How to Get Wegovy in 2023

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Wegovy is the only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication the FDA has approved for weight loss. Several telehealth companies can prescribe this medication online.

People with diabetes rely on medicines such as Ozempic to control their blood sugar levels. Like Wegovy, this drug contains the active ingredient semaglutide. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is currently a shortage of Ozempic.

The FDA has approved Wegovy specifically for weight loss. People may therefore wish to consider choosing Wegovy over Ozempic for weight loss.

Wegovy is the brand-name version of the medication semaglutide. People take it as a once-weekly injection under the skin.

The primary function of GLP-1 agonists is to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

However, Wegovy has FDA approval for use in people without type 2 diabetes who find it difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

GLP-1 agonists make people feel fuller for longer, reducing the desire to eat.

When healthcare professionals prescribe Wegovy, they intend that people will take it while following a healthy, balanced diet and performing regular exercise.

According to research, people who use GLP-1 medication may lose, on average, 2.9 kilograms compared with a control group.

A recent review found that semaglutide may be better at reducing body weight than other anti-diabetic drugs.

A 2021 study of adults with overweight or obesity found that 86% of participants who took semaglutide lost a mean average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Study participants reported being able to move around easier, and lab work found that their cardiometabolic risk factors were lowered.

However, people will need to also follow a healthy, balanced diet and regularly exercise to see results.

According to Wegovy’s label, this medication is suitable for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or above who also have a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

The company states that it is also suitable for children 12 years or older with a BMI in the 95th percentile.

People will need to discuss their eligibility with a healthcare professional in an initial consultation. If they do receive a prescription, it is necessary to also eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain results.

It is important to note that Wegovy does not change the body’s anatomy like weight loss surgery. If a person stops using Wegovy and practices eating and exercise habits that do not promote maintaining a moderate weight, they may put back on any weight they lost.

A 2022 study found that participants had regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost one year after stopping Wegovy.

Medical News Today chooses telehealth companies that offer Wegovy according to the following criteria:

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Sesame Care offers a Wegovy prescription at a healthcare professional’s discretion.

People can choose which doctor they wish to speak with. Some healthcare professionals may have appointments available on the same day. Doctors will ask for lab tests – at an additional cost – before prescribing Wegovy if they think it is appropriate.

Sesame Care also offers a video weight loss program. The company states that it provides insurance assistance for this program.

Sesame Plus, the company’s membership program, reduces the cost of doctor visits. This membership also covers the cost of lab tests, imaging, and more. It costs $10.99 per month.

To get started with PlushCare, a person books an appointment with a healthcare professional on the platform. They will ask questions about the person’s health goals and medical history and send off lab tests to determine their suitability for the medication.

Once a healthcare professional has reviewed the lab results, they will discuss treatment if appropriate. People can pick up their prescriptions from a local pharmacy of their choice.

PlushCare offers care to people with and without insurance. Both options require a monthly membership of $14.99.

Members with insurance only provide a copay for their visits, whereas people without insurance need to pay $129 for an initial consultation and $99 for each follow-up visit.

K Health offers a medical weight management program that takes a holistic approach to weight loss. As well as prescribing medication such as Wegovy, K Health will help people create a diet and exercise plan.

This program is available to people with and without insurance. It costs $49 per month and includes access to healthcare professionals, prescription refills, and urgent care.

To get started with this program, a person requests a free call from one of K Health’s care concierges. After lab tests, a healthcare professional will contact a person to discuss which medication may be appropriate.

The following table compares telehealth companies that offer Wegovy on eligibility, cost, and more.

The cost of Wegovy can vary widely depending on insurance coverage and which pharmacy a person chooses. According to Optum Perks, a free price and coupon search engine, Wegovy can cost $1,300–$1,400 per dose.

At the time of publishing, generic semaglutide is not available for purchase. This is because companies cannot sell a generic version until after the brand-name drug has been on the market for a set period, often not until its patent expires.

However, insurance may reduce the cost of this drug. People can contact their insurance company to see whether it offers coverage for this medication.

People may also wish to use Wegovy’s savings card. It allows people with insurance to save up to a maximum of $225 per 28-day supply of Wegovy. People without insurance can save up to $500 for the same period.

Medicare does not cover anti-obesity medications such as Wegovy. However, Medicare may cover all or part of gym subscriptions and counseling costs.

Individual insurance policies may differ. Many telehealth companies offer to work with insurance companies to ensure coverage. An individual will need to contact their insurance company to find out whether it will cover the cost of Wegovy.

The most common side effects include:

People with type 2 diabetes may experience hypoglycemia.

Here we answer some common questions about Wegovy.

Yes, many telehealth services offer prescriptions for Wegovy online. Some examples include Sesame Care, PlushCare, and K Health.

Yes, a doctor will prescribe Wegovy if they believe it is appropriate. People who may be eligible are those with obesity or those who are overweight with certain health conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Adults with overweight or obesity may qualify for Wegovy. According to the manufacturer, children 12 years and older may also be eligible if they are in the 95th percentile of weight for their age and sex.

Several drugs that help manage diabetes may also lead to weight loss. Rybelsus has the same active ingredient as Wegovy, but like Ozempic, the FDA has only approved its use for diabetes, not weight loss.

Another example is metformin (Fortamet and Glumetza). A 2020 review found that people who took metformin experienced a 2.1-kilogram weight loss on average.

However, metformin does not currently have FDA approval for weight loss.

Wegovy is the only glucagon-like peptide-1 medication that has FDA approval for use in aiding weight loss. Several telehealth companies offer Wegovy injections and may also provide more holistic support.

While insurance may cover this medication, it is always important to check before starting treatment. Prices can vary, but a single dose often costs around $1,300.