Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Lose Weight & Keep It Off.
What Is Wegovy
Wegovy is a prescription weight loss injection pen for adults with obesity or overweight issues.
It must be used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie meal and increased physical activity.
It’s active ingredient is Semaglutide.
What is Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a type of medicine called GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Semaglutide mimics a hormone produced by the body called glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone plays an important role in regulating our appetite.
How Does Wegovy Work
Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in regulating our appetite and food intake.
It signals to the brain into feeling fuller for extended period of time with lesser calories meal, thus making you to consume less. This can lead to weight loss (without hunger).
Wegovy is administered once a week. It is generally injected subcutaneously into the abdomen or thigh.
How Wegovy Helps
With Weight Loss
How Wegovy Helps
With Weight Loss
Wegovy helps to reduce appetite by slowing down gastric motility. This reduction in calories is also coupled with a reduction in leptin levels which results in weight loss over time.
Wegovy helps to improve your metabolism over time through its effects on leptin levels.
Wegovy helps to change our biochemistry in the body, allowing for weight loss to occur and keep off the weight that you are losing.
Wegovy helps to reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. This activates hormone-sensitive lipase and results in more fat burning over time.
Wegovy helps to reduce hyperglucagonemia (lower glucagon levels) which promotes normal glucose metabolism in the body and in the liver.
Wegovy Side Effects
The most common possible side effects when using Wegovy are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. These side effects are usually mild and normally decrease with continued use.
It is important to note, Wegovy is a prescribed medicine. It is not a supplement. Usage of Wegovy has to be monitored by a healthcare provider.
Wegovy vs Ozempic vs Saxenda
Wegovy | Ozempic | Saxenda | |
|---|---|---|---|
Ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide | Liraglutide |
Dosage | Once a week | Once a week | Once a day |
Approved Indication | Weight Management | Type 2 Diabetes | Weight Management |
Wegovy vs Ozempic
They both (including Saxenda) are by the same makers, Novo Nordisk.
Ozempic has been approved in clinical trials to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and there are cases of Ozempic being used as off-label1 treatment for weight loss.
Wegovy on the other hand has been approved in clinical trials and design for weight management. The key difference between the two is its dose and concentration.
Off-label1: Unapproved use of an approved drug,
Wegovy In Malaysia
Wegovy obtained approval (April 2023) from the health authorities (NPRA) in Malaysia as a prescription medicine. However, due to a worldwide shortage, there are currently no plans for it to be available for sale in Malaysia.
Nevertheless, there is an alternative weight management medication approved in Malaysia that functions similarly to Wegovy and is produced by the same company. The main distinction lies in the active ingredient and dosage of the alternative medication. Learn more.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes?
Discover how Ozempic can help manage your blood sugar levels. Click here to learn more.
