All about Wegovy

With celebrity fans and proven weight management benefits, Wegovy is the weight loss jab that has everyone talking. So what actually is Wegovy? And is it really a good option for weight loss? Here we answer five common questions about Wegovy:

1. What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a medical weight loss treatment for people who are overweight or obese.

Wegovy has been available in the US since 2021 and became known as a ‘celeb’ weight loss drug, or ‘skinny jab’, because celebrities such as Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian have reportedly used it for weight loss. Though it may have a Hollywood reputation, Wegovy is a licensed medical treatment. Experts are keen to make it clear that it’s not a quick fix or a replacement for healthy eating and exercise, and should only be offered with supervision from a medical professional such as a pharmacist.

Wegovy is a prescription strength treatment for adults who are struggling with their weight and have a BMI (body mass index) of at least 27. In the UK, about 1 in 4 adults are considered obese. Apart from the impact this can have on self-esteem, being overweight or obese can increase the risk of other health issues too.

2. Does it work?

Alongside diet and exercise, Wegovy has been shown to be very effective for weight loss.

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy, alongside diet and exercise, helped obese people lose, on average, around a tenth of their body weight.

3. How is it taken?

Wegovy is an injection that you self-administer once a week. It is designed to target the ‘hunger’ hormone, helping to regulate your appetite and food cravings. Wegovy works best as part of a weight management programme, which would include diet changes and exercise.

4. How can I get Wegovy?

Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine. This means a healthcare professional needs to provide it for you and oversee your Wegovy treatment to make sure you get the best results. Our pharmacist may be able to provide you with Wegovy as part of the Weight Management Service.

Wegovy will be available in the UK from spring 2023.
Wegovy has already been granted a licence for use in the UK and Wegovy should be available in UK from our pharmacy from spring 2023. You can already register and complete a consultation with us and discuss current treatment options.

5. Are there other options?

Yes, there is a range of existing weight loss treatments.

Wegovy is a weekly injection that targets your ‘hunger’ hormone to control appetite and cravings. As well as Wegovy, there are other weight loss treatment options available. Different treatments will be suitable for different people. Our pharmacist may consider your weight and lifestyle when helping you decide the best approach. Weight loss treatments include:

Orlistat – a pill that works in your digestive system to stop some of the fat you eat from being digested
Saxenda – a daily injection that works on the appetite signals in your brain to help you feel less hungry
Mysimba – a pill that targets the parts of the brain involved in the control of food intake and energy expenditure
Gastric band – a band placed around your stomach to help you feel more full
Gastric bypass or bariatric surgery – making surgical changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight
Whether it’s Wegovy or another treatment, our pharmacist can discuss weight loss options and help you find the best weight management programme for you.