Wegovy's most common side effects are stomach and bowel ones: in its weight-loss trials, 44% of people on the 2.4 mg dose had nausea, against 16% on placebo, and most of it happened while the dose was being stepped up. The injection starts at 0.25 mg a week and rises every four weeks to a maintenance dose, usually 2.4 mg; the tablet starts at 1.5 mg a day and rises every 30 days to 25 mg. Below is what the FDA label says, with its own numbers.
By Alexandru Vieru | Independently researched | Every number on this page is from the FDA prescribing information on DailyMed. This is general information, not medical advice: your prescriber decides your dose.
Wegovy side effects in its trials
Adults with obesity or overweight in the weight-reduction trials, Wegovy 2.4 mg injection (side effects in 2% or more, and more often than placebo). Percent of people who reported each one:
| Side effect | Placebo (1,261 people) | Wegovy 2.4 mg (2,116 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 16% | 44% |
| Diarrhea | 16% | 30% |
| Vomiting | 6% | 24% |
| Constipation | 11% | 24% |
| Abdominal pain | 10% | 20% |
| Headache | 10% | 14% |
| Fatigue | 5% | 11% |
| Indigestion (dyspepsia) | 3% | 9% |
| Dizziness | 4% | 8% |
| Bloating (abdominal distension) | 5% | 7% |
| Belching | <1% | 7% |
| Low blood sugar in type 2 diabetes | 2% | 6% |
| Gas | 4% | 6% |
| Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) | 4% | 6% |
| Reflux | 3% | 5% |
| Gastritis | 1% | 4% |
| Viral stomach flu | 3% | 4% |
| Hair loss | 1% | 3% |
| Abnormal skin sensations (dysesthesia) | 1% | 2% |
How many people stopped because of side effects
In the adult weight-reduction trials, 6.8% of people on Wegovy 2.4 mg and 3.2% on placebo stopped treatment because of side effects, most often nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Stomach and bowel side effects were reported by 73% on Wegovy and 47% on placebo, mostly while the dose was being increased; 4.1% had severe ones, against 0.9% on placebo.
Serious risks
The label also warns of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, kidney injury from dehydration, severe stomach and bowel side effects, allergic reactions, diabetic eye complications in type 2 diabetes, a faster heart rate, and inhaling stomach contents under anesthesia or deep sedation.
Boxed warning. Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors: semaglutide causes these tumors in rodents, and it is unknown whether it does in humans. Wegovy must not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
From the FDA prescribing information for Wegovy (revised June 2026), read on DailyMed on 16 October 2026. A summary, not medical advice: a clinician decides whether it suits you.
Wegovy dosage, from the label
The dose schedule
- Injection: 0.25 mg a week for weeks 1 to 4, 0.5 mg for weeks 5 to 8, 1 mg for weeks 9 to 12, 1.7 mg for weeks 13 to 16, then a maintenance dose, usually 2.4 mg a week. For weight loss in adults who tolerate 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks, the dose may go up to a maximum of 7.2 mg a week.
- Tablet: starts at 1.5 mg a day for 30 days and steps up every 30 days to the 25 mg daily maintenance dose (strengths 1.5, 4, 9 and 25 mg).
How it’s taken
- Injection: once a week, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food, under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm.
- Tablet: once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 ounces of water, swallowed whole; then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.
If you miss a dose
Injection: if one weekly dose is missed and the next is more than 2 days away, take it as soon as possible; if the next is less than 2 days away, skip it and keep your usual day. After 2 or more missed doses in a row, the dose is restarted lower and stepped up again. Tablets: skip a missed tablet and take the next one the following day.
From the FDA prescribing information for Wegovy (revised June 2026), read on DailyMed on 16 October 2026. A summary, not medical advice: a clinician decides whether it suits you.
Why the dose goes up slowly
The label steps the dose up every four weeks (injection) or every 30 days (tablet) because the stomach and bowel side effects were most frequent during those steps. If a step isn't tolerated, the label allows the prescriber to hold off the next increase. Ask your clinic how it handles a step you can't tolerate before you start.
Pen or pill
Both are semaglutide for weight management. The pen is weekly at any time of day; the tablet is daily, on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute wait before eating or other medicines. The table above is from the injection trials.
What it costs and who prescribes it
For Wegovy's price from the manufacturer, with and without insurance, and the online clinics we review that prescribe it, see our Wegovy guide.
FAQ
How long do Wegovy side effects last? The label says the stomach and bowel side effects happened mostly while the dose was being increased. It doesn't give a duration for individuals; tell your prescriber if they don't settle.
What is the highest Wegovy dose? For weight loss in adults who tolerate 2.4 mg a week for at least four weeks, the label allows up to 7.2 mg a week. The tablet's maintenance dose is 25 mg a day.
What happens if I miss two Wegovy doses? After two or more missed weekly doses in a row, the label says the dose is restarted lower and stepped up again. Ask your prescriber which dose to restart at.
Source: the Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed (adverse reactions, dosage and administration, and the boxed warning), read 16 October 2026.
