Wegovy Side Effects: How Common, How Long They Last
In the Wegovy label, nausea is the most common side effect: 44% on 2.4 mg vs 16% on placebo. Next come diarrhea and vomiting.
- Most common
- Nausea 44%
- Same on placebo
- 16%
- Stopped because of side effects
- 6.8%
- Trial group
- Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management)
Wegovy: the basics
Its half-life is about 1 week. After 7 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (35 d).
Over the 68 weeks of STEP 1, the figure was 14.9% of body weight, versus 2.4% on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars: the list price plus self-pay offers, with each figure taken from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Wegovy side effects: label rates vs placebo
The FDA label includes 19 common Wegovy side effects found in placebo-controlled trials. In the last column, you can see how often each one appeared beyond the placebo rate.
| Side effect | Placebo | Wegovy 2.4 mg | More than placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 16% | 44% | +28 points |
| Diarrhea | 16% | 30% | +14 points |
| Vomiting | 6% | 24% | +18 points |
| Constipation | 11% | 24% | +13 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 10% | 20% | +10 points |
| Headache | 10% | 14% | +4 points |
| Fatigue | 5% | 11% | +6 points |
| Dyspepsia | 3% | 9% | +6 points |
| Dizziness | 4% | 8% | +4 points |
| Abdominal Distension | 5% | 7% | +2 points |
| Eructation | Not reported | 7% | – |
| Hypoglycemia in T2DM | 2% | 6% | +4 points |
| Flatulence | 4% | 6% | +2 points |
| Gastroenteritis | 4% | 6% | +2 points |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease | 3% | 5% | +2 points |
| Gastritis | 1% | 4% | +3 points |
| Gastroenteritis Viral | 3% | 4% | +1 points |
| Hair Loss | 1% | 3% | +2 points |
| Dysesthesia | 1% | 2% | +1 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
| Side effect | Placebo | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Wegovy 7.2 mg | More than placebo, 7.2 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 13% | 35% | 39% | +26 points |
| Vomiting | 6% | 16% | 22% | +16 points |
| Dysesthesia | 0% | 6% | 22% | +22 points |
| Constipation | 8% | 19% | 20% | +12 points |
| Abdominal pain | 7% | 9% | 12% | +5 points |
| Fatigue | 5% | 9% | 11% | +6 points |
| Headache | 7% | 8% | 9% | +2 points |
| Dizziness | 1% | 5% | 6% | +5 points |
| Hair loss | 1% | 3% | 6% | +5 points |
| Flatulence | 2% | 2% | 4% | +2 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings explained simply
- Thyroid C-cell tumors boxed warning It caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, and whether it causes them in people is not known. Do not use it if you have had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) yourself or if it runs in your family. It is also not for people with MEN 2.
- Pancreatitis. It may cause pancreas inflammation. Get care and stop the medicine for severe stomach pain that does not ease. It sometimes spreads to the back.
- Disease affecting the gallbladder. Gallbladder inflammation and gallstones may occur. Tell your doctor about upper-right belly pain, fever, or yellow skin or eyes.
- A low level of blood sugar. When taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea, it may cause more low blood sugar. Those doses may need lowering.
- Kidney injury caused by fluid loss. Vomiting or diarrhea may cause fluid loss, which can lead to kidney injury. Report heavy fluid loss and drink fluids.
- Severe reactions in the stomach and gut. Effects in the stomach and gut often occur and can be serious. It is not recommended if you have severe gastroparesis.
- Severe allergic responses. Reports include serious allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips or throat. If these reactions happen, stop it and get help right away.
- Worsening diabetic eye disease People with type 2 diabetes may see diabetic eye disease get worse, especially when blood sugar drops quickly. If you already have diabetic eye disease, eye checks matter.
- A faster heart rate.It can raise your resting heart rate. Let your doctor know about a racing or pounding heartbeat while at rest.
- Food in your lungs during anesthesia or sedation. During anesthesia or deep sedation, it matters that food can remain in the stomach longer. Let the care team know before any procedure happens.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Each common side effect on its own
- Reported rate for Nausea: placebo 16%, against 44% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Diarrhea: placebo 16%, against 30% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Vomiting: placebo 6%, against 24% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Constipation: placebo 11%, against 24% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Headache: placebo 10%, against 14% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Fatigue: placebo 5%, against 11% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Dyspepsia: placebo 3%, against 9% at 2.4 mg
- Reported rate for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: placebo 3%, against 5% at 2.4 mg
- For Hair Loss, 2.4 mg had 3%, while placebo had 1%
You may also ask about Wegovy: Body changes, Face changes, Butt changes, Muscle loss, Kidney problems, Blood pressure, Rash, Sore throat, Weight gain.