What Wegovy is
Wegovy contains semaglutide and is made by Novo Nordisk. Higher-dose Wegovy HD (7.2 mg) was approved on March 19, 2026.
FDA-approved for
- Long-term weight reduction (adults, and children 12 and older)
- Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight
- MASH liver disease with moderate to advanced fibrosis (accelerated approval)
Dosing
Weekly injection. 0.25 mg, then 0.5 mg, then 1 mg, then 1.7 mg, stepping up every 4 weeks, then 2.4 mg (or 1.7 mg) maintenance. Adults may go up to 7.2 mg. Your clinician sets the pace, and it is common to stay at a dose longer if side effects are hard to manage.
How well it works
In STEP 1, people on 2.4 mg lost 14.9% of body weight on average over 68 weeks, vs 2.4% on placebo. In STEP UP, 7.2 mg produced 18.8% over 72 weeks. These are averages from clinical trials; your results may be different.
Wegovy cost
$349 a month self-pay at NovoCare Pharmacy ($199 for the first two fills at 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg through Dec 31, 2026; $399 for 7.2 mg). If your commercial insurance covers it, the manufacturer savings card can bring the cost down to as little as $25 a month. For every price option, read How much does Wegovy cost in 2026?. For the steps, read How to get the Wegovy pill online.
Common side effects
Stomach-related side effects are the most common, especially while the dose is going up. Percentages show people on the medication vs placebo in the label trials.
Scroll sideways to see the full table
| Side effect | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Zepbound 5–15 mg | Foundayo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% vs 16% | 25–29% vs 8% | 26–35% vs 10% |
| Diarrhea | 30% vs 16% | 19–23% vs 8% | 21–25% vs 11% |
| Vomiting | 24% vs 6% | 8–13% vs 2% | 13–24% vs 4% |
| Constipation | 24% vs 11% | 11–17% vs 5% | 20–27% vs 9% |
| Abdominal pain | 20% vs 10% | 9–10% vs 5% | 13–14% vs 7% |
| Fatigue | 11% vs 5% | 5–7% vs 3% | 6–9% vs 4% |
| Hair loss | 3% vs 1% | 4–5% vs 1% | 4–5% vs 2% |
Source: Wegovy (rev. 06/2026), Zepbound (rev. 08/2026) and Foundayo (rev. 07/2026) prescribing information.
Safety: GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and are not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Labels also warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar with some diabetes drugs, kidney problems from dehydration and severe stomach problems. Talk to a licensed clinician about your history.
Legal status: Prescription only; FDA-approved.