Wegovy® (semaglutide) for weight loss
Wegovy® is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication for weight loss. Find out how it works and whether it could be right for you.
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 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.
Medically reviewed by: Kristin Baier, MD
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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Nine out of ten members say Calibrate is the most effective program they’ve experienced. On average, members achieve 18% weight loss sustained over two years.
How does Wegovy® work?
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy® (semaglutide) produce 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).
How GLP-1 medications work in different body systems
Here’s how GLP-1 hormones and receptors function in 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-diabetes, 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 weight loss 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 food, sleep, exercise, and 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.
Dosage & how to inject Wegovy®
What is the correct dosage for Wegovy®?
The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg weekly and titrates up to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled pen.
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, which could differ from the typical starting dose.
How to inject the Wegovy® pen
How to use Wegovy® is straightforward. The medication comes in a pre-filled pen that’s administered as a once-weekly injection. If prescribed Wegovy® by your Calibrate clinician, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to use your medication. In the meantime, here’s a high-level overview of what to expect:
1. Prepare the injection site: Choose an area such as your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Clean the area with alcohol.
2. Uncap the pen: Remove the grey base cap of the pen.
3. Place the pen against the skin: Hold the pen at a 90-degree angle to your skin.
4. Press the button: Once you hear a click, the injection has started. Keep the pen in place until the green bar stops moving, which takes about 5–10 seconds.
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.
Is Wegovy® safe for weight loss?
Clinical trials of semaglutide
Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy® (semaglutide) 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.
Wegovy® has been studied extensively through clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness and safety as a weight management tool. Five key trials, collectively known as the STEP trials, examined its impact on individuals with overweight or obesity, including those with related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
The primary goal of these trials was to assess how much weight participants lost over 68 weeks. Across the studies, participants taking Wegovy® consistently lost significantly more weight than those on a placebo.
In the STEP 1 trial, individuals achieved an average weight loss of approximately 15% of their body weight, compared to just 2.4% for the placebo group. In STEP 2, which included people with type 2 diabetes, the weight loss was about 10% versus 3% for the placebo group.
Wegovy® not only led to substantial weight loss but also improved several health markers. Many participants saw reductions in waist size, blood sugar levels, and other markers of metabolic health.
The trials also monitored safety, finding that while most people tolerated Wegovy® well, some experienced mild to moderate side effects. The most common were gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea, which generally improved over time.
How to get Wegovy®: The Calibrate program
If you’re considering Wegovy® as part of your weight loss journey, you may be wondering how to access it and whether it’s the right option for you. Wegovy® is a prescription medication, which means it must be recommended by a licensed clinician based on your medical history, current health, and weight-related goals.
The importance of intensive lifestyle interventions (ILI)
Maybe you’ve heard the (demoralizing) statistic that, on average, 95% of lost weight is regained after five years.
Weight loss from calorie restriction alone can slow metabolism and increase hunger hormones, leading to quick regain. This is known as the body’s set point defense. GLP-1 medications like Wegovy® help suppress hunger signals, allowing the body to maintain a new, lower set point long enough for metabolism to adjust—but this won't happen unless other lifestyle changes are made.
Clinical trials of Wegovy® have shown that it is most effective when used in conjunction with intensive lifestyle interventions (ILI), including a healthy, balanced diet and increased physical activity.
Unlike other online providers that focus solely on prescribing medication, Calibrate takes a comprehensive approach to weight loss and metabolic health. While medication like Wegovy® plays an important role, it’s just one piece of our program. Calibrate combines GLP-1 medication with personalized coaching, educational resources, and medical team support to address the root causes of weight gain and help you achieve lasting results.
Successful, long-term weight management also requires ongoing support. Calibrate provides a team of medical professionals, 1:1 accountability coaching, and a supportive community to keep you engaged and motivated.
The Metabolic Reset combines the latest science, FDA-approved medication, and personalized coaching focused on food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health. Designed by leading obesity experts and backed by our Clinical Advisory Board, Calibrate offers proven methods for sustainable results. Learn more about how it works.
Wegovy® (semaglutide) side effects
Most people taking Wegovy® (semaglutide) 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)
• Dizziness
• Bloated, belching, or gas
• Heartburn
Talk to your Calibrate clinician 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 Wegovy®, 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.
Certain limitations apply to Wegovy®. It should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Its safety and effectiveness when combined with other weight-loss medications or in patients with a history of pancreatitis have not been established.
Wegovy® is contraindicated for individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. It is also not recommended for those with known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or its ingredients. The medication carries a black box warning due to findings from rodent studies showing a potential link to thyroid tumors, though the relevance to humans is unclear.
Warnings include risks of thyroid C-cell tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia (when combined with certain diabetes medications), kidney injury (often related to dehydration), and rare hypersensitivity reactions. Additional concerns include diabetic retinopathy complications, increased heart rate, and possible suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
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.
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Wegovy® for weight loss: Key takeaways
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication indicated for weight loss. It works by stabilizing blood glucose levels, with the added benefit of improving hemoglobin A1C levels. Wegovy® is intended for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) who have weight-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or high cholesterol.
Research shows that Wegovy® is most effective for weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, adequate sleep, and mental wellness coaching. As part of the Calibrate program, Wegovy® is one of several GLP-1 medications that clinicians may prescribe, with the choice of medication tailored to your health history and insurance coverage.
While Wegovy® is FDA-approved and safe when used as prescribed, it is important to consider potential warnings and contraindications before starting treatment. Your Calibrate clinician will ensure the medication is appropriate for you and will help guide its use as part of a comprehensive weight-loss plan.
Learn more about Wegovy®:
Wegovy® vs. Ozempic®: What's the Difference?
Wegovy® vs. Saxenda®: What's the Difference?