How It Works, Safety, and Side Effects A plain-English guide to semaglutide what it is, how it works for weight loss, whether it is safe, the common side effects, and who it is for
There are certain situations where you cant take the Wegovy pill or the injection, including if: You or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) You or someone in your family have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) Youve had an allergic reaction to semaglutide Youre pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding Your provider may also want to discuss treatment carefully if you have a history of: Pancreatitis Kidney disease or kidney problems Severe gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroparesis Diabetic retinopathy Upcoming surgery requiring anesthesia For more detailed safety guidance, visit our Wegovy safety page
Avoid ignoring the urge to defaecate, as this can worsen constipation over time
The most recent comprehensive synthesis is a July 2025 systematic review in the HSS Journal , the musculoskeletal journal of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, led by Nikhil Vasireddi at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Yes, many patients benefit from combination therapy