Description
Get to know the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen
Wegovy (Semaglutide) is used to support people to lose up to 17% of their starting body weight (with 1 in 3 achieving a 20% loss) alongside changes to diet & lifestyle and then maintain their lower weight.
- Once a week injection with an easy-to-use pen
- Sourced direct from manufacturer (Novo Nordisk)
Wegovy FlexTouch Pen key facts
Self-inject Wegovy at home once a week. Using its very fine needle, inject just under the skin in either your stomach area, thigh or upper arm – whichever you prefer.
Filled with 4 doses, each pen is designed to last a month (4x once weekly injections).
Always make sure to read the user instructions in the second half of the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the pen.
How do Wegovy injections work?
Wegovy injections work by mimicking the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone your body naturally makes. This hormone targets brain areas involved in regulating appetite (hunger) and blood sugar. This can help you eat fewer calories and lose weight.
How Wegovy works with your body
Wegovy works with your body to help you lose weight, rather than against it. It’s most effective when used alongside a balanced, healthy diet and increased physical activity.
- Minimises cravings:Â Wegovy can reduce food cravings (or food noise) for high-fat foods, helping you eat a more balanced and healthier diet.
- Reduces blood sugar levels:Â When blood sugar levels are high (often after eating certain foods), it promotes the release of insulin to reduce blood sugar levels. This prevents excess sugar being stored as fat.
- Makes you feel full:Â Wegovy works on the part of the brain that controls hunger, helping you feel full sooner and reducing how much you eat.
- Slows digestion:Â Wegovy slows the speed at which food moves through the stomach, helping prevent blood sugar spokes after meals – keeping you feeling fuller. This helps reduce the urge to snack.
Wegovy weight loss injections have also been shown to offer other health benefits, including:
- Improvements to cardiovascular health after 3 months of treatment
- Treatment of pain caused by knee osteoarthritis
- Doesn’t impact the efficacy of oral contraceptives
Understand who can use Wegovy
Wegovy is not suitable for everyone. Our team follows strict clinical guidelines when assessing patients for treatment, including a thorough review of past medical history.
If you meet the criteria below, Wegovy may be a suitable treatment for you, but this isn’t guaranteed.
- Adults aged 18-85
- Those with a BMI above 30 if you don’t have any weight-related health conditions
- Those with a BMI above 27 and a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some other health conditions
This list is only intended as in indicator for who might be suitable for treatment. The doctor will complete a full medical review of your consultation when considering you for treatment.
Use this NHS tool to calculate your BMI.
Weight loss results with Wegovy
A range of studies have shown achievable weight loss of 5-20% with weekly Wegovy injections. Wegovy is a longer-term weight management treatment, and you should start to see weight loss within 4-6 weeks of starting treatment.
Weight loss examples
According to a 2022 study of 172 adults who were overweight or obese, the following timeline of weight loss results was observed:
Wegovy 3 months results:
- 53.7% of participants lost at least 5% of their initial body weight
- 14.9% lost 10% or more
Wegovy 6 months results:
- 87.3% lost at least 5% of their initial body weight
- 54.9% lost 10% or more
- 23.5% lost 15% or more
- 7.8% lost 20% or more
This study demonstrates that treatment with Wegovy can result in weight loss within 3 months, with further losses by 6 months.
Remember, studies are an indicator of what can be achieved, but every weight loss journey is unique.
Our expert team is on-hand to help support your weight journey.
How to use Wegovy Weight Loss Injections
Always use the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen safely and as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the pen. Follow medical advice from trained professionals and verified resources only.
Wegovy dose schedule
This medicine comes in different doses, and you must follow these dosage instructions:
Start with 0.25mg for the first 4 weeks. Then, increase the dose in consecutive months to 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and then 2.4mg as tolerated. This gradual monthly increase should reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.
If any side effects last more than a few weeks after the dose increase, or become serious, contact our healthcare team.
How to store Wegovy
The Wegovy FlexTouch Pen should be kept refrigerated. Keep it in your fridge (between 2°C to 8°C) as soon as possible after delivery. It should then be kept refrigerated until you opened it to administer the first injection. Once opened, it can be stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 6 weeks. Always keep it out of direct sunlight and direct heat sources.
When travelling, keep your Wegovy FlexTouch Pen in your hand luggage and use a cool bag with an ice pack, where needed. Never pack in your plane hold luggage as the medication may freeze, leaving it unusable.
How to inject Wegovy
It’s normal to be anxious the first time you’re getting ready to inject, but with preparation and practice it’ll become second nature.
Three key stages to injecting include:
- Preparing your dose
- Injecting your dose
- Post-injection
Make sure to thoroughly read and understand the user instructions in the second half of the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the FlexTouch Pen.
Our top injection tips include:
- Reading the user instructions thoroughly
- Washing your hands before starting
- Choosing your injection site carefully to avoid side effects
- Giving yourself plenty of time on your injection day so you aren’t rushed
Side effects of Wegovy Weight Loss Injections
Below we’ve listed some common and some serious side effects, this list is not exhaustive. You should always read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication.
This will usually be in the medication packaging or box, but you can also read it online.
See the Wegovy Patient Information Leaflet.
Common side effects
Side effects can be more common when starting Wegovy, or when increasing your dose. These side effects may affect more than 1 in 10 people who use this treatment.
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach (abdomen) pain
- Headache
- Tiredness (fatigue)
Serious side effects
If you experience any of the following types of serious side effects, stop taking Wegovy and contact your doctor immediately:
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) which could cause severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience such symptoms.
- Kidney or bladder stones. Signs may include back or lower abdomen pain, difficulty in urination or change in colour of your urine.
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)
- Severe allergic reactions (eg anaphylactic reaction, angioedema). You should get immediate medical help and inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as breathing problems, rapid swelling of the lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing and a fast heartbeat.
The complete range of side effects are listed in the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen Patient Information Leaflet. Not everyone will experience side effects, but this doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working.
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