All doses of Wegovy® are now available. Click here for the latest information.
To help children aged 12 years and older with obesity to lose excess body weight and keep it off, along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Adolescents
& Wegovy®
(semaglutide) injection
On this page:
Weight-management support for adolescents with obesity, ages 12 to 17 years
If your child is 12 to 17 years old and struggles with obesity, learn how Wegovy® may help them manage their weight.
Obesity in children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as a disease that affects people of all ages, including adolescents.
Understanding body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a calculated measure of weight relative to height. BMI is used as a medical screening tool for assessing obesity and overweight. Obesity in children is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile on sex- and age-specific growth charts.
Health care professionals use this tool to track changes in weight and screen for obesity.
For more information on how BMI is calculated for adolescents, see the FAQs.
Weight management with Wegovy® in adolescents
Clinical trial results of Wegovy® in children aged 12 to 17 years
Over 1 year and 4 months (68 weeks), a medical study looked at the effect and safety of Wegovy® in adolescents with obesity. After a 3-month (12-week) screening period in which each participant received behavioral lifestyle therapy (counseling about healthy nutrition and physical activity), participants were then randomly assigned to two groups. One group was given Wegovy® while the other was given placebo (an inactive injection). Participants continued to receive lifestyle therapy throughout the trial.
Who was included in the study?
Adolescents aged
12 to 17 years old
Who had obesity,
with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile (according to sex- and age-specific growth charts)
The adolescents were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups, along with lifestyle intervention
134
Took Wegovy®
134
Took Wegovy®
The average starting BMI was 37.7. (The average starting weight was approximately 242 lb.)
67
Took placebo
67
Took placebo
The average starting BMI was 35.7. (The average starting weight was approximately 226 lb.)
The results showed
Adolescents taking Wegovy® had
on average a
| 16.1 | % |
BMI reduction
Adolescents taking
placebo had on
average a
| 0.6 | % |
BMI increase
Adolescents taking Wegovy®
had on average a
| 16.1 | % |
BMI reduction
Adolescents taking placebo
had on average a
| 0.6 | % |
BMI increase
In both groups, 10% of participants discontinued the study.
In medical studies, people who stopped taking Wegovy® generally regained weight.
Check your cost & coverage
Health plans can be tricky to understand. We can help you check your insurance details to see if your plan covers Wegovy® for your adolescent.
Taking Wegovy®
How to take Wegovy®
Wegovy® is a prescription weight-management medication taken once weekly. It’s taken on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.
The Wegovy® pen
A. Expiration (EXP) date
Located on the back of the pen. Check that Wegovy® has not expired.
B. Dose
Always check that you have the medication and dose that your adolescent’s health care professional prescribed.
C. Pen window
BEFORE USE: Check that Wegovy® is clear and colorless. Air bubbles are normal and do not affect the dose.
Check that the yellow bar has stopped moving to make sure that the full dose has been received.
D. Needle cover
BEFORE USE: Needle is hidden inside.
AFTER USE: Needle cover locks after use.
E. Pen cap
Remove it just before your adolescent is ready to inject.
How to use the Wegovy® pen
Transcript
This video is based on the Instructions for Use that come with your Wegovy® pen.
You should store Wegovy® in the refrigerator. If needed, however, Wegovy® can be kept outside of the refrigerator between 46 °F and 86 °F for up to 28 days. Keep Wegovy® in the original carton to protect it from light. Throw away the pen if Wegovy® has been frozen. You may consider leaving your pen out to reach room temperature before using it. Make sure to leave the cap on your pen during this time.
Before you use your Wegovy® pen for the first time, make sure you read the Instructions for Use and Medication Guide that comes with your pen, and that you talk to your health care provider about how to prepare for and inject Wegovy® correctly.
In each pack of Wegovy®, you’ll get 4 pens that are all the same dose. You will use 1 pen each week, on the same day each week at any time of day. Each pen is for one-time use only and comes with a preset dose. The needle is covered and will not be seen.
Now let’s talk about how to use your Wegovy® pen. We’ll discuss preparation, injection, and disposal.
To prepare, start by washing your hands. Next, let’s check a few things.
Make sure the pen indicates the correct medication and dose your health care provider prescribed. Check the pen window to make sure the medicine is clear and colorless. Do not use your Wegovy® pen if the pen appears to have been used or any part of the pen appears broken (for example, if the pen has been dropped) or if the expiration date on the back has passed. If you notice any of these things, call 1-833-934-6891. Today I’m demonstrating with the 0.25 mg pen, which is the first dose you’ll start on with Wegovy®.
Next, your health care provider can help you choose the injection site that is best for you. This can be your upper legs, lower stomach, or upper arms. You can inject Wegovy® in the same part of your body each week, but make sure it is not in the exact same spot each time.
Make sure to clean your injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water, and don’t touch the area after cleaning. Allow your skin to dry before injecting.
Now let’s walk through the injection from start to finish.
Remove the pen cap by pulling it straight off your Wegovy® pen. It may help to create a firm area to inject. Line up the pen straight against your injection site so you can clearly see the pen’s window.
To start the injection, push the pen firmly against your skin. Make sure you continue pressing the pen firmly against your skin for the entire injection, which should take about 10 seconds.
When you hear the first click, the injection has started and the yellow bar in the pen window should start moving. If you do not hear the first click and the yellow bar does not start moving, press the pen more firmly against your skin. When the injection is still in progress, you will hear a second click. The second click means the injection is ongoing. So, keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving.
The pen window will look like this when the injection is complete. The yellow bar will not fill the entire pen window. Do not remove the pen from your skin before the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. Once you’re done with your injection, slowly lift the pen away from your skin.
If you’re experiencing difficulties injecting, you can switch to a more firm injection site, such as your upper leg or upper arm. Or consider standing up while injecting into the lower stomach.
If the pen is removed from your skin too early or you have not pressed the pen firmly against your skin for the entire injection, medication may appear on the skin or squirt from the needle, and you may not get your full dose. Make sure the next time you inject to keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving. Then, you can lift the pen slowly from your skin.
Now it’s time to safely throw away or dispose of your pen. Do not throw the pen away in your household trash. Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container. Contact your local municipality to find where you can dispose of needles.
And that’s it–you’re done! Now you’re ready to start using your Wegovy® pen. You’ve got this!
And remember: we’re here for you! If you have any questions, call 1-833-4-WEGOVY.
See Wegovy® complete Instructions for Use here.
In addition to the instructions you receive from your health care professional and the video above, you and your adolescent can also learn more about using the Wegovy® pen below. Click the arrows to learn more.
Prepare for the injection
Choose the injection site
Remove
pen cap
Inject
Wegovy®
Throw away
the pen
Prepare for the injection
- Supplies needed to give a Wegovy® injection: a Wegovy® pen, 1 alcohol swab or soap and water, 1 gauze pad or cotton ball, 1 sharps disposable container for used Wegovy® pens
- Make sure hands are washed
- Check the Wegovy® pen
Do not use a Wegovy® pen if
- The pen appears to have been used or any part of the pen appears broken, for example, if it has been dropped
- The Wegovy® medication is not clear and colorless through the pen window
- The expiration date (EXP) has passed
Choose the injection site
- Your adolescent’s health care professional can help them choose the injection site that is best for them
- Your adolescent may inject into their upper leg (front of the thigh), lower stomach (keep 2 inches away from your belly button), or upper arm
- Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid injecting into areas with scars or stretch marks
- Your adolescent may inject in the same body area each week, but make sure it is not in the same spot each time
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Do not touch the injection site after cleaning.
Remove pen cap
Pull the pen cap straight off of the pen
Inject Wegovy®
- Instruct your adolescent to push the pen firmly against their skin and keep applying pressure until the yellow bar has stopped moving
- Click 1: The injection has started
- Click 2: The injection is ongoing
Throw away (dispose of) the pen
- Safely dispose of the pen right away after use. Do not throw the pen away in your household trash.
Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container. Learn more in the Wegovy® Medication Guide - What if blood appears after injection?
If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball
Troubleshooting
- If your adolescent has problems injecting, they can change to a more firm injection site, such as upper leg, or upper arm. They could also consider standing up while injecting into the lower stomach
- If medicine appears on the skin or squirts from the needle, make sure the next time your adolescent injects they keep applying pressure until the yellow bar has stopped moving. Then they can lift the pen slowly from their skin
Wegovy® pen care, storage, and disposal
Protecting Wegovy® pens
- Do not drop the pen or knock it against hard surfaces
- Do not expose the pen to any liquids
- If you think that the pen may be damaged, do not try to fix it. Use a new one
- Keep the pen cap on until it is time to inject. The pen will no longer be sterile if it is stored without the cap, if the pen cap is pulled off and put on again, or if the pen cap is missing. This could lead to an infection
Storing Wegovy® pens
- Store the Wegovy® pen in the refrigerator from 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C)
- If needed, before removing the pen cap, Wegovy® can be stored from 46 °F to 86 °F (8 °C to 30 °C) in the original carton for up to 28 days
- Keep Wegovy® in the original carton to protect it from light
- Do not freeze
- Throw away pen if Wegovy® has been frozen, has been exposed to light or temperatures above 86 °F (30 °C), or has been out of the refrigerator for 28 days or longer
Disposing of used pens
- It’s important to properly dispose of used Wegovy® pens. Do not throw the pen away with household trash. Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposable container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container
Tips for taking Wegovy®
- Wegovy® can be taken with or without food
- If your adolescent needs to change the day of the week that they take Wegovy®, they may do so as long as their last dose of Wegovy® was given 2 or more days before
- If too much Wegovy® is taken, it may cause severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe low blood sugar. Contact a health care professional or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if your adolescent experiences any of these symptoms
What to do if your adolescent misses a dose
- If your adolescent misses a dose of Wegovy®, and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), make sure they take the missed dose as soon as possible
- If your adolescent misses a dose of Wegovy®, and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away (48 hours), ensure that they do not administer the dose. Your adolescent should take their next dose on the regularly scheduled day
- If your adolescent misses doses of Wegovy® for more than 2 weeks, you can either ensure they take the next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call their health care professional to talk about how to restart treatment
Wegovy® dosing schedule for adolescents
Start
- Start Wegovy® at a dose of 0.25 mg per week for the first month
Step up
- In the second month, the weekly dose will increase to 0.5 mg
- In the third month, the weekly dose will increase to 1.0 mg
- In the fourth month, the weekly dose will increase to 1.7 mg
Stay
- For the fifth month onward, the weekly dose will increase to 2.4 mg
*If your adolescent does not tolerate the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, their health care professional may recommend decreasing their maintenance dose to 1.7 mg once weekly. Their health care professional may recommend that they stop taking Wegovy® if they cannot tolerate the 1.7 mg dose.
Check in with your adolescent’s health care professional while stepping up their dose to discuss your adolescent’s progress and what’s working for them. Be sure to bring up any side effect that bothers them or does not go away. If your adolescent has trouble tolerating a dose after stepping it up, their health care professional may recommend delaying the dose increase for 4 weeks.
Side effects of Wegovy®
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach (abdomen) pain
- Headache
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Feeling bloated
- Belching
- Low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes
- Gas
- Stomach flu
- Heartburn
- Runny nose or sore throat
Tell your adolescent’s health care professional if they experience any side effects.
Tips for managing nausea
Nausea is a common side effect when first starting Wegovy®. If your adolescent experiences nausea, be sure to contact their health care professional. They will offer guidance on ways to manage it, which may include:
Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice
Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin
Avoid lying down after eating
Go outdoors for fresh air
Eat more slowly
Side effects in adolescents vs adults
For adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, the side effects of Wegovy® were generally similar to those seen in adults. However, in the study, adolescents had a higher incidence of gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, low blood pressure, rash, and hives compared with studies of adults treated with Wegovy®.
Wegovy® and type 2 diabetes
There is not enough information to know if Wegovy® raises the risk of low blood sugar in adolescents with type 2 diabetes, like what is seen in adults. If your adolescent has type 2 diabetes and is prescribed Wegovy® for obesity, talk with their health care professional to understand the risk of low blood sugar as well as how to recognize the signs and symptoms. Their health care professional will check their blood sugar prior to starting Wegovy® and throughout treatment. As they’re getting started with Wegovy®, their health care professional might lower the doses of other diabetes medicines they may be taking (like sulfonylureas or insulin) to lessen the chance of low blood sugar.
Your adolescent’s health care professional is always the best person to go to for answers about side effects of Wegovy®, stepping up your adolescent’s dose, and beyond.
You can also find details in the Wegovy® Medication Guide or call the Wegovy® Navigation Line at 1-833-4-WEGOVY (1-833-493-4689) Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET.
Frequently asked questions
How does Wegovy® work?
Wegovy® works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in regulating appetite and food intake. This may help your adolescent taking Wegovy® eat less, which can lead to weight loss.
How might taking Wegovy® impact an adolescent’s BMI?
When combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, a 68-week medical study* of 201 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with obesity showed that adolescents taking Wegovy® lowered their BMI by 16.1%, while those on placebo raised their BMI by 0.6%.
You should discuss with your health care professional the BMI of your adolescent to determine if they are suited for Wegovy®.
* Results are from a 68-week medical study of 201 adolescent patients aged 12 to 17 years with a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher (according to sex- and age-specific growth charts) that compared Wegovy® with taking placebo (an inactive injection). Both groups received counseling on healthy nutrition and physical activity for weight loss. The average starting BMI for adolescents taking taking Wegovy® was 37.7. The average starting BMI for adolescents taking placebo was 35.7.
How is BMI calculated for adolescents?
Because of adolescents' weight and height change during growth and development, BMI is represented as a percentile using sex- and age-specific growth charts. The percentile tells us the adolescent’s BMI in relation to peers of the same age and sex. For example, if a 15-year-old boy has a BMI in the 50th percentile, his BMI is higher than the BMIs of 50% of 15-year-old boys at the time the growth charts were developed. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.
How long will adolescents remain on Wegovy®?
Chronic diseases like obesity usually require long-term management. Your adolescent’s health care professional can create a plan tailored to their weight-management goals. Your adolescent should visit their health care professional to review their progress and renew their prescription.
At the end of the adolescent medical study, patients stopped Wegovy® and were observed for 7 weeks on lifestyle therapy only. After stopping Wegovy®, weight regain was observed.
Does a health care professional need to perform the injections?
A health care professional should teach you and your adolescent how to inject Wegovy® before they take it for the first time. If either of you have questions or do not understand the instructions, ask a health care professional. See the full Instructions for Use that come with the Medication Guide for detailed information about the right way to use the Wegovy® pen.
Where on the body is Wegovy® injected?
Wegovy® is injected under the skin (this is called a subcutaneous injection) in the upper leg (front of the thighs), lower stomach (keep 2 inches away from belly button), or upper arm as instructed by a health care professional. Wegovy® is not to be injected into a vein or muscle. See the full Instructions for Use that come with the Medication Guide for detailed information about the right way to use the Wegovy® pen.
What are the most common side effects of Wegovy®?
For adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, the side effects of Wegovy® were generally similar to those seen in adults. However, in the study, adolescents had a higher incidence of gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, low blood pressure, rash, and hives compared with studies of adults treated with Wegovy®.
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
If your adolescent experiences any side effects, tell their health care professional.
Is there a Wegovy® support program that is available for adolescents?
The free WeGoTogether® personalized support program is designed for adults 18 years or older; however, as a caregiver you may access the Wegovy® Navigation Line at 1-833-4-WEGOVY if you would like more information.
When you begin or think about starting your adolescent on a medication, you may have questions. Discover additional, more general information about Wegovy® by visiting the frequently asked questions on Wegovy.com.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Do not use Wegovy® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay- colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Wegovy®.
Wegovy® is a prescription medication.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site is intended for US patients only.
What is Wegovy®?
WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
- that may help adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® is safe and effective for use in children under 12 years of age.
What is Wegovy®?
WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
- that may help adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® is safe and effective for use in children under 12 years of age.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Do not use Wegovy® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay- colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Do not use Wegovy® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay- colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Wegovy®.
Wegovy® is a prescription medication.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site is intended for US patients only.
What is Wegovy®?
WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
- that may help adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
It is not known if Wegovy® is safe and effective for use in children under 12 years of age.
Questions?
Need assistance or information?
Call the Wegovy® Navigation Line at 1-833-4-WEGOVY (1-833-493-4689) between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET, Monday–Friday.
