Your complete guide to using Wegovy for weight loss

In the ever-evolving landscape of weight management solutions, Wegovy has emerged as an effective solution for many people.

The use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss and weight maintenance is an exciting development and, with this in mind, we're exploring how Wegovy works and how effective it is in helping people achieve their weight loss goals.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication containing semaglutide, an active ingredient that is commonly used to stabilise blood sugar levels and aid weight loss. It has been studied and trialled as a weight management drug and, when used alongside a calorie deficit and exercise routine, it can be an effective treatment for weight loss.

Wegovy has recently been approved for use in the UK and was made available for the UK market on September 4, 2023. It is suitable for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30+, or 27+ with weight-related health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS, asthma or high cholesterol.

You can access Wegovy via Juniper's Weight Reset Programme.

How does Wegovy work?

When we eat, our bodies release a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (otherwise known as GLP-1), which releases insulin, helps regulate blood sugar levels and induces satiety. In other words, it lets our brains know that we're full and that it's time to stop eating.

Semaglutide, the main ingredient present in the Wegovy weight loss injections, is able to mimic this natural hormone, helping to regulate your appetite and slow down your 'gastric mobility'.

This is why Wegovy is such an effective medication for weight management [1]. But, what exactly does it mean?

In short, it means that the food you eat stays in your stomach for longer, so you don't experience hunger as often as usual and are less likely to consume snacks and larger meals. As a result, you consume fewer calories and, ultimately, reduce your body weight.

How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

As a higher-dose injection of semaglutide, Wegovy has been shown in clinical trials to be more effective for weight loss than some of its alternatives [2].

A study from 2021 looked at 1,961 obese and overweight adults who were randomly assigned Wegovy injections or a placebo [2]. The results speak for themselves: after 68 weeks, those taking Wegovy lost an average of 15.3 kg, whereas the placebo group lost an average of 2.6 kg.

It's important to mention that the participants also implemented lifestyle changes, particularly in their diet and exercise habits, which helped enhance the impact of Wegovy as a weight loss drug.

What are the benefits of Wegovy?

The biggest benefit of Wegovy lies in its ability to deliver sustained weight loss. Since you feel more satisfied between meals, you experience fewer cravings and are able to adopt a healthier diet that you can stick to.

Additionally, although it is not technically an anti-diabetic drug, Wegovy can help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight or obese people [3].

5 ways to increase weight loss on Wegovy

While Wegovy will encourage weight loss by making you feel fuller for longer, regulating blood sugar levels and inducing satiety, there are certain lifestyle and behavioural changes to make which will help increase your weight loss in the short term, and aid in keeping it off in the long-term.

Fill your plate with protein

Diet changes are important when on a weight loss journey and you'll want to consider how much protein you're getting at every meal. Protein helps satiety while also supporting muscle mass as you lose weight.

While we're on the topic of diet, there are also some foods you want to avoid while on Wegovy, as they can hinder your progress or exacerbate side effects. Think processed, greasy, sugary, and spicy.

Exercise

Committing to regular movement will help encourage weight loss while on Wegovy. You might like to start doing daily walks (zone 2 training is particularly good for weight loss!) or look into strength training.

Prioritise sleep

Sleep is always important but particularly if you're wanting to support weight loss when taking Wegovy. Research suggests that sleep helps weight maintenance so be sure to a regular bedtime so you can catch as many zzz's as possible.

Stick to your dosing schedule

Life is busy and it's easy to miss a dose here or there. But, to help increase your weight loss while on Wegovy, you'll want to stick to a consistent dosing schedule — this means injecting the medication on the same day every week.

Reduce stress

Stress can interfere with weight loss — with hormones like cortisol playing a role in weight gain — so to maximise your efforts on Wegovy, try to regulate your stress levels each day. This might mean making a few lifestyle changes around work, social events and family and working out what needs to change to make things

What Wegovy dose should I take?

The recommended dose for Wegovy is 2.4mg in weekly injections.

However, it is common for clinicians to prescribe Wegovy at a lower dose to start with, and gradually increase it over time. This helps your body get used to the medication which, in turn, minimises the risk of side effects (which we'll get to shortly).

Wegovy vs Mounjaro

Mounjaro and Wegovy are both injectable weight loss meds but they work differently. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, Wegovy (semaglutide) is a single GLP-1 agonist. Both regulate appetite and blood sugar but Mounjaro may lead to slightly more weight loss.

Both are approved for weight management but you do need to have a certain BMI to be eligible.

For Mounjaro, the starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, while for Wegovy, you will likely start on the lowest dosage, which is 0.25 mg once weekly

Juniper offers both meds in our Weight Reset Programme including coaching and support.

In some cases, it is possible to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro, but always with the guidance of a medical professional.

Wegovy vs Saxenda

Although Wegovy and Saxenda are both GLP-1 receptor agonists — meaning they work in similar ways to minimise your appetite — there is one fundamental difference between the weight loss treatments: their active ingredients.

Instead of semaglutide, Saxenda contains liraglutide, a prescription medication that also mimics the naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1.

Due to this difference in active ingredients, Saxenda is a daily injection, rather than weekly, which for some people can lead to more (yet less intense) side effects.

Wegovy vs Ozempic

Wegovy and Ozempic are similar in many ways as both are injectable medications containing semaglutide, however, there are a couple of key disparities between these medications.

For starters, each has different medical licenses. Wegovy was originally trialled as a treatment for obesity, and is available via prescription for weight management and to treat obesity whereas Ozempic islicensed to treat diabetes.

Additionally, Ozempic and Wegovy are administered in different dosages. The first is currently supplied in dosages up to 1mg per week, while the second can go up to 2.4mg per week.

Wegovy vs Orlistat

Wegovy and Orlistat are both weight loss drugs, but they work in fundamentally different ways. As explained before, Wegovy is an injectable GLP-1 medication that helps regulate appetite, while Orlistat is an oral medication that blocks fat absorption in the intestines.

Wegovy leads to greater weight loss, but Orlistat is more affordable and available over the counter in some cases, making it a more accessible option.

Both medications have gastrointestinal side effects, with Wegovy commonly causing nausea and Orlistat leading to oily stools. While Wegovy is taken weekly via injection, Orlistat requires multiple daily doses with meals.

What are the side effects of Wegovy?

Different people respond to weight loss drugs differently and as is the case with most medications, there are side effects associated with Wegovy. The good news is that these are typically mild and tend to disappear a few weeks into the treatment.

Some of the potential side effects of Wegovy include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Bloating and gas buildup
• Fatigue
• Gastroenteritis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Weird taste in your mouth or dry mouth

Often, these symptoms occur as your body is adjusting to the drug (hence why they're usually temporary) and there are a few simple ways you can manage them:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods
• Eat small meals regularly
• Maintain a healthy level of physical activity by going on regular walks
• If needed, take painkillers to relieve discomfort

In extreme and very rare cases, Wegovy can result in an allergic reaction with symptoms like swelling of the face and difficulty breathing and swallowing, in which case you should seek immediate emergency medical help.

If you experience ongoing side effects after taking Wegovy, it's important that you speak to your prescriber. They will help you understand why your body is responding this way to the medication and how you can best address the symptoms.

How do I get Wegovy in the UK?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended weight loss medications for weight management in adults. Since these are prescription-only medicines, they aren't available over the counter. Instead, a doctor or pharmacist can prescribe GLP-1 treatments, which are available through telehealth clinics, pharmacies, and GPs across the UK.

To be eligible for use within the NHS you must have at least one weight-related comorbidity and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35, with limited exceptions. However, the MHRA's marketing authorisation captures a broader range of eligibility criteria including one weight-related comorbidity and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27, and a BMI of at least 30 without a weight-related comorbidity, enabling access through private providers like Juniper. Juniper uses Wegovy as part of its Weight Reset Programme, which also includes dietitian-led coaching and support as well as 1:1 health tracking and access to a private community of women on the same journey as you.

Is Wegovy by prescription only?

Yes, Wegovy is a prescription-only medication.

This means you can't get it over the counter and instead, have to get it prescribed by an authorised healthcare professional.

Losing weight with Wegovy

When it comes to weight loss, a holistic approach to weight loss in combination with weight loss medication can help you achieve a healthy weight sustainably and keep the weight off in the long term.

With Juniper's Weight Loss Reset Programme, we combine weight loss medication with dietitian-led health coaching and tracking, so that you can reach your goals for good.

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Wegovy or Mounjaro, two groundbreaking weight loss medications that mimic the GLP-1 and GIP hormone respectively to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Backed by science, 92% of people see results in the first month, ultimately losing 10 to 15% of their body weight during the programme [9][10]. The best part is, it works on resetting your metabolism and naturally suppressing your appetite so that you never have to feel deprived.

Plus, 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.