How to Get Wegovy for Weight Loss
You may have heard through news outlets and on social media just how effective Wegovy is.
This new weight loss drug has gone through rigorous clinical trials and has been scientifically proven to help people lose weight and achieve their goals.
You know that it works for weight loss, and you might want to give it a try but you may be wondering how to get your hands on it.
In this article, we discuss how to get Wegovy for weight loss and if you qualify to take this drug.
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Can You Buy Wegovy Online?
Unlike many other weight loss drugs, Wegovy is a prescription medication. This means you can only use this drug if it is prescribed to you by a healthcare professional.
For this reason, you can’t and shouldn’t purchase Wegovy online. In fact, it can be extremely dangerous to buy a prescription drug online or from unauthorized sources.
If this injectable prescription medication is sold by unauthorized persons, it may not only be unsafe but also potentially counterfeit.
So it’s absolutely vital that you only get Wegovy using a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Point: Lose Weight Online
Through the LifeMD weight management program, you can get a personalized plan and medical advice online to help you shed those extra pounds.
Your dedicated care team will explore all options so you can safely be prescribed Wegovy or another weight loss medication suited to your needs and goals.
Who Can Prescribe Wegovy?
Wegovy can typically be prescribed by:
Doctors
Primary healthcare providers
Nurse practitioners
Physician assistants
However, it’s worth noting that prescribing authority is based on local regulations and healthcare system practices.
Depending on where you live, there may only be certain healthcare providers who can prescribe this new drug treatment.
If you’re interested in taking Wegovy to shed pounds or for chronic weight management, it’s best to consult your primary healthcare provider to initiate a conversation. Schedule a video appointment with a licensed health provider right here.
Is There an Over-the-Counter Version of Wegovy?
Currently, there are no over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that contain the same active ingredient as Wegovy — which we will discuss shortly.
If you are interested in taking an OTC weight loss drug, it’s important that you speak to a healthcare provider before you start taking this medication, as it may not be a suitable option for you.
Who Qualifies for Wegovy Injections?
Wegovy has been approved for three groups of individuals. If you fall into one of these categories, you may be eligible for a Wegovy prescription.
People with obesity
People with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 are classified as obese. Wegovy is used to treat obesity by helping individuals lose excess weight, which has many health benefits.
People who require chronic weight management
Wegovy is also approved for people who have a weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure.
Usually, these individuals will need to have a BMI of 27 or higher. This classifies them as overweight. They must also have a medical condition to qualify for Wegovy for long-term weight management.
Key Point: Lifestyle Modifications with Wegovy
When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy in 2021 for weight management, they did so based on the fact that people taking the drug should make certain lifestyle modifications.
The lifestyle modifications required include eating a reduced-calorie diet and getting enough regular physical activity.
Diabetics
Wegovy is a brand name for a drug called semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Medications containing semaglutide were originally formulated to treat diabetes.
People with diabetes typically have high levels of blood sugar, and semaglutide helps to lower this in the body.
Weight loss is an important part of managing type 2 diabetes, which is why medications like Wegovy are prescribed to diabetics.
Key Point: How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy promotes weight loss in three main ways:
- It slows down the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. This is called delayed gastric emptying and can help you feel fuller for longer.
- Wegovy affects the centers in the brain that are responsible for appetite regulation, which could potentially make you feel less hungry.
- The drug lowers and regulates blood sugar levels in the body, which can lead to weight loss.
How Do I Get a Wegovy Prescription?
If you believe that taking Wegovy for weight loss is the right option for you, here are the steps to follow to get a prescription and reach your health goals.
Step 1: Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider
Your first step is to make an appointment with a primary care provider to discuss your weight loss goals and find out what your potential treatment options are.
To make this step hassle-free and skip the waiting room entirely, you can make an online appointment with LifeMD to speak to a healthcare provider via telehealth.
Step 2: Be open and honest about your weight loss issues
It’s very important that you are completely open and honest with your healthcare provider about:
Your overall health
Any struggles you’ve faced with trying to lose weight
Previous attempts to lose weight that have failed
Any health conditions you have
Why you want to start taking Wegovy
Only some people are eligible to take Wegovy, and it’s important that you’re transparent with your doctor about whether or not you fall into one of the three groups we mentioned earlier.
Failing to disclose your medical conditions could result in serious health problems and side effects if you take Wegovy.
For example, if you have a family history of thyroid cancer, you shouldn’t take this drug as studies have found Wegovy can cause thyroid problems.
Step 3: Get assessed by your healthcare professional
Your doctor will need to evaluate your eligibility for Wegovy based on factors such as:
Your body weight and BMI
Any weight-related condition you may have
Your medical history
Your family’s medical history
Health conditions that may be worsened by Wegovy’s mechanisms
All the medicines, OTC drugs, and herbal supplements you are taking that could interact with Wegovy
Key Point: Who Shouldn’t Take Wegovy?
You should not be taking Wegovy if you:
- Have a personal or family history of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive
- Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Have pancreas- or kidney-related conditions
Your doctor may determine you’re a good candidate for the LifeMD weight management program, where Wegovy or another weight loss medication may be prescribed to you.
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Step 4: Visit your local pharmacy
Once you have received your Wegovy prescription, you will need to visit a pharmacy to receive your pre-filled injectable pen.
The pharmacist will provide you with a pen that correlates with the Wegovy dose your doctor has prescribed.
Wegovy costs around $1,300 to $1,500 per 28-day supply. If you join the weight management program through LifeMD, you may be able to have some of your medication covered by insurance. If your insurance doesn’t cover your Wegovy prescription, another weight loss medication may be prescribed to you.
Key Point: Is Wegovy Covered by Insurance?
Most private or commercial insurance providers will cover Wegovy for weight loss if you fall into one of the three qualifying groups.
If you have insurance, there’s a chance you won’t have to pay a cent toward your 28-day supply of Wegovy.
In some cases, your healthcare provider can write a motivation to your insurance company if they refuse to cover your Wegovy treatment.
Currently, Medicare prescription plans for seniors don’t cover Wegovy or other prescription weight loss drugs.
Step 5: Follow your doctor’s guidance and instructions
It is essential that you follow your healthcare provider’s exact instructions and recommendations for taking Wegovy.
Ensure that you’re taking the prescribed dose and don’t adjust this amount unless your doctor instructs you to. Through the LifeMD weight management program, you’ll have built-in support from licensed health providers every step of the way.
Remember: not following your doctor’s guidance can lead to unpleasant side effects and may even be dangerous to your health.
Step 6: Report any serious side effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, and abdominal pain.
However, some people may have adverse reactions to Wegovy, including extremely low blood sugar — also referred to as hypoglycemia.
Key Point: Serious Allergic Reactions to Wegovy
Although rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to the Wegovy injection.
If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, hives, a swollen tongue and mouth, or dizziness, you may be experiencing anaphylaxis.
You should seek emergency treatment immediately if you believe you are having a life-threatening allergic reaction to Wegovy.
If you experience any severe and persistent symptoms while taking Wegovy, be sure to stop using the medication and report them to your doctor right away.
How Much Weight Will I Lose with Wegovy?
The amount of weight you lose while taking Wegovy will vary depending on several factors, such as your initial body weight, the amount of physical activity you get, and your diet.
If you combine Wegovy with a reduced-calorie meal plan and regular physical activity, you can expect to see a 5% to 15% loss of body weight, according to recent studies.
To maximize your weight loss efforts with Wegovy, you can join LifeMD’s online weight management program to get comprehensive and professional advice and treatment from a team of top clinicians.
You’ll receive a tailored weight loss plan to help you lose those extra pounds, improve your health, and achieve the body you’ve always wanted.
Where Can I Learn More About Wegovy?
If you’d like to learn more about Wegovy and other prescription drug treatments for weight loss, LifeMD can help.
The LifeMD Weight Management Program combines groundbreaking medications, lab testing, and the knowledge of leading clinicians to create a highly effective — and truly sustainable — weight-loss approach.
Healthcare professionals can prescribe weight management medications for you, if necessary and if you qualify.
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