Description
Wegovy (semaglutide) 1 mg FlexTouch
Wegovy is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is supplied as a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous use. Regulatory information identifies Wegovy as a medicine for weight management in appropriate patients, and semaglutide is the active substance.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The active ingredient is semaglutide. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. This class mimics a naturally occurring incretin hormone involved in appetite regulation and glucose-related signalling.
Established Medical Uses
Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults and, in some regions, in adolescents meeting specific criteria. Regulatory documents also describe use to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in certain adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight, depending on the jurisdiction.
How It Works
Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors. This helps increase satiety, reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, which can contribute to reduced calorie intake and weight loss. Human studies have also shown effects on appetite and food intake in people with obesity.
Important Safety Information
Wegovy should not be used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, according to prescribing information. It is also contraindicated in people with a serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any product component. Important precautions include the risk of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, dehydration-related kidney problems, and worsening of diabetic eye disease in people with diabetes. Semaglutide may interact clinically with other GLP-1 receptor agonists or semaglutide-containing products, which are not recommended together.
Possible Side Effects
Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and reduced appetite. More serious reactions can include pancreatitis, gallbladder disorders, severe allergic reactions, acute kidney injury related to fluid loss, and rare bowel obstruction or ileus reported in post-marketing surveillance.
Scientific Evidence
Clinical trials in people with obesity have shown that once-weekly semaglutide can reduce body weight more than placebo, and trial data also support improvements in appetite-related measures. In STEP 2, semaglutide 2.4 mg produced greater weight loss than placebo in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. These findings support its role as a chronic weight-management medicine.
Medical Information Notice
This summary is based on sources available at the time of review and is intended for educational use only. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information or an individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- European Medicines Agency (EMA) — Wegovy: EPAR and product information
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Wegovy (semaglutide) Highlights of Prescribing Information
- Wilding JPH et al. — “Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.” New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PubMed
