How long does Wegovy take to work?

Key Takeaways

• Wegovy starts to work inside the body quickly, but it’ll take time to build up to a stable level, and noticeable results may take a while.
• On average, people on Wegovy lose 2% to 3% of their body weight in the first month.
• Weight loss differs for everyone, and results may take longer.
• Oviva can help you implement behavioural changes concerning food and exercise, which can maximise your weight loss outcomes while you’re taking Wegovy.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

When you start taking Wegovy, the medication should begin to work inside the body within a few days of your first injection. 

However, you’ll start on a low dose, and it takes 16 to 20 weeks to build up to the maintenance dose. Feeling a change in your appetite could take several days or weeks.

So, how long does Wegovy take to work for weight loss? Well, many people experience initial weight loss in the first few weeks of treatment. 

A STEP 1 clinical trial (Wilding et al.) found the average weight loss achieved during the first four weeks of treatment with Wegovy was 2% to 3% of total body weight. 

But it’s not uncommon for the effects of weight loss to take longer. This is partly because the Wegovy dosing schedule focuses on gradual increases over several months.

At what dose does Wegovy start working?

The Wegovy dosing schedule begins at 0.25 mg once per week, and this low initial dosage should stay the same for the first four weeks of treatment. 

From there, the dosage increases gradually in four-week intervals before you eventually reach the maintenance dose, which is usually 2.4 mg per week.

Wegovy can start producing weight loss benefits at the starting dose (0.25mg), but it’s typical for weight loss results and appetite suppression to become more apparent as the dosage increases.

Generally, weight loss effects increase when dosage increases. Therefore, you can expect the best results once you reach the 2.4 mg/week maintenance dose.

When should my Wegovy dosage increase?

When you first begin treatment with Wegovy, you’ll receive an initial dosage of 0.25 mg, taken once a week using a simple injection pen that can be self-administered. This low initial dosage is taken for four weeks so your body can get used to the medication.

The dosage escalation then progresses as follows:

• Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg/week
• Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg/week
• Weeks 9-12: 1 mg/week
• Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg/week
• Week 16 and beyond: 2.4 mg/week

Healthcare providers may recommend either 1.7 mg/week or a higher 2.4 mg/week dose as the final maintenance dose. The aim is to reach the maximum dose and manage side effects, as the best and most widely studied results are associated with the 2.4 mg/week dosage. 

However, your maintenance dose may depend on various factors, including the severity of any side effects you experience and your weight loss results on the 1.7 mg/week dosage.

Could Oviva help you?

To receive a prescription for Wegovy via the NHS, you must be eligible for referral to an approved weight management programme like Oviva. The eligibility criteria include a BMI over 30 and the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.

If you’re referred to Oviva, our team of healthcare professionals and experts can work with you to create a personalised plan, including lifestyle changes around food and exercise, helping you to maximise Wegovy’s results. 

At Oviva, we prescribe the medication and support you as you gradually progress to the maximum dose, managing any side effects along the way.

Oviva’s support and coaching can help you adopt a nutrient-rich diet for sustainable weight loss and management. We’ll also provide guidance on exercise, helping to maintain muscle density as you lose weight. You’ll also gain access to the Oviva app, where you can track your meals, activity, mood, medication and more.

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• Sources

  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

  https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/dosing-schedule.html

  https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/lifestyle-advice/wegovy-when-to-increase-your-dose

  https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2024/how-fast-does-semaglutide-kick-in/