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What to Expect with Wegovy™ (Two-Week Taper) Guide

What to Expect with Wegovy™ (Two-Week Taper) Guide

Here’s some useful information on what to expect when starting Wegovy™.

How the medication works 

In your body, GLP-1s are powerful hormones made by your gut that send signals to your brain to help you feel full, regulate your blood sugar, and decrease your appetite. Research suggests that people who hold onto more weight experience reductions in GLP-1 signaling. 

Wegovy™ and other GLP-1s used in the Calibrate program help your body to fight the natural increases in appetite and hunger that occur as you begin to lose weight. They work by suppressing your appetite and regulating your blood sugar which, in turn, will enable you to keep weight off for the long-term.

How to take it 

We prescribe injectables because clinical studies show they’re more effective than pills for weight loss. You’ll take your GLP-1 medication yourself through an injection pen in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. 

While this may sound scary, most members actually report it being painless, quick, and easy. This is because the needle is extremely tiny—significantly smaller than those used for shots at the doctor’s office—and also because you’re injecting it directly under the skin instead of into muscle, which is also different from the shots you’re probably used to. Always replace your needle each time the pen is used.

As for high-level things to keep in mind, you can take the medication with or without food and at any time during the day. Also, store your pen in the fridge until you’re ready to break the seal. Once opened, it lasts 30 days in the fridge or at room temperature.

Each Wegovy™ pen can administer one dose of medication. (So you should use one pen per week). There are five different dosage strengths for Wegovy™, all taken once weekly: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and the max dose of 2.4 mg. 

To help minimize side effects, you’ll start at the lowest dosage that is appropriate for you—0.25 mg weekly and will take that once a week for two weeks before progressing to 0.5 mg. You will then stay at 0.5 mg and the subsequent incremental dose increases for four weeks before progressing to the next strength. The Calibrate Medical Team will send prescriptions to your pharmacy to cover these scheduled increases. If you have side effects and need to stay at a lower dose for longer, please reach out to the Medical Team through the Support Center.

To show you exactly how to use the pen and perform your injections, read this page and watch the video one-third of the way down. The step-by-step instructions have been compiled by the makers of Wegovy™. If you have any further questions about how to take your medicine, message your Calibrate Medical Team via the Support Center, and they’ll walk you through.

What to expect

If you experience intolerable side effects after a dose increase, go back to the previous dose and contact your Calibrate Medical Team. With our guidance you’ll most likely stay on the lower dose for a couple of extra weeks before you increase the dose again. 

The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. The good news is that they typically go away by 3-4 weeks, so try to stick with the medication. Eating blander foods, eating smaller meals, and staying active can help reduce nausea. If you have severe abdominal pain (which is very uncommon), please let us know right away. 

How do GLP-1s work?

GLP-1 (glucagonlike peptide 1) is a hormone naturally produced by your small intestine. GLP-1 medications work on the same receptors as your natural GLP-1 hormone to control feelings of hunger and fullness and regulate blood sugar.  Mechanistically, GLP-1s address biology in a way that helps lower your weight set point.

Why use an injectable?

Injectable GLP-1s are preferred since they’ve been around for years and their use is supported by many clinical trials. They are more effective than oral GLP-1s for weight loss in clinical studies. An injectable also offers a lot of flexibility, as it can be done with or without food at any time of day.  

Is it painful?

While an injectable seems scary and sounds painful to many individuals, it’s actually easy to use, and your Calibrate doctor will walk you through all the steps. Most patients report after starting that it’s easier than taking a pill and doesn’t hurt. The needle is extremely small and hidden in the pen so you can barely see it when injecting.

How do I inject?

GLP-1s come in a pen that’s simple to use. You dial up to the dose and inject it under the skin in your stomach, thigh, or abdomen. We recommend changing the site each day to minimize the potential of a skin reaction. The video below will walk you through injecting each type of GLP-1 step-by-step. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have if needed! Message your Medical Team in the Support Center.

What are common side effects? 

Many individuals don’t have any side effects with this medication. However, for those who do, nausea is the most common.Usually nausea resolves after a few weeks as your body adapts to medication, but we encourage you to reach out to the Medical Team to discuss dosage modifications and for side effect management. Do not increase the dose faster than recommended, since the dosing schedule was designed to minimize side effects. Things that help reduce nausea are eating blander foods, eating smaller meals, and staying active.

You may also have changes in bowel movements (constipation being the most common). If this happens, you can take a fiber supplement (such as Metamucil or Benefiber) or increase your intake of vegetables and fruits. 

If you’re worried about any side effects, you can also always message the Medical Team via the Support Center in the Calibrate app.

Will I develop any redness around the injection site?

Redness around the injection site is common and will go away. We recommend rotating the injection site and never using the same needle twice in a row.  If you choose to inject in the same area (i.e. abdomen), always use a different spot. If the area becomes painful and/or swollen, let us know right away by messaging your medical team in the Calibrate app. 

What if I forgot to take it on the day I’m supposed to or I want to change the day I inject?

If you miss a dose of Wegovy™, take the missed dose as soon as possible within five days after you missed the dose. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and take it again on your regularly scheduled day.

Where do I store the pens?

Keep the unopened pens in the refrigerator.  If you are traveling, or without refrigeration, it is OK to keep the pens at room temperature.  Wegovy™ pens can safely stay at room temperature for up to 28 days.

What do I do with the needles after the pen is used up?

You can place it in any large empty container (i.e. detergent, milk, or water container) and drop it off at the pharmacy when full.

How do I travel with the medication?

You can travel with unopened pens in your suitcase. Put them in the fridge when you get to your destination. See the Take Calibrate Anywhere travel guide for more information on traveling while doing Calibrate.

How long does it take for the medication to work?

It usually takes a couple of weeks of tapering up on the medication before you start losing weight, but you should notice appetite suppression within the first week.

Is there a risk for developing thyroid cancer?

We do not recommend GLP-1s if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN syndrome. But for everyone else, there are no human studies that show an increased risk of thyroid cancer.