Wegovy 0.25mg Injection provides the ingredient semaglutide 0.5mg/mL for one weekly administration through a subcutaneous injection. This image displays Wegovy FlexTouch 0.25mg which comes as a pre-filled pen that carries the first dose of semaglutide inside.
Wegovy is officially available for sale in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has classified Wegovy FlexTouch 0.25mg as an ARTG-registered medicine (ARTG 424390), with semaglutide acting as the main medicinal ingredient.
What Is Wegovy 0.25mg Used For?
Wegovy comprises semaglutide, which is one of the GLP-receptor agonists developed for weight maintenance, including reducing body weight and preserving it over a long time.
Wegovy in adults is for weight management when people are taking an energy restricting diet accompanied by physical activity for those patients suffering from:
- BMI of 30 kg/m² or more.
- With a BMI between 27/30 kg/m² who are suffering from any comorbidity related to weight issues
You must take Wegovy alongside other components of an integrated weight loss programme such as a healthy, balanced diet and/or exercising plan instead of replacing them with it.
In addition, Wegovy has been approved by the medicines regulatory authority in Australia called TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) for treatment of certain obese teenagers aged 12 year old or above weighing more than 60kg.bodyweight.
How Does Wegovy 0.25mg Work?
Semaglutide acts by engaging GLP-1 receptors that play a role in the regulation of appetite and food intake.
It can assist with:
- Boosting the sensations of fullness and satisfaction
- Mitigating hunger
- Decreasing the amount of food eaten
- Reducing craving for food
- Supporting reduced calorie intake
- Aiding in maintaining weight loss over time
The very long half-life of Semaglutide, which is one week, enables the medicine to be taken once a week.
How To Use Wegovy 0.25mg
Wegovy 0.25mg is given once weekly as a subcutaneous injection.
It can be injected under the skin of the:
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Upper arm
The injection can be given at any time of day and with or without food. The injection should not be given into a vein or muscle.
The injection site can be changed from one week to another without changing the dose.
The Australian product information describes the 0.25mg pen as a fixed-dose, single-use disposable pen intended specifically for the dose-escalation stage.
A healthcare professional should show you how to use the pen correctly before you administer it yourself.
Wegovy 0.25mg Dosage for Weight Loss
0.25mg once weekly is the starting dose for Wegovy weight-management treatment.
The usual dose-escalation schedule is:
| Treatment period | Weekly dose |
| Weeks 1–4 | 0.25mg |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5mg |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1mg |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7mg |
| Maintenance | 2.4mg |
There is a 16-week period during which the amount is being increased gradually so as to limit the possibility of experiencing gastrointestinal side effects. If the person has a lot of stomach problems, then maybe the next dose increase would be put off until the symptoms subside.
The first week the dose of Wegovy 0.25mg is only for adults, not for regular use. Don’t raise the dose without a doctor’s or prescriber’s advice.
What If You Miss a Wegovy 0.25mg Dose?
If you miss your weekly dose, it should be administered as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose.
If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next injection on your usual scheduled day.
If several doses are missed, your doctor may consider restarting treatment at a lower dose. Do not take two injections together to make up for a missed dose.
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy are related to the digestive system.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Injection-site reactions
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are also especially common in patients who receive treatment at different dosage levels during the dose-escalation period. Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting have been some of the most frequent GI adverse reactions experienced by patients participating in clinical studies.
The majority of these gastrointestinal adverse effects tend to be mild-to-moderate in intensity and may become more pronounced during dosage escalations. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe or prolonged abdominal discomfort that radiates into the region surrounding your back, since this can be an indication for acute pancreatitis.
It’s important to note that repeated vomiting or diarrhoea will lead to dehydration as well as affecting your kidney functions.
Precautions Before Using Wegovy 0.25mg
Tell your doctor before starting Wegovy if you have:
- A history of pancreatitis
- Severe gastrointestinal problems or delayed stomach emptying
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Gallbladder disease or gallstones
- Diabetic retinopathy
- A previous serious allergic reaction to semaglutide
- Diabetes treated with insulin or sulfonylureas
- A planned surgery or procedure involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation
You shouldn’t use Semaglutide if you’re pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
Australian product information advises stopping Semaglutide at least two months prior to planned pregnancy due to its prolonged presence within the body.
Tell your healthcare team you’re using Wegovy if you have surgery or a procedure involving either general anaesthesia or deep sedation. This is because Semaglutide has been associated with an effect of slowing gastric emptying.
Wegovy 0.25mg and Other Medicines
You should tell your doctor if you take: all of your prescription medicines, including medicines for diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas), any supplements or other treatments for weight management
The risk of hypoglycaemia increases when semaglutide is taken alongside insulin or sulfonylureas, which are types of medicine used to treat diabetes.
Your doctor might decide to reduce your doses of these medicines. Semaglutide can delay gastric emptying – how quickly food leaves your stomach and moves through your gut into your intestines. This could affect the way your body absorbs some medicines from your mouth to stomach. It could be important for medicines that need to be absorbed quickly by your gastrointestinal system.
You shouldn’t take Wegovy together with other semaglutide containing medicines or other GLP-1 receptor agonists unless you have been specifically advised to do so by your healthcare professional
Storage
Wegovy 0.25mg should be stored carefully.
Australian product information states:
- Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C
- Keep away from the cooling element
- Protect from light
- Do not freeze
- Protect from excessive heat
Wegovy can be used within 28 days of opening, provided it is protected by being kept inside its original carton to guard against exposure to light.
Don’t use this medicine if it has been frozen. If you do, discard it immediately and get in contact with your pharmacist or GP for advice. Your healthcare professional will have given you specific instructions on how to check that the solution looks clear and colourless when you start using Wegovy – these are important steps to make sure there is no risk of bacterial contamination. Make sure the pen isn’t touched outside of where the needle comes out. Always dispose of the 0.25mg pen once it has been used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wegovy 0.25mg enough to cause weight loss?
The 0.25mg dose is primarily used to start treatment and help the body adjust to semaglutide. Weight-management treatment is gradually increased to higher doses when appropriate. Individual weight-loss responses vary.
Why is Wegovy started at such a low dose?
Starting at 0.25mg helps improve tolerability. Semaglutide can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, particularly when treatment begins or the dose is increased. Gradual escalation is used to reduce the likelihood of these problems.
Can Wegovy 0.25mg be taken at night instead of in the morning?
Yes. Wegovy can be administered at any time of day, provided it is taken once weekly according to the prescribed schedule. It does not need to be taken with a meal.
How quickly does Wegovy start working on appetite?
Semaglutide begins acting on GLP-1 receptors after administration, but the noticeable effect on appetite can vary from person to person. The 0.25mg stage is mainly an introductory dose, so some people may notice only modest appetite changes during the first few weeks.
Can I change my weekly Wegovy injection day?
Yes. If necessary, the weekly injection day can be changed provided there are at least 72 hours between two doses. After changing the day, continue with a once-weekly schedule.
References
- TGA – Wegovy FlexTouch 0.25mg, ARTG 424390 – TGA Wegovy FlexTouch 0.25mg
- TGA – Australian Product Information for Wegovy – Wegovy Australian Product Information
- Healthdirect – Wegovy FlexTouch – Healthdirect Wegovy FlexTouch
Medical Disclaimer
Wegovy 0.25mg is a prescription medicine and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
