Is Wegovy suitable for me?

With all the media hype around the new 'wonder drug', it's vital to cut through the misinformation and focus on the facts to make sound decisions. Wegovy is a prescription-only medication that’s licensed in the UK for weight management.

Let's see what it’s all about.

BMI & Wegovy

Wegovy is prescribed for the treatment of obesity along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It should never be taken by a person who’s a healthy weight. It’s only suitable for adults with:

• A BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.

• A BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater, alongside weight-related health issues such as high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, or obstructive sleep apnea.

It’s important to note that Wegovy is prescribed only after thorough clinical consideration, ensuring its suitability and safety for those who can truly benefit from it.

Integrating Wegovy with lifestyle changes

Wegovy mimics a hormone released in the gut in response to food. As a result, you feel fuller for longer. This helps you to reduce your food intake and decrease your body weight. 

But you still need to make lifestyle changes to see results. The medication should be combined with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity

This holistic approach promotes sustainable weight loss and overall wellbeing. It provokes long-lasting change, rather than a quick fix. Health coaches (including nutritionists, exercise physiologists, sleep specialists, and behavioural psychologists) can help you implement these new habits and educate you on the most effective ways to lose weight.

Who should avoid Wegovy?

Wegovy isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s not recommended for individuals who:

• Are allergic to semaglutide or any of its components.

• Currently use other GLP-1 agonists (e.g. liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide), which also lower blood glucose and can lead to hypoglycemia.

• Currently use any other type of weight loss products.

• Suffer (or have suffered) from acute pancreatitis.

• Have previously had bariatric surgery.

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Have any of these:  

  • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes (this may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, particularly when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas).

  • An eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

  • Existing congestive heart failure.

  • Kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis.

  • Liver function impairment.

  • A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Consultation is key

Wegovy is a prescription-only medication meaning that your suitability for the treatment must be assessed by a healthcare professional before a prescription for Wegovy is provided. 

Obtaining Wegovy from unregulated sources is risky. Such providers often fail to conduct necessary clinical assessments for prescription suitability. There's also a high risk of receiving falsified medications. These counterfeit drugs are being sold online, which could have damaging consequences. 

The numan take

Taking control of your health means getting to grips with the treatments out there. While Wegovy can be a valuable tool in weight management, it cannot stand alone. For long-term change, it must be combined with a healthy lifestyle.