What Is Wegovy and What Is It Used For?

Semaglutide, the active substance in Wegovy, mimics a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). By activating GLP-1 receptors, the medicine influences appetite-regulating signals in the brain, which many people experience as a reduced sense of hunger and less preoccupation with food — sometimes called reduced 'food noise'. It also slows the rate at which the stomach empties, which can contribute to a prolonged feeling of fullness after eating, though this effect commonly eases over time.

Wegovy is supplied as a pre-filled pen and is injected once a week. Dosing typically starts low and is adjusted over time by the prescriber — the schedule and strengths involved are decisions made by your prescriber or doctor based on your individual circumstances, not something to change on your own.

A note on naming: Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active substance (semaglutide), but they are different licensed products with different approved doses and indications — your prescriber will have chosen the right one for you. If you want to understand the full ingredient picture, you can read more about what Wegovy contains.

Wegovy is not insulin, and it is not a cosmetic procedure. It is a prescription medicine whose suitability is decided entirely by a qualified healthcare professional. If you are curious how it compares to another commonly prescribed option, our page on what Mounjaro is covers tirzepatide in similar detail.

According to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC), Wegovy is subject to additional monitoring — if you notice any side effects, report them to your healthcare professional and to your national reporting scheme (such as the UK's Yellow Card scheme).

Understanding what Wegovy is marks the beginning of the journey — staying consistent with it week after week is where a companion app makes a real difference. GLP Trackr's dose and injection logging lets you record each weekly shot — the date, the dose strength, and the injection site — so you always have a clear record of where you are in your treatment. Gentle dose reminders mean a weekly injection is far less likely to slip through a busy schedule.

Because many people experience changes in appetite, energy, or digestion when starting or adjusting semaglutide, the app's side-effect tracker lets you log how you feel after each dose and identify patterns over time. That log becomes genuinely useful when you have a follow-up appointment with your prescriber — you can share a clear picture rather than trying to recall weeks of experience from memory.

For broader context on how GLP-1 medicines work and how tracking supports that, take a look at our guide to how GLP-1 receptor agonists work.

If you are weighing up whether Wegovy is the right fit for your goals, our page on what Wegovy is good for covers the evidence base in more detail — always in the context of a conversation with your own prescriber.

GLP Trackr is an informational and tracking tool, not a substitute for clinical advice. If you have any concerns about your symptoms or your treatment, contact your healthcare professional promptly — they know your full history and are the right person to guide any decisions about your care.

Ready to bring your whole Wegovy journey into one place? Download GLP Trackr on the App Store or Google Play and start a free 7-day trial — log your doses, track how you feel, and build a clear picture of your progress from day one.