Wegovy^®

GLP-1 medications mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone that is naturally released by the body and can help to reduce appetite, decrease overeating, and lose weight.

It’s possible to see weight loss in the first month of treatment. However, because everyone responds differently to medications, it may take some time to find the dose that works best for you. Most people lose weight with continued treatment after a few months. We recommend aiming for 1-2 pound weight loss per week, but your healthcare provider can provide personalized guidance based on your individual response.

• Helps control blood sugar by enhancing insulin secretion
• Protects the heart, improves heart function, reduces blood pressure, and lowers risk for heart disease
• Improves brain health, possibly by reducing inflammation and protecting nerve cells
• Supports liver health including metabolic-associated fatty liver disease 
• Reduces inflammation 
• Helps with cholesterol (especially bad cholesterol)

A hormone is a chemical messenger that travels through the blood to reach different organs and tissues. 

We recommend you contact your insurance company via the number on the back of your card to see if you have coverage for branded GLP1s.  You can also go directly to the manufacturer’s website and enter in your information to determine if you have coverage. Insurance coverage for brand-name GLP-1 medications typically require prior authorization, meaning your provider must get approval from your insurance company before you can get the prescription. This process can take several weeks and isn’t always approved, especially if the medication is prescribed for just weight loss (rather than diabetes).

The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.

Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
• Gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
• Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
• Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration
• Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Wegovy®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
• Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
• Change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
• Increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
• Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
• If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or  go to your nearest emergency department. If you are contemplating suicide, call 911 or call/text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These services are available 24/7.
• Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

We are here to help you manage side effects. If you experience side effects, be sure to let your provider know as they can provide personalized guidance and educational content. They may even be able to prescribe treatment to help you manage these concerns.

For any serious or severe side effects, please seek in-person medical care.

To help mitigate any side effects you might experience from these medications, your provider will likely have you start with a low dose of treatment and gradually increase it over time to reach the target dose. If you do experience side effects, your provider can offer personalized guidance and resources to help. They also may prescribe treatment to help manage certain side effects if appropriate.

We don't know if Wegovy® is safe in pregnancy. Because it may harm a baby if taken during pregnancy, stop taking Wegovy® as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you plan to get pregnant, stop taking Wegovy® at least 2 months before you start trying to conceive. This is important because it takes time for Wegovy® to leave your body. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk. You and your health care provider should decide if you will use Wegovy® or breastfeed.

If prescribed, the Wegovy® prescription will be sent to your preferred local pharmacy, where you can fill the medication at your convenience. You’ll need to check in with your pharmacy to make sure this medication is in stock as supply shortages can occur. This medication is not available for home delivery through Nurx.

The medical consult fee is $39. Patients will also be charged a monthly provider support fee of $59/month. If you are prescribed Wegovy®, pricing typically starts at $1300/month on average for lowest dose without insurance coverage (ask your local pharmacy to confirm the price). You will pick up and pay for your medication at your local pharmacy.