Wegovy Side Effects: What You Need to Know Before Taking It

When you start Wegovy, a once-weekly injectable medication approved for weight loss that contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Also known as semaglutide, it works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite—helping people lose weight without drastic dieting. But like all powerful drugs, it comes with risks you can’t ignore. Many users report nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea at first, especially when starting or increasing the dose. These aren’t just inconveniences—they’re your body’s way of reacting to a major change in how it processes food. About 1 in 3 people stop taking Wegovy because of these side effects, not because it doesn’t work, but because they can’t tolerate them.

More serious risks include pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care, and gallbladder problems, like gallstones or inflammation, which are more common in people losing weight quickly. There’s also a black box warning for thyroid tumors in animal studies—though no clear link exists in humans yet. If you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you shouldn’t take Wegovy at all. Your doctor should check your thyroid health before prescribing it.

What most people don’t talk about is how side effects can affect your mental health. Some users report increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings. While it’s not proven that Wegovy causes these, the stress of sudden weight loss, dietary changes, and physical discomfort can trigger them. If you’ve struggled with eating disorders in the past, this drug isn’t a safe option. And if you’re on other medications—like insulin or sulfonylureas for diabetes—you could be at risk for dangerous drops in blood sugar. Always tell your pharmacist your full list of meds before starting.

The good news? Most side effects fade within weeks. Starting with the lowest dose, staying hydrated, eating smaller meals, and avoiding fatty or spicy foods helps a lot. Keeping a medication log—like the ones described in our posts on overdose prevention and drug tracking—can help you spot patterns early. Did your nausea start after you ate out? Did your headaches get worse when you skipped meals? Writing it down gives you control. You’re not just taking a pill—you’re managing a treatment plan.

Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from people who’ve been through it: how to handle nausea without quitting, when to call your doctor, what alternatives exist if Wegovy doesn’t work for you, and how to spot the difference between normal discomfort and something dangerous. This isn’t just a list of side effects—it’s a guide to using Wegovy safely, smartly, and without surprises.