Home › Wegovy injection › Side effects
Wegovy side effects
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 27 Aug 2026 · last updated 27 Aug 2026 · next scheduled review 27 Nov 2026.
This page is information, not medical advice. It never tells you which medicine, dose or format is right for you: those decisions sit with you and a qualified prescriber. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.
This page summarises how the patient information leaflet categorises Wegovy injection's side effects. It is deliberately unsoftened: the leaflet in your pack is the authority, your prescriber assesses your personal risk, and Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Common effects
The leaflet lists nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, headache and abdominal pain among the most common effects, concentrated around dose increases and usually easing with time. Also commonly reported: tiredness, dizziness, burping, wind, reflux, gallstones, hair loss, and low blood sugar in people also taking certain diabetes medicines.
Serious risks
Serious risks in the leaflet include acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, dehydration from persistent gastrointestinal effects, allergic reactions, and, in people with type 2 diabetes, complications of diabetic retinopathy that mean pre-existing eye disease should be flagged to the prescriber. Severe, persistent abdominal pain needs urgent medical attention.
Worth knowing
Wegovy is not for use in pregnancy, and the leaflet advises stopping at least two months before a planned pregnancy: raise family planning with your prescriber early rather than late.
Managing the common effects
Practical, NHS-guidance-level measures for nausea, constipation and dehydration, plus the red flags that mean stop self-managing and call, are collected in one place: managing GLP-1 side effects. Always tell your prescriber what you are experiencing; dose timing and step-ups are their levers, not yours.
Related: what is Wegovy injection? · how to take Wegovy injection · dose schedule
Frequently asked questions
Do Wegovy injection side effects go away?
The common gastrointestinal effects are typically worst after starting or increasing a dose and ease as the body adjusts, which is exactly why doses climb slowly. Effects that are severe, persistent or worrying belong with your prescriber, not with waiting. Practical self-care measures are covered in managing GLP-1 side effects.
When should I seek urgent help?
Severe persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting), signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing, or signs of serious dehydration all need urgent medical attention: 999 or A&E for the emergencies, NHS 111 when unsure.
Should I report side effects even if they are listed?
Yes. Reporting through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme strengthens the safety picture for everyone, and reporting something does not require certainty that the medicine caused it.