weight management · 2025 · 4 min read
Wegovy care plan
key points
- Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that mimics a natural gut hormone (GLP-1) to reduce appetite and help with weight loss.
- We start low and go slow, stepping the dose up over about 16 weeks to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
- Nausea is the most common side effect, usually settles after about 4 weeks at a dose, and there are simple ways to ease it.
- Some symptoms are red flags that mean you should contact your GP straight away, such as severe abdominal pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Best results come from pairing the injection with healthy eating, regular movement and ongoing GP review.
Your guide to starting and staying on Wegovy (semaglutide) safely.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that helps with weight loss. It mimics a natural gut hormone (GLP-1) to reduce appetite, make you feel fuller for longer, and slow stomach emptying. Clinical studies show people lose 12 to 15% of their body weight on average when it is combined with diet and exercise.
How Wegovy works
- Targets your brain to reduce hunger and food cravings
- Slows digestion so you feel satisfied with less food
- Helps control blood sugar as a bonus benefit
- Supports long-term weight maintenance when lifestyle changes are followed
Results vary. Best outcomes come when it is paired with healthy eating and 150+ minutes of weekly exercise.
Wegovy dosing schedule
To minimise the side effects, we always recommend a 'start low, and go slow' approach.
- Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg once weekly
- Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Weeks 9 to 12: 1.0 mg once weekly
- Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance)
Pro tip: use the same day each week (for example, every Monday). If you miss a dose, take it within 5 days. Otherwise skip it and resume your schedule.
How to inject Wegovy
A simple 3-step process using the pre-filled FlexTouch pen.
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Prep: Check the pen (the liquid should be clear). Wash your hands. Choose an injection site:
- Belly (2 inches from the navel)
- Front or side of the thigh
- Upper arm (someone else can inject)
-
Inject:
- Remove the cap.
- Press the pen firmly against the skin at a 90° angle.
- Press and hold the dose button until "0 mg" shows (it counts to 6).
- Keep it pressed for 5 seconds after the dose counter hits zero.
- Finish: Remove the needle and dispose of it in a sharps container. No need to rub the site.
Visual guide: watch the Wegovy injection video, or ask your GP or pharmacy for a demo.
Storage tips
- Make sure the storage temperature is between 2°C and 8°C.
- Store the pens in the original packaging to protect your pen from light.
- Wegovy can last unrefrigerated for up to 21 days. Just make sure the temperature does not get any higher than 30°C.
Common side effects
These are most common in the first 4 to 8 weeks and improve over time:
- Mild (most people): nausea (20 to 40%), diarrhoea, stomach upset, fatigue
- Moderate: vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness
- Rare but serious: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, yellow skin or eyes (gallbladder), signs of pancreatitis (severe belly pain radiating to the back, fever, rapid heartbeat)
How to reduce nausea (the most common issue)
Start these on day 1 and continue throughout treatment:
- Eat smaller, bland meals (rice, banana, toast, crackers)
- Avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods, and alcohol
- Stay hydrated: sip water slowly, ginger tea or lemonade
- Timing: inject at any time of day. Try bedtime dosing if daytime nausea bothers you
- Over-the-counter: Maxolon (metoclopramide) or ondansetron, ask your GP
- Natural helps: ginger chews, acupressure wristbands
Pro tip: 80% of nausea improves after 4 weeks at the same dose.
Red flags: call your GP immediately if you have
- Severe abdominal pain (especially upper belly or back)
- Vision changes, confusion, or fainting
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, little urine)
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine
- Rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or swelling
- Thoughts of self-harm (very rare, being monitored)
- Allergic reaction: rash, throat swelling, trouble breathing
Routine check-ins: GP review every 4 to 6 weeks initially, then every 3 months.
Your success plan
- Track weekly: weight, waist measurement, how your clothes fit
- Diet: focus on protein (chicken, fish, eggs, tofu) plus vegetables
- Move: 30 min of daily walking plus 2x weekly strength training
- Support: join a weight loss group or use apps (MyFitnessPal or Noom)
- Refills: plan ahead, private scripts need a 28-day supply
Questions? Book your GP follow-up or call the practice anytime.
This is general guidance. Always follow your GP's specific instructions. Wegovy requires ongoing medical supervision.
Dr Ahmed Al-Obaidi · FRACGP
General information only, not personal medical advice. Talk to your own GP about what suits you.