Wegovy (semaglutide) Injection: Weight Management and Safety

Wegovy injection and its intended use

Wegovy contains semaglutide. This summary concerns the 2.4 mg injectable pen, not oral tablets or other injection strengths. It supports long-term weight management together with dietary changes and physical activity. The EU adult criteria include obesity, or overweight with an associated health condition. Eligibility, ongoing benefit and tolerability need individual review; the presence of a pen in the catalogue does not establish that it is appropriate for every person seeking weight loss.

The US injectable label also covers reduction of major cardiovascular events in adults who already have cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. A separate US indication concerns selected adults with noncirrhotic MASH and moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis, under accelerated approval. These specific indications should not be extrapolated to all liver disease or to every semaglutide formulation. Children and adolescents require the separate criteria in their local product information.

Important adverse effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are common, particularly while treatment is being introduced or changed. Ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms can cause dehydration and kidney problems. Severe persistent abdominal pain, signs of an allergic reaction or gallbladder symptoms require assessment. EU information warns about the very rare optic-nerve condition NAION; sudden vision loss or rapidly worsening eyesight needs urgent medical attention. Diabetes-related eye disease may also need monitoring.

Other medicines, surgery and pregnancy

Wegovy should not be combined with another semaglutide product or another GLP-1 receptor agonist. Insulin and sulfonylureas can increase hypoglycaemia risk; a prescriber should review the combination. Delayed gastric emptying warrants attention to oral medicines and to anaesthesia or deep sedation. Tell the procedural team that semaglutide is being used rather than inventing an interruption schedule.

Weight-management treatment is unsuitable during pregnancy. The EU information advises stopping semaglutide at least two months before a planned pregnancy and avoiding use while breastfeeding. US contraindications include a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. The exact pen and its instructions must be checked before use; neither milligrams nor device markings provide a safe basis for switching products independently.

Sources

• Wegovy — EMA EU product information — Current EU product information; sections 4.1–4.6 and patient leaflet; accessed 30 October 2026
• Wegovy — US prescribing information — US prescribing information, revised June 2026; accessed 30 October 2026

Source check: 30 October 2026. This date records a source check, not a clinical review by a doctor or pharmacist. Personal treatment decisions require a qualified healthcare professional and the current leaflet for your own product.