FDA ReviewedUpdated May 20, 2026

Wegovy Guide

Wegovy is the brand-name formulation of semaglutide 2.4mg, specifically FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition. It is a weekly subcutaneous injection developed by Novo Nordisk.

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At a Glance

Generic NameSemaglutide
Brand NamesWegovy
FDA StatusFDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidity (June 2021); FDA-approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with established CVD (March 2024)[1]
Approval DateJune 4, 2021[1]

How Wegovy Works

Wegovy delivers semaglutide 2.4mg — the highest approved dose — via once-weekly self-injection. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone to signal fullness to the brain, slow stomach emptying, and reduce overall caloric intake. The higher 2.4mg dose was specifically engineered to maximize the weight-loss effect beyond the 1mg dose used for diabetes.[2]

Dosing Schedule

Wegovy uses a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects. Always follow your prescriber's guidance and the current FDA label[1].

Weeks 1–40.25mg/week
Weeks 5–80.5mg/week
Weeks 9–121.0mg/week
Weeks 13–161.7mg/week
Week 17+2.4mg/week (maintenance)

Side Effects

Common: nausea (44%), diarrhea (30%), vomiting (24%), constipation (24%), abdominal pain (20%), headache, fatigue. Side effects typically peak during dose escalation and diminish within 4–8 weeks. Serious (rare): pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney injury, heart rate increase, suicidal ideation (under review by FDA).[1][2]

This is not a complete list. Consult your healthcare provider or prescriber for full safety information. The complete adverse reaction profile is published in the current FDA prescribing information[1].

Clinical Trial Results

The STEP-1 trial showed Wegovy users lost an average of 14.9% of body weight (about 34 lbs) over 68 weeks compared to 2.4% in placebo. The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial (N=17,604) demonstrated a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in obese patients with established CVD.[2][3][4]

Source: Published clinical trial data (STEP / SURMOUNT trial series) — see the Sources panel below for full citations.

Where to Get Wegovy

These telehealth providers offer access to semaglutide or compounded equivalents with online consultations and home delivery.

8.7/ 10

NovoCare Pharmacy

Best for: branded Wegovy at the lowest manufacturer-direct self-pay price

★★★★☆4.4

Editorial score · methodology

$199/mo
BrandSemaglutide
Get StartedRead full NovoCare Pharmacy review →
7.9/ 10

Calibrate Health

Best for: patients with insurance coverage who want a year-long coaching-wrap around branded Wegovy / Zepbound / Foundayo

★★★★☆4

Editorial score · methodology

$25/mo
BrandSemaglutide
Get StartedRead full Calibrate Health review →
7.7/ 10

FitRx

Best for: insured patients seeking brand-name GLP-1 access with compounded fallback

★★★★☆3.9

Editorial score · methodology

$25/mo
CompoundedSemaglutideLegitScript Verified
Get StartedRead full FitRx review →
7.6/ 10

Vaylen

Best for: GLP-1-focused care with oral and injectable options across all 50 states

★★★★☆3.8

Editorial score · methodology

$179/mo
CompoundedSemaglutideTirzepatideLegitScript Verified
Get StartedRead full Vaylen review →
7.5/ 10

Effecty

Best for: nationwide compounded semaglutide with brand-name fallback

★★★★☆3.8

Editorial score · methodology

$160/mo
CompoundedSemaglutideTirzepatideLegitScript Verified
Get StartedRead full Effecty review →
7.4/ 10

Alloy

Best for: women in menopause/perimenopause who want a Menopause Society-certified clinician AND the broadest brand+compounded GLP-1 formulary in our directory

★★★★☆3.7

Editorial score · methodology

$80/mo
CompoundedSemaglutideTirzepatide
Get StartedRead full Alloy review →

Cost Comparison

Starting prices for compounded GLP-1 medications from top providers, sorted cheapest first. Compounded semaglutide from licensed 503A and 503B pharmacies is legal under federal compounding law[5], with additional tolerances historically allowed while the molecule has appeared on the FDA Drug Shortage List[6]. Both compounded and brand-name prescriptions are generally FSA/HSA eligible under IRS Publication 502[7]. Prices may vary based on dose and promo availability.

ProviderStarting Price
AM Rx$25/moVisit
Calibrate Health$25/moVisit
FitRx$25/moVisit
Roen Rx$25/moVisit
Alloy$199/moVisit
NovoCare Pharmacy$199/moVisit
AgelessRx$650/moVisit
Synergy Rx$947/moVisit
Vaylen$997/moVisit
altRX$1149/moVisit
Healthicare$1200/moVisit
Effecty$1300/moVisit
NowPatient$1349/moVisit
Eve$1399/moVisit
HeliMeds$1599/moVisit
Concierge MD LA$1999/moVisit

Related Research on Wegovy

Deep-dive articles from our research desk with primary-source trial data, FDA label verification, and editorial analysis.

Sauna vs Steam Room for Weight Loss: Honest Evidence Review
The honest answer is neither. Both produce ~0.5-1 kg of transient water-weight loss per 20-30 min session that returns within 24 h of rehydration. Real cardiovascular and recovery benefits exist; fat-loss benefits do not. GLP-1 dehydration risk is the load-bearing safety concern.
12 min read9 citations
How to Break a Weight-Loss Plateau: Honest Evidence Review
Weight-loss plateaus are predictable physiology — adaptive thermogenesis drops REE 15-20% below predicted and NEAT declines unconsciously. Six evidence-graded interventions (diet break, protein, resistance training, sleep, TDEE math, GLP-1 dose change) break most in 2-4 weeks.
11 min read11 citations
Does Citalopram Cause Weight Loss? Honest Evidence Review
Citalopram (Celexa) is FDA-approved for MDD only — not weight loss. Short-term FDA label: −0.5 kg vs no change on placebo. Long-term: mild gain (~0.5–1.5 kg at 12 mo). 40 mg/day FDA dose cap for QT prolongation; 20 mg/day if >60, hepatic, or on CYP2C19 inhibitors.
10 min read13 citations
When To Drink Protein Shakes For Weight Loss? Honest Evidence Review
Timing is largely overrated. Schoenfeld 2013 meta-analysis (20 studies, 478 subjects): no timing effect on muscle outcomes when daily protein matched. Total daily dose dominates; breakfast and post-workout are the best satiety + muscle placements.
10 min read10 citations
Is Peanut Butter Good for Weight Loss? Honest Evidence Review
Nuanced yes — peanut butter is calorie-dense (~191 kcal per 2 tbsp) but high-protein and high-satiety. Alper-Mattes 2002 added 500 kcal/day of peanuts with no weight gain; Mozaffarian 2011 NEJM showed nuts -0.57 lb/4 yr. Portion control is the lever.
15 min read11 citations
Does Prozac Cause Weight Loss? Honest Evidence Review
Prozac (fluoxetine) is FDA-approved for MDD, OCD, panic, and bulimia — not weight loss. Short-term yes (~0.45 kg over 16 weeks per the FDA bulimia trial), long-term no: the acute weight effect plateaus or reverses by ~6 months per Goldstein 1994 and Serretti 2010.
12 min read9 citations

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & methodology — as of May 2026
  1. 1.FDA — Wegovy (semaglutide) Approval History via Drugs@FDA— U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
  2. 2.STEP 1 Trial — Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (Wilding JPH et al.)— New England Journal of Medicine.PMID: 33567185.
  3. 3.SURMOUNT-5 Trial — Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide Head-to-Head in Obesity (Garvey WT et al.)— New England Journal of Medicine.PMID: 40334173.
  4. 4.SELECT Trial — Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (Lincoff AM et al.)— New England Journal of Medicine.PMID: 37952131.
  5. 5.FDA — Compounding and the 503A Pharmacy Framework— U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
  6. 6.FDA — Drug Shortages Database (current shortage listings)— U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
  7. 7.IRS Publication 502 — Medical and Dental Expenses (HSA/FSA eligibility)— Internal Revenue Service.

Glossary references

Key terms in this article, linked to their canonical definitions.