In the United States, there’s about 70% that’s overweight and obese. Obesity is a severe health issue associated with numerous leading causes of death, e.g., diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Losing weight through exercise, diet, and medication can help obese patients reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults.
Wegovy is an approved drug treatment for chronic weight management, and it mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. This hormone targets the areas in the brain that regulate food intake and appetite.
The Food and Drug Administration approved this drug to facilitate safe and effective therapy for adults with obesity and overweight problems. But the question is, is it safe? This page covers everything you need to know about wegovy, e.g., who can take it and who can’t, how much weight you can lose, and how to use it.
Who Can Use Wegovy?
For wegovy to work, you would have to meet its criteria. The medication is intended for patients with excess weight and a BMI of 30 or higher. Individuals with a BMI of at least 27 are also qualified but must have additional obesity-related health problems.
Wegovy is used as a medication in addition to an increase in physical activity and a calorie diet. You may have to exercise and go on a diet for your medication to work. If you’re worried about the cost of medication, gym membership, and carefully noting your calorie intake, don’t worry because you can get a wegovy discount from BuzzRx or similar discount promotions from other prescription discount providers. Get a coupon from their website, and you can use it at numerous known pharmacies.
You can also save up on gym memberships by opting for a monthly subscription and finding a gym specializing in your case.
Who Shouldn’t Use Wegovy?
If you’ve ticked off any one of the following, wegovy wouldn’t be of use to you, and it would also be dangerous. Consult with your physician before taking any medication.
- If you or a family member had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- If you have a severe allergic reaction to semaglutide, the following are symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
- Very rapid heartbeat
- fainting or dizziness
- swelling of your lips, face, throat, or tongue
- Problems with breathing or swallowing
- Severe itching or rash
- If you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
How Much Weight You Can Lose From Wegovy
When new medication gets invented, the FDA is responsible for checking every trial made by scientists. For wegovy, the FDA approved the medication with numerous placebo-controlled trials for thousands of different age participants.
In their most notable trials, the average initial body weight of the participants was 231 pounds, and they had a BMI of 38. Participants who were given wegovy lost an average of 14.9 percent on their previous body weight. They’ve lost about 33 pounds during the 68-week trial. On the other hand, participants in the placebo group only lost 2.4% of their initial body weight.
How To Properly Use Wegovy
Like any medication, you must read the instructions to use your prescription properly. Follow what your physician told you to on how you should take wegovy. Don’t worry because your healthcare provider would usually show you how to use it before your first time.
It’s because wegovy is an injected medication that you would inject under the skin of your thigh, upper arm, or stomach. Avoid injecting it into a muscle or vein for your safety.
In each injection, change or rotate the injection site. Don’t use the same area for each injection. Be consistent when using it to see results on the same day of the week since you’re only supposed to use it once each week.
You can take the medication with or without food, so don’t worry; go on with your calorie diet. Also, call your healthcare provider or visit the nearest hospital if you have too much wegovy and you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- severe nausea
- severe low blood sugar
- severe vomiting
Wegovy’s Side Effects
You will see this information in the little paper with your medication, but it’s always best to be prepared and get to know what things you might experience.
- Pancreatitis. If you get any inflammation in your pancreas, stop using the medication immediately and call your healthcare provider when you experience any pain in your abdomen that won’t go away.
- Gallbladder problems. You may experience problems in your gallbladder, like gallstones.
- Severe allergic reactions. If you’re allergic to the active ingredients of Wegovy, you may experience reactions to it.
- Increased heart rate. The medication can increase your heart rate if you’re at rest. Ensure that your physician checks your heart rate when taking Wegovy so that they know what to do.
Final Thoughts
During one’s weight loss journey, you must follow through with every instruction made by your physician and gym instructors to get the best weight loss results. It may seem like you’re far away from the prize, but you’ll soon get a healthy body and meet your goals.
Ensure that you meet the medication’s criteria and get the prescription from your doctor. Avoid using it to treat other diseases; when you take it with other medication, be sure that it doesn’t conflict with one another. It’s better if you also tell your physician this.
Jorden Smith is a passionate writer and researcher with a knack for exploring news and website reviews. With a keen eye for detail and a love for uncovering hidden gems, Jorden’s work is always thorough and informative. When not busy writing, Jorden enjoys traveling and discovering new places. Stay tuned for more insightful articles from this up-and-coming writer.