You may have seen some alarming headlines about the supposed dangers of weight loss medications. So, let’s get straight to the point: Wegovy (which contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic) is safe for most people who are living with obesity.
And you can rest assured that the smartest, most cautious organisations in the world agree. The drug was approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK after rigorous clinical tests.
But Wegovy weight loss injections definitely aren’t the right fit for everyone. In fact, the drug may be dangerous for some people, depending on their medical circumstances and history. We’ll cover everything you need to know about taking Wegovy safely.
Is Wegovy safe for weight loss?
Wegovy—the brand name for semaglutide—works well for weight loss when it’s taken once a week as an injection and paired with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural hormone in your gut that suppresses your appetite and regulates your blood sugar. People in clinical trials lost an average of 15% of their weight within 68 weeks (around 15 months).
Is Wegovy safe for weight loss? The risk of serious problems is low in people who Wegovy is indicated for. That’s why it’s been FDA and MHRA-approved. The drug has only been available for a few years though, so we don’t have much long-term data yet.
Remember, Wegovy is only approved—and therefore safe—for certain people and if it’s taken in the right way. It can be unsafe if:
- You have other medical conditions, such as active cancer, problems with your gallbladder or gallstones or have had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in the past.
- You use it without a prescription or consulting a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.
- You take a higher dose or use it in a different regime than your healthcare provider has prescribed, in an attempt to speed up your weight loss.
- You get it from an unregulated website rather than from a registered pharmacy.
What are the health risks of using Wegovy?
As with all medications, you may have some Wegovy side effects. Most are common and mild. People very rarely experience serious side effects. As they can happen, it’s important to use Wegovy alongside medical supervision. A clinician will keep an eye on any symptoms and tweak your dose if they need to.
Mild side effects
There are a few side effects that affect around one in 10 people. They tend to be mild, short-lived and manageable. They include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Changes in how food and drink tastes
You may notice these more when you first start taking Wegovy. If any side effects don’t quickly resolve and are bothering you, speak to your clinician. You can help to minimise them by following a Wegovy diet plan.
Serious risks
The research assures us that most people who are prescribed Wegovy, and take it correctly, don’t have any severe side effects. More serious Wegovy risks do exist, but they’re very rare. They include:
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Gallbladder disease.
- Low blood sugar.
There have been some scary stories in the media about Wegovy and cancer. The truth is that it has been linked to thyroid tumours in animal studies. We don’t know for sure whether the same risks exist in humans. So, to be extra safe, anyone at risk (or with a family history of) thyroid cancer will not be prescribed the drug.
If you notice any unusual symptoms while you’re using Wegovy, it’s important to let your clinician know.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Who should avoid taking Wegovy?
Reminder: Wegovy is only meant for people with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of at least 27 who also have another health condition related to their weight. If you meet the criteria, a clinician needs to make the ultimate decision on whether Wegovy is safe for you to use. They’ll take your unique medical situation, history and any other medications you’re using into account.
If you’re wondering who should not take Wegovy, it isn’t safe if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive.
You also shouldn’t take it if you have:
- Active cancer
- A family history of thyroid cancer
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
- Liver, kidney or congestive heart failure
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes-related eye problems
- A history of eating disorders
- A history of gallbladder problems
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Gastroparesis
How can you take Wegovy safely?
To safely use Wegovy, you should only take it if it’s been prescribed to you by a clinician. As the drug can come with side effects, it’s really important to work closely with a healthcare professional and follow their advice about safe Wegovy doses for weight loss.
Ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey?
As long as you consult a healthcare professional before starting Wegovy and take it the right way, it’s safe. If you do happen to notice any unfamiliar symptoms, check in with your clinician.
If Wegovy isn’t the right fit for you, the good news is that there are other options. Take Voy’s weight loss quiz to find out if you’re eligible for Wegovy or another one of our programmes.
FAQs About Wegovy
Is Wegovy FDA-approved for weight loss?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK have approved Wegovy for weight loss. It’s safe for most people living with obesity. It should be used alongside diet, exercise and support from a clinician.
Is Wegovy safe for people with heart disease?
The MHRA in the UK has approved Wegovy for people with cardiovascular disease and a BMI of at least 27. Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) can actually lower your chances of having a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE).
Can Wegovy increase the risk of thyroid cancer?
Wegovy causes thyroid tumours in rats but we don’t know if it does the same in humans. That’s why you won’t be prescribed Wegovy if you have risk factors such as a family history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
¹“FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 4 Jun, 2021, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
²Gao, Xueqin, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide on Weight Loss in Obese or Overweight Patients without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Frontiers in Pharmacology
, vol. 13, Frontiers Media SA, Sept. 2022, p. 935823. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9515581.
³“Highlights of Prescribing Information.” Novo Nordisk. https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdf. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
⁴Jensterle, Mojca, et al. “Does Intervention with GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide Modulate Perception of Sweet Taste in Women with Obesity: Study Protocol of a Randomized, Single-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Trials, vol. 22, no. 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, July 2021, p. 464. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8287101.
⁵“MHRA Approves GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide to Reduce Risk of Serious Heart Problems in Obese or Overweight Adults.” Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, 23 Jul, 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-glp-1-receptor-agonist-semaglutide-to-reduce-risk-of-serious-heart-problems-in-obese-or-overweight-adults. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
⁶Shu, Yamin, et al. “Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated with Semaglutide: A Pharmacovigilance Study Based on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 10, Frontiers Media SA, Oct. 2022, p. 996179. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9631444.
⁷Smits, Mark M., and Daniël H. Van Raalte. “Safety of Semaglutide.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, vol. 12, 2021, article 645563. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8294388/.
⁸Wegovy. “Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient.” Electronic Medicines Compendium, www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13800.pdf. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
⁹Wharton, Sean, et al. “Gastrointestinal Tolerability of Once-Weekly Semaglutide 2.4 mg in Adults with Overweight and Obesity, and the Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Adverse Events and Weight Loss.” Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, vol. 24, no. 1, 2021, pp. 94–105. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9293236/.
¹⁰Wilding, John P. H., et al. “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 384, no. 11, Massachusetts Medical Society, Mar. 2021, pp. 989–1002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/.
