How much Wegovy do I need to lose weight? In this blog, we will explain how much Wegovy a person may need to see effective weight loss and also which factors determine the duration of using Wegovy.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription medication that is used to help adults with obesity or those who are overweight lose weight and keep it off. It uses the active ingredient called semaglutide. It is a once-weekly injection that works by copying the action of a gut hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 helps to control appetite and make you feel full after eating. Wegovy also helps to slow down the movement of food through your digestive system, which can help you feel full for longer.
When should I start seeing weight loss?
Once you commence on Wegovy, you would start off on the lowest dose which is 0.25mg. This dose is to see how you tolerate the medication and to make sure your body reacts safely to it.
Within the first 4 weeks of taking 0.25mg Wegovy, there could be up to 5% weight loss seen. This will vary per individual with age, weight, medical conditions, lifestyle etc. having a factor on the outcomes.
Below is a chart which has been taken from a study trial to show the effectiveness of Wegovy for weight loss.
| Dose | Weight loss (%) |
| 0.25mg | 5.0% |
| 0.5mg | 7.8% |
| 1mg | 10.2% |
| 1.7mg | 12.4% |
How long should I stay on the medication for?
Wegovy comes in 5 doses. These are:
- 0.25mg
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 1.7mg
- 2.4mg
Every 4 weeks, the plan is to titrate to the next dose. You should reach the top dose in the fifth month.
Depending on your response your doctor may recommend staying on the same dose and not titrate it up. Some people find that they lose more weight at a lower dose and some find that they cannot tolerate bigger doses. The top dose and the maintenance dose is 2.4mg Wegovy.
It is said that some doctors recommend patients to stay on these medications for a longer duration. This is to prevent regain of weight. However, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) suggests being on the medications for a maximum of 2 years.
Each person will be different so their duration on the medication will vary depending on their weight loss journey. For each titration, you should be approved by a specialist for your next dose of treatment to make sure it is the right dose for you. You should never choose the dose of the medication yourself as this could be harmful to your health.
How do I get off Wegovy?
Once you have reached a healthy BMI and weight, you may no longer need to carry on with the medication. This would be advised by your doctor. Once it has been discussed that you will be stopping the medication, your doctor will explain the weaning off process to safely stop the medication. This usually means reducing your doses by each month till you return to the lowest dose. Every doctor has a different weaning schedule and also this depends from person to person. More and more evidence is now available on the safety of this medication in the long term.
What happens after I stop Wegovy?
When stopping Wegovy, you will need to make sure to maintain your weight. Whilst taking Wegovy, you would have been following a healthy lifestyle which includes regular physical activity along with eating healthy, balanced meals. These changes should be continued after stopping Wegovy to ensure you maintain your weight for the rest of your life.
Most importantly ensure that you do not lose muscle during your weight loss journey. Once you come off Wegovy, adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Always monitor your weight, once a week and if you find that your weight is consistently going up for 3 weeks, contact your doctor immediately for early intervention.
