If a little fluid appears on the skin, it’s usually from the needle track rather than a full dose loss. As a rule, don’t inject an extra dose; note what happened and continue with your next scheduled injection. For clear device errors (pen not primed correctly, needle blocked, or you know the dose didn’t deliver), contact your pharmacist or clinic for specific advice before re-dosing. To prevent repeats, ensure the needle is new, the pen is pressed flat against the skin, and

Keep unopened pens in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) in their carton, away from the freezer compartment. For in-use pens, store below 30 °C, cap on, and note the 6-week in-use limit on the box so you don’t lose track. Don’t store with a needle attached, and keep all pens and sharps out of children’s reach. Why correct storage matters Wegovy is a protein-based medicine, and like other injectables, it is sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and handling. That means how you st

Moderate alcohol is generally acceptable, but keep it sensible while you settle into treatment. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and may worsen nausea or reflux during dose increases. If you have diabetes or take medicines that can lower blood sugar, be extra cautious with alcohol and discuss safe limits with your team. Why alcohol and Wegovy can interact Wegovy (semaglutide) works by slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach, which is part of why people often feel fuller f

Yes — official tutorial videos exist and are helpful, but they don’t replace the patient leaflet or nurse/pharmacist teaching. Ask your clinic to point you to their preferred video and walk you through the device steps. If anything in the video differs from your pen’s instructions, follow your pen’s leaflet. Why videos can help Learning an injection technique is easier when you see it done. A clear video shows hand position, pen angle, and the pace at which the button is pres

Check your dose strength, attach a new needle, and follow the step-by-step device guide (including the brief “flow check” where shown)....

Wegovy has been tested in large clinical trials and shown to deliver sustained, clinically meaningful weight loss. Over-the-counter supplements rarely have robust evidence and typically produce little to no lasting effect, so the gap in proven effectiveness is significant. What makes Wegovy different Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been through rigorous clinical trials involving thousands of participants worldwide. The STEP programme of studies

Yes, trial evidence shows that Wegovy works best when combined with healthy eating and physical activity, leading to average weight losses of around 15%. Saxenda and Trulicity also perform better when paired with lifestyle support, but semaglutide at the doses used in Wegovy generally results in greater overall reductions. Why lifestyle support matters No weight-loss medicine is intended to work on its own. NICE guidance makes clear that drugs such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and Tru

Many people on Wegovy report fewer food cravings and better control over eating, which can reduce stress around meals. Other drugs like Mysimba may also affect mood and cravings, but semaglutide’s impact on appetite tends to have the strongest indirect psychological benefit. Why psychological effects matter Weight management is never only about the body. Emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, and the stress of managing food choices all play a big role in how people experience

Clinical trials included adults up to their mid-70s, and weight loss benefits were seen across age groups. There’s limited evidence directly comparing older versus younger adults, but no major differences in effectiveness have been noted, though older people may be more sensitive to side effects. Who was included in the trials The large clinical trials of semaglutide, such as the STEP programme, included adults with overweight or obesity up to about 75 years old. This means w

Wegovy is made as a biologic medicine, meaning it uses recombinant technology to produce semaglutide, a protein-based drug. Mysimba and Orlistat, by contrast, are small-molecule tablets made by chemical synthesis. These differences influence regulation and supply but not day-to-day use for patients. What makes Wegovy a biologic Wegovy (semaglutide) belongs to a group of medicines known as biologics. These are typically large, complex molecules produced in living cells using r

Both contain semaglutide and improve blood sugar by enhancing insulin release and reducing glucagon. Ozempic is specifically licensed for diabetes at lower doses, while Wegovy provides the same benefits at higher doses alongside more pronounced weight reduction. How semaglutide works on blood sugar Semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin release when glucose level

The most common side effects with Wegovy are gastrointestinal, such as nausea and diarrhoea, and these often lessen over time. Other medicines have different risks: Orlistat can cause oily stools, Mysimba may raise blood pressure, and phentermine (not used in the UK) carries cardiovascular risks. Understanding risk in context All weight-loss medicines come with benefits and risks. Doctors weigh these carefully before prescribing, taking into account a person’s health conditio

Yes, Wegovy has strong evidence in people with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnoea, where weight loss can improve outcomes. Other drugs may be chosen if semaglutide is unsuitable, but few have shown the same range of benefits across multiple health conditions. Why certain conditions matter Weight-related health problems often go beyond the number on the scales. People with obesity are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sl

No, even though both contain semaglutide, they are licensed for different uses and come in different devices and doses. Doctors may...

The SELECT trial showed semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) reduced the risk of major heart problems in people with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease. Orlistat, while useful for modest weight loss, has not shown the same scale of cardiovascular benefits in large outcome studies. Two very different medicines Wegovy and Orlistat are both prescribed for weight management, but they work in completely different ways. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that red

In the UK, coverage depends on NHS commissioning rather than insurance, and NICE now recommends Wegovy within specialist services. Saxenda has more limited NHS use. In private healthcare or in other countries, coverage varies by insurer, but newer guidance tends to prioritise Wegovy because of its stronger results. The UK context: NHS commissioning, not insurance Unlike in the United States, where health insurance policies determine which drugs are covered, the UK relies on t

Wegovy works directly on appetite signals in the brain, helping people feel full sooner and think less about food. Other medicines act...

Wegovy has shown sustained weight loss of around 15% at 68 weeks, and many participants maintained benefits at two years. Qsymia (not...

Survey and trial follow-ups suggest people report higher satisfaction with Wegovy than older GLP-1 drugs, mainly because of greater...

In a head-to-head trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine , people taking Wegovy lost on average about 15.8% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared with 6.4% for those on Saxenda (liraglutide). This makes Wegovy the more effective of the two for weight loss in most cases. Two GLP-1 medicines, one key difference Both Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same class of medicines, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by mimicking a natural hormone that redu