What is Wegovy (semaglutide)?
Wegovy is an injectable prescription medication that is used to treat obesity and overweight in individuals with weight-related medical problems such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It decreases your body’s blood glucose levels and increases its response to the hormone insulin to get your type 2 diabetes under control. Not only does semaglutide help manage blood sugar levels, but it can also help patients with type 2 diabetes reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. It is also sometimes prescribed to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Wegovy is prescribed in conjunction with other treatment measures such as exercise and a low-fat, low-calorie diet to help patients lose weight and prevent serious complications caused by obesity. Wegovy is prescribed in the form of liquid which is injected subcutaneously (under the skin). Other brand names for semaglutide include Ozempic, which is also a subcutaneous injection, and Rybelsus, which is prescribed in the form of an oral tablet.