Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that was first approved in June 2021 to reduce excess body weight in adults with obesity or in overweight adults who have at least one weight-related comorbid condition. That indication was later expanded to include pediatric patients 12 and older with obesity. Following additional FDA approvals for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) risk reduction in adults with established cardiovascular disease and for noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a tablet formulation was approved in 2025. The tablet form is indicated for adults who have established cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of MACE and for adults with obesity or overweight with at least one comorbid condition.
Concomitant use of Wegovy tablets or injection with other semaglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended. Read on to learn more about Wegovy, including its warnings and precautions, dosage and administration information for both forms, and more.
Medication Overview:
- Brand Name: Wegovy
- Generic Name: semaglutide
- Usage: Injection: To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, to reduce excess body weight, for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis; Tablets: To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, to reduce excess body weight,
- Manufacturer(s): Novo Nordisk
- Initial FDA Approval: June 2021
| Indicated Condition | Indication | Age | Date Approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (injection) | Indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established CV disease and either obesity or overweight. | Adults | March 2024 |
| Excess Body Weight (injection) | Indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older with obesity; Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. | Adults and pediatric patients with obesity; Adults with overweight and at least one comorbid condition. | June 2021 (adults) December 2022 (pediatric patients 12 and older) |
| Noncirrhotic Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (injection) | Indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis) in adults. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on improvement of MASH and fibrosis. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon the verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. | Adults | August 2025 |
| Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (tablet) | Indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established CV disease and either obesity or overweight. | Adults | December 2025 |
| Excess Body Weight (tablet) | Indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity, or in adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. | Adults | December 2025 |
Warnings and Precautions:
- Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Wegovy. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
- Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has occurred in clinical trials. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated.
- Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing the dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be necessary. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion: Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion.
- Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. Wegovy is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: Anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported postmarketing. Discontinue Wegovy if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.
- Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Has been reported in trials with semaglutide. Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored.
- Heart Rate Increase: Monitor heart rate at regular intervals.
- Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation: Has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. Instruct patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures.
Dosage and Administration:
Injection:
- Administer Wegovy injection once weekly as an adjunct to diet and increased physical activity, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
- Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- Initiate at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Then follow the dosage escalation schedule in Table 1, titrating every 4 weeks to achieve the maintenance dosage.
- The usual recommended maintenance dosage of Wegovy injection is 2.4 mg once weekly. Refer to the full PI for maintenance dosages based on the indication.
Tablet:
- Initiate Wegovy tablet with a dosage of 1.5 mg once daily for 30 days. Then follow the dosage escalation schedule, titrating every 30 days to achieve the maintenance dosage.
- The recommended maintenance dosage of Wegovy tablets is 25 mg orally once daily for cardiovascular risk reduction and weight reduction in adults.
- Take Wegovy tablets orally once-daily on an empty stomach in the morning with water (up to 4 ounces). Do not take with other liquids besides water.
- Swallow tablets whole. Do not split, crush, chew or dissolve.
- After taking Wegovy tablet wait at least 30 minutes before eating food, drinking beverages or taking other oral medications.
Contraindications:
Personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2.
Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Wegovy tablets or Wegovy injection.
Drug Interactions:
Wegovy delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. Consider increased clinical or laboratory monitoring when used concomitantly with other oral medications that have a narrow therapeutic index or that require clinical monitoring.
Adverse Reactions:
Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in adults or pediatric patients aged 12 and older are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dysesthesia, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hair loss.
Examples of Semaglutide in Clinical Guidance
Semaglutide Therapy for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)
- May 2026
- “Lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of MASLD/MASH management alongside semaglutide.”
Management of Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease
- American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA)
- “For patients with CCD and overweight or obesity in whom pharmacologic therapy is warranted for further weight reduction, a GLP-1 receptor agonist can be beneficial in addition to counseling for diet and physical activity, and it is reasonable to choose semaglutide over liraglutide.”
Pharmacological Interventions for Adults with Obesity
- American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
- November 2022
- “In adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications, the AGA suggests using semaglutide 2.4 mg with lifestyle modifications, compared with lifestyle modifications alone.”
Please note: This article is current as of May 29, 2026. Consult our clinical guidelines library or drug information tool to ensure you always have the most up-to-date information.
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