GLP-1 receptor agonist · Evidence-led, sources cited
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Licensed in the UK for weight management.
How it works
Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite and food intake by acting on appetite centres and slowing gastric emptying.
Published dosing
Per the Wegovy SmPC, treatment starts at 0.25mg once weekly for four weeks, then steps up at intervals toward a maintenance dose — the pace and target are set by your prescriber.
Common side effects
Commonly reported effects per the SmPC are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, typically settling over time.
What the evidence shows
In STEP 1 (NEJM, 2021), mean weight loss was about 14.9% at 68 weeks. Individual results vary.