Wegovy 0.5mg injection is a brand for the medicine Semaglutide (Gluten-Low). 0.5mg of Wegovy injection contains a concentration of 1mg/mL of semaglutide. Wegovy injection is a once a week type of medicine, prescribed by the doctor to be used in a structured weight-management regimen.
Wegovy has been authorized for use in the Australian market. TGA has placed Wegovy FlexTouch 0.5mg semaglutide 1mg/mL on the ARTG (Approved List of Medicines) as an ARTG-registered medicine (ARTG 424391).
What Is Wegovy 0.5mg Used For?
Wegovy works on the GLP-1 receptor to help control appetite, and as such is useful over the long term for weight loss and weight maintenance.
In adults, a prescription of Wegovy would generally involve eating fewer calories and getting more physical activity along with taking medication in people who fit one of the following criteria:
- People who have a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or more, or
- people with a body mass index of 27 kg/m² to 30 kg/m², but also have at least one overweight complication.
In Australia, patients 12 and older with obesity weighing 60kg or over can also have access to Wegovy.
Wegovy is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine in Australia.
How Does Wegovy 0.5mg Work?
Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors that govern appetite regulation, food intake and blood glucose control.
Some potential effects of semaglutide (which has appetite-reducing properties) include:
- Less hunger
- More satiety
- Moderate food intake
- Delaying gastric emptying
- Sustaining weight
Its influence on appetite and food intake often makes it easier to follow a reduced-calorie diet. The medication is designed to aid healthy eating and physical activity instead of being a substitute for them.
How To Use Wegovy 0.5mg
Wegovy 0.5mg is administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection.
It can be injected under the skin of the:
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Upper arm
You can give yourself injections at any time, either with or without meals. It is important to remember that this drug is not supposed to be given to a vein or muscle.
Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists should show you how to use the FlexTouch pen before you start doing it on your own.
Wegovy 0.5mg Dosage
The 0.5mg strength is part of the gradual dose-escalation schedule used for weight management:
| 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 |
Ramping up dose gradually makes the body slowly familiar with semaglutide and might minimize gut side effects.
Your physician would decide to defer the increase of the next dose at the occurrence of a severe gastrointestinal event until the symptoms are resolved.
Do not increase your Wegovy dose yourself.
What If You Miss a Wegovy 0.5mg Dose?
You can usually make up for the missing dose of Wegovy by injecting after a maximum delay of 5 days.
However, you should avoid taking a new dose if you’re already at least 5 days behind your weekly schedule. Just skip the missing one and inject according to the next scheduled day.
Don’t compensate for the missed dose by taking two doses in a row. When several doses are missed, there is a high chance that the doctor will advise to restart the treatment at a lesser dose.
Possible Side Effects
Common side effects associated with Wegovy include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Injection-site reactions
Digestive symptoms, such as those related to the digestive system, tend to be most pronounced at the beginning, in the first few weeks, or after the dose has been increased.
One consequence of continuous vomiting or diarrhoea is that the body can lose sufficient water leading to dehydration that may impair kidney function as well.
Visiting a health professional or other medical care provider is recommended if one experiences intense or ongoing abdominal pain, especially when it seems to spread to the back.
Precautions Before Using Wegovy 0.5mg
Tell your doctor before using Wegovy if you have:
- A history of pancreatitis
- Severe gastrointestinal problems or delayed stomach emptying
- Kidney problems
- Gallbladder disease or gallstones
- Diabetic retinopathy
- A history of serious allergic reactions to semaglutide
- Diabetes treated with insulin or sulfonylureas
- A planned operation or procedure involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation
Semaglutide is not suitable for weight management of pregnancy or planning to get pregnant. You should consult with your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
It is worth knowing that the main side effect of Semaglutide is delayed gastric emptying. Therefore, inform your surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking Wegovy about 48 hours before the procedure involving a general anaesthetic or a deep level of sedation.
Wegovy 0.5mg and Other Medicines
Disclose the use of all medicines, prescription medications, diabetes drugs, supplements and weight management products that you have been taking.
If you take Wegovy together with insulin or sulfonylureas medication, there’s a higher chance you might experience low blood sugar. Hence, your physician will probably be the one to determine which dose of this medicine suits you best.
It is possible that stomach contents would leave the stomach more slowly because of the semaglutide and consequently, it would affect the uptake of some tablets. This, however, is a potential scenario only.
Only if directed by your doctor, should you take another medicine containing semaglutide or a different GLP-1 receptor agonist together. There is no exception to this unless your medical adviser gives you that permission.
Storage
Wegovy 0.5mg should be stored correctly.
Australian product information states:
- Store at 2°C to 8°C
- Keep away from the cooling element
- Protect from light
- Do not freeze
- Protect from excessive heat
Wegovy may be stored unrefrigerated for up to 28 days at temperatures not above 30°C, according to the Australian product information. The pen should remain in its original carton to protect it from light.
Do not use Wegovy if it has been frozen or if the solution does not appear clear and colourless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wegovy 0.5mg stronger than the starting 0.25mg dose?
Yes. 0.5mg is the second dose level in the standard adult weight-management schedule. It is normally used after four weeks at 0.25mg, provided the treatment is tolerated.
Can Wegovy 0.5mg cause a change in bowel habits?
Yes. Changes such as constipation or diarrhoea can occur because semaglutide affects gastrointestinal activity. These effects may be more noticeable during dose escalation. Persistent or severe bowel symptoms should be discussed with your doctor.
Does Wegovy 0.5mg have to be injected into the same area every week?
No. The abdomen, thigh or upper arm can be used, and the injection site can be varied. Using different areas can also help avoid repeatedly injecting into exactly the same spot.
Can Wegovy 0.5mg be used if I have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can be one of the weight-related conditions considered when determining whether an overweight adult may be suitable for chronic weight-management treatment. However, your doctor should assess your overall health, medicines and cardiovascular risk before prescribing Wegovy.
What happens if I accidentally inject more than my prescribed Wegovy dose?
Do not take another dose to compensate or attempt to correct the injection yourself. Contact your doctor, pharmacist or an appropriate medical service for advice. An excessive dose may increase gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
References
- TGA – Wegovy FlexTouch 0.5mg – TGA Wegovy FlexTouch 0.5mg
- TGA – Wegovy Australian Product Information – Wegovy Product Information
- Healthdirect – Wegovy FlexTouch 0.5mg – Healthdirect Wegovy FlexTouch
- Healthdirect – Semaglutide – Healthdirect Semaglutide
- Healthdirect – Weight loss medicines – Healthdirect Weight Loss Medicines
Medical Disclaimer
Wegovy 0.5mg is a prescription medicine and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. This information is provided for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
