As with all medicines, Wegovy® can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and may improve as your body adjusts to treatment, but there are some symptoms you should never ignore.
This guide is organised by what you should do if you experience side effects.
Very common side effects
These may affect more than 1 in 10 people.
These side effects are often experienced when starting treatment or increasing your dose:
- Nausea – feeling sick or having an upset stomach.
- Vomiting – being sick.
- Diarrhoea – passing loose or watery stools.
- Constipation – difficulty opening your bowels.
- Stomach pain or discomfort – including cramping or abdominal discomfort.
- Headache – pain, tension or pressure in your head.
- Fatigue – feeling tired, weak or lacking energy.
Common side effects
These may affect up to 1 in 10 people.
These can include:
- Dizziness – feeling lightheaded, dizzy or off balance.
- Injection-site reactions – such as redness, irritation or itchiness around the injection site.
- Altered skin sensations – such as tingling, burning or heightened skin sensitivity. These have been reported more commonly with the higher Wegovy® 7.2mg dose.
When should I contact Simple Online Pharmacy?
Please contact us if your side effects become severe, persistent or concerning, or are affecting your ability to continue treatment.
In particular, please contact us if altered skin sensations are persistent or troublesome, as your treatment or dose may need to be reviewed.
You should also contact us if you are struggling to eat regular meals or are unable to keep food or fluids down.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Some symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Severe or persistent stomach pain
Seek urgent medical help if you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it does not go away.
Continuous severe stomach pain that may spread to your back, with or without nausea or vomiting, can be a sign of acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Gallbladder problems
Wegovy® can increase the risk of gallstones and other gallbladder problems.
Symptoms can include severe pain in the upper abdomen, particularly on the right-hand side, which may spread towards your back or right shoulder.
If this is accompanied by symptoms such as fever or yellowing of your skin or eyes, seek medical attention urgently.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
Low blood sugar can occur, particularly in people with diabetes who are also taking certain diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Symptoms may include sweating, shaking, hunger, weakness, dizziness, confusion or a fast heartbeat.
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, follow the hypoglycaemia advice provided by your healthcare professional. If symptoms are severe, do not improve or you become seriously unwell, seek urgent medical help.
Increased heart rate
If you experience a persistent racing or pounding heartbeat while at rest, contact a healthcare professional for advice.
Sudden changes to your eyesight
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience sudden or significant changes to your eyesight.
Changes in vision can occur in people with diabetic eye disease.
Very rarely, semaglutide has also been linked to an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can cause sudden, painless loss or worsening of vision, usually in one eye.
If you notice a sudden change or loss of vision, stop taking Wegovy® and go straight to an eye casualty department or A&E.
Serious allergic reaction
Call 999 immediately if you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as:
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Severe rash
- Feeling faint or collapsing
- Loss of consciousness
Where can I find more information?
Please read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your Wegovy® treatment for a complete list of possible side effects and important safety information.
If you are unsure whether a symptom you are experiencing could be related to Wegovy®, please contact our clinical team for advice.