Is Wegovy Safe?

Yes, Wegovy is considered safe when prescribed by a healthcare professional and used as directed.

Before starting Wegovy, your doctor or pharmacist will assess your suitability by reviewing your medical history, current medications, and body mass index (BMI).

Your prescriber will also monitor your progress and ensure you follow the recommended Wegovy dosing schedule. This gradual dose increase allows your body to adjust to semaglutide, helping to minimise side effects. If you experience side effects, you may be able to stay on a lower dose for longer, as long as you’re still losing weight effectively.

A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that tests how safe and effective a medical treatment is in humans.

The STEP trials (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) are a major group of clinical studies that evaluated how effective and safe Wegovy is for weight loss.

These trials were critical in proving the safety and effectiveness of Wegovy and were used by regulators to approve it as a weight loss medication.

Key take aways from the clinical trials

Weight loss

• Wegovy consistently produced 10–16% weight loss
• Wegovy works even better when paired with lifestyle support (STEP 3)

Common side effects (mostly stomach-related)

• Affect 70–88% of people
• Usually mild and temporary
• Include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting

Serious risks (rare)

Seen in 7–10% of users and include:

• Gallbladder problems (e.g. gallstones)
• Rare pancreatitis
• Dehydration-related kidney issues
• Low blood sugar (only in people with diabetes taking antidiabetic medication)

*In STEP 5, serious events were actually lower on Wegovy than the placebo.

While Wegovy is considered safe for most people, it isn’t suitable for everyone.

You should not use Wegovy if you:

• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
• Have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
• Have type 1 diabetes
• Have a history of pancreatitis
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Have kidney problems
• Are due to have surgery
• Have diabetic retinopathy

Wegovy is not safe for everyone and using it without proper medical supervision can put your health at risk.

It is important to get a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional and tell them about any medical conditions or medications you are taking, as these may interact with Wegovy and cause serious problems.

Common Wegovy side effects

The most common side effects of Wegovy (affecting more than 10% of users) include:

• Headache
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Feeling weak or tired

These effects are usually mild and tend to happen when you first start Wegovy or increase your dose.

Serious Wegovy side effects

Wegovy can occasionally cause more serious reactions.

Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) is uncommon but serious. Symptoms include severe, ongoing stomach pain that may spread to your back. Seek medical help immediately if this happens.

Severe allergic reactions are rare (up to 1 in 1,000 people) and may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or wheezing
• Fast heartbeat
• Pale, cold skin
• Dizziness or weakness

Hip fractures have also been reported in rare cases.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.

Follow the prescribed dose schedule

Start at the dose your doctor recommends and increase gradually, usually every 4 weeks, to reduce side effects like nausea or fatigue. Do not skip doses or change your dose on your own.

Monitor for side effects

Mild nausea, constipation, or tiredness are common at first. If side effects are severe or persistent, contact your prescriber for advice.

Check your medical history

Make sure your doctor knows about any history of thyroid problems, pancreatitis, or other serious health conditions, as Wegovy may not be suitable for everyone.

Maintain healthy lifestyle habits

Continue a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and keep active. These habits support weight loss and help your body adjust to the medication.

Regular follow-up

Attend scheduled appointments so your doctor can monitor your weight, blood pressure, and overall health, and adjust your treatment if required.