Contents
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a brand-name prescription medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk containing semaglutide 2.4mg — the highest approved dose of semaglutide. It is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition. In 2024, it also received FDA approval for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy Dosing Schedule
Wegovy uses a structured 5-step escalation over 16 weeks before reaching the 2.4mg maintenance dose. Each phase lasts 4 weeks. Wegovy starter kits include one pen for each escalation dose.
16-Week Dose Escalation
💡 If you cannot tolerate 2.4mg, your doctor may keep you at 1.7mg as a long-term maintenance dose. This is clinically appropriate and still produces significant weight loss for most patients.
Clinical Trial Results
| Trial | Population | Avg Weight Loss | ≥5% Lost | ≥20% Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Obesity, no T2D | 14.9% | 86% | 35% |
| STEP 2 | Obesity + T2D | 9.6% | 79% | 16% |
| STEP 3 | Obesity + lifestyle | 16.0% | 89% | 40% |
| SELECT | Obesity + CVD | 9.4% | — | — |
⚠️ People with type 2 diabetes lose about 35% less weight than those without diabetes on the same Wegovy dose (9.6% vs 14.9%). This is consistent across all GLP-1 medications.
Side Effects
Wegovy has a higher nausea rate than tirzepatide but side effects decrease significantly after the first 8–12 weeks.
| Side Effect | Rate in STEP 1 | When Worst |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% | Weeks 4–8, each dose increase |
| Diarrhea | 30% | Weeks 1–6 |
| Vomiting | 24% | Weeks 4–8 |
| Constipation | 24% | Ongoing, manageable |
| Abdominal pain | 20% | First 3 months |
| Headache | 14% | First few weeks |
🚨 Seek immediate care for severe, persistent abdominal pain (pancreatitis), vision changes, or a lump/pain in the neck (possible thyroid concern). Do not use Wegovy if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Cost & Insurance
- List price: ~$1,349/month
- With commercial insurance (obesity): $0–$200/month after prior authorization
- Novo Nordisk savings card: As low as $0/month for eligible commercially insured patients
- Medicare Part D: Expanding coverage — check your specific plan
- Patient assistance: Free for eligible uninsured low-income patients
💡 See the full Cost & Insurance Guide for a complete breakdown of every savings option and how to navigate prior authorization.
Wegovy vs Ozempic
| Feature | Wegovy | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide 2.4mg | Semaglutide up to 2mg |
| FDA indication | Weight management, CV risk | Type 2 diabetes, CV risk |
| Avg weight loss | ~14.9% | ~8–11% |
| Escalation period | 16 weeks (5 steps) | 12 weeks (4 steps) |
| Best insurance for | Obesity diagnosis | Diabetes diagnosis |
Wegovy vs Zepbound
| Feature | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 agonist | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist |
| Avg weight loss | ~14.9% | ~20.9% (15mg) |
| Nausea rate | ~44% | ~18% |
| Self-pay price | ~$1,349/mo | ~$349/mo (vials) |
💡 For a full head-to-head comparison with trial data, see our Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide guide.