What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition. It was also approved in 2024 to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease who are overweight or obese, and in 2025 for MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).

Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It's available as both a weekly injection and, as of January 2026, a daily oral pill.

How Effective Is It?

In the STEP clinical trials:

• Patients on injectable Wegovy lost an average of 14.9% of body weight
• The oral pill (25mg) achieved up to 16.6% body weight reduction
• The SELECT cardiovascular trial showed a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events

Wegovy is also approved for children ages 12+ with obesity.

Medfinder helps you locate pharmacies with Wegovy in stock.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. It works by:

• Reducing appetite — Acts on brain centers that control hunger and satiety
• Slowing gastric emptying — Food stays in the stomach longer, increasing fullness
• Improving insulin sensitivity — Reduces blood sugar spikes that drive cravings
• Potentially affecting the brain's reward system — May reduce the reward value of food

Effects on appetite are often noticeable within the first 1–2 weeks, while meaningful weight loss typically becomes apparent after 8–12 weeks of treatment.

What doses are available for Wegovy?

Injectable Pens (Once-Weekly)

• 0.25 mg (weeks 1–4)
• 0.5 mg (weeks 5–8)
• 1 mg (weeks 9–12)
• 1.7 mg (weeks 13–16)
• 2.4 mg (maintenance dose)

Oral Tablets (Daily) — New in 2026

• 3 mg (weeks 1–4)
• 7 mg (weeks 5–8)
• 14 mg (weeks 9–12)
• 25 mg (maintenance dose)

The injection is administered once weekly under the skin. The oral pill is taken once daily on an empty stomach with limited water, no food for 30 minutes. Both formulations follow a gradual dose-escalation schedule over approximately 16 weeks.

Injectable Wegovy must be refrigerated until use.

How hard is it to find Wegovy in stock?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is one of the most in-demand weight loss medications in the U.S. We've assigned it a findability score of 58 out of 100, meaning patients should expect moderate difficulty locating this medication, though supply has improved significantly.

Shortage Status Update

Semaglutide (the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic) remained on the FDA's drug shortage list longer than tirzepatide, but the FDA resolved the semaglutide shortage in February 2025. Novo Nordisk invested heavily in manufacturing expansion, and supply has steadily improved throughout 2025 and into 2026.

A major development: in January 2026, the FDA approved the Wegovy oral pill (semaglutide tablets 25mg), providing a second formulation option for patients. This has helped alleviate some demand pressure on the injectable form.

Insurance Coverage Shifts

In a notable shift, CVS Caremark moved Wegovy to its preferred formulary over Zepbound starting July 2025, potentially improving access for CVS-covered patients. However, some insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield are excluding Wegovy coverage for weight loss in 2026 plans.

Medicare Part D coverage for weight loss remains limited, though a CMS demonstration program (BALANCE Model) is expected to begin mid-2026, offering ~$50/month copays for eligible beneficiaries.

What This Means for Patients

Wegovy is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA restrictions. The main barriers remain insurance coverage and cost. Novo Nordisk offers savings programs that can reduce costs to as little as $25/month for commercially insured patients.

Medfinder can help you find Wegovy in stock near you.

Who Can Prescribe Wegovy?

Wegovy is not a controlled substance. PCPs, endocrinologists, obesity medicine specialists, cardiologists, NPs, and PAs can all prescribe it. Telehealth prescribing is widely available.

Medfinder helps you find pharmacies with availability.

Is Wegovy a controlled substance?

No, Wegovy is not a controlled substance. Automatic refills, 90-day supplies, easy pharmacy transfers, and telehealth prescribing are all possible. The primary barriers are insurance coverage and cost.

Medfinder can help you find Wegovy near you.

Common Side Effects of Wegovy

Most Common

• Nausea — Most frequently reported; improves over time
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Injection site reactions (injectable form)
• Hair thinning — Likely related to rapid weight loss

Less Common but Serious

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Kidney problems
• Severe allergic reactions
• Changes in vision (may indicate thyroid issues)

Boxed Warning: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors based on animal studies. Not recommended for patients with MTC or MEN 2 history.

Alternative Medications to Wegovy

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss

• Zepbound (tirzepatide) — Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. Clinical trials showed greater weight loss than Wegovy (20.2% vs 13.7%).
• Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) — Daily injection. More modest results (~5–8% weight loss).

Off-Label GLP-1 Options

• Ozempic (semaglutide) — Approved for type 2 diabetes but widely prescribed off-label for weight loss at lower doses.
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — Approved for diabetes, sometimes used off-label for weight loss.

Oral Weight Loss Medications

• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)
• Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate)
• Xenical/Alli (orlistat)

Medfinder can help you find Wegovy near you.

Drug Interactions with Wegovy

Important

• Oral contraceptives — Slowed gastric emptying may reduce absorption. Consider backup contraception during dose escalation.
• Insulin and sulfonylureas — Increased hypoglycemia risk if also treating diabetes.
• Oral medications with narrow therapeutic windows — Warfarin, levothyroxine may have altered absorption.

Moderate

• Do not combine with other GLP-1 agonists or semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus).
• Monitor blood sugar if taking diabetes medications.

Final Thoughts on Wegovy

Wegovy has transformed weight management as the first GLP-1 approved for both chronic weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction. The semaglutide shortage has been resolved, and the new oral pill (approved January 2026) gives patients a needle-free option.

The biggest barrier remains cost and insurance coverage. Novo Nordisk's savings card can reduce costs to $25/month for eligible insured patients, and cash-pay programs through NovoCare Pharmacy offer rates starting at $149–$349/month.

Medicare coverage for obesity is expanding through the BALANCE Model starting mid-2026.

Medfinder helps you find pharmacies with Wegovy in stock. Search for availability near you.