Wegovy is a prescription medicine that’s making waves in weight management. Approved for use in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), alongside lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, Wegovy is designed to help adults struggling with excess weight and obesity. This medication, known generically as semaglutide, offers a new avenue for individuals seeking effective weight management solutions under specialist medical supervision.
Currently, access to Wegovy on the NHS is through specialist weight management clinics. If you believe Wegovy might be beneficial for you, the first step is to consult your General Practitioner (GP). They can assess your suitability and, if appropriate, refer you to a specialist clinic for further evaluation.
Wegovy is administered via a pre-filled injection pen, designed for convenient weekly self-injection. The injection can be given under the skin in areas like the upper arms, stomach, thighs, or buttocks, offering flexibility in administration sites.
It’s important to note that Wegovy is one of two weight loss injections currently available on the NHS, the other being Saxenda (liraglutide). Both medications represent advancements in non-surgical weight management options.
Adding to its significance, in July 2024, Wegovy received approval to address a broader health concern. It is now also approved to help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in individuals diagnosed with pre-existing heart and circulatory diseases who are also classified as overweight or obese (with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher). This landmark approval marks Wegovy as the first obesity medication authorized for prescription specifically to reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases in people with excess weight or obesity, as stated by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
While this expanded approval is significant, details regarding which NHS doctors and clinics will be authorized to prescribe Wegovy for heart disease risk reduction are still pending.
How Wegovy Works in the Body
Wegovy’s mechanism of action is rooted in how it interacts with the brain to regulate appetite. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications mimic the action of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 plays a crucial role in appetite regulation and blood sugar control.
Wegovy works by targeting areas in the brain that govern appetite. It effectively enhances feelings of fullness and satiety, meaning you feel satisfied with smaller portions of food. Simultaneously, it diminishes feelings of hunger, reducing the urge to eat more frequently. Furthermore, Wegovy can reduce cravings for high-fat foods, helping individuals make healthier dietary choices.
Beyond appetite regulation, semaglutide also impacts blood sugar levels. It promotes the release of insulin from the pancreas when blood sugar levels are elevated. This effect is also leveraged in another medication containing semaglutide, Ozempic, which is specifically prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Ozempic focuses on blood sugar reduction, while Wegovy, containing a higher dose of semaglutide, is geared towards weight management.
NHS Availability and Eligibility for Wegovy
Accessing Wegovy treatment on the NHS is contingent on meeting specific eligibility criteria and referral to a specialist weight management service. You may be considered for Wegovy treatment if you meet the following conditions:
- Weight-related health conditions: You must have a health condition directly linked to your weight. These conditions can include high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), or established cardiovascular disease.
- Obesity classification: Your obesity must be classified as a BMI of 35 or greater. This BMI threshold indicates a higher level of obesity and associated health risks.
- Unsuccessful conventional weight loss attempts: You must have previously attempted to lose weight through traditional methods, such as diet and exercise programs, without achieving significant or sustained weight loss. This criterion ensures that Wegovy is considered for those who have not responded adequately to standard weight management approaches.
In certain circumstances, Wegovy prescription may be considered for individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.9. This is typically applicable if you have been referred to a specialist weight management clinic and have co-existing health issues related to your weight.
It’s also important to recognize that BMI thresholds may be adjusted based on ethnicity. Individuals from Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds may qualify for Wegovy with a lower BMI due to differing risk profiles associated with BMI in these populations.
How Effective is Wegovy for Weight Loss?
Clinical trials have provided robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of Wegovy for weight loss. A significant study published in 2021 in the New England Journal of Medicine, funded by Wegovy’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk, investigated the efficacy of weekly semaglutide injections in adults with obesity.
This 15-month study combined Wegovy treatment with lifestyle support from healthcare professionals, which included guidance on a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The results demonstrated that participants using Wegovy, alongside lifestyle modifications, achieved an average weight loss of 15% of their initial body weight.
In stark contrast, a control group in the same study, who received placebo (dummy) injections but the same lifestyle support, experienced an average weight loss of only 2.4% of their body weight. This significant difference highlights the substantial impact of Wegovy in facilitating weight loss beyond lifestyle changes alone.
The study also reported additional health benefits associated with Wegovy treatment, including a reduction in waist circumference and lower blood pressure levels, further underscoring the positive impact of the medication on overall health markers.
The 2023 New England Journal of Medicine research that supported the MHRA’s approval for cardiovascular risk reduction involved a large-scale trial with 17,604 participants followed for up to five years. Participants received either weekly Wegovy injections or placebo injections.
The findings revealed a compelling 20% lower risk of death from heart and circulatory disease, heart attack, or stroke in the Wegovy group compared to the placebo group. Specifically, only 6.5% of participants in the Wegovy group experienced a major heart event, compared to 8% in the placebo group, demonstrating a clinically meaningful reduction in cardiovascular risk.
The Importance of Diet and Exercise Alongside Wegovy
While Wegovy is a powerful tool for weight management, it is not a standalone solution. To maximize its benefits and achieve sustainable weight loss, it is crucial to incorporate dietary changes and regular exercise into your routine.
Making changes to your diet to reduce calorie intake and engaging in regular physical activity are essential components of a comprehensive weight management plan when using Wegovy. These lifestyle modifications work synergistically with the medication to enhance weight loss and improve overall health.
Adopting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity will not only help you achieve greater weight loss while taking Wegovy but also play a vital role in preventing weight regain once you stop taking the medication. Your specialist weight management clinic should provide comprehensive support and guidance in making these necessary lifestyle changes.
Potential Side Effects and Long-Term Considerations
As with all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), and diarrhea. These side effects are typically mild to moderate and often subside over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
Although less common, more serious side effects are possible. These include gall bladder disease, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and kidney problems. It’s important to be aware of these potential risks and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Currently, NHS treatment with Wegovy is typically limited to a duration of two years. The long-term effects and risks associated with extended Wegovy use are still being studied. Ongoing research is essential to fully understand the long-term safety profile of this medication.
Explore Further: Weight Loss Injections and Health Risks
Read more about the broader context of weight loss injections and their impact on health risks.
