General Advice

Yes — trials show Wegovy users lose more weight earlier than with Saxenda, thanks to its stronger appetite effect and weekly dosing. That said, both require steady use over months for results to build. The two medicines at a glance Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same family of medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists. They help people feel fuller sooner, reduce appetite, and support healthier eating. The difference lies in the active ingredient and how they are dosed: Wegovy cont

Wegovy mimics the hormone GLP-1, acting on the brain to reduce appetite and slow digestion. Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) affects brain reward and craving pathways, which can reduce emotional eating but doesn’t directly target satiety hormones. How Wegovy works Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural gut hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain that you are full, slows down stomach emptying, and enhances insulin release wh

Both Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) and Trulicity (dulaglutide) improve blood sugar, but semaglutide generally produces greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight. NICE recommends semaglutide more widely for people needing weight-focused management. Two GLP-1 medicines, one key difference Wegovy and Trulicity both belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family of medicines. They mimic the hormone GLP-1, which reduces appetite, slows digestion, and stimulates insulin release when b

Nausea? Hair loss? Headaches Acid reflux? Sulphur burps? These can be some of the most common side effects when using weight loss medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy. We can help.

Yes, NICE guidance states that Wegovy can be offered to adults with a BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related condition, or sometimes with a BMI over 30 if criteria are met. Other drugs, like Saxenda or Mysimba, have similar but slightly different BMI thresholds, while diabetes drugs like Trulicity are prescribed on blood sugar criteria instead. Wegovy and its eligibility rules In the UK, NICE sets out clear criteria for who can be prescribed Wegovy. It is recommended for

Trials such as STEP-1 and SELECT showed Wegovy not only reduced weight but also improved blood pressure, cholesterol, and markers of heart health. Other medicines, like Saxenda, also improve some metabolic measures but to a smaller extent, and drugs like Orlistat mainly affect fat absorption rather than broad cardiometabolic outcomes. Why metabolic health matters Weight management is not just about the number on the scales. Many of the health risks linked to excess weight — i

Neither Wegovy nor Saxenda requires strict dietary rules. Both are prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical...

In STEP trials, people using Wegovy started to see weight changes within the first 4–8 weeks, with maximum effects building over about a year. Ozempic, studied mainly for diabetes, also showed early improvements in blood sugar and weight within weeks, but average weight loss was smaller because of its lower doses. Early signs of progress One of the most common questions people ask is how soon results can be seen. In clinical trials of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), participants

Wegovy is taken once weekly via an injection pen, with doses stepped up over 16 weeks. Saxenda requires a daily injection, Mounjaro is a...

After first use, a pen can usually be kept below 30 °C (cap on, away from light) for up to 6 weeks — then it must be discarded, even if medicine remains. Unopened pens belong in the fridge; if they have been kept at room temperature on purpose, many packs allow a limited period out of the fridge — your leaflet sets the exact limit. Never freeze, never overheat (hot cars, radiators, direct sun), and never store with a needle attached. Why storage rules matter Wegovy (semagluti

Phentermine can produce modest, short-term weight loss, but it is not licensed in the UK for obesity treatment. In contrast, semaglutide...

In major STEP trials, Wegovy led to about 15% weight loss over 68 weeks. Contrave (called Mysimba in the UK) generally achieves around 6–9% across pivotal studies. This means semaglutide tends to provide greater weight reduction than naltrexone/bupropion combinations. Two very different approaches Although both Wegovy and Contrave are prescribed for weight management, they work in completely different ways. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces ap

Yes, Wegovy and metformin are often used together in people with type 2 diabetes, and no special dose adjustment is typically required. They work differently: Wegovy (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and boosts insulin release, while metformin mainly reduces glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Why these medicines are combined Doctors frequently prescribe Wegovy (semaglutide) alongside metformin, particularly in

Choosing between Wegovy and Mounjaro comes down to what you’re aiming for (weight, blood sugar, side-effect profile) and what’s available to you. Many people see strong results with both; tirzepatide can yield greater reductions for some, while semaglutide has a longer real-world track record. Why these two drugs stand out Wegovy and Mounjaro are often compared because they’re part of the same family of treatments known as incretin-based medicines. Both act on hormones that h

Wegovy and Ozempic share the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but they’re licensed for different uses and doses — Wegovy for weight...

There isn’t a one-off loading dose; instead there’s a gradual dose-escalation (titration) phase. You start low and step up in stages...

In UK services, routine age use focuses on adults within specialist pathways. Use in people under 18 is specialist and not part of standard adult commissioning routes. If a young person is being considered for treatment, this would happen in paediatric services with multidisciplinary input and careful assessment of risks and benefits. Focus on adults in UK guidance In the UK, Wegovy is commissioned primarily for adults who meet strict eligibility criteria. NICE guidance and c

Clinically important interactions are few, but there are practical considerations. Because Wegovy can slow stomach emptying, the...

Energy levels often feel steadier as erratic snacking and large swings in intake settle down. Some people notice early fatigue during dose increases; this usually improves with better hydration, regular meals, and enough protein. If tiredness persists, your team can adjust the titration pace or check for other contributors such as low iron or not eating enough. What to expect in the first weeks Many people describe two parallel experiences at the start. On the one hand, appet

Combination weight loss medications aren’t routine in UK services because evidence for stacking treatments is limited and side-effect...