Is Wegovy just an appetite suppressant?

Asked by: Myles Howell IV  |  Last update: August 21, 2023
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug, semaglutide, but come in different doses. They work as appetite suppressants and help control blood sugar levels by prompting the body to release insulin.

How quickly do you see weight loss with Wegovy?

In clinical trials, Wegovy was shown to reduce body weight in people with body mass indexes, or BMIs, of 27 or greater by around 15% over 68 weeks. People on average lost about an eighth of that weight in the first month.

What appetite suppressant is similar to Wegovy?

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

It works in exactly the same way as Wegovy - by making users feel full so they eat less and lose weight.

Is Wegovy a slimming drug?

Wegovy® is an injectable prescription medication for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (excess weight) (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose weight and keep it off. Wegovy® should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.

Do you gain weight back after using Wegovy?

Most people do regain weight after stopping Wegovy. One study looked at people a year after stopping semaglutide and lifestyle intervention, which consisted of diet counselling every 4 weeks and 150 minutes of physical activity per week. The study showed they regained two-thirds of the weight they'd lost on the drug.

Doctors explain how Wegovy and Ozempic work | 60 Minutes

40 related questions found

What is the average weight loss per month with Wegovy?

That's 5.5 lbs per month (1.3 lbs per week). Although impressive, many people lose more than that with diet and exercise.

How much weight do people typically lose on Wegovy?

How many people lose weight with Wegovy? In the 68-week studies: 83% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more of their weight compared to 31% of people taking a placebo. 66% of adults taking Wegovy lost 10% or more of their weight compared to 12% of people taking a placebo.

How long does it take for Wegovy to start working?

Weight loss may begin within the first 4 weeks of treatment with Wegovy, but the full effects of treatment may not be seen for several months or longer. In studies, weight loss in adults was assessed over a 68-week period.

What diet works best with Wegovy?

Eating fruits and vegetables is a great choice while taking Wegovy. These foods are high in fiber which promotes feelings of fullness and satiety. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for your overall health and well-being.

Does Wegovy cause hair loss?

Hair loss is not listed as a side effect of Ozempic, but in clinical trials for Wegovy, 3% of people reported hair loss, compared to 1% of people who got a placebo. (While Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug, Wegovy is given at a higher dose.)

Is there an OTC version of Wegovy?

For those hoping to shed some extra pounds, it's natural to wonder if there's an over-the-counter equivalent to Wegovy. Unfortunately, the answer is no. As of now, Wegovy, a medication approved by the FDA in 2021 for weight loss, is only available by prescription.

Why is Wegovy so effective?

Wegovy can lead to weight loss because it is designed to suppress appetite so you eat less. It mimics the action of a gut hormone called GLP-1, which is released after eating, and it slows down the movement of food in your gut so you stay full for longer.

Does anyone gain weight on Wegovy?

Wegovy has been called "a major breakthrough" given how well it works to reduce body weight. But the injection drug is extremely expensive and when people can't afford to stay on it, they experience rebound weight gain that's hard to stop.

What are the long term effects of taking Wegovy?

Examples of long-term side effects that may occur with this drug include:
  • gallbladder problems.
  • kidney problems.
  • diabetic eye problems.
  • depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

What are the side effects of Wegovy after eating?

Common side effects of Wegovy® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu, and heartburn.

What are the after effects of Wegovy?

The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include:
  • Stomach (abdomen) pain.
  • Headache.
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Upset stomach.
  • Dizziness.
  • Feeling bloated.
  • Belching.
  • Gas.

How many calories a day should I eat on Wegovy?

The 'Wegovy diet', otherwise known as the 'semaglutide diet', isn't as scary as it sounds – yes, food is still on the menu, but you will need to lower your calorie intake to around 1200-1500 calories per day.

Is Wegovy like metformin?

In summary, metformin and Wegovy are two different medications that are used to treat different conditions. Metformin is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes while Wegovy is used for weight loss in patients with obesity.

What foods to avoid while taking semaglutide?

Avoiding fatty foods with Ozempic®

Same goes for foods high in saturated fat—think: greasy pizza, buttery cream-based pasta sauce, high-fat dairy, and fast food.

How much weight can you lose in 4 weeks with semaglutide?

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that after just four weeks of taking semaglutide, patients experienced more than a 2% reduction in body weight. This weight loss continued in the 68-week study, with patients ultimately losing an average of 14.9% of their body weight.

What is the best injection for weight loss?

Some of the most effective prescription injectable weight loss medications available include: Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy - these are diabetes drugs originally and now used to treat obesity. Although these injectable drugs can help users lose weight there are some dangers and caveats!

Is dehydration a side effect of Wegovy?

Diarrhoea is another common side effect of your medication. One of the most important things to do if you're experiencing diarrhoea is to stay hydrated. Dehydration can be a serious risk, but drinking lots of water and using oral rehydration sachets or tablets can help.

What is the monthly cost of Wegovy?

Common questions about Wegovy pricing

GoodRx offers free coupons for Wegovy which can lower the price to as little as $1,308.25 per month; a savings of 23% off the retail price.

How Adele lost 100 pounds?

Adele credits her weight loss transformation to working out and has dismissed any ideas that she'd taken on a rigorous diet plan. She told British Vogue: "No intermittent fasting. Nothing. If anything I eat more than I used to because I work out so hard."