Wegovy® (semaglutide)

Our review

Wegovy® injection (semaglutide) is a prescription treatment for chronic weight management, with a substantial clinical evidence base and a once-weekly dosing schedule. Its labeled indications, potential cardiovascular benefits for certain patients, contraindications, and adverse effects should be reviewed with a licensed prescriber. This review is limited to the branded product and its labeled indications.

How it works

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that affects appetite signaling and slows gastric emptying. This page covers Wegovy® injection (semaglutide), the branded product for chronic weight management, which has its own labeled indication, dosing schedule, and instructions for use; a prescriber should determine whether it is appropriate.

What the clinical trials show

STEP-1 evaluated an investigational semaglutide drug product, and the resulting evidence subsequently supported FDA approval of Wegovy® injection. Adults receiving the studied weight-management dose lost an average of about 15 percent of body weight over 68 weeks. These figures apply only to the investigational drug product, population, dosing, and conditions studied and do not apply to compounded formulations. Individual outcomes vary and are never guaranteed.

What it's like to take

One weekly injection, titrated up slowly over a couple of months. That deliberate, gradual ramp is part of why many people find semaglutide a touch gentler to start than they feared. Once you're at maintenance it's a quick weekly habit you stop noticing.

Side effects, honestly

Nausea, constipation, and the rest of the familiar digestive list show up here too, mostly around dose increases. The slow titration helps keep them in check. As with the whole class, a small number of people simply don't tolerate the higher doses and do better holding lower.

Who it's for, and who it isn't

Semaglutide is a strong default for most people starting GLP-1 treatment, especially anyone who values the depth of evidence and the heart data. If you have the choice and you want the maximum average weight loss, tirzepatide edges it out, but semaglutide is rarely a wrong answer.

The cost reality

The published list price for the branded product (Wegovy®) is around $1,349 a month. Manufacturer self-pay programs and savings cards may be available to eligible patients, while insurance coverage for chronic weight management varies. Confirm current terms with the manufacturer, insurer, and dispensing pharmacy.

Regulatory scope

This review does not evaluate or promote compounded semaglutide products. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.

The bottom line

Semaglutide is the well-understood, evidence-rich choice, and for most people it's a perfectly good place to start. You give up a little on peak weight loss versus tirzepatide and gain the deepest track record in the category, plus heart-health data that's hard to ignore.

How it compares

Patient reviews