Who's eligible for Wegovy?

Per the manufacturer, Wegovy® is intended for use in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (excess weight) (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol.

How do I get my doctor to prescribe Wegovy?

To get a prescription for Wegovy, you must either have obesity or overweight and have a weight-related medical condition. In the 68-week clinical trial, participants lost an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight, compared to those who had a placebo (sugar pill).

Will doctor give me Wegovy?

You may qualify for Wegovy if: Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is above 30. Your BMI is higher than 27, and you have weight-related health issues, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You've made lifestyle changes, but are still unable to lose weight and/or have a history of high and low weight changes.

Who Cannot use Wegovy?

If you or a family member have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), you shouldn't use Wegovy. MTC is a rare type of thyroid cancer. You also shouldn't use Wegovy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). MEN2 is a rare genetic (inherited) condition that can cause thyroid cancer.

Is it hard to get Wegovy?

Novo Nordisk's popular weight-loss drug Wegovy is difficult for patients to find right now—as are other, similar GLP-1 drugs such as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro—due to supply shortages, massive demand, and restrictions from drugmakers on who is allowed to use the medications.

Wegovy drug therapy: the newest FDA-approved weight loss medication (explanation and overview)

How do I get Wegovy affordably?

If you do not have insurance, contact Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, 1-888-809-3942 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-8:00 pm ET) to determine if you qualify for a Wegovy Savings Copay Card or patient financial assistance program. They also have an online form you can fill out and they will check your insurance for you.

How much do you have to weigh to get Wegovy?

Wegovy^® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² (obesity) or ≥27 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition ( ...

Can you take Wegovy if not diabetic?

Wegovy is used in adults who have a body mass index (BMI)* of 30 or higher (obesity). It's also used in adults who have a BMI of 27 or higher (which is considered overweight) and at least one health condition that's related to weight. These conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

What medication is equal to Wegovy?

Both Ozempic® and Wegovy® are the same medication: semaglutide. Wegovy®, however, is available in slightly higher doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg pens. Ozempic® is available in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg pens.

How do I ask my doctor for weight loss pills?

When will Pharmacies get Wegovy?

Novo Nordisk expects all strengths of Wegovy to be available in the United States by the end of 2022. They're also making plans for additional production going into 2023.

Can I get Wegovy without insurance?

People without insurance may qualify for this card. To learn more, call 888-793-1218 or see the program website. If you don't have insurance, you can also see the “Financial assistance” section below to find other ways to lower your costs with Wegovy.

How do I get my prior authorization for Wegovy?

Prior authorizations (PAs) are required by some prescription insurance plans to cover certain medications. Your health care provider will need to submit a form to your insurance company to seek approval for Wegovy^®. You can reach out to your health care provider's office and request that they initiate a PA.

What happens after you stop Wegovy?

Indeed, weight gain after discontinuing the drugs is a concern; studies have found that two-thirds of patients gained the weight back after they stopped taking Wegovy. But obesity experts disagree about how long a patient should stay on the drugs.

Does Wegovy cause mood changes?

Although rare, it's possible for Wegovy to cause depression or increase your risk of suicidal thoughts. If you already have depression or a mood condition, taking Wegovy may make your condition worse. In this case, your doctor may recommend monitoring your mood more often while you're taking Wegovy.

How soon will you see results with Wegovy?

Weight loss may begin within the first 4 weeks of treatment with Wegovy, but the full effects of treatment may not be seen for several months or longer. In studies, weight loss was assessed over a 68-week period.

Why is Wegovy not covered?

Wegovy® insurance coverage

The short answer to whether or not Wegovy® is covered by insurance depends on your coverage. Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act doesn't require health plans to cover obesity-related medications or surgeries.

Is Wegovy the same as metformin?

Wegovy is intended to be prescribed for obese patients who have a BMI of over 30 or a BMI of over 27 with additional obesity-related health problems like heart disease. As with metformin, Wegovy is designed to supplement healthy lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and increased physical activity or regular exercise.

Who qualifies for Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic is indicated for treating obesity in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over, or 27 or over with a serious medical condition such as heart disease or high cholesterol. To find your BMI, go to the CDC's website and plug your height and weight into the BMI calculator.

How long can you stay on Wegovy for weight loss?

How long can you take Wegovy? Wegovy is one of six medications currently approved by the FDA for the long-term treatment of obesity. As such, it can be used for as long as it remains beneficial for weight loss and/or weight maintenance and is not causing intolerable side effects.

How many months do you take Wegovy?

Typical dosing for Wegovy (semaglutide)

The typical starting dose is 0.25 mg injected under your skin once a week for 4 weeks (1 month). You'll use a higher dose every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once a week.

Does Wegovy keep weight off?

To date, 3 good studies on anti-obesity medications (Belviq, Saxenda and Wegovy) have demonstrated rapid regain once the medication has stopped. In one of these studies, it was after weight loss had been maintained for 3 years – when the drug was discontinued, the weight returned rapidly towards baseline.

What is the monthly cost of Wegovy?

The cost of Wegovy can vary depending on several factors, including your insurance coverage and the rates at your local pharmacy. If you have insurance coverage, you may pay as little as $25 for a monthly supply of the medication. Without insurance, you could pay $1,350 or more.

Does Amazon cover Wegovy?

It is included with your Prime membership at no additional cost. The benefit, which is administered by inside Rx, LLC, has restrictions on some medications if you're over 65 or have insurance with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. Terms also apply. For more information, check out our FAQs.