How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight on Wegovy?

Are you considering taking Wegovy (semaglutide) to help you lose weight and wondering when you’ll see results?

Weight loss on Wegovy varies from person to person, but most people start losing weight after 4 weeks, with significant results taking several months or longer. During clinical trials, people lost at least 5% of their initial body weight in the first three months, and an average of 15% over 68 weeks (approximately 15 months).

Weight loss on Wegovy works best when combined with other lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and regular exercise. Continue reading to learn more about how long weight loss can take on Wegovy.

How Wegovy Works

Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP–1 RA or GLP-1). It contains semaglutide as the active ingredient. 

Wegovy and other GLP-1s were originally developed to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone in the body to stimulate the secretion of insulin. They also delay gastric emptying, which increases feelings of fullness, reduces food cravings and appetite, and leads to weight loss.  

Wegovy is FDA-approved to support weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. 

How Fast Do You Lose Weight on Wegovy?

Average Results

The initial lower doses of Wegovy are meant to help the body adjust to the medication and do not cause weight loss. People start losing weight after about 4 weeks, with noticeable weight loss after several months, and with steady progress for up to 15 months. 

Clinical trials found the average weight loss as follows:

• 4 weeks: ~2% of the starting weight

• 8 weeks: ~4% 

• 12 weeks: ~6%

• 16 weeks: ~8%

• 20 weeks: ~10%

• 28 weeks: ~12%

• 36 weeks: ~14%

• 52 to 60 weeks: ~15%

• 68 weeks: ~15.6%

For example, if your starting weight is 232 lbs, you can expect to lose about 15% of your total body weight (35 lbs of excess weight) after 68 weeks (15 months) on Wegovy.

Factors That Affect Results

As mentioned above, everyone’s weight loss journey is different. Weight loss outcomes with Wegovy vary from person to person due to factors such as:

• Consistent use and correct dosing

• Healthy dietary modifications and exercise habits

• Starting weight and metabolism

• Other health conditions and medications

Therefore, individual results may vary, and how much weight you lose on Wegovy may be more or less than the average weight loss listed above.

How Long Do You Take Wegovy?

You will likely need to take Wegovy or other weight loss medications (GLP-1s) long-term to maintain results. During clinical trials, people took Wegovy for 68 weeks (15 months).

Stopping Wegovy can cause you to regain some of the lost weight, because your appetite will return. While reduced-calorie eating and exercise can help maintain progress, overweight and obese adults should consider Wegovy as a long-term weight management plan. 

How Much Does Wegovy Cost?

Without insurance, Wegovy can cost over $1,300 per month, making affordability an important consideration for long-term use.

Tips for Maximizing Wegovy Results

• Stay Consistent: Follow the dosing schedule recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Combine with lifestyle changes: A balanced, reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise are vital to maximize weight loss on Wegovy.

• Monitor health: Keep up with your healthcare appointments to monitor for side effects and track progress.

Wegovy Weight Loss FAQ

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Wegovy In One Month?

Most people lose around 2% of their body weight with Wegovy in one month. This means if you weigh 200 lbs initially, you can expect to lose around 4 lbs per month.

Remember, this rate can vary depending on your initial weight, exercise habits, dietary modifications, and metabolism. 

How Long Will It Take Me To Lose 20 Pounds On Wegovy?

It can take an average of 4 to 5 months to lose 20 pounds on Wegovy.  However, timing varies based on your starting weight and other factors like diet and exercise. 

How To Speed Up Weight Loss On Wegovy?

You can speed up weight loss on Wegovy by combining it with other weight loss efforts, such as a low-calorie diet and increased exercise.

Is Wegovy Safe For Long-Term Use?

Taking Wegovy can increase the risk of serious medical conditions such as acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury, increased heart rate, low blood sugar, and mental health changes. 

Give your healthcare professional a complete medical history and list of medications before starting Wegovy. 

Tell your healthcare provider if the side effects of Wegovy are severe or do not go away after your body adjusts to the medicine.

Do You Lose Weight Faster On Ozempic or Wegovy? 

Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. However, Ozempic is approved to treat type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy for chronic weight management.

While there are no head-to-head trials comparing the rate of weight loss between them,  clinical trials indicate that Wegovy results in greater weight loss compared to Ozempic. 

Who Qualifies For a Wegovy Prescription?

To qualify for Wegovy treatment, adults should have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/ m² or a BMI of at least 27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, or dyslipidemia (high cholesterol). 

Children 12 years of age and older may be eligible for Wegovy if their BMI is at or above the 95^th percentile for their age and sex.

Who Should Not Take Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide injection) is not safe for everyone. People with a personal or family history of a medical condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) or medullary thyroid cancer should not take Wegovy and other weight loss drugs from the same drug class. 

What Is The Dosing Schedule For Wegovy?

Your healthcare provider will gradually increase your Wegovy dose to let your body adjust to the medicine. The dose initiation, escalation, and maintenance schedule for Wegovy subcutaneous injection is as follows:

• Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg once weekly 

• Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg once weekly 

• Weeks 9 to 12: 1 mg once weekly 

• Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg once weekly 

• Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly maintenance dosage