Wegovy®.
Wegovy® carries a boxed warning about possible thyroid tumors. Do not use it if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have MEN 2. Serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and severe allergic reactions.
Boxed warning: possible thyroid tumors.
In studies in rodents, semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors. It is not known whether it causes these tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in people. Tell your clinician right away if you notice a lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness that does not go away.
Who should not use this.
Do not use this medication if you or a family member have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any ingredient in this medication.
Serious risks.
Serious side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas (severe stomach pain that may spread to your back, with or without vomiting); gallbladder problems, including gallstones; low blood sugar, especially if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea; kidney problems, which can follow dehydration from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe stomach and intestinal side effects; serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; worsening diabetic eye disease in people with type 2 diabetes; and an increased resting heart rate. This medication is not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. Stop using it and get medical help right away if you have signs of pancreatitis or a serious allergic reaction.
Common side effects.
The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, indigestion, dizziness, bloating, belching, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and cold-like symptoms. Stomach-related side effects are most common when starting or increasing a dose. Altered skin sensations, such as tingling, burning, or sensitivity, were reported more often at the 7.2 mg dose.
Before you start, tell your clinician.
Tell your clinician about all of your medical conditions, including past pancreatitis, gallbladder or kidney problems, slowed stomach emptying, diabetic eye disease, or a serious allergic reaction to another GLP-1 medication. Tell them about every medication you take, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and any other GLP-1 medication; this medication should not be combined with another one. It slows stomach emptying, which can change how medications taken by mouth are absorbed. Before any surgery or procedure that uses anesthesia or deep sedation, tell the care team you take this medication, because food left in the stomach can raise the risk of breathing it into the lungs.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Semaglutide may harm an unborn baby. Stop using it if you become pregnant, and stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Tell your clinician if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
For questions about your treatment, message your care team through your patient portal, or see the Wegovy® product page. This is not a substitute for the full prescribing information provided with your medication.