Wegovy®
Semaglutide 2.4 mg
The world's most prescribed injectable weight loss medication — FDA-approved and clinically proven for up to 20% body weight reduction.
Required Blood Work Before Starting
About Wegovy®
Wegovy is the brand name for high-dose semaglutide (2.4 mg/week), developed by Novo Nordisk specifically for chronic weight management. It became the first GLP-1 medication FDA-approved for obesity in adults and adolescents. The landmark STEP 1 trial showed an average 14.9% body weight reduction — comparable to bariatric surgery for many patients. It has since also demonstrated cardiovascular risk reduction (SELECT trial: 20% reduction in MACE events).
Indicated Uses
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30)
- Overweight with weight-related comorbidities
- Cardiovascular risk reduction
- Type 2 diabetes with obesity
- Weight loss maintenance after initial loss
Clinical Benefits
- Average 15–20% total body weight reduction
- 20% reduction in heart attack and stroke risk (SELECT trial)
- Significant reduction in visceral abdominal fat
- Improved HbA1c and blood sugar control
- Reduced blood pressure and cholesterol
- Decrease in food cravings and emotional eating
How It Works (Mechanism of Action)
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% structural homology to human GLP-1. It activates GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus (appetite suppression), pancreas (insulin release), and gut (delayed gastric emptying). Its 7-day half-life (vs. 2 minutes for endogenous GLP-1) allows once-weekly dosing with sustained receptor activation.
Dosage Protocol
Week 1–4: 0.25 mg/week. Week 5–8: 0.5 mg/week. Week 9–12: 1 mg/week. Week 13–16: 1.7 mg/week. Week 17+: 2.4 mg/week (maintenance). Slow titration minimizes nausea. Self-administered subcutaneous pen injection, once weekly.
When to Expect Results
Appetite reduction: Week 1–2. Visible weight loss: Week 3–6. 5% body weight loss: ~Month 2–3. Peak weight loss: Month 12–18.
Potential Side Effects
Nausea (most common, usually resolves after 4–8 weeks), vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. Rare: pancreatitis, gallbladder issues. Contraindicated in personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
All weight management medications require UAE licensed physician assessment, comprehensive blood work, and ongoing monitoring. Availability depends on regulatory approval and patient eligibility. These statements are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.