Wegovy for Weight Loss: Supplement Review

Written by Jordyn King BS, MS Nutrition

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a 2.4 mg FDA approved prescribed self administered injection used for obese or overweight adults who also have weight-related medical problems. This medication was recently approved by theFDA on June 4, 2021. This is the first new drug for chronic weight management that has been approved since 2014. It is used directly for weight loss. This medication is used with a doctor-approved exercise regimen, behavior change, and reduced-calorie diet program to help you lose weight. Wegovy should be used with a reduced calorie meal plan and increased physical activity. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. GLP-1 is a natural hormone in your body that acts on your brain to regulate your appetite and food intake. Thus, by acting like GLP-1, Wegovy is an appetite suppressant which lowers your appetite and seeks out how much food you eat to help you lose weight. The typical starting dose for Wegovy is 0.25 mg injected under your skin once a week for 4 weeks (1 month). You will use a higher dose every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once a week.

Side Effects 

Wegovy has been known to cause serious side effects, including possible thyroid tumors and cancer. The other severe side effects may include increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those who also take medicines for type 2 diabetes such as sulfonylureas or insulin, gallbladder problems including gallstones, inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis), kidney problems, serious allergic reactions, change in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes, depression and increased heart rate. More common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu and heartburn.

The Reviews of Wegovy injection...

From the small reviews I had found (since this is a new product), most were positive reviews; however, some were not. The common side effects from the users included was fatigue and nausea for the first few administrations of the injections. The other problems included that some users lost weight very slowly and took time; however, there were results suggesting that all users lost weight while on Wegovy. Users reported that it definitely suppresses your appetite. Most individuals who take Wegovy lose around 15% of their body weight. However, the cost of this product ranges from $1300 to $1500 (depending on the pharmacy). Certain private insurance companies like Medicaid do cover obesity drugs.

In Conclusion… 

As a nutritional professional I would not recommend taking Wegovy unless you are an individual with a BMI over 30 that has found it impossible to lose weight the natural way (reducing your calorie intake while increasing your physical activity). For some individuals, it can be extremely challenging to lose weight naturally, however this medication does seem to provide a possible weight loss solution. Obesity is a chronic issue that requires long term management and can be associated with other health risks. However, taking this product may cause serious and common side effects. Wegovy for weight loss is designed to gradually increase dosage over time to minimize side effects. Remember to talk to your doctor if you are interested in taking Wegovy because it can cause interactions with other presciption medications individuals may be taking as well. Additionally, this is a product where individuals have to be ready to make a lifestyle change to lose the weight. If you decide to take this medication, before starting Wegovy (semaglutide), read the instructions carefully on how to administer the medication correctly.

If you are interested in a long-term weight loss solution, check out The Millennial Nutritionist’s 3 month weight loss program. Through calorie tracking and sustainability lifestyle changes, many clients have successful weight loss during the program and after. Get started today!