Wegovy Not Working? The Reasons and What to Do at Each Stage
Results vary a lot by person. In STEP 1, the average loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly was 14.9% over 68 weeks, against 2.4% on placebo. If you have lost little after several months on your full dose, talk to your prescriber.
- Average loss, top dose
- 14.9%
- On placebo
- 2.4%
- Trial length
- 68 weeks
- Trial
- STEP 1
A quick look at Wegovy
The half-life is about 1 week. Once 7 d have passed, half has left the body. After five half-lives (35 d), about 3% is still present.
In STEP 1 over 68 weeks, body weight fell 14.9%, versus 2.4% on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include the list price and self-pay offers, each taken from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Wegovy not working: the numbers first
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Semaglutide 1.7 or 2.4 mg weekly (Wegovy) | 13.7% | semaglutide (Wegovy) | 72 | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes |
Listed sources: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed), STEP 2 (PubMed).
Why it stalls and what helps
- See where you are in the dose steps. Across every trial above, lower doses resulted in less weight loss.
- Over the last month, count the doses you missed or took late.
- Note down a few days of what you eat and drink. As portions get smaller, liquid calories and grazing build up.
- At each meal, include protein and continue strength exercise. That way, fat makes up most of the weight you lose.
- Sleep and stress change appetite, so look at both.
- Ask your pharmacist about your other medicines and whether any of them can cause weight gain.
- If you have stalled for months, ask your prescriber about switching medicines. Also ask about a thyroid or blood sugar check.
How many people stopped in the trials?
Listed sources: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), STEP 1 (PubMed).