Wegovy (semaglutide) for weight loss prescription online

Wegovy is a medication used for chronic weight management and falls under the drug category of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. By mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the body, it increases feelings of fullness and reduces appetite, helping you eat less and feel more satisfied with smaller portions. It also slows down stomach emptying, leading to further feelings of fullness.

By also acting on specific areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and reward pathways, Wegovy can reduce cravings and potentially lead to long-term weight management.

It's important to remember that taking Wegovy alone is not a completely effective treatment for sustained weight loss. It should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan. It is important to consult with one of our trusted doctors before beginning any weight loss medication to discuss potential risks and benefits and create a holistic weight management plan.

Insurance coverage for Wegovy is variable. Some private insurance plans, as well as some Medicaid programs, cover obesity drugs; however, Medicare does not. Some public insurance providers view weight loss treatments as lifestyle medications, which they are less likely to cover. Most branded weight loss medications require prior authorization in order for insurance to cover the cost.

Your PlushCare physician and care team will reach out to your insurer on your behalf, and this process can take several business days. If you are denied the prior authorization or do not have health insurance, you may still purchase the medication at the full cash price.

Learn more about prior authorizations for weight loss medications.

If you are struggling with weight loss, and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater or a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater with at least one weight-related ailment, speak to one of our trusted doctors online about getting Wegovy.

The evaluation process for Wegovy can be done online and would include discussing your medical history and current medication and ordering baseline tests to determine if you qualify for a Wegovy prescription.

Wegovy is quite expensive, ranging in price at different pharmacies from $1300-1500.  Unfortunately, there is no generic lower-cost version.

Most branded weight loss medications require prior authorization in order for insurance to cover the cost.

If you are purchasing without insurance, you can find the lowest price at nearby pharmacies and save up to 80% on prescriptions as a PlushCare member with our in-app Rx Price Finder and prescription discount card.

Yes, Wegovy is effective for weight loss; people taking it lost an average of 15% of their body weight.

In clinical studies, there were four separate 68-week trials in clinical studies that were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. In the trials, over 2,600 patients received Wegovy while 1,500 received a placebo.

Over the 68 weeks, an average of 15% of body weight was lost, which equates on average to around 34 pounds for these patients treated with Wegovy. Typically, the weight loss was steady for 16 months before hitting a plateau. Wegovy is highly effective, especially when compared to the placebo group, which on average lost 2.5% of body weight, or about six pounds.

While Wegovy's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is actively producing and shipping all dose strengths of Wegovy and has taken measures to increase capacity, there will be limitations in meeting the anticipated patient demand. This may result in difficulties for many patients in filling certain doses of Wegovy prescriptions until September 2023.

There is currently a very high demand for GLP-1 weight loss medications in the US, and as a result, there is a limited supply of specific doses of Wegovy (semaglutide). Wegovy’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, anticipates shortages of 0.25mg, 0.5mg, and 1mg dosage pens will last through September 2023. They do not anticipate shortages of 1.7mg or 2.4mg dosage pens.

Before your next appointment, we recommend calling local or mail-order pharmacies to see if they have the previous, current, or anticipated dosage of your Wegovy prescription available. Your doctor may temporarily keep you at a lower dosage until the supply increases.

1. Wegovy is a long-acting medication that releases into your system slowly, so it’s acceptable to miss two weeks of the medication and restart at the same dose. 

2. Consider switching to Saxenda, a similar medication taken as a daily injection. Please book a follow-up appointment with your doctor to change medications. A new prescription will likely require Prior Authorization approval from your insurance company.

3. Consider switching to a non-GLP-1 weight loss medication like Contrave, topiramate, or Plenity, or discuss other options with your doctor.

No, it’s essential to gradually “ramp up” to a higher dosage to decrease your chances of side effects and complications.

Your insurance won’t cover Ozempic and Mounjaro unless you have type 2 diabetes. These medications are expensive to pay for out-of-pocket.

We don’t prescribe compounded semaglutide; these are not FDA-approved or tested for safety. The FDA has issued this warning about the safety of compounded semaglutide.

Weight loss is a long-term process. Eating a healthy, low-calorie diet and maintaining 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week can help you reach your health goals while we work through this medication shortage.

Over the 68 week clinical trial, patients treated with Wegovy lost an average of 15% body weight. The weight loss medication is most effective when used in combination with a reduced calorie meal diet and increased physical activity.

Patients taking Wegovy to lose weight saw significant weight loss, an average of 15% of body weight, after 1 year. Wegovy is FDA approved for long term, or chronic weight management.

Wegovy helps with losing weight by targeting areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. In this way, Wegovy can help you lose weight by helping you stick to a reduced calorie diet, resulting in weight loss over the long term.

Although Wegovy is similar to other semaglutide containing products, such as Ozempic, the main differences between Wegovy and Ozempic are their intended consumer and the slight differences in dosing. Wegovy was created for and can be used by anyone who is overweight and has health concerns, while Ozempic is FDA-approved for patients with type 2 diabetes.


That being said, they have a lot in common. Novo Nordisk manufactures them both, and they have the same active ingredient semaglutide. However, the amount of semaglutide differs between the two, with Wegovy’s final amount of semaglutide being 2.4mg, and Ozempic having four dosing options, 0.25 mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2 mg.