Wegovy Care Plan

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 longer, and slow stomach emptying. Clinical studies show people lose 12-15% of their body weight on average when combined with diet and exercise.tga+1

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 when paired with healthy eating and 150+ minutes of weekly exercise.

Wegovy Dosing Schedule

To minimise the side effects, we always recoomend 'start low, and go slow' approch.

Week Dose Frequency

Weeks 1-4 0.25 mg Once weekly

Weeks 5-8 0.5 mg Once weekly

Weeks 9-12 1.0 mg Once weekly

Weeks 13-16 1.7 mg Once weekly

Week 17+ 2.4 mg Once weekly (maintenance)

Pro tip:

Same day each week (e.g., every Monday). If you miss a dose, take it within 5 days. Otherwise skip and resume your schedule.

How to Inject Wegovy

Simple 3-step process using the pre-filled FlexTouch pen:

1. Prep: Check the pen (liquid should be clear). Wash hands. Choose injection site:

   • Belly (2 inches from navel)

   • Front/side of thigh

   • Upper arm (someone else can inject)
     Rotate sites weekly.

2. Inject:

   • Remove cap.

   • Press pen firmly against skin at 90° angle.

   • Press and hold dose button until "0 mg" shows (counts to 6).

   • Keep pressed for 5 seconds after dose counter hits zero.

3. Finish: Remove needle, dispose in sharps container. No need to rub site.

Visual guide: Download the Wegovy injection video or ask your GP/pharmacy for demo.

Tips:

• Make sure the storage temperature is between 2°C to 8°C.

• Store the pens in the original packaging to protect your pen from light.

• Mounjaro can last unrefrigerated for up to 21 days. Just make sure the temperature does not get any higher than 30°C.

Common Side Effects

Most common in first 4-8 weeks, improve over time:

• Mild (most people) : Nausea (20-40%), Diarrhea, Stomach upset, Fatigue

• Moderate: Vomiting, Constipation, Headache, Dizziness

• Rare but serious: Severe abdominal pain, Persistent vomiting, Yellow skin/eyes (gallbladder), Signs of pancreatitis (severe belly pain radiating to back, fever, rapid heartbeat)

How to Reduce Nausea (Most Common Issue)

Start these Day 1 and continue throughout treatment:

• Eat smaller, bland meals (rice, banana, toast, crackers)

• Avoid fatty, fried, spicy foods and alcohol

• Stay hydrated – sip water slowly, ginger tea or lemonade

• Timing: Inject 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:

• Severe abdominal pain (especially upper belly/back)

• Vision changes, confusion, or fainting

• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, little urine)

• Yellow skin/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 4-6 weeks initially, then every 3 months.

Your Success Plan

✅ Track weekly: Weight, waist measurement, how clothes fit
✅ Diet: Focus on protein (chicken, fish, eggs, tofu) + vegetables
✅ Move: 30 min daily walking + 2x weekly strength training
✅ Support: Join a weight loss group or use apps (MyFitnessPal/Noom)
✅ Refills: Plan ahead – private scripts need 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.