How long does Wegovy take to work?

Does Wegovy work immediately?

It's important to first understand how Wegovy works for weight loss. With the active ingredient semaglutide, the prescription drug mimics GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels [1]. It does this by sending signals to the brain that you're full, helping to reduce the amount you eat at meal times.

For some people, this appetite reduction effect can happen almost immediately. The same or next day, you may find you're just not as interested in food as you normally would be. Perhaps you normally have cravings for snacks between meals, but find the urge is no longer as strong.

While Wegovy may already be working, the placebo effect can also be very strong! This is when you expect a medication to work, which creates a positive mindset shift that helps enforce healthier habits. In any case, whether it's properly made its way into your bloodstream yet or is just all in your mind, it's a step in the right direction.

How to tell if Wegovy is working?

It might sound strange, but if you're experiencing mild side effects like nausea or going to the bathroom less, it's probably a sign Wegovy is working [2]!

There will also be behavioural changes. While it may not feel like an active choice, you'll likely find that you're leaving less on your plate at meal times and can't finish the portions you normally would. You might also find that food is just generally occupying less space in your mind. Some people describe this as turning down the 'food noise' in their brain.

Then, of course, there's the weight loss. You'll likely find that the weight starts coming off much more rapidly than before, even if you haven't drastically changed your diet or physical activity levels.

How long does it take to notice weight loss on Wegovy?

Ever heard the expression: "In 2 weeks you'll feel it, in 4 weeks you'll see it, and in 8 weeks you'll hear it?" about how long it takes to notice weight loss?

Wegovy and other weight loss medications have a similar trajectory; however, the timeframe can be more condensed.

People using semaglutide tend to lose around 5% of their body weight and around 8% by the 2-month mark [3]. In a longer-term study, most people taking doses between 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg of Wegovy lost 5% to 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks of treatment [4].

Meanwhile, other studies have shown that weight loss can continue for 4 years [5]. So, while Wegovy  injections aren't an overnight fix, they're a reliable and clinically-backed treatment for sustained weight loss.

What happens after your first shot of Wegovy?

You might be wondering what to expect the first time you inject Wegovy, and how you can know if it actually worked. If you dialled your injection pen to the right dose and heard it click after rolling back to zero, it's usually a good sign!

If you take a look at the needle and it still has a lot of excess liquid leaking from the tip, this may mean that the medication has not been correctly or fully injected [6].

If you suspect this is the case, it's important not to re-inject, as you'll risk doubling up on the dosage. Rather, you should speak to your prescriber as they will be able to instruct you how to check the dose counter and advise on the best next steps.

Shortly after your injection, you may notice that you feel slightly sore, bruised or tender in the site of your injection. It may even look a bit red or irritated. While this can be uncomfortable, it's normal and a sign that you're correctly injected. However, you'll typically want to alternate the site of your injection (such as different sides of your torso) to minimise discomfort.

Then, as mentioned, you'll likely notice an appetite suppression effect and potential side effects like nausea within a few days to a week. Make sure to also take note of your starting weight, as you'll likely see the scales start to shift soon, too!

How long does Wegovy take to work?

While it's different for everyone, here's a timeline for how your weight loss journey might look on Wegovy.

• First few days to a week: Some people notice reduced appetite almost immediately. However, the full appetite-suppressing effects build over time.
• First month: Many patients experience some initial weight loss (1-5 kg), but it varies. The dose is usually still being increased during this time.
• First 3 months: More significant weight loss tends to happen as the dose reaches the therapeutic level (typically 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly).
• 6 months and beyond: Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 10 to 15% of body weight over a year, with most occurring within the first 6 months [7].

For examples of how long it can take Wegovy to work, you might like to read the real-life stories of Juniper customers here, which include Jacqueline, who lost 20 kilos in 5 months, or Sarah, who lost 11 kilos in 3 months.

When should my Wegovy dosage increase?

Your healthcare provider will provide you with clear instructions about when to slowly increase your Wegovy dose, and by how much.

All of the pens are colour-coded for the different strengths, so you'll work your way from green to pink, brown, blue and end at black, so, you don't need to worry about the numbers.

But typically, the Wegovy dosing schedule will look something like this [8]:

• You'll begin with a weekly starting dose of 0.25 mg for the first month.
• Then, you'll go up 0.5 mg per week in month 2
• 1 mg per week in month 3
• 1.7 mg per week in month 4
• Before ultimately reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg per week. Usually, you'll then stay on that dose for as long as you're on Wegovy. In some cases, your doctor may also scale you back to 1.7 mg per week if the maximum dose isn't well tolerated.

Some individuals find they experience side effects with higher doses but achieve great results at lower doses, meaning you might not need frequent dosage adjustments while on the medication.

It can be tempting to increase your dose sooner than instructed if you feel like you're tolerating it well or aren't losing weight quickly enough. But, it's important to note that the dosing schedule exists for a reason — to give your body time to adjust to the medication, and reduce the risk of side effects. Increasing your dose faster isn't necessarily going to lead you to lose weight faster.

Effective weight loss on Wegovy: A marathon, not a sprint

At the end of the day, how much weight you'll lose on Wegovy — and how quickly — depends on various factors. This includes your initial body weight (and how much you have to lose), medical history and whether you're taking any other prescription medications.

Wegovy also isn't a magic bullet for weight loss. Rather, it works by changing your behaviour, by making it easier to lower your food intake and eat a reduced calorie diet. This is why research shows that Wegovy is far more effective when accompanied by lifestyle changes, especially in the long term [9].

The good news is, you don't have to go through the process alone. At Juniper, our Weight Loss Reset Programme combines Wegovy treatment with ongoing support, coaching and accountability from our team.

We have a team of expert dietitians and health coaches you can consult with to help you work through any challenges you're experiencing during your weight management journey. This holistic approach sets you up for sustained weight loss, rather than a quick-fix solution.

Clinical evidence also shows that patients on weight loss medications like Wegovy can lose up to 40% muscle mass [10]. This can cause the metabolism to slow down, which makes weight gain more likely in the future. At Juniper, we set you up for long-term weight loss success by giving you the tools you need to hold on to as much muscle as possible!

Ready to see if this weight loss treatment is right for you? You can check your eligibility and find out more here.