Medication guide
Wegovy
semaglutide
Wegovy is semaglutide labeled for chronic weight management in defined adults and adolescents, cardiovascular risk reduction in defined adults, and treatment of noncirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis in adults. Its current U.S. label includes injection and oral-tablet formulations with different instructions.
FDA label revision: December 2025 · Page updated 2026-09-14
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is semaglutide labeled for chronic weight management in defined adults and adolescents, cardiovascular risk reduction in defined adults, and treatment of noncirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis in adults. Its current U.S. label includes injection and oral-tablet formulations with different instructions.[1]
How it works
Semaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor. Its effects on incretin signaling influence glucose regulation, appetite, and gastric emptying. The approved purpose, formulation, dose, and monitoring plan depend on this exact brand rather than the ingredient name alone.[1]
Indications
- Adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition: Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.[1]
- Adolescents age 12 years and older with obesity: Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term alongside diet and activity support.[1]
- Adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight: Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack, and nonfatal stroke.[1]
- Adults with noncirrhotic MASH and F2 to F3 fibrosis: Treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis.[1]
Formulations and dosing
Injection
Subcutaneous · Once weekly
Strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg per dose
Adult dosing
Starting: 0.25 mg once weekly for weeks 1–4
- Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Weeks 9–12: 1 mg once weekly
- Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Week 17 onward: use the indication-specific maintenance dose as tolerated
Maintenance: 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg once weekly
Maximum: 2.4 mg once weekly
[1]Tablet
Oral · Once daily
Strengths: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, 25 mg
Adult dosing
Starting: 1.5 mg once daily for 30 days
- Days 31–60: 4 mg once daily
- Days 61–90: 9 mg once daily
- Day 91 onward: 25 mg once daily
Maintenance: 25 mg once daily
Maximum: 25 mg once daily
[1]What Wegovy is not approved for
Wegovy is not labeled as a general glucose-control treatment for type 2 diabetes; Ozempic is the semaglutide brand centered on that use.[1,2]
Warnings
- The label carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. Wegovy is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.[1]
- Acute pancreatitis has been observed. Persistent severe abdominal pain, with or without vomiting, warrants prompt assessment.[1]
- Acute gallbladder disease, including gallstones and gallbladder inflammation, occurred in trials and may require evaluation.[1]
- Rapid improvement in glucose can temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy; people with type 2 diabetes and a retinopathy history should be monitored.[1]
- Gastrointestinal reactions can cause dehydration and acute kidney injury. Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or inability to drink needs clinical attention.[1]
Contraindications
If a dose is missed
Weekly injection
For weekly injection, the current label uses the time before the next scheduled dose to decide whether to take or skip a missed dose. After two or more consecutive missed doses, re-escalation may reduce gastrointestinal symptoms.[1]
Daily tablet
For a missed daily tablet, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on the following day. Do not take two tablets on the same day.[1]
Common adverse reactions
Common reactions vary by formulation and studied population. Gastrointestinal effects—including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain—are prominent in the label.[1]
Important label distinctions
The injection and tablet are not milligram-for-milligram equivalents and have different administration, titration, and missed-dose instructions. The exact formulation and indication must be identified before applying dosing information.[1]
The label covers several distinct outcomes and populations. Weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction, adolescent treatment, and MASH should not be collapsed into one generic eligibility statement.[1]
Product-specific evidence
In STEP 1, adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg injection plus lifestyle intervention lost an average 14.9% of baseline weight at 68 weeks, versus 2.4% with placebo. This group average does not predict an individual result and does not describe every Wegovy indication or formulation.[3]
Cost and coverage
Insurance coverage may depend on the diagnosis, plan formulary, prior-authorization rules, and the exact brand. Before committing to care, confirm the medication cost, clinical or subscription fees, laboratory costs, refill process, and what happens if coverage changes. Prices and coverage should be checked directly rather than assumed from an advertised starting price.
Lifestyle considerations
Medication does not automatically preserve muscle, improve fitness, or meet nutrition needs. A practical plan can include manageable meals, adequate fluid, progressive strength work, aerobic activity, sleep, and follow-up adapted to symptoms and health history. Reduced appetite is not a reason to ignore persistent difficulty eating or drinking.
Questions to ask your clinician
- Which labeled Wegovy indication and formulation are we considering?
- What titration schedule applies, and when would escalation pause?
- How should I respond if eating or drinking becomes difficult?
- How will nutrition, strength, symptoms, and treatment benefit be monitored?
- What is the plan if coverage changes or treatment must stop?
Compare Wegovy
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