How long does it take for Wegovy to work?

Wegovy is a popular weight loss medication that only needs to be taken once a week. Given that, you might wonder how fast Wegovy works. So, exactly how long does it take Wegovy to work? How long for Wegovy to work for weight loss? The short answer is that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, begins to affect your body within days. However, it may take several weeks to notice a difference in body weight.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about how long it takes Wegovy to work.

How long it takes Wegovy to work for weight loss varies from person to person, but most people notice changes within the first three months. 

In one study, people on 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg doses of Wegovy lost an average of 6% of their body weight after three months and 11% after six months. The study only measured results at those points, so the exact timing of earlier changes wasn’t tracked. We know people lost weight along the way, but early losses were likely small (under 5%). More meaningful results showed up by the three-month mark.

It’s important to remember that weight loss is a process. 

Wegovy reaches peak concentration in your body 1–3 days after your dose, but that doesn't mean you will lose weight that fast. You’ll probably notice Wegovy-related changes in appetite — like feeling full sooner, having fewer cravings, or quieter “food noise” — before you see changes in body weight.

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At what dose does Wegovy start working?

Wegovy is designed to start working for weight loss once you reach the higher maintenance dosage of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg per week. That usually happens 3 –4 months after starting treatment.

Wegovy treatment starts at a low dose (0.25 mg) to minimize digestive side effects and help your body adjust. Then your dose gradually goes up over time to a maximum of 2.4 mg once weekly. That starter dose is not intended for weight loss, and Wegovy’s clinical trials did not measure its effectiveness.  

However,the effects of semaglutide are dose-dependent. Meaning, people on higher doses tend to experience stronger effects than those on lower doses. 

A study that looked back at medical records from a weight loss clinic found that on average:

• People who used higher doses of Wegovy (1.7 mg or 2.4 mg) lost about 7% of their body weight after three months and 12% after six months.

• People who used lower doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg) also lost weight, but not as much — about 5% at three months and 9% at six months.

Everyone’s results can look a little different, so the safest approach is to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for your Wegovy injections and not take more than prescribed.

That answer varies from person to person. How quickly you lose weight on Wegovy depends on your dosage and lifestyle. (More on those factors below.)

Here’s an approximate Wegovy weight loss timeline for people taking 2.4 mg, the highest maintenance dose, based on research. On average, people taking semaglutide in studies lost about 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks (a little over one year).

Wegovy starts to take effect soon after the first shot and reaches peak concentration 1–3 days after each injection. You might notice Wegovy side effects or appetite changes kicking in at that point, but don’t be alarmed if you don’t. 

Remember: After the first four weeks of treatment, your healthcare provider will likely increase your Wegovy dose incrementally. They’ll do this until they reach an amount that works best for you and has manageable side effects. So it’s possible you won’t notice any changes or side effects until your dose is bumped up.

There are several factors that can affect how long it takes Wegovy to work. Let’s dive into those with the biggest impact.

Dosage

Your Wegovy dosage may affect how much weight you lose or how fast you lose it. One study found that people on higher doses of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, lost more weight than those prescribed lower doses. Specifically, patients who received 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg of Wegovy per week lost an average of 6.9% of their body weight in three months. Those on doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg lost an average of 5.1% in the same period.

Whether you miss a dose

Missing a dose of any medication means that your body is temporarily missing out on the benefits of the drug. That’s true for Wegovy, too. If you skip a week, you could lessen Wegovy’s effectiveness and raise the risk of experiencing side effects when you resume treatment.

Wegovy should be injected once a week and on the same day each week. People who take their medication consistently and follow their prescription closely are more likely to experience weight loss results similar to those in clinical trials. 

Other health conditions

Sometimes, underlying health conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism can contribute to obesity or weight gain. If you have a health condition that makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, it might also affect how quickly you’re able to lose weight on Wegovy.  (Of course, it’s also possible that Wegovy will offer additional benefits related to your health condition, which is the reason some people take Wegovy for PCOS.)

Type 2 diabetes can also make it harder to lose weight quickly on GLP-1 medications like Wegovy. A clinical trial found that semaglutide users with type 2 diabetes lost about one-third less body weight than users without the condition. 

Diet and exercise

Wegovy isn’t a magic bullet for weight loss. The drug’s prescribing information states that Wegovy should be combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. 

Following a Wegovy diet plan of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats might help maximize your weight loss results, including how long it takes to see them. And the same goes for physical activity. Making — and sticking to! — an exercise routine for weight loss can help support rather than slow the drug’s weight reduction effects.

Other lifestyle factors

But wait, there’s more! Lifestyle factors like poor sleep, chronic stress, and alcohol consumption can also make weight loss more difficult, thus slowing down your Wegovy weight loss results. 

For example, did you know that ongoing sleep deprivation makes you more likely to snack? It’s possible that good sleep habits (e.g. getting 7–9 hours of shut-eye per night) might help curb mindless munching, which introduces extra calories into your day.

Stress may also boost your cravings and appetite, and research has tied alcohol consumption to weight gain. 

The main thing to remember is that your weight loss pace on Wegovy can be impacted by many factors, from a not-so-healthy diet to feeling constantly frazzled by daily stressors. 

How quickly does Wegovy work for weight loss? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What we know for sure is that semaglutide starts working within days of the first dose, and on average, people start losing weight within the first three months. 

The exact rate of weight loss with Wegovy varies from person to person. Underlying medical conditions, diet, and exercise can also impact the pace of weight loss. 

Something to keep in mind is that rapid weight loss isn’t necessarily a good goal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends aiming for just 1-2 pounds per week for healthy, sustainable weight loss. 

Plus, research shows that people who lose weight quickly — 5% body weight reduction in five weeks versus 15 weeks — tend to lose lean muscle mass in addition to body fat. The reason? When deprived of too many calories, the body starts breaking down muscle proteins into amino acids to help sustain other body tissues. 

Fortunately, eating a high-protein diet can fuel your body’s amino acid supply to avoid muscle tissue loss. To support muscle mass and strength, most adults need 1–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, depending on their activity level.

Research also shows that regular endurance exercise (e.g. jogging) or resistance workouts (e.g. body weight exercises) can help you maintain muscle mass while losing weight.

Point being: It’s normal to ask, “How quickly does Wegovy start working?” After all, if you start a treatment, you want to know what to expect. But for a healthy weight loss journey, focus on how much weight you want to lose, not how fast you can lose it. Slow, steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week can help you stay healthy while reducing your body weight.

That said, working with a healthcare provider is the best way to create a safe, realistic weight loss plan that fits your life. With Ro, you can connect with a licensed provider who will help you find an approach that works for you.

Ro weight loss 

Curious about losing weight with Wegovy? Consider Ro. 

With the Ro Body membership, you get access to some of the most effective GLP-1 medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as Wegovy. You also receive ongoing clinical support from licensed healthcare providers dedicated to creating a treatment that supports your individual goals.  

Here’s what the comprehensive membership includes:

• Ongoing clinical care from a Ro-affiliated provider, including monthly check-ins and unlimited, free messaging

• Prescription for GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy, Zepbound, or Ozempic (if eligible) 

• 1:1 health coaching for behavior change support and accountability 

• Insurance concierge to help verify coverage, manage prior authorizations, and lower out-of-pocket costs 

• Side effect support, including prescriptions for anti-nausea medications if needed

• App-based tools for keeping track of your doses, weight changes, and treatment updates

Ro’s weight loss program is designed to make clinical weight loss care more accessible, flexible, and affordable. And on that note… how much does it cost? Membership is $45 for the first month, then $145 a month after that. The price of GLP-1s isn’t included and will vary depending on your insurance and treatment. 

Paying out of pocket? Or meds out of budget? Ro offers cash-pay options that are often much less than retail thanks to unique integrations with LillyDirect and NovoCare. You can get $100 off your first month, too. 

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Whether you’re considering Wegovy or just started treatment, it’s only natural to ask, “When does Wegovy start working?” And we’ve got the answer: Very soon after the first dose. As for how long before Wegovy starts working for weight loss? That depends on factors like dosage, underlying condition, and whether you’re sticking to a healthy diet and exercise.

Here are five takeaways to know: 

• Wegovy starts working after the first shot. It only takes 1–3 days before Wegovy reaches peak concentration in your body after each injection. So you might notice appetite changes right away, but it could take weeks — and possibly months — to lose a significant amount of weight.

• Most people experience weight loss from Wegovy within three months. In one study, people on Wegovy lost about 2% of their body weight after one month and 6% after three months. Patience is key, though: By the end of the 68-week study, people averaged 15% weight loss.

• Other factors affect weight loss pace, too. Dosage, whether you miss a dose, other health conditions, and lifestyle factors can all impact how much weight you lose on Wegovy — and how fast.

• Focus on how much weight you want to lose, not how fast. Rapid weight loss can be unhealthy and unsustainable—and it can also mean losing muscle in addition to fat. The CDC recommends aiming to lose 1-2 pounds per week to stay healthy while reducing body weight.

• If you’re not getting results from Wegovy, talk to your prescriber. A healthcare provider — such as one through Ro — can increase your dosage (if needed), offer dietary and exercise advice, and help rule out underlying conditions that might be impeding weight loss on Wegovy.