WEGOVY®
FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Find out how Wegovy® (semaglutide) works and why it’s making headlines
Table of Contents
- What is Wegovy® (semaglutide)?
- How does Wegovy® (semaglutide) work?
- Is Wegovy® (semaglutide) safe for weight loss?
- The Calibrate difference: Taking Wegovy® (semaglutide) as part of a metabolic reset program
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) side effects
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) interactions & warnings
- Frequently asked questions
Weight loss journeys are seldom linear. However, prescription weight loss drugs can help you get off to a good start, easing your path ahead.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) has received high praise from weight loss experts not only within the United States, but around the globe. A New York Times article published in February 2021 declared Wegovy® a “game-changer” after clinical trials were completed: Nearly 2,000 participants who received the drug over a 68-week period had an average weight loss of just under 15% of their body weight.
These numbers are impressive—but what is Wegovy®? How does it work? And is it safe for weight loss? We’re answering those questions and more below.
What is Wegovy® (semaglutide)?
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) RA—a class of medicines known as glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists. This medication was approved by the FDA for weight loss in June 2021.
Semaglutide is one of only six medications currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity. It isn’t brand new: The drug has been available in other forms since 2017 (when lower-dose injection Ozempic™ was approved) and 2019 (when the oral form, brand name Rybelsus™, was approved).
The main difference between Wegovy® and these other two medications is that Wegovy® provides a higher dose of semaglutide. In addition, Wegovy® may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively thanks to its mechanism of delivery. vwo
Wegovy® is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Inc., a pharmaceutical company based in Denmark. It is available by prescription only and, per the manufacturer, is meant to be used with “a balanced diet and increased physical activity to help adults who have weight-related health problems lose weight and keep weight off.”
Wegovy® is prescribed by Calibrate clinicians
Wegovy® is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians to work in conjunction with the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. Our program combines 1:1 video coaching, medication, and lifestyle changes for 10%+ weight loss or your money back (see terms).
Successful and sustained weight loss with Wegovy® requires more than just the injection of the drug itself—it also involves intensive lifestyle interventions, many of which are difficult to manage alone.
With Calibrate, members benefit from comprehensive, one-on-one support that spans four key areas: Food intake, exercise, sleep, and emotional health.
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How does Wegovy® (semaglutide) weight loss medication work?
Wegovy® (semaglutide) produces similar effects in the body to those of an incretin hormone: A type of hormone released naturally by your body when you eat food.
Incretin hormones signal the brain, endocrine, and gastrointestinal system that food has been consumed. This results in a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which effectively communicate feelings of satiety, or feeling full.
These hormones also play a key role in the management of blood sugar levels and can improve blood sugar levels in people living with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
To get a little more granular, the GLP-1 hormone, in a healthy person, sends signals to the brain, muscles, stomach, liver, and pancreas whenever nutrients are taken in (i.e. when eating).
Here’s how it works in each of those different organ systems:
- In the brain, GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus—the part of the brain responsible for appetite and thirst—tell us we can stop eating
- In the muscles, GLP-1 kickstarts your gluconeogenesis process: The conversion of protein and fats into the glucose (sugar) that fuels your muscles
- In the stomach, GLP-1 slows down the rate at which food is digested and is cleared from the stomach; this helps to prolong the sensation of fullness after a meal and creates fullness even with smaller portions
- In the liver, GLP-1 suppresses hepatic glucose output (gluconeogenesis), which helps to lower blood sugars in people with impaired blood sugar metabolism
- In the pancreas, GLP-1 both triggers the production of insulin and suppresses the secretion of glucagon resulting in improved blood sugar control and utilization of sugar for energy and storage in the body; this is particularly important in people who have impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabertes, or diabetes
So, how does a GLP-1 drug help you lose weight?
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Wegovy® (semaglutide) works by imitating your body’s natural GLP-1 effects.
In people with type-2 diabetes or those living with overweight or obesity, natural GLP-1 production may be lower than normal. By injecting Wegovy® once weekly, blood sugar levels are more easily controlled.
This supports weight loss in a variety of ways, one of the most significant being that Wegovy® increases the feeling of fullness (or satiety) after meals.
In other words, Wegovy® is a medication that makes it easier to lose weight and stick to healthy habits. However, it is not a “magic shot” that works in a vacuum.
All GLP-1 medications, including Wegovy®, must be used in combination with other tactics to support metabolic health and avoid weight regain. The Calibrate program has integrated evidence-based lifestyle recommendations as the Four Pillars of Metabolic Health to help participants maximize their success with Wegovy®.
These pillars are:
1. Food
2. Sleep
3. Exercise
4. Emotional health
By learning to eat more mindfully, participating in exercise that you actually enjoy, managing stressors, and improving sleep quality, both your mind and body are set up for real results. With this foundation in place, Wegovy® can work even more effectively.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) dosing: How self-injection works
When you join the Calibrate program, you’ll work closely with a licensed physician who will determine the appropriate dose for you as an individual.
Wegovy® must be injected; it isn’t available in pill form. The Wegovy® pen utilizes ultra-fine needle technology and the injection is typically painless. Your clinician will provide thorough instructions to make self-injection easy and stress-free.
Here’s how to use Wegovy® per the FDA:
Administer Wegovy® once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Initiate at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. In 4 week intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. The maintenance dose of Wegovy® is 2.4 mg once weekly. In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting and during Wegovy® treatment.
Is Wegovy® (semaglutide) safe for weight loss?
Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy® is safe and effective for weight loss. The drug is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight management in adults who are overweight or have obesity and have at least one weight-related health condition.
However, like all medications, Wegovy® can cause side effects, and it is important to talk to your clinician about whether it is a safe and appropriate option for you based on your individual health status, medical history, and any medications you are taking.
Learn more about Wegovy® side effects and contraindications below.
The Calibrate difference: Taking Wegovy® (semaglutide) as part of a metabolic reset program
Now that we’ve explored how Wegovy® works within the body, let’s talk about how it fits into a comprehensive weight loss and metabolic reset plan.
Clinical trials of Wegovy® have shown that it is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet and increased physical activity. Of course, these requirements are easier in theory than they are in reality.
If you’ve been eating the same foods and adhering to the same routine for years, switching things up can feel overwhelming. Without professional support and guidance, many efforts to lose weight will fail.
Maybe you’ve heard the (demoralizing) statistic that, on average, 95% of lost weight is regained after five years.
The reason for this is twofold. First, weight loss from calorie restriction alone can have negative effects on metabolism:
When you lose weight via calorie restriction, your basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure through exercise actually decreases. This happens at the same time as your body releases a cascade of hunger and stress hormones (including ghrelin and cortisol), resulting in initial weight loss but quick weight regain. This phenomenon is known as your body’s set point defense.
However, when hunger signals are suppressed—as when using a GLP-1 like Wegovy®—the body is better able to remain at a new, lower set point long enough for the basal metabolic rate to adjust.
Second, as researchers concluded in a study published in the Medical Clinics of North America, “Treatment of obesity requires ongoing attention and support, and weight maintenance-specific counseling, to improve long-term weight management.”
Most dieters go it alone—and struggle to keep the weight off. With Calibrate, you can fall back on a support system comprised of medical professionals, an accountability coach, and a community of fellow members to keep you engaged and motivated as you work towards better metabolic health.
Calibrate believes that the most sustainable path to weight loss is via comprehensive, 1:1 coaching that accounts for details far beyond your BMI.
Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset uses proven methods for long-term, sustainable results:
- The latest science
- FDA-approved medication
- Clinician visits and medical team support
- Accountability coaching on food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health
Our program was designed by world-renowned obesity experts and is vetted and approved by a Clinical Advisory Board. Learn more about how it works.
Possible side effects of Wegovy® (semaglutide)
Most people taking Wegovy® experience few side effects. However, some side effects are normal and do not pose a serious risk to your health. The most common side effects of Wegovy® include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach (abdomen) pain
- Headache
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Bloated, belching, or gas
- Stomach flu
- Heartburn
Talk to your health care provider about any side effects that become bothersome or that don’t go away. The medical team can offer recommendations and supportive care for any issues that arise.
There are no specific foods that you need to avoid when taking semaglutide, but some find it helpful to avoid fried or fatty foods in order to minimize side effects.
If you experience any severe side effects, such as anaphalaxis or shortness of breath, please seek immediate medical care.
Wegovy® interactions & warnings
Wegovy® is FDA-approved and is safe when used as prescribed. As with all prescription medications, there are warnings and contraindications to keep in mind prior to starting treatment with Wegovy®. Your Calibrate clinician will discuss these with you and can answer any specific questions you might have about the risks of Wegovy® as it pertains to your own health and medical history.
The below limitations, contraindications, and warnings are sourced directly from the FDA.
Limitations of use
Wegovy® should not be used in combination with other semaglutide-containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The safety and efficacy of drug interactions, including co-administration with other products for weight loss have not been established.
Wegovy® has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Contraindications:
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Wegovy®.
Black Box Warning:
In rodents, semaglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors including medullary thyroid cancer, at clinically relevant exposures. In humans, the relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.
Contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Advise patients of the potential risk for MTC with semaglutide and the possible symptoms of thyroid tumors (eg, a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness).
Warnings:
Thyroid C-cell Tumors: See above.
Acute Pancreatitis: Has occurred in clinical trials. Discontinue promptly if pancreatitis is suspected. Do not restart if pancreatitis is confirmed.
Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has occurred in clinical trials. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated. Other gallbladder problems, including but not limited to, gallstones may also surface.
Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue, such as sulfonylureas, or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing the dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin may be necessary. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Acute Kidney Injury: Has occurred, typically due to dehydration. Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses of Wegovy® in patients reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions or in those with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions.
Hypersensitivity: Anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported postmarketing. Discontinue Wegovy® if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.
Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Has been reported in trials with semaglutide. Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored.
Heart Rate Increase: Monitor heart rate at regular intervals.
Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor for depression or suicidal thoughts. Discontinue Wegovy® in case of unusual changes in mood or behavior.
IT’S ABOUT BIOLOGY
NOT WILLPOWER
Traditional weight loss programs don’t work because sustainable weight loss doesn’t come from yo-yo dieting or calorie counting. It comes from improving your metabolic health. Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset helps you do just that, through a unique combination of clinician-prescribed medication, 1:1 video coaching, and lifestyle tweaks tailored to you. The result? Improved metabolic health and sustained weight loss.
Donya's Story
Key Takeaways
- Wegovy™ (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication that is prescribed for weight loss
- Wegovy™ works by stabilizing blood glucose levels—and can improve hemoglobin A1C levels
- Wegovy™ is intended for use in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (excess weight) (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension (also known as high blood pressure), or high cholesterol
- Studies have found that Wegovy™ is most effective for weight loss when taken in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes including a reduced calorie diet, increased physical activity, adequate sleep, and mental wellness coaching
- Wegovy™ is one of several GLP-1s prescribed by Calibrate clinicians to members of the Calibrate program; the specific medication you are prescribed will depend on your unique health history and insurance coverage
- Wegovy™ is FDA-approved and is safe when used as prescribed—but, as with all prescription medications, there are warnings and contraindications to keep in mind prior to starting treatment with Wegovy™