Wegovy (Semaglutide): How It Works, Who It’s For & What to Expect
By Dr. Vishesh Bharucha +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vishesh Bharucha
Last updated: Aug 19, 2025 Published on: Aug 19, 2025
Get,
to manage your symptom
Get your,
4 Cr+ families
benefitted
OTP sent to 9988776655
You’ve successfully subscribed to receive
doctor-approved tips on
Whatsapp
Get ready to feel your best.
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
Hi There,
Sign up on PharmEasy now!!
Trusted by 4 crore+ families
OTP sent to 9988776655
You have unlocked 25% off on medicines
Code: NU25
By Dr. Vishesh Bharucha +2 more
Table of Contents
Obesity is becoming a common health issue around the world. Experts say that by 2035, more than half of the global population may be overweight or obese. Having a high body weight was linked to around 4 million deaths worldwide in 20151.
To help manage this problem, doctors now use a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. This group of medicines aids in lowering blood sugar levels by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon hormones. This may help to make you feel full sooner, eat less, and lose weight1,2. Some other GLP-1 medicines available today include semaglutide (sold as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus), tirzepatide (Mounjaro – a medicine that acts on both GIP and GLP1 receptors, sometimes called a “twincretin”), and liraglutide2,3.
Although initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, now certain medicines under this group like Wegovy injection are used for aiding weight loss in those who are overweight or obese along with other health problems4,5.
So, let’s discuss about Wegovy (semaglutide) in this blog. We’ll explain how Wegovy works, who it is for, Wegovy’s side effects and how it should be taken.
Wegovy is pronounced as Wē-GŌ-Vee (wee-GOH-vee). The name is broken into three parts to help pronounce it easily. By pronouncing it correctly, you can communicate clearly with your doctor or pharmacist about this medication4.
Wegovy is a prescription medicine that comes as an injection. It contains semaglutide as the main ingredient. It is used to help with long-term weight management in people who are overweight or have obesity4,6.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approves medicines for safety and use, approved Wegovy in 2021 for use in adults with obesity (body mass index, BMI, of 30 kg/m² or higher) or overweight (BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher) plus at least one weight related health problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes7,8. It should be used along with a healthy diet and physical activity. In 2022, it was also approved for teens aged 12 years and older with obesity.
The FDA approved Wegovy in March 2024 to be used as a drug for reducing the risk of heart problems like heart attack, stroke, or death in adults who have heart disease along with obesity or overweight5,10.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide as the main ingredient, but they are approved for different reasons. They have different dose strengths and come in different types of injection pens. Ozempic was approved in 2017 to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and is supplied in multidose pens, while Wegovy is for weight loss and available as single use pens4,11.
Both medicines are given as a weekly injection, but the dose of Ozempic ranges from 0.5 mg to 2 mg, while Wegovy dosing is higher, 2.4 mg for weight loss9. Let’s now look in detail at how does Wegovy work.
Wegovy works by copying a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, which helps to control blood sugar and appetite. The semaglutide in Wegovy is 94% similar to natural GLP1 but is slightly modified so it stays in the body longer. These changes stop it from being broken down quickly by an enzyme called DPP4 and help it attach to a protein in the blood called albumin. Thus, it only needs to be taken once a week.
It activates the same receptors in the body, which are present in the gut, pancreas, and brain. This action helps the pancreas to release insulin when the blood sugar goes high. It also reduces the release of glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar). Wegovy also slows down how fast food leaves the stomach, helping you feel full longer. It acts on the brain, especially in an area called the hypothalamus which controls hunger and fullness, to reduce hunger and food cravings, making one feel full sooner. These combined actions help maintain blood sugar levels and also show promising results in reducing body weight in obese patients, with or without diabetes6,12.
Wegovy can help people who meet certain health conditions and age requirements. It may be prescribed to :
But it should not be used by people with some medical risks especially those who have:
Wegovy has to be taken as a weekly once injection. The dose is slowly increased over time to help reduce Wegovy side effects. This is how doctors usually increase the dose step by step4:
| Week | Wegovy Dosing |
| Weeks 1–4 | 0.25 mg weekly |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5 mg weekly |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1.0 mg weekly |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7 mg weekly |
| Week 17+ | 2.4 mg weekly (or continue 1.7 mg if advised by your doctor) |
This Wegovy dosage chart may also be modified by your doctor based on individual health condition. This injection can be taken on any day of the week, at any time, with or without food. It is usually given as an injection under the skin of the stomach, upper arm, or thigh, not in a muscle or vein. The injection site should be rotated to avoid the same spot every time.
Wegovy doesn’t cause you to reduce weight suddenly. Once you start on Wegovy, you may notice slowly your weight reducing over time. Most people start seeing weight loss by week 4, but it becomes more noticeable by week 8 or later, especially after reaching the full dose (1.7 mg or 2.4 mg). How much weight you lose can depend on your starting weight, how regularly you take it, and your diet and activity level13.
Studies show that people may lose upto 15% body weight, approximately between 6 to 12 kgs over 68 weeks when using Wegovy, when taken along with following healthy eating habits and physical activity13. Long-terms trials are limited, but an emerging study suggests that weight loss with Wegovy can be sustained for about 4 years meaning that the effect may last if you keep using Wegovy14.
Those without diabetes may experience greater weight loss and better results, especially when the full dose is taken regularly as advised by doctor. Also remember, Wegovy alone may not give the best result. You should continue with proper diet with low calories and engage in physical activity. So don’t think it’s a quick fix too, it will take some time to show result and works more effective when a healthy lifestyle is followed14,15.
Wegovy may cause some side effects. Most are mild, but sometimes serious problems can happen, so it’s important to watch how you feel.
Wegovy has a boxed warning. It’s not for people who have or had a rare thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or a condition called MEN2. Always take Wegovy as advised by your doctor and follow their instructions carefully4.
Wegovy has been approved by CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) in 2025 for use in obesity management and is now available through select pharmacies.
The price varies with strength and the approximate price in India is as follows:
• 0.25 mg to 1 mg – ₹17,345 per month (₹4,336.25 per weekly dose)
• 1.7 mg – ₹24,280 per month
• 2.4 mg – ₹26,015 per month
In comparison, Wegovy costs around $1,349 (approx. ₹1,12,365) per month in the US.
In Germany, the price is approximately $328 (approx. ₹27,300) per month, and in the Netherlands, about $296 (approx. ₹24,640) per month16.
Other weightloss medicines are also available in India. Mounjaro (tirzepatide injection) is approved for diabetes and weight control in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with related health problems like high BP, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnoea, or heart disease17.
Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) has the same ingredient as Wegovy but in tablet form. In India, it is approved only for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. It helps control blood sugar and can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with diabetes and heart or kidney disease18.
Other weight‑loss medicines like Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (injectable semaglutide), are available in other countries.
Before your doctor starts you on Wegovy, it is important to inform the doctor if you have any of this:
Also, you must provide the doctor with the list of all medicines and supplements you are taking. As Wegovy can slow how fast the stomach empties, it may interact with some medicines, especially those taking diabetic medicines like insulin or sulfonylurea4.
Wegovy may not only help with weight loss but it could also protect your heart.
It can reduce the risk of heart disease, especially in people with obesity, by lowering body weight and waist size. Losing excess fat can ease strain on the heart and reduce the risk of blocked blood vessels. Research also suggests it may have direct effects on the heart, that help keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
A large study1 called SELECT followed over 17,000 adults who were obese or overweight and had existing heart disease. Those who took Wegovy 2.4 mg once a week had a 20 percent lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. This benefit was observed even in people without diabetes. However, this trial studied secondary cardiovascular prevention, i.e. in people who already had heart disease. There is no current evidence for primary prevention, that is, direct risk reduction in people without existing heart disease. Nonetheless, its positive effects on insulin sensitivity and obesity are proven, which indirectly benefit the heart.
You must see your doctor right away if you notice the following on taking Wegovy injection.
You must follow up regularly as recommended by your doctor to monitor the health condition while on Wegovy treatment4.
Wegovy may be helpful to support those struggling with overweight and obesity issues. It is approved for long-term weight management in people with obesity or those who are overweight with other health problems. It’s not a quick fix, but when it’s combined with proper diet and physical activity, it may give good results over time. It may also improve insulin sensitivity and lower weight-related health risks. It should be taken only under medical advice, with dose increased slowly and regular checks for stomach-related side effects, as well as to rule out certain health problems like thyroid cancers. Regular follow-up is also needed so it may work well and support your fight against obesity and related risks.
Wegovy is used for PCOS under medical supervision. Few Wegovy side effects like nausea or vomiting may occur. It may help manage weight and support better insulin resistance and menstrual cycle regularity19.
The worst side effects of Wegovy may be swelling of the pancreas, severe allergic reactions, and gallbladder problems. Sometimes kidney problems can occur, and those taking certain diabetes medicines can get very low blood sugar. Although these are not common, they may affect some people4.
Yes. Wegovy became available in India in June 2025 and is now purchasable at select pharmacies.
No, you should not stop Wegovy by yourself. If you stop, you may regain much of the weight you lost and improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure may reduce. If you want to stop or have any concerns, your doctor will advise you on what to do20.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Comments
Leave your comment...
You may also like
Comments