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Wegovy is a weight loss medication that you can only get with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Learn more about who is eligible and what to expect at your initial appointment.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication that’s
When used alongside a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Wegovy has been shown to
What’s more, the medication was
If you’re curious about whether Wegovy is right for you, the first step is making an appointment with a healthcare professional, either in person or virtually. Keep reading to learn more about how to obtain Wegovy safely.
According to NovoCare, Wegovy’s manufacturer, a healthcare professional may prescribe Wegovy to adults with:
- a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- a BMI of 27 or more and a weight-related medical condition, such as high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels or high blood pressure
Wegovy is also approved for the treatment of obesity in adolescents ages 12 years and older.
Most healthcare professionals will not prescribe Wegovy or other weight loss medications unless you’ve had difficulty losing weight in the past through traditional methods, such as following a lower calorie diet and being more active.
To be effective, Wegovy should be paired with a nutritious, reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
What about Wegovy for heart disease?
As of
Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
Wegovy and other semaglutide-based medications are not safe for everyone.
For example, Wegovy may not be appropriate for people who:
- have a personal or family history of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma
- are pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant
- have a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- have diabetic retinopathy
- have medical conditions that affect the kidneys and pancreas
Because Wegovy interacts with certain medications, it’s important to talk with your healthcare professional about the types of medications you’re already taking before you start Wegovy.
A note on Wegovy for weight loss
People who are interested in taking Wegovy should understand that this medication is meant for long-term use and isn’t approved for encouraging rapid weight loss.
Most people need to continue using Wegovy indefinitely to maintain results.
It’s important to discuss with a trusted healthcare professional any reservations you may have about taking Wegovy, including the potential risks and side effects.
- At the doctor’s office
- Ro Body: personalized coaching for medication management, lifestyle changes, and more | Learn more
- PlushCare: telehealth platform, in network with most insurance plans | Learn more
- Noom Med: behavior change-based weight loss app with medication support | Learn more
- WeightWatchers Clinic: comprehensive support from doctors, dietitians, and fitness trainers | Learn more
A note on getting Wegovy
All the options below offer Wegovy for weight loss to eligible individuals. It’s ultimately up to a qualified healthcare professional to determine whether Wegovy is right for you.
Due to occasional supply chain issues, Wegovy may be difficult to obtain, and your healthcare professional may recommend an alternative.
Finally, because of
It’s important to talk with your healthcare professional to ensure that you’re being prescribed noncompounded, FDA-approved GLP-1 medications.
Wegovy is a prescription-only medication. This means you must get a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner, to access it.
Once you have a prescription for Wegovy, you can fill it at your local pharmacy or through a reputable online pharmacy.
To get a prescription, you can meet with a licensed healthcare professional either in person or virtually.
In person
The best way to get a prescription for Wegovy is by making an appointment with a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. In addition to a better chance of insurance coverage, compared with online programs, in-person visits allow you to establish a relationship with a professional who can support your weight loss efforts long term.
During your visit, your healthcare professional will likely review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and discuss your current lifestyle to determine whether Wegovy is right for you.
In addition to potentially writing a prescription, they can also discuss other resources to support your weight loss journey, such as a referral to a registered dietitian.
What to expect (and ask) at your initial appointment
According to Janelle Duah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, at your initial visit, expect to discuss your:
- weight and dieting history
- weight loss goals
- current diet and exercise routine
- sleep habits
- mood and stress level
Your healthcare professional will determine whether you’re eligible for Wegovy or another weight loss medication. But it’s also important to come prepared with questions to inform yourself on whether these medications might be a good fit, Duah notes.
“Patients should be aware of side effects, how to manage the side effects, [and] when to consider stopping the medication if they have side effects,” Duah said.
“They should also make sure that there is good follow-up and accountability with the provider with whom they are working, and that there isn’t just a plan for weight loss but also for maintenance.”
Online
If you prefer the convenience of online consultations and pharmacies, you may be able to get Wegovy through a telehealth company.
Just keep in mind that it’s important to choose a reputable provider. You’ll also want to consider whether you’re looking to simply meet with a licensed healthcare professional, or if you want the support of a more comprehensive online weight loss program.
Below are four online options that passed our rigorous vetting process.
More ways to get a prescription online
We rounded up the most reputable places you might consider getting Wegovy online.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the GLP-1 services that passed our vetting process. Then, we looked at availability, cost, and the additional resources each service provides to narrow down our list even further.
Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide, a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 agonists work by activating receptors for GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite. Wegovy is
Semaglutide is also the main active ingredient in another GLP-1 agonist medication, Ozempic. However, unlike Wegovy, Ozempic is not approved by the FDA for weight loss.
Although Wegovy’s exact effect on the brain is unknown,
Wegovy is injected once per week. The recommended dose is 2.4 milligrams (mg) once per week. However, it’s generally recommended that new users gradually work up to 2.4 mg over 16 to 20 weeks to reduce the risk of
Learn more about how Wegovy works, how to use it, and its potential side effects in our comprehensive guide.
Keep in mind that Wegovy is meant to be used for long-term weight management, and many people have to stay on Wegovy for years to maintain their weight loss. This means people taking Wegovy may have to spend a significant amount of money on the medication every year.
Is it covered by insurance?
Insurance companies aren’t required to cover weight loss medications. This means that weight loss drugs like Wegovy are often excluded from health insurance coverage.
But every policy is different, and some insurance companies may cover some of the cost.
Discounts
You may be able to take advantage of savings offers from the Wegovy manufacturer.
Using the WeGoTogether savings offer from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, people with health insurance coverage may pay as little as $0 per 28-day supply of Wegovy, and people paying out-of-pocket can save up to $500 per 28-day supply of Wegovy.
However, you’re not eligible for these savings offers if your insurance coverage comes from Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or another government-affiliated healthcare plan.
Only licensed healthcare professionals, such as doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, can prescribe Wegovy.
Currently, there are no over-the-counter GLP-1 receptor agonist medications available. You must get a prescription for Wegovy from a licensed healthcare professional.
Research has shown that adults with obesity who use semaglutide (Wegovy) every day lose an average of 9.6% to 17.4% of their initial body weight after 68 weeks (a little over 15 months).
However, it’s worth noting that some of the authors of this research received grants from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, for other research they conducted in the past.
Keep in mind that Wegovy isn’t meant to produce rapid weight loss. It’s a chronic weight management medication, which means you may have to use it for several months before you start seeing results. Also, you’ll need to continue using it long term to maintain the results.
Wegovy is approved for weight loss in adults and adolescents ages 12 years and older with obesity and adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition.
If you’re an adult with a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 or more and a weight-related health condition like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, a healthcare professional may prescribe Wegovy to help you manage your weight.
Wegovy is a prescription-only medication, which means you have to get a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician or nurse practitioner, to use it.
A healthcare professional may prescribe Wegovy for you if you’ve had trouble losing weight in the past through traditional methods, such as increasing physical activity and reducing your calorie intake.
However, Wegovy isn’t appropriate or safe for everyone. And you’ll need to keep taking Wegovy to maintain your weight loss, which can be extremely expensive.
If you’re interested in taking a weight loss medication like Wegovy, the first step is making an appointment with a trusted healthcare professional to discuss your options.
