Is Wegovy effective for weight loss?

Is Wegovy effective for weight loss?

Losing weight and keeping it off is no easy feat. For many, it can take years of trial and error, implementing a wide range of diet and exercise strategies. Oftentimes, even with all of these efforts – many individuals find they’re still not seeing the results they desire. This can be for a wide variety of reasons, from hormone-related issues to diabetes and even genetics. 

So what’s the solution? 

One option that’s seen increased success over the last few years is weight loss medication, and one of the newest and most effective drugs on the market at the moment is Wegovy.

In this article, we share everything you need to know about Wegovy’s effectiveness for weight loss to help you decide whether or not it’s the right option for you. 

 What is Wegovy? 

Wegovy, containing the active ingredient semaglutide, is a new form of weight loss medication designed to help aid weight loss in obese and overweight adults. In January 2023, the drug was recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for use by adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher (considered obese), or in those with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher (considered overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

How does Wegovy work?

When injected weekly, as per its instructions, Wegovy mimics the effects of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the body. The increase in this hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite, resulting in users feeling fuller for longer and thereby less likely to consume as many calories. Overtime, this reduction in calories helps promote weight loss.

How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

Numerous clinical trials have found Wegovy to be highly effective for weight loss in obese or overweight adults. One double blind study assessed Wegovy’s efficacy over the course of 68 weeks, giving two thirds of the study’s 1,961 participants the drug, and the remaining third, Placebo. All of the study’s participants were either overweight and had a weight-related coexisting condition, or obese. 

The results found that after 68 weeks, those who took Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their body weight, compared to just 2.4% for those who took a placebo.

It’s important to note, however, that not everyone will experience such significant weight loss when taking Wegovy, as efficacy rates vary from person to person as a result of a wide range of factors including genetics, diet and exercise. 

It should also be noted that Wegovy is recommended for use alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. This is what has resulted in the most success when it comes to weight loss and should be maintained even after you stop the drug. 

As with any weight loss medication, Wegovy can also cause a range of side effects, the most common of which being nausea and digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhoea. So it’s important to be aware of these before starting the medication and discuss them with your doctor should they arise during the course of your treatment.

Should you take Wegovy for weight loss? 

All in all, Wegovy can be an extremely effective method for weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, it should have a wide range of potential side effects and should not be used by certain individuals such as those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or who have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

If you’re thinking about trying Wegovy for weight loss or if you’d like to find out more about the drug, head over to our weight loss consultation page.