Description
Wegovy (Semaglutide) 0.25 mg
Wegovy is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. The 0.25 mg pre-filled pen is a presentation used for the injectable form of the medicine. Official prescribing information describes Wegovy as a medicine for chronic weight management and for reducing cardiovascular risk in certain adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is semaglutide. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Medicines in this class act on pathways involved in appetite regulation, glucose control, and delayed gastric emptying.
Established Medical Uses
According to current U.S. prescribing information, Wegovy injection is indicated together with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity, and in adults with overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbid condition. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.
How It Works
Semaglutide mimics a natural incretin hormone called GLP-1. It helps regulate appetite and food intake, supports better blood sugar control, and slows stomach emptying. These effects contribute to reduced calorie intake and weight loss in appropriate clinical use.
Important Safety Information
Wegovy carries a boxed warning for risk of thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents. It is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. It is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis. Important precautions include acute kidney injury related to volume depletion, severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia when used with diabetes medicines, diabetic retinopathy complications in some patients with type 2 diabetes, increased heart rate, hypersensitivity reactions, and pulmonary aspiration reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists during anesthesia or deep sedation. Wegovy delays gastric emptying and may affect absorption of oral medicines, especially those with a narrow therapeutic index.
Possible Side Effects
Common adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hair loss. Hypoglycemia can occur in patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly with concomitant antidiabetic treatment. Serious reactions may include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, dehydration-related kidney injury, and allergic reactions.
Scientific Evidence
Published clinical reviews and systematic reviews of subcutaneous semaglutide report clinically meaningful weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, with a safety profile that is mainly limited by gastrointestinal adverse effects. Evidence from the STEP programme and later reviews supports its role as a long-term anti-obesity medicine rather than a short-term appetite suppressant.
Medical Information Notice
This page is an educational summary based on sources available at the time of review and does not replace the official patient leaflet or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection/tablets, Prescribing Information (Revised 03/2026)
- Chris M. Wharton et al. — “Clinical review of subcutaneous semaglutide for obesity” — Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (2022) — PubMed article
