Semaglutide (Wegovy®)

What Is Semaglutide (Wegovy®)?

Semaglutide (brand name Wegovy®) is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist used for the management of overweight and obesity in adults who meet clinical eligibility criteria.GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite and satiety.

Semaglutide supports weight reduction by:

• Reducing appetite
• Increasing feelings of fullness
• Slowing gastric emptying
• Supporting metabolic regulation

It is licensed for use in adults with obesity, or those who are overweight with weight-related comorbidities, when used alongside reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is determined following structured clinical assessment.Treatment may be appropriate for adults with:

• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²
  or
• BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related condition

Treatment is not offered for cosmetic weight loss. Final suitability is based on comprehensive clinical review.

How Semaglutide Is Taken

Semaglutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.The dosing schedule follows gradual escalation to improve tolerability:

• 0.25 mg weekly (initial dose)
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg
• 1.7 mg
• 2.4 mg (maintenance dose)

Dose increases occur at intervals of at least 4 weeks and only where clinically appropriate. Escalation depends on tolerability and clinical response.

Expected Outcomes

Weight loss varies between individuals. Clinical trials have demonstrated meaningful average weight reduction when semaglutide is combined with lifestyle modification. 

Response depends on:

• Adherence
• Dose achieved
• Lifestyle factors
• Baseline BMI
• Individual metabolic response

Treatment is reviewed regularly to assess effectiveness and ongoing suitability.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and occur most frequently during dose escalation:

• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Reflux or indigestion

Symptoms are usually mild to moderate and often improve over time. Dose escalation will not proceed if tolerability is poor.

Serious or Urgent Symptoms

Seek urgent medical assessment if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis)
• Persistent vomiting
• Signs of dehydration
• Sudden visual changes
• Symptoms suggestive of gallbladder disease

RE Medical Services is not an emergency provider.

When Treatment May Not Be Suitable

Semaglutide may not be appropriate in individuals with:

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
• Previous severe hypersensitivity to semaglutide
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Caution is required in individuals with:

• History of pancreatitis
• Severe gastrointestinal disease
• Significant eating disorders
• Severe renal impairment

Suitability is determined through clinical assessment.

Surgery & Acute Illness

If you are scheduled for surgery requiring general anaesthesia or sedation, semaglutide may need to be temporarily stopped. 

You must inform your surgical team that you are using a GLP-1 medication. Treatment may be paused during acute illness with reduced oral intake or dehydration.

Alcohol & Driving

There is no direct prohibition on alcohol; however, alcohol may worsen gastrointestinal side effects and increase dehydration risk. Semaglutide is not known to impair driving. If you experience dizziness, weakness or visual disturbance, you should not drive.

Pregnancy & Contraception

Semaglutide must not be used during pregnancy. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for at least 2 months after discontinuation.

Ongoing Monitoring

Safe prescribing requires:

• Initial video consultation
• Mandatory 3–4 weekly follow-up
• Review of weight response
• Assessment of tolerability
• Confirmation of ongoing eligibility

Treatment may be paused or discontinued if risks outweigh benefits.

Pricing (Private Prescription)

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) is supplied via private prescription following clinical assessment and confirmation of eligibility.Current medication pricing:

• 0.25 mg – £150
• 0.5 mg – £160
• 1 mg – £175
• 1.7 mg – £205
• 2.4 mg – £252

A delivery charge applies in addition to the medication cost. 

Dose increases are not automatic and occur only where clinically appropriate following review. 

Consultation fees and ongoing monitoring costs are outlined separately.

Prices are subject to change based on pharmacy supply and market conditions.

Information provided is for educational purposes and does not replace individual clinical assessment.