Wegovy: the Newest Injectable Weight Loss Medication Wegovy is the newest weight loss medication to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As part of our series of articles about weight loss prescription drugs, we will look more closely at this latest addition to the market, to help you decide if Wegovy could be right for you. If you are considering both Wegovy and phentermine, please have a look at our detailed comparison article. What does Wegovy look like? How does it work? How much weight can I lose? How should I take Wegovy? Does Wegovy have side effects? What should I avoid when taking Wegovy? Wegovy vs. Ozempic: what's the difference? Is Wegovy covered by insurance? What is the average Wegovy price? Who can prescribe Wegovy? Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. GLP-1 mimics incretin to help reduce the appetite ( 1 ). With a smaller appetite, it is easier to eat less and consequently lose weight. Wegovy approval was granted by the FDA in 2021. It is prescribed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or those with a BMI of 27 or more and weight-related medical ailments. The medication is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark. What does Wegovy look like? Semaglutide is contained within the prefilled Wegovy pen. The dose is preset, and the needle is invisible. Five different dose pens are available, as it takes up to 20 weeks to reach the full dose of 2.4mg. Each pen is a different color and labeled with its dose. How does it work? By mimicking GLP-1, Wegovy works on areas within the brain that regulate our appetite and how much food we consume. It reduces hunger and increases the feeling of fullness. This makes it easier to eat less and therefore lose weight. How much weight can I lose?