weight-loss injection

Wegovy® contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is manufactured by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The drug is injected under the skin once a week and promotes weight loss in people who are severely overweight. The drug must be injected under the skin once a week. In people with obesity without additional diabetes, Wegovy® therapy can lead to a 15 per cent weight reduction within 18 months.

Animal studies show that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, acts directly on specific areas of the brain that control our feelings of hunger and food intake. The active ingredient semaglutide in Wegovy® activates special receptors (GLP-1 receptors) in the brain that send signals for satiety and reward.

This leads to a reduction in appetite and prolonged satiety, which contributes to a reduction in food intake and thus to weight loss.

Wegovy® is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of obesity. It can be used for adults with a BMI over 30 and for people with a BMI over 27 who also have weight-related comorbidities such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Wegovy® is injected once a week under the skin of the abdomen, upper arm or thigh in a dose determined by the doctor (individually from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg).

The cost of Wegovy® therapy starts at around €470 per month, depending on the dosage. Although Wegovy® is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of obesity, the costs are not usually covered by statutory health insurance. You can enquire about cost coverage with private health insurance companies.

A greater feeling of satiety is often noticeable after just a few days or weeks. Visible weight loss typically occurs after 4–8 weeks and increases most significantly in the first 6–12 months, with maximum weight loss often being achieved after 12 to 24 months. The speed and extent of success varies from person to person. Factors such as accompanying changes in diet and exercise play an important role.

Occasionally, gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting may occur.

Less commonly, an increased heart rate or inflammation of the pancreas is also possible. There is also a risk of gallstones. Nothing is known about possible long-term effects at this stage.

The weight loss injection only works as long as it is used. After stopping the medication, it is possible that the lost weight will be regained.

Wegovy® therapy should not be administered to patients

aged 85 years or older,

with impaired liver function,

with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease,

with diabetic gastroparesis (paralysis of stomach movement),

who are being treated with other weight management products, including other GLP-1 receptor agonists,

with type 1 diabetes,

with severe renal impairment,

with stage IV heart failure,

with acute inflammation of the pancreas,

during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Your doctor will carefully check whether you have any contraindications before treatment.