What is Semaglutide and Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription weight loss medication known as a GLP-1 agonist. Wegovy works by mimicking the hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). Wegovy works by binding to the same receptors as GLP-1 which in turn has the same effect of making you feel fuller while reducing your appetite to help manage food cravings.
Wegovy contains semaglutide as its active ingredient, the same compound found in the Type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic. However, semaglutide is specifically prescribed through Wegovy to support weight loss.
Wegovy is essentially a tool to make it easier to eat less food, therefore you can lose weight. As Wegovy is an appetite suppressant, it will not burn fat or calories, Wegovy should be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
How many doses are in a Wegovy pen?
Wegovy has a specific dosing schedule which should adhered to when taking the medication. Each Wegovy dose comes in a colour-coded pen and each pen is prefilled with four doses to be administered weekly.
What is the starting dose for Wegovy?
Wegovy has a starting dose of 0.25mg once per week, to be taken over a 4-week period. After this 4-week period, you can carry on with the same strength or move to a higher dose once you have discussed your prescription with our clinical team of prescribing pharmacists.
They will be able to advise whether you should move to a higher dose or if you should remain on that dose.
What's the highest Wegovy dose?
Currently, the highest Wegovy dose available through Phlo Clinic is 2.4mg.
Wegovy dosage chart
How long does a Wegovy dose last?
Wegovy has five different dose strength each to be administered weekly over a 4-week period, shown below are each of the doses with 0.25mg as the starting dose.
Do I have to increase my Wegovy dose?
The doses can be increased if you have discussed your reasoning with our clinical team. The doses can be increased incrementally up until 2.4mg, once you reach this dose it cannot be increased any further. Our clinical team may alter your dosing schedule depending on how you are feeling on the medication and how it may be affecting you. You should always consult our prescribing pharmacists for advice before changing your dosage.
Is there a maintenance dose for Wegovy?
At Phlo Clinic, our clinicians will work with you to decide what’s right for you. Wegovy is licensed for long-term weight management, and at Phlo Clinic, our clinicians will work with you to decide what’s right for you. Typically, that means working with you to develop a maintenance plan that offers ongoing support with our clinicians to gradually adjust your dose and monitor your progress.
The recommended maintenance dose for weight management is 2.4 mg once weekly with its purpose being to prevent weight gain. We know due to side effects the higher dose may not be always suitable. In this circumstance, speak to our clinical team who can advise further. We will also offer supportive resources around nutrition and lifestyle guidance to help strengthen the habits that will help you sustain your results safely and keep the weight off long-term.
The right approach depends on your individual progress and how your body responds over time. Once you’ve reached your target weight, some people continue on a lower or stable dose of Wegovy to help maintain results, while others are able to safely stop treatment altogether once healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits are well established.
For more detailed advice on maintaining your weight after Wegovy, read our Wegovy Maintenance Guide.
What happens if I miss a Wegovy dose?
We understand sometimes things get in the way and you can forget to take a dose if you’re unwell or travelling and have been unable to take it as scheduled. Fortunately, it’s usually not a cause for concern and won't impact your weight loss journey and success.
What to do next if you miss a dose:
- If it’s within 5 days of your missed dose: your next dose should be administered as soon as possible. You should then inject your next dose 7 days later, and make that your new scheduled dose day.
- If more than 5 days have passed: the missed dose should be skipped and the next dose should be taken on your regular scheduled day.
In each case, patients can then resume their regular once weekly dosing schedule. If more doses are missed, reducing the starting dose for re-initiation should be considered.
If you have missed consecutive doses over a few weeks, inform your prescriber. You may need to adapt or restart your Wegovy treatment to build your body’s tolerance back up.
Can I switch to Wegovy on a higher dose?
When switching to Wegovy from another GLP-1 medication such as Mounjaro, you may be eligible to switch to a higher dose. This is individual based on your consultation review by one of our clinicians, treatment history, medical records and your individual progress. We take into consideration your tolerance of Mounjaro and whether you've experienced side effects too.
At the end of our online consultation, you will be offered the options of GLP-1 medication and dosage. Here, you can select which treatment and dose you would like. Then, our clinicians will approve your selected treatment strength if suitable for you.
It’s important to follow the prescribed dosing schedule. Doses can be increased every four weeks to the maximum dose of 2.4mg. If you are experiencing any side effects with your current dose, please get in touch with our clinical team who can advise you further.
Can I start Wegovy at 0.5mg?
To start on 0.5mg of Wegovy, you must have been on 5mg or higher of Mounjaro. However, being able to switch to 0.5mg of Wegovy will depend on your weight loss progress, tolerance of side effects, and will be subject to individual review by one of our clinicians. Once you submit your online consultation you will be advised onshown the most suitable dose for you.
Can I start Wegovy at 1.7mg?
You may be able to start at 1.7mg of Wegovy if you have recently been on 10mg, 12.5mg or 15mg of Mounjaro. Each online consultation is reviewed individually by one of our prescribing clinicians who will advise you on the most suitable dose for you. This will also take into consideration whether you’ve had side effects or not.
Can I start Wegovy at 2.4mg?
Typically, you can start on 2.4mg of Wegovy, if your last dose has been on 15mg of Mounjaro. This will be dependent on your experience of side effects and weight loss progress.
