Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) should be injected under the skin once a week on the same day, at any time of the day, before or after food intake. The recommended wegovy dose for first time users is 0.25mg per week and must slowly increase over 20 weeks to maintain dose of 2.4 mg. This would help in minimizing the side effects. Each pen contains four doses lasting for a month. Administering the injection: Hold the Wegovy pen at a 90-degree angle against the skin, ensuring it is firmly pressed against the injection site. Press the button to deliver the medication. The injection process may take a few seconds. Once complete, remove the pen from the skin. By choosing fleshy areas of body such as upper arms, thighs or stomach (abdomen) can help the injection to hurt less. It is advised not to inject into your muscle or vein. It is better to shift injection sites to minimize discomfort and ensure optimal absorption.

• Upper arms: The fleshy area on the front of your upper arm above the elbow - however, this may not be the most comfortable way to administer your injection.
• Upper thighs: Similar to the upper arm, the front of your thigh provides ample injection space and often feels less sensitive. Injecting in the upper thigh can be more comfortable and easier to reach than the upper arm.
• Stomach (abdomen): The lower abdomen, two inches away from your belly button, can be another suitable location. However, consult your doctor for guidance if you have concerns about skin sensitivity in this area.

If you're still struggling to figure out where you should inject, it is better to divide the injection site into four separate sections. For each dosage you can pick one of the sections and rotate between them until all four injections have been used. Also, if you are injecting in a similar spot on the upper arm or thigh, you can insert the wegovy pen at least one finger width away from your previous injection site.

Like any medications using Wegovy causes side effects that often happens within the gastro-intestinal tract. These include nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Constipation etc. Other mild side effects can be headaches, abdominal pain, tiredness, heartburn, sore throat etc. All these side effects should disappear within few weeks on its own. If it becomes severe, then consulting your doctor or pharmacist is important. Serious side effects such as Low blood sugar levels (type 2 diabetes), Pancreatitis, Gall bladder problems, Diabetic eye problems, Risk of thyroid cancer, etc are reported in some cases.

Some patients have medical conditions which may not be suitable for using wegovy. Other factors may include cost, availability or side effects. Also, few may prefer oral medications over injections for weight loss treatments. You can explore the other treatment options provided below which would help you finding the right medication. Mounjaro- Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are used for weight loss treatment in the UK. Mounjaro (Trizepatide) utilises dual action performance, as GLP 1 and GIP agonist are approved for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss alike. Ozempic– The active ingredient in Wegovy, Semaglutide, is also found in Ozempic which controls the appetite and makes you feel satiety. The main difference is Wegovy has been officially licensed for weight loss while Ozempic is approved only for type 2 diabetes patients to manage their blood glucose levels. Saxenda– Wegovy and Saxenda are injectable pens have similar functions and side effects. But the key difference are active ingredient, frequency of dosages, etc Orlistat- It is available in form of capsules which absorbs up to 33% less fat from your diet aiding in weight loss for obese patients.

It is common that with obesity, the body faces a number of knock-on effects from this one condition. One of these, and arguably the most detrimental, is cardiovascular health. Patients who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of heart-related issues, like heart attacks, strokes and are at risk of dying early.

1. How does Wegovy help improve cardiovascular health?

Wegovy encourages weight loss, which lowers blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure—all major cardiovascular risk factors. Semaglutide also directly lowers inflammation and enhances endothelial function, both of which promote heart health. Wegovy can help you lose weight and improve your cardiovascular health over time when combined with lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise.

2. Has Wegovy been studied for its effects on cardiovascular events?

Indeed, Wegovy's effects on cardiovascular events and weight loss efficacy have been examined in the STEP and SELECT studies. In people who are overweight or obese, the SELECT study showed a significant decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths.

3. How quickly can cardiovascular benefits from Wegovy be observed?

After beginning Wegovy, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can all improve in a matter of weeks to months. Multi-year trials like SELECT have demonstrated that reductions in cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks or strokes, may become apparent over longer time periods. Nevertheless, since each person is unique, outcomes from certain trials and control groups may not always be replicated. You should see favorable outcomes if you keep your drug regimen regular and concentrate on your food and exercise.

4. Can Wegovy lower blood pressure?

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure are substantially decreased by Wegovy. In order to further improve cardiovascular and weight-related benefits, weight loss is primarily achieved by lowering the burden on the heart and improving vascular resistance by regular medication administration and suitable lifestyle modifications. By acting on GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide also promotes vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure. Clinical research has demonstrated that even slight weight loss with Wegovy is linked to quantifiable improvements in hypertension. Wegovy is an appealing option for people with high blood pressure and obesity because of these two benefits. Lower blood pressure improves cardiovascular health overall by lowering the risk of cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes.

5. Does Wegovy improve cholesterol levels?

Wegovy has a favorable effect on cholesterol levels, helping lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while slightly raising HDL cholesterol. These changes are crucial for reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque buildup narrows arteries and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Weight loss achieved with Wegovy reduces lipid accumulation in the liver and improves lipid metabolism.

6. Can Wegovy reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke?

Wegovy has a positive impact on cholesterol levels, assisting in the reduction of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol while somewhat increasing HDL cholesterol. Atherosclerosis, a disorder where plaque accumulation narrows arteries and raises the risk of cardiovascular events, can be prevented with these modifications. Wegovy-induced weight loss enhances lipid metabolism and decreases hepatic lipid buildup.

Wegovy (GLP-1s) can reduce the risk of Cancer

In recent news, weight loss jabs containing GLP-1 receptor agonists have been proven to reduce the risk of obesity-related cancer. A clinical trialconducted by Clalit Health Services included 6356 adults who were being treated for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Half of the test group were given bariatric surgery while the other received first-generation weight loss injectables, like liraglutide, exenatide or dulaglutide. After a follow-up that took place over 7.5 years, 298 patients had been diagnosed with weight-related cancer in both control groups. After weight loss from the surgery had been factored in, the study found that weight loss injections were 41% better at preventing obesity-linked cancers than bariatric surgery, which was 38%. Through combining this data, researchers have concluded that the use of GLP-1s alone can cut the risk of cancer by half.