Wegovy
Wegovy is the same molecule as Ozempic — semaglutide — but at higher doses, indicated specifically for chronic weight management. It was approved by the FDA in 2021 for adults and in 2022 for adolescents aged 12 and older. The maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly, more than twice the typical Ozempic maintenance dose. In clinical trials, adults on Wegovy lost an average of about 15% of starting body weight at 68 weeks, with continued treatment.
Educational reference only — your prescriber sets your actual schedule.
How Wegovy works
Wegovy uses semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, at higher doses optimized for appetite suppression and weight loss. By acting on appetite centers in the brain, slowing gastric emptying, and shifting food preference, it makes a calorie deficit easier to sustain. It is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not as a substitute for them.
Dose schedule
Wegovy uses a five-step titration: 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 2.4 mg weekly. Each step lasts four weeks before moving up, totaling 16 weeks to reach the maintenance dose. The slow titration is designed to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. If you do not tolerate a step-up, your prescriber may pause titration or even step you back down. Reference ladder only — your prescriber sets your actual schedule.
Common side effects
Same family of side effects as Ozempic, but more pronounced at the higher maintenance dose: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain. Many patients experience their worst side effects in the first 1-3 days after each step-up. Fatigue, headache, dizziness, and injection-site reactions are also common. Sulfur-tasting burps are widely reported.
Eligibility
Wegovy is FDA-approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. As of 2024 it is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.
Storage and handling
Wegovy pens are refrigerated until first use, then can be kept refrigerated or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Do not freeze. Each pen contains a single dose and is discarded after use.
Cost and insurance
List price is around $1,350 per month in the United States. Insurance coverage for weight-loss medications varies widely — many commercial plans cover Wegovy when criteria are met, Medicare currently has limited coverage, and Medicaid coverage varies by state. The Novo Nordisk savings program may reduce out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients with commercial insurance.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-24
Pair this guide with the iOS app.
Log your shot day, track side effects against the day-of-cycle curve, and chart your weight — all on your iPhone, never in the cloud. One-time $14.99.
Coming soon to the App Store