare pancreatitis; hypoglycemia is uncommon without insulin or sulfonylureas.
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce MACE risk (established CVD + obesity/overweight) | Adults | 0.25 mg SC once weekly x4 wk | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once weekly | 2.4 mg once weekly |
| Chronic weight management (obesity, or overweight with ≥1 comorbidity) | Adults | 0.25 mg SC once weekly, escalate q4wk (0.5 → 1 → 1.7) | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once weekly | 2.4 mg once weekly |
| Chronic weight management (obesity) | Pediatric ≥12 y | 0.25 mg SC once weekly, escalate q4wk (0.5 → 1 → 1.7) | 2.4 mg once weekly (may reduce to 1.7 mg if intolerant) | 2.4 mg once weekly |
Titration Escalate every 4 weeks (may delay escalation 4 weeks if not tolerated)
Renal No adjustment needed
Hepatic No adjustment needed
Do not coadminister with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonists; once-weekly dosing (missed dose: give if next dose >2 days away)
Instructions
- Inject subcutaneously in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, same day each week, any time, with or without meals
- Use in combination with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
- In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose
Available strengths
- inj 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.4, 7.2 mg (SQ)
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Cautions
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Hypoglycemia (with insulin or insulin secretagogue)
- Acute kidney injury
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Diabetic retinopathy complications (type 2 diabetes)
- Heart rate increase
- Suicidal behavior and ideation
Adverse reactions
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dyspepsia
- Dizziness
Pregnancy May cause fetal harm; weight loss offers no benefit in pregnancy — discontinue when pregnancy recognized; discontinue ≥2 months before a planned pregnancy
Lactation No human data; present in rat milk; consider benefits vs risk
Cost
| Strength | #/mo | generic $/unit | brand $/unit | CostPlus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | inj | per unit | — | $653.29/mL | not offered |
| 0.5 mg | inj | per unit | — | $653.27/mL | not offered |
| 1 mg | inj | per unit | — | $653.04/mL | not offered |
| 1.7 mg | inj | per unit | — | $435.56/mL | not offered |
| 2.4 mg | inj | per unit | — | $435.53/mL | not offered |
| 7.2 mg | inj | per unit | — | $434.95/mL | not offered |
Other forms: Semaglutide (OZEMPIC, WEGOVY) · Semaglutide oral (RYBELSUS) · Semaglutide oral (obesity) (WEGOVY (oral))
Open Semaglutide (obesity) in the interactive console ↗
Memory aids: interaction avatars
Open Semaglutide (obesity) in the interactive console ↗
Self-check
- What distinguishes Wegovy labeling from diabetes-branded semaglutide?
Obesity treatment and cardiovascular risk reduction. - What commonly limits Wegovy dose escalation?
GI intolerance.