Wegovy (semaglutide) is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, and its primary function is to regulate appetite and reduce food intake, leading to weight loss.
Semaglutide was initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but researchers observed weight loss as a side effect in people using the medication for diabetes management. This led to further studies specifically focused on its use for weight management.
Wegovy is typically prescribed to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater or those with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Please note, our practice’s patient criteria for Wegovy is limited to individuals with a BMI of 35 or greater.