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...

Suitability depends on your health profile, but many people with common conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure can use Wegovy within specialist care. If you take insulin or medicines that can cause low blood sugar, your prescriber may adjust doses to reduce hypo risk as appetite changes. Blood-pressure tablets usually continue as normal, with routine monitoring as weight and salt intake shift. People with a history of certain rare endocrine or pancreatic issue

There are no strict dietary restrictions, but simple tweaks help you feel better on treatment. Smaller portions, slower eating, and higher-protein meals reduce nausea and keep you fuller for longer. Early on, many people do better with lighter foods and by limiting very rich, spicy, or greasy dishes. Hydration matters — sip water regularly, and consider a little extra salt if you’ve cut back on processed foods and feel light-headed. Alcohol is best kept moderate, especially w

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

Wegovy was developed by Novo Nordisk as a higher-dose formulation of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide for chronic weight management, building on earlier experience with semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. Its evidence base comes from large, international STEP trials focused on weight and related health markers, with additional research exploring cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in selected groups. UK adoption is guided by national appraisals and commissioning policies; S

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

Wegovy does not “boost metabolism” in the thermogenic sense; its primary action is appetite regulation and reduced intake. As weight decreases, resting energy expenditure typically falls a little — that’s a normal adaptation seen with any weight loss. The meaningful advantage here is reduced hunger and cravings, which makes long-term behaviour change more realistic. Improvements in metabolic risk markers are observed in many users, but they stem from weight reduction and bett

Wegovy alters appetite and satiety by activating GLP-1 receptors on neurons that signal “you’ve had enough,” while dialing down circuits that push “keep eating.” This reduces the intensity and frequency of cravings, especially for highly palatable foods. People often describe quieter “food noise,” easier portion control, and feeling satisfied sooner without forcing it. How GLP-1 receptors affect appetite Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, works by mimicking the hormone

For long-term weight loss, sustained treatment in structured services has shown meaningful average reductions, with plateaus that are...

The medicine is intended to sit alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular movement, not replace them. People usually find it easier to meet protein targets, shrink portions, and cut between-meal snacking when appetite is quieter. Light-to-moderate activity protects muscle while weight comes down, and small daily habits (steps, resistance bands at home, shorter eating windows that suit you) compound gains without feeling punitive. UK services will tailor this mix and adjust

The first few weeks focus on getting used to weekly injections and allowing your body to adapt at a low dose. Common early effects...

Appetite suppression with semaglutide comes from activating GLP-1 receptors in brain regions that govern hunger and satisfaction,...

Most people notice appetite shifts within the first few weeks, but visible results on the scale tend to appear gradually as the dose...

Some people notice appetite changes within the first few weeks, but the medicine is introduced gradually to improve tolerability, so its...

The dosage schedule is once weekly on the same day, using a step-up “titration” plan to reach a maintenance dose. A common pathway starts low (for example, 0.25 mg weekly) and increases in stages (0.5 mg → 1.0 mg → 1.7 mg) toward a usual maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly, with each step typically lasting several weeks. If side effects occur, clinicians can extend a step or pause before moving up; this flexibility is standard practice across UK services. People scheduled for p

The primary target is the GLP-1 receptor, found in brain regions that regulate hunger and satiety and in the gut’s signalling pathways....

Compared with other weight-loss medications available in the UK, Wegovy relies on GLP-1 receptor activation to lower appetite, while...

The active ingredient is semaglutide. Everything else listed with the medicine are excipients — formulation components that stabilise the solution and help the injection work properly — but they do not contribute therapeutic activity. When people talk about Wegovy’s effect, they’re talking about semaglutide acting on GLP-1 receptors . Why semaglutide matters Semaglutide is the single therapeutic component in Wegovy. It belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor ago

Some people notice appetite changes within the first few weeks, but the medicine is introduced gradually to improve tolerability, so its...