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Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved injection for weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight. It has the same active ingredient that of Ozempic; the difference is Ozempic, with low dosage, is approved for treating type 2 diabetes while Wegovy, with higher dosage of maximum 2.4 mg, is considered pioneer in the realm of weight loss injections. Wegovy can be injected at home following the practitioner’s guidelines. Results, according to Wegovy, show an average weight loss of 35 lb in 68-week medical study. Side effects can vary from patient to patient, ranging from nausea to vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue.
How Does Wegovy Work? Mechanism
Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. When injected into the body, it mimics natural GLP-1 resulting in promoting insulin secretion, reducing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying to increase fullness.
Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection and is supplied as a clear, colorless solution in a pre-filled pen. The pens come in the following doses:
- 0.25 mg (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)
- 0.5 mg (0.5 mg/0.5 mL)
- 1.0 mg (1 mg/0.5 mL)
- 1.7 mg (1.7 mg/0.75 mL)
- 2.4 mg (2.4 mg/0.75 mL)
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Wegovy?
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI 27 kg/m2) with weight-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol can get Wegovy after consulting with a qualified general physician.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should refrain from using Wegovy, as there is limited medical data on its safety during pregnancy and lactation.
How to Prepare for Wegovy?
First of all, consultation with a board-certified general physician is essential in order if you are a right candidate for Wegovy. During the consultation, inform your doctor if you:
- Have a history of pancreatitis
- Have gallbladder disease
- Have personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN-2
- Are pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Are breastfeeding
Once you are declared fit, your healthcare provider at Euromed Clinic will proceed with the injection process. They will also teach you the right technique of injecting Wegovy so that you can inject it at your home as well.
How to Inject Wegovy At Home?
The procedure is quite simple; you only have to ensure that you have been prescribed by an authorized healthcare provider to use Wegovy for weight loss. The whole process can take hardly a minute, as it unfolds as:
- Choose your injection site; it can be your tummy, your thigh or the back of your arm.
- For starters, ensure that they have the starting dosage (0.25 mg) of Wegovy. This is a weekly dosage and it will increase every 4 weeks until you reach your maintenance dose of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg.
- After that, clean the injection site with an alcohol pad and let it dry.
- Check that the medicine in the Wegovy pen is clear and colorless.
- Remove the pen cap by pulling it directly off. You will notice that the needle, going into your skin, will be hidden inside the pen.
- Now it’s time to start the process. Go back to the injection site and position your pen so that you can see the pen window. Push the pen firmly against your skin and keep applying gentle pressure. You are going to hear two clicks; click one lets you know that the injection has started and click two lets you know that the injection is still going. You will keep applying pressure until the yellow bar has stopped moving. The injection takes about 5-10 seconds.
- Once the yellow bar stops moving, then your injection is complete. You can lift the pen off the skin.
- This pen is for single use only; therefore, it should be discarded in a sharps container.
Where Should Wegovy Be Injected?
Wegovy should be injected into areas with adequate subcutaneous fat, such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. However, make sure that you rotate the injection site with each dose to reduce the risk of irritation or skin complications.
Results of Wegovy
Wegovy provides realistic, productive results. In a 68-week medical study conducted by Wegovy, it was found that individuals with obesity or overweight lost on average 35 lb weight. However, they were instructed to adhere to a low-calorie diet and increase their physical activity.
What Are the Benefits of Wegovy Weight Loss Injections?
One of the primary benefits of Wegovy is that it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for weight management. There are other injectable medications as well that are sometimes used off-label for weight loss, but they may not have the same level of regulatory approval for this specific indication. Further benefits include:
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight
- Aids in controlling blood sugar levels
- Enables individuals to live on low-calorie intake
- Improves satiety and gives feeling of fullness
What Are the Side Effects of Wegovy?
One of the most common side effects of Wegovy, especially early in the treatment, is nausea.
- Diarrhea or constipation is common
- Stomach pain can occur early in the treatment
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Feeling bloated or gas
How Much Does Wegovy Cost in the UAE?
The cost of Wegovy in UAE is not fixed; it fluctuates with the time due to several reasons, including:
- Active offer
- Surplus of injections
- Shortage of injections on the market
| Duration | Dosage | Wegovy Injection Price |
| 1-4 Weeks | 0.25-0.5 mg | AED 1900 |
| 5-8 Weeks | 0.8-1 mg | AED 2200 |
| 9-12 Weeks | 1-1.6 mg | AED 2400 |
| 13-16 Weeks | 1.6 mg | AED 2500 |
| 16 Weeks and Onwards (maintenance dose) | 2.4 mg | AED 2800 |
Consultation
For more information regarding Wegovy, please call Euromed Clinic, Dubai at +971 4 894 5000. You can also reach out to Euromed via WhatsApp using the same number.
