Wegovy

WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection is a prescription medicine that works alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for two primary purposes:

Benefits of Taking Wegovy®:

1. Weight Management:
   • Appetite Control: Reduces hunger, leading to lower caloric intake.
   • Enhanced Satiety: Slows gastric emptying, helping you feel full longer.
   • Effective Weight Loss: Proven to support significant weight reduction in conjunction with diet and exercise.
2. Blood Sugar Control:
   • Insulin Secretion: Boosts insulin release in response to meals.
   • Glucose Regulation: Helps lower blood glucose levels by reducing glucagon secretion and increasing insulin.
3. Cardiovascular Health:
   • Reduced Risk: May lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with existing cardiovascular conditions.

Overall Benefits:

• Convenient Dosing: Medication is administered once weekly, making adherence simpler.
• Holistic Approach: By managing both weight and glucose levels, these medications support overall health improvements.
• Supportive of Lifestyle Changes: When combined with diet and exercise, they help achieve better health outcomes.

Application:

Administer Wegovy as a weekly injection on the same day, at any time, with or without meals. Inject under the skin (subcutaneously) in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm—never into a vein or muscle.

Precautions When Using Wegovy®(Semaglutide):

1. Who Should Not Use Wegovy®:
   • History of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
   • Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any component of Wegovy®.
2. Monitoring:
   • Blood Glucose: Regular monitoring is essential if diabetic.
   • Heart Rate: Check periodically; report any unusual increases.
   • Thyroid: Watch for symptoms like neck lumps or trouble swallowing.
3. Interactions:
   • Other Medications: Inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking to avoid interactions.

General Precautions:

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to         enhance treatment effectiveness.
• Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine visits with your healthcare provider to monitor your health and medication effects.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep your healthcare provider's contact information handy for any urgent concerns.

Potential Side Effects of Wegovy®:

Like all medications, side effects may occur.

1. Common Side Effects:
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting
   • Diarrhoea
   • Constipation
   • Headache

Uncommon Side Effects:

• Pancreatitis: Watch for severe abdominal pain, possibly radiating to the back.
• Gallbladder Disease: Symptoms like severe stomach pain, fever, or jaundice may indicate gallstones or inflammation.
• Hypoglycaemia: Especially if used with insulin or other diabetes medications.
• Kidney Injury: Be aware of symptoms like decreased urine output, swelling, or fatigue.
• Thyroid Tumours: Although rare, potential risks include thyroid C-cell tumors. Report any neck lumps or difficulty swallowing.

Important: If you experience any severe or persistent symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. This leaflet does not include all potential side effects. For complete information, refer to the full prescribing information or speak with your healthcare professional.

For detailed information about these medications, including full prescribing information, safety data, and usage instructions, please visit the official manufacturer website Wegovy (www.wegovy.com) by Novo Nordisk. Additional regulatory information can be found in the electronic medicines compendium at www.medicines.org.uk .

Ingredients:

Semaglutide is the active ingredient. The Inactive Ingredients are disodium phosphate dihydrate (1.42 mg), sodium chloride (8.25 mg), and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH.