[Health Column] 7 Facts to Check Before Prescribing the Obesity Treatment Drug Wegovy

Director Choi Woo-hyuk

 

 

Hello, this is Director Choi Woo-hyuk.

 

The obesity treatment drug 'Wegovy,' administered once a week, has been launched in Korea! For many people struggling with weight loss, Wegovy is gaining attention as a new alternative. In this article, we will gather and share key information about Wegovy, including its price, effectiveness, side effects, differences from Saxenda, and how to purchase it.

VigoBi, the dream obesity treatment, launched domestically

 

On October 15th, the highly anticipated obesity treatment 'Wegovy' was officially launched in Korea. This medication is known to be more effective than existing weight loss drugs, and it gained significant attention when it was revealed that celebrities like Elon Musk had used it for weight loss.

 

 

Features and prescribing criteria of Vigobi

Wegovy is a weight loss treatment administered once a week via injection and contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 analog, as its main ingredient. GLP-1 plays a role in regulating appetite and stabilizing blood sugar levels in the human body. Wegovy mimics this by acting on GLP-1 receptors, influencing food intake control. As a result, it increases satiety and reduces the frequency and intensity of hunger, suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss. Wegovy can only be prescribed to obese patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.

 

 

 

Differences between Wigobi and Saxenda

Both Victoza and Saxenda are GLP-1 analogs, but the biggest differences are in administration frequency and effectiveness. Victoza is administered once a week, providing a long-lasting effect, while Saxenda requires daily injections to maintain its efficacy. Additionally, clinical studies have shown that Victoza demonstrates greater weight loss effects than Saxenda, making it more effective in terms of drug performance.

 

 

Precautions when switching from Saxenda to Wegovy:

 

🔎 Dose adjustment

When switching from Saxenda to Wegovy, the Wegovy dosage should be prescribed at the same or lower dose than the Saxenda dosage.

 

▷ Saxenda 0.6~1.2 mg → Start with WegoBi 0.25 mg

▷ Saxenda 1.8 mg → WegoBi 0.5 mg initiation

 

If you are administering a higher dose of Saxenda, you must consult with your doctor before determining the dosage.

 

🔎 Transition period

 

You can switch to WegoBi starting the day after receiving Saxenda.

 

Side effects during conversion

 

Even if there are no side effects with Saxenda, side effects such as nausea may occur at the initial dose of Wegovy.

 

Since the dosage adjustment, timing of transition, and side effects all vary from person to person, it is best to consult with a doctor before making the switch. Even though side effects are rarely seen when taking Saxenda, some individuals may experience side effects at low doses of WegoBi, so even those who have used the maximum dose of Saxenda should start WegoBi at a safe initial dose.

 

 

VigoBee price

 

The price of Wigobi at domestic pharmacies varies between 420,000 and 800,000 won. Since it is not covered by insurance, patients must pay the cost out of pocket, and there may be price differences between pharmacies. Therefore, please check the exact price information through nearby hospitals or pharmacies.

 

 

 

Vigobi effect

 

VigoBi demonstrated an average weight loss of approximately 15% in clinical studies, showing superior effectiveness compared to existing obesity treatments. In particular, combining it with diet and exercise can lead to even greater results, and weight loss can also improve blood pressure and blood sugar control.

 

 

 

VigoBi side effects

 

The main side effects of VicoBi include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting, and during the first few weeks of use, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue may occur. If side effects worsen, immediate consultation with a doctor is necessary, and if allergic reactions occur, emergency assistance may be required.

 

 

To minimize the side effects of Wigovie, it is important to administer Wigovie according to the precise prescription and guidance of a doctor. Especially for diabetic patients, since side effects such as hypoglycemia may occur, please be sure to consult with your doctor about reducing the dosage if you are already taking other medications.

 

 

How to purchase Vigobi

 

VigoBi is a prescription medication, and a hospital prescription is absolutely required. While it is possible to receive a prescription through telemedicine, there is currently controversy over the misuse of VigoBi prescriptions via remote consultations, which can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to safely decide whether to use VigoBi.

 

 

VigoBi is gaining attention for its effectiveness in weight loss, but a cautious approach is necessary. While it shows higher efficacy compared to existing treatments, overestimating it as a "dream obesity treatment" should be avoided. Obesity treatment cannot be solved by medication alone; consistent exercise and lifestyle improvements such as better eating habits must be implemented together for effective results.

 

 

Director Choi Woo-hyuk

Graduated from Korea University College of Life Sciences
Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine
Kyung Hee University Hospital Resident
Full member of the Korean Society of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine

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