Wegovy® (Semaglutide) Weekly Injection

Description

Important notice for all patients ordering the 0.5mg dose of Wegovy

Due to increased demand for the 0.5mg dose of Wegovy, the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has needed to supply the medicine from Switzerland to ensure patients in the UK have timely access to treatment. This means that the box you receive will feature Swiss instructions, but the product itself will be exactly the same. This has been approved by the MHRA. For more information, please see here, or for detailed instructions on how to use Wegovy 0.5mg, please refer to the instructions on this page.

Additional information regarding the 0.5mg dose of Wegovy

Please note that the 0.25mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg doses are available to new and returning patients. However, due to supply issues, the 0.5mg dose is only available to existing patients.

Buy Wegovy® Online

Wegovy® is a new prescription weight loss treatment that has just been licensed in the UK. They use the active ingredient semaglutide help to control your appetite and keep you feeling fuller for longer, making it easier to stick to that reduced-calorie diet and helping you to lose up to 15% of your starting weight. You’ll receive 1 month’s treatment in a single FlexTouch pen, and you’ll only need to inject once a week! If you have a BMI of 30 and above and have found that other weight loss treatments haven’t worked for you, Wegovy could be just what you need to hit your weight loss goals.

How Wegovy works

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy and it is part of a group of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. This means it works by helping you to regulate your appetite, reducing hunger and cravings. It stimulates the production of insulin in your pancreas and also helps to reduce the production of a hormone called glucagon. This combination reduces cravings and feelings of hunger and slows down the emptying of your stomach contents, helping you feel fuller for longer. By reducing your appetite, Wegovy injections make it easier for you to stick to a calorie-controlled diet, which naturally makes it easier for you to lose weight.

Directions

You’ll use Wegovy once a week. Before injecting this weight loss medication, make sure to wash your hands and check the pen for any damages and the expiration date, then clean the area you’re going to inject with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Your Wegovy FlexTouch pen has enough doses for 1 month (4 doses, 1 dose injected once a week). You must replace the needle and redial the dose after every use.

Remove the pen cap and push a new needle straight onto the pen. Turn until it’s tight. The needle is covered by two caps. You must remove both caps. Pull off the outer cap and keep it for later; you will need it to remove the needle safely after injecting. Pull off the inner needle cap and dispose of it. A drop of Wegovy may appear on the needle’s tip. If this is your first time using the pen, you must check the flow before use. If not, inject as normal.

To check the flow, hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter returns to ‘0’. A drop of Wegovy should appear on the needle’s tip. This means that your pen is ready for use. If it doesn’t appear, check the flow again. This should only be done twice. If there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow again. Do not use the pen if no drop of Wegovy still doesn’t appear.

Now it’s time to set your dose. Press and hold down the dose button until the desired dose appears on the counter. After selecting your dose, insert the needle into your skin, ensuring the dose counter is still visible. While injecting, press and hold the dose button until it returns to ‘0’. You may hear a click when it returns to ‘0’.

Carefully remove the needle from your skin. Bring the needle tip to the outer cap that you kept earlier and push it onto the needle. Unscrew the needle cap and dispose of it in a sharps container. Then put the cap back on your pen to protect the rest of your doses from the light. You may notice a little blood where you’ve injected your pen, this is totally normal, press down on the area lightly with a cotton ball or a gauze pad to stop the bleeding and clean.

 

 

Injection sites

You can choose from a few different injection sites for Wegovy, and your prescriber may recommend one for you. These sites include:

• Your upper legs
• Your lower stomach
• Your upper arms

You can inject into the same area every time you use this treatment, but you should make sure that you don’t choose the exact same injection spot every time. Make sure to avoid any areas of skin that are bruised, broken, tender, red, or damaged in any way.

Dosing and titration

When you start taking Wegovy you’ll be prescribed the lowest possible dose (usually 0.25mg a week) and increase strength slowly over time. This process is called titration and it helps your body to adjust to your new medication and reduces side effects. Your health care team will usually review the dose you’re taking every 4 weeks, increasing it once a month until you’re taking the highest possible dose of 2.4mg a week. The key is to keep communicating openly with your prescriber and health care team and follow the dosage instructions they give you carefully.

Side effects

Like all medications, Wegovy can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The most common side effects you may experience include:

• Feeling sick, this will usually go away over time
• Low blood sugar, showing symptoms such as a cold sweat, cool pale skin, headaches, a fast heartbeat, feeling sick or very hungry, vision changes, sleepiness or weakness, nervousness, anxiety, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or shaking
• Indigestion
• Stomach inflammation or gastritis, showing symptoms such as stomach aches, feeling sick or being sick
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Constipation (being unable to poo easily)
• Burping or farting, gas
• Gall stones
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• An increase of pancreatic enzymes, e.g. lipase, amylase

If you experience these or any other side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. For a complete list of potential side effects of this medication please see the patient information leaflet included with your treatment. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Wegovy include:

• Complications of diabetic eye disease, also known as retinopathy, showing symptoms such as changes in vision and other eye problems
• Increased risk of low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, showing symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, shakiness, vision changes, slurred speech, etc.
• Inflammation of the pancreas, showing symptoms such as severe pain in the stomach and back which doesn’t go away
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, e.g. difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, tongue or throat, severe rashes, itching or hives
• Gallbladder problems, showing symptoms such as upper stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), a fever, clay-coloured poo
• Kidney problems or kidney failure, especially in those who already have kidney problems
• Increased heart rate — speak to a doctor right away if you notice your heart racing or pounding in your chest for several minutes
• Depression or suicidal thoughts. Pay attention to any changes to your mental health or mood while taking this product and speak to your doctor if any of these choices worry you

If you experience any of these side effects while using this product you should stop use and seek immediate medical help. If your symptoms are particularly severe you should seek treatment at your local A&E department or call 999 for emergency services.

Warnings

Wegovy pens are not suitable for use in children and teens under the age of 18. Do not use this product if you are allergic to semaglutide or any of the other listed ingredients. Do not take this treatment if you or any of your family have ever had a type of cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type II (MEN 2). Tell your prescriber during your consultation if you have:

• Kidney problems
• Pancreas problems
• Depression, suicidal thoughts, or any other mental health issues
• Type 2 diabetes

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Wegovy is not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it’s currently unknown whether the semaglutide in this treatment will affect your child while in the womb or whether it will pass into your breastmilk. Many women find that they gain weight during pregnancy, but if you’re worried about yours you should speak with your doctor or healthcare team and ask for advice. They’ll be able to help you work out why you’re gaining weight, (for example, whether it’s caused by cravings or hormonal changes) and help you to make lifestyle choices that could help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.

Other medications

If you’re using any other medication, including herbal remedies and medicines you obtained without a prescription, you should tell your prescriber about them during your consultation for Wegovy. Some medications can interact when used together, causing unwanted side effects or making your medication less effective. You should especially be sure to tell your prescriber if you are already taking:

• Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, such as warfarin
• Insulin, as your doctor will need to monitor your blood sugar more closely and may change your insulin dose
• Any other weight loss medications

 

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

 

Storage

Store unused Wegovy pens in the refrigerator, at a temperature between 2 – 8 degrees C. Do not freeze. If you need to, a pen that has not had its cap removed can be stored at room temperature (below 30 degrees C) for up to 6 weeks. Store in original carton away from light. Once you’ve used your pen, discard it safely in an appropriate sharps bin.