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What is Wegovy?
About this page. Written by the GLPInfo editorial team with AI assistance from the official sources listed at the end, and approved by the site owner before publication. It has not been reviewed by a named clinician. Published 7 Sep 2026 · next scheduled review 7 Dec 2026.
This page is information, not medical advice. It never tells you which medicine or dose is right for you: those decisions sit with you and a licensed prescriber. Report suspected side effects to FDA MedWatch. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Wegovy is Novo Nordisk's semaglutide under its weight-management brand: a once-weekly injection FDA-approved for chronic weight management in June 2021, and in March 2024 to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.
How it works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a gut hormone signalling fullness, reducing appetite and slowing stomach emptying. It is taken once a week by pre-filled pen.
Doses
0.25mg weekly for four weeks, then 0.5mg, 1mg and 1.7mg at four-week intervals to the 2.4mg maintenance dose; NovoCare now also sells a 7.2mg higher dose. Dose changes are prescriber decisions.
What the trials showed
In STEP 1 (68 weeks), semaglutide 2.4mg produced an average body-weight reduction of 14.9% against 2.4% with placebo. In SELECT, semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% versus placebo in adults with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, the basis of the 2024 indication. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head, average weight loss was 13.7% with semaglutide versus 20.2% with tirzepatide.
Side effects and safety
Predominantly gastrointestinal, worst around dose increases, with a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumours seen in rodents and pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and hypoglycaemia with certain diabetes medicines among the serious risks. Report suspected side effects to FDA MedWatch.
What it costs today
First-month all-in prices for Wegovy pen at the 0.25mg starting dose currently start from $199 at NovoCare Pharmacy across the channels we compare, read 6 Sep 2026. Compare all Wegovy pen channels or see the 12-month true cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?
$199 for the first two fills of the lowest doses through NovoCare (and channels matching it), then $349, with the 7.2mg dose at $399, plus any membership fee. Live comparison.
Wegovy or Ozempic?
The same semaglutide under two brands: Wegovy for weight management (and cardiovascular risk reduction) at doses up to 2.4mg or 7.2mg, Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. Weight-management prescribing should use the weight-management licence; the choice is a prescriber's.
Is Wegovy covered by Medicare?
Not under Part D for weight management, but eligible members can obtain it for $50 a month under the GLP-1 Bridge to the end of 2027: details.