Wegovy is now available in the UK

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication containing semaglutide, an active ingredient that is commonly used to stabilise blood sugar levels and aid weight loss.

It has been studied and trialled as a weight management drug and, when used alongside a calorie deficit and exercise routine, it can be an effective aid to weight loss.

Wegovy has recently been approved for use in the UK and launched in September 2023. It is suitable for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30+, or 27+ with weight-related health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS, asthma or high cholesterol.

When we eat, our bodies release a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (otherwise known as GLP-1), which releases insulin, helps regulate blood sugar levels and induces satiety. In other words, it lets our brains know that we're full and that it's time to stop eating.

Semaglutide, the main ingredient present in the Wegovy weight loss injections, is able to mimic this natural hormone, helping to regulate your appetite and slow down your 'gastric mobility'.

This is why Wegovy is such an effective medication for weight management [1]. But, what exactly does it mean?

In short, it means that the food you eat stays in your stomach for longer, so you don't experience hunger as often as usual and are less likely to consume snacks and larger meals. As a result, you consume fewer calories and, ultimately, reduce your body weight.

As a higher-dose injection of semaglutide, Wegovy has been shown in clinical trials to be more effective for weight loss than some of its alternatives [2].

A study from 2021 looked at 1,961 obese and overweight adults who were randomly assigned Wegovy injections or a placebo [2]. The results speak for themselves: after 68 weeks, those taking Wegovy lost an average of 15.3kg, whereas the placebo group lost an average of 2.6kg.

It's important to mention that the participants also implemented lifestyle changes, particularly in their diet and exercise habits, which helped enhance the impact of Wegovy as a weight loss drug.

The biggest benefit of Wegovy lies in its ability to deliver sustained weight loss. Since you feel more satisfied between meals, you experience fewer cravings and are able to adopt a healthier diet that you can stick to.

The starting dose is 0.25mg and you will gradually increase your dose. The highest available dose is 2.4mg in weekly injections. You'll work closely with your prescriber to determine the appropriate dosage at specific points during your treatment. Wegovy pens titrate up from 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg.

Although Wegovy and Saxenda are both GLP-1 receptor agonists — meaning they work in similar ways to minimise your appetite — there is one fundamental difference between the weight loss treatments: their active ingredients.

Instead of semaglutide, Saxenda contains liraglutide, a prescription medication that also mimics the naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1.

Due to this difference in active ingredients, Saxenda is a daily injection, rather than weekly, which for some people can lead to more (yet less intense) side effects.

Different people respond to weight loss drugs differently and as is the case with most medications, there are side effects associated with Wegovy.

The good news is that these are typically mild and tend to disappear a few weeks into the treatment.

Some of the potential side effects of Wegovy include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating and gas buildup
• Fatigue
• Gastroenteritis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
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Often, these symptoms occur as your body is adjusting to the drug (hence why they're usually temporary) and there are a few simple ways you can manage them:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods
• Eat small meals regularly
• Maintain a healthy level of physical activity by going on regular walks

In extreme and very rare cases, Wegovy can result in an allergic reaction with symptoms like swelling of the face and difficulty breathing and swallowing, in which case you should seek immediate emergency medical help.

If you experience ongoing side effects after taking Wegovy, it's important that you speak to your prescriber. They will help you understand why your body is responding this way to the medication and how you can best address the symptoms. In the Juniper programme, you have unlimited consultations with our Care team who can guide you through side effects.

In 2022, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved and recommended Wegovy as a safe option for weight management in the UK.

Since Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine, it isn't available over the counter. Instead, a doctor or pharmacist can prescribe Wegovy, which will be available for purchase through telehealth clinics, pharmacies, and GPs across the UK.

When it comes to weight loss, a holistic approach to weight loss in combination with weight loss medication can help you achieve a healthy weight sustainably and keep the weight off in the long term.

Juniper's Weight Reset Programme uses clinically-proven medications, which, when combined with lifestyle changes and health coaching through our platform.

The medication targets areas of the brain that controls your appetite. This medication lowers your body's set point, which helps you achieve weight loss.

Our clinical team will provide you with all the tools needed to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle with health coaches and pharmacists, which will help you kick your weight loss goals long after you stop taking medication.