Wegovy is a once weekly injection that goes just under the skin. Take it on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.

You can inject into your stomach (keeping a few centimetres clear of the navel), the front of your thigh, or the back of your upper arm if someone else is helping you. Switch the spot you use each week so the skin doesn't get sore, and avoid anywhere that's bruised, red, or hardened.

Before each injection, check the solution through the window on the pen. It should be clear and colourless. If it looks cloudy or has anything floating in it, set that pen aside and don't use it. Wash your hands, attach a fresh needle, and clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. Press the pen against your skin at a right angle, push the button, and hold it there until you hear the click that tells you the dose is in. Pop the needle into a sharps bin afterwards.

If you forget a dose and remember within five days, take it as soon as you can. If more than five days have passed, skip it and carry on with your next scheduled dose. Don't double up. You can change which day of the week you inject if you need to, as long as there's at least three days between doses.

For storage, keep unopened pens in the fridge between 2 and 8°C, in the original carton to protect from light. Don't freeze them. Once you've started using a pen, you can either keep it in the fridge or leave it at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 6 weeks. Keep the cap on between uses, and discard the pen 6 weeks after first use even if there are doses left.

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, a synthetic version of a natural gut hormone called GLP‑1 (glucagon‑like peptide‑1). Your body releases GLP‑1 whenever you eat, and it plays a key role in how hungry you feel, how full you feel after a meal, and how your blood sugar is regulated.

Semaglutide activates the same GLP‑1 receptors that your natural hormone would, but it stays in the body for much longer. That's why a single weekly injection is enough to keep appetite levels steady throughout the week. The result is reduced hunger, slower stomach emptying after meals, and a stronger sense of fullness, all of which make it easier to eat less without feeling deprived.

Most people get on well with Wegovy, especially if they follow the gradual dose schedule. Side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to ease off within a few weeks as your body adjusts.

The most common side effects (more than 1 in 10 people) are digestive: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a reduced appetite (which is partly the point of the medication). They're most noticeable just after a dose increase and usually settle down within a week or two.

Less commonly (up to 1 in 10 people), some patients experience tiredness, dizziness, headaches, indigestion, bloating, gallstones, injection site reactions, or hair loss. Low blood sugar can occur, particularly if you're already on diabetes medication.

Serious side effects are rare but worth knowing about. Pancreatitis can cause severe stomach pain that may radiate to your back, and it needs urgent medical attention. Gallbladder issues sometimes occur, particularly with rapid weight loss. Severe allergic reactions and kidney problems are also possible. Very rarely, sudden visual disturbances or vision loss in one eye have been reported. If this happens, stop the injection and seek urgent medical advice straight away.

A few practical tips help with the most common side effects. Eat smaller meals more often, ease off rich and fatty foods, and stay well hydrated, especially if you've had any diarrhoea. Take your injection on a day you can rest if you tend to feel rough afterwards.

If side effects feel severe or aren't improving, get in touch with your Rightangled clinician. Don't stop treatment suddenly without speaking to us first.

Wegovy isn't suitable for everyone, and there are some situations where it shouldn't be used at all. You shouldn't take it if you've previously had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide, if you're pregnant, while trying for a baby, or while breastfeeding. If you're planning a pregnancy, you'll need to stop Wegovy at least two months beforehand to allow it to clear from your system.

There are also conditions where Wegovy can be used, but you'll need to mention them in your consultation so we can prescribe safely. These include any history of pancreatitis, severe stomach emptying problems (gastroparesis), inflammatory bowel disease, diabetic eye disease, kidney or liver problems, gallstones, current use of insulin or other diabetes medications, an eating disorder, mental health conditions including depression, or any planned surgery in the near future. You shouldn't combine Wegovy with other GLP‑1 medications such as Ozempic, Saxenda, Victoza, or Mounjaro.

Wegovy can affect contraception, particularly oral contraceptives, in patients with a higher BMI. If you take the pill, your clinician may recommend adding a barrier method or switching to a non oral contraceptive while your dose is being adjusted.

It's sensible to be cautious with alcohol while you're on Wegovy. It can make low blood sugar more likely and tends to worsen any nausea you might be experiencing. Until you know how Wegovy affects you, take care driving or operating machinery, especially during the first few weeks and after each dose increase, since some patients feel dizzy or tired.

Throughout your treatment, your Rightangled clinician will keep an eye on how you're getting on. Get in touch straight away if you notice severe stomach pain, sudden vision changes, or signs of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling or difficulty breathing.