Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Semaglutide is an active ingredient that belongs to a medication group called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It was originally used as a type 2 diabetes treatment as it can help regulate blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It was found to aid with weight loss too, and so the product Wegovy was licensed, which is semaglutide for weight loss.

What is semaglutide used for?

Semaglutide is used for 2 conditions: weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Treatments and dosage schedules are different for each condition, as well as the brand names.

What forms does semaglutide come in?

You can get semaglutide in 2 forms:

• semaglutide injections – found under the brand names Wegovy (semaglutide for weight loss) and Ozempic (semaglutide for type 2 diabetes)
• semaglutide tablets – known as Rybelsus, these are only approved for type 2 diabetes and aren’t yet available for weight loss in the UK

The only approved and regulated treatment for weight loss in the UK that contains semaglutide is Wegovy. Ozempic and Rybelsus are only for people with type 2 diabetes.

To get these treatments for weight loss you’d need to find a doctor willing to prescribe off-label (where a medication is used for a purpose other than its primary purpose if a doctor thinks it can benefit the patient). Our guide covers the similarities and differences between Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro (another similar weight loss injection).

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it mimics a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1. After you eat, your body releases GLP-1 and this:

• sends a message to your brain that you’re full, reducing your appetite
• increases the time it takes for food to leave your stomach
• regulates your blood sugar levels

Semaglutide triggers these actions to help people to lose weight.

This means when you take semaglutide for weight loss, you can follow a diet plan and reduce your calorie intake without feeling so hungry. You’ll feel fuller and more satisfied between meals too.

How long it takes for semaglutide to work is different for every person, but you could see subtle results from the first dose. Most people notice a change in appetite and weight within a few weeks to a few months. It works best when you reach the maintenance dose of 2.4mg but this doesn’t mean you won’t see the effects before reaching this dose, or if you decide to stay at a lower dose.

Semaglutide (Wegovy) was tested in clinical trials and was found to help people lose an average of 15% of their starting weight after 68 weeks on the 2.4mg maintenance dose.

The same study also found that:

• 83.5% of people lost 5% or more of their body weight
• 66.1% of people lost 10% or more of their body weight
• 47.9% of people lost 15% or more of their body weight
• 30.2% of people lost 20% or more of their body weight

Semaglutide injections should be taken once per week, and it’s best to stick to the same time and day for the most effective results. This keeps the levels of semaglutide in your bloodstream steady and may also reduce side effects.

Semaglutide will also be prescribed alongside a diet and exercise plan, involving healthy, balanced meal choices, reduced calorie intake and regular exercise.

Semaglutide for weight loss can only be bought under the branded name Wegovy. This comes as an injectable pen, with pre-filled doses. As it’s prefilled, there’s no need to draw up the medication, only attach a new needle for each dose.

Dosage

You’ll normally follow the Wegovy dosage schedule, which involves increasing your dose gradually to get used to the medication, reduce side effects, and reach the maintenance dose.

Your dosage schedule may be adjusted by your doctor if you get side effects or you’re happy with your results at a lower dose. You shouldn’t adjust the dose yourself or stay on a lower dose without discussing this with your doctor first. Each pen contains 4 doses, so will last 4 weeks.

Injecting semaglutide

Semaglutide should only ever be injected under the skin, never into your muscle or vein. The areas to inject Wegovy are the abdomen, upper legs or upper arms with someone’s help. Make sure to choose a different site to inject semaglutide every week, even if this is in the same area but a different part of your skin. This reduces the risk of irritation, soreness, or other problems at the injection site.

Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking semaglutide for weight loss, and any instructions in the patient information leaflet.

Semaglutide can cause some side effects, but each person's experience can be slightly different. You’re most likely to get very common and common side effects when you first start taking semaglutide injections, and these may come back after a dose increase, which is why your doctor will monitor your progress while taking it.

If side effects are bothering you a lot or are serious, speak to your doctor straight away. They may want you to stop taking semaglutide, or to stay at a lower dose for longer to see if they get better.

Very common semaglutide side effects include:

• feeling weak or tired
• pain in the stomach
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• vomiting (being sick)
• nausea (feeling sick)
• headaches

These symptoms should get better over time, and you can treat them with rest, eating little and often and getting plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Common semaglutide side effects include:

• dizziness
• upset stomach or indigestion
• burping or gas (flatulence)
• bloating
• inflamed stomach (gastritis) – symptoms include stomach ache, nausea and vomiting
• reflux and/or heartburn
• gallstones
• hair loss
• injection site reactions, such as itching, redness, rash, soreness and irritation
• a change in the way food and drink tastes
• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with diabetes – this is more likely if you take other diabetic medications such as insulin or sulfonylurea

Uncommon semaglutide side effects include:

• a delay in the emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis)
• an increase in certain pancreatic enzymes as shown in blood tests, such as lipase and amylase
• a fast heartbeat

Some serious semaglutide side effects require immediate medical attention. Call 111 or 999 in an emergency if you notice any of the following while taking your treatment:

• Common: A complication of diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) in people with diabetes – symptoms include a change in vision and eye problems.
• Uncommon: An inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) – symptoms include long-lasting and severe pain in the stomach that may move to the back.
• Rare: A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis/angioedema) – symptoms include breathing problems, swelling in the face and mouth, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, pale and cold skin, dizziness and weakness.
• Frequency not known: Bowel obstruction (severe constipation) – symptoms include bloating, vomiting, stomach ache and not being able to pass wind or open your bowels.

To get a semaglutide prescription for weight loss, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, such as having a body mass index (BMI) of:

• 30 or above (obese)
• between 27 and 30 (overweight), and a medical condition that can be affected by your weight, such as sleep apnoea or prediabetes

You must not have any medical conditions that could make semaglutide unsafe, or take any medications that will interact with your treatment. When prescribing semaglutide, a doctor will check your BMI, medical history and current medications before making a decision.

You should not take semaglutide if you are:

• allergic to semaglutide, other GLP-1 receptor agonists, or any other ingredients contained in the injection
• pregnant or breastfeeding

It’s also important to let your doctor know if you have:

• kidney problems, as there’s a risk of dehydration if you get side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea – it’s important to stay hydrated and speak to your doctor if these side effects are ongoing or severe
• diabetes – semaglutide can cause low blood sugar in people with diabetes, so your doctor may want to check your blood sugar more often than usual, especially if you take other diabetic medications
• taken any other medications recently, or are currently taking any

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Semaglutide shouldn’t be taken if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, as it’s not known how this will affect the baby. If you think you’re pregnant, speak to your doctor as treatment should be stopped straight away.

It’s also recommended to use contraception while taking semaglutide. If you take the oral contraceptive pill, you should use another form of contraception if you get side effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea, as this could affect how well the contraceptive pill works. If you want to try for a baby, you must stop taking semaglutide for 2 months before trying.

You can buy semaglutide as Wegovy in the UK for weight loss online or from a weight management specialist on the NHS. It’s an approved treatment that you can get a prescription for.

Can I get semaglutide for weight loss online?

Yes, you can get a semaglutide prescription and treatment online. Make sure you choose a regulated service with GMC-registered doctors, such as Asda Online Doctor.

Just fill out a quick and simple medical questionnaire, choose your preferred weight loss treatment and our doctors will issue a semaglutide prescription if suitable. We’ll then send Wegovy to your chosen address. Plus, our weight loss service includes weight loss support and a patient account where you can contact a doctor for free with any follow-up questions.

Can I get semaglutide on the NHS?

Yes, but the NHS has different prescribing requirements than private services. Some GPs can prescribe semaglutide for weight loss, but this may not be available in your area. If your GP can’t, they may refer you to a weight management service instead. Wait times for these services are different in each area, ranging from a few months to a few years.

There are other weight loss injections available for prescription in the UK that work similarly to semaglutide (Wegovy), as they belong to the same medication group. These are:

• Mounjaro – A once-weekly injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It also mimics a second hormone which is thought to further enhance the effects of GLP-1 and works similarly to reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness. Follows a dosage schedule like semaglutide, with 3 maintenance doses of 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg. Mounjaro is available to request from Asda Online Doctor now.
• liraglutide – A once-a-day injection that contains liraglutide. Once found under the brand name Saxenda, liraglutide is set to be available later this year for weight loss as a generic treatment. Liraglutide is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works in the same way as semaglutide to reduce appetite and keep you feeling full between meals. Follows a dosage schedule to a maintenance dose of 3mg a day.