semaglutide (Wegovy)

Adjunctive therapy

Brands: WEGOVY

Last reviewed 2026-02-12

Reviewed by PsychMed Editorial Team.

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Quick answers

What is semaglutide (Wegovy)?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable form of semaglutide (2.4 mg), a GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for chronic weight management with diet and exercise in adults and certain adolescents (label).
What is WEGOVY?
WEGOVY is a brand name for semaglutide (Wegovy).
What is WEGOVY (semaglutide (Wegovy)) used for?
Label indications include: Chronic weight management (with diet and exercise) in adults and certain adolescents with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities (label). No FDA-approved psychiatric indications.
What drug class is WEGOVY (semaglutide (Wegovy))?
Weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist (semaglutide 2.4 mg) indicated for chronic weight management (with diet and exercise). In mental health care it is most often discussed as a tool for obesity and antipsychotic-associated metabolic risk rather than for direct psychiatric indications.
What strengths does WEGOVY (semaglutide (Wegovy)) come in?
Single-dose pens for subcutaneous injection once weekly (label).

Snapshot

Primary label indications include: Chronic weight management (with diet and exercise) in adults and certain adolescents with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities (label).
Class: Adjunctive therapy
Common US brands: WEGOVY
Therapeutic drug monitoring not routinely recommended.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-12

Label indications

Chronic weight management (with diet and exercise) in adults and certain adolescents with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities (label). No FDA-approved psychiatric indications.

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Clinical Highlights

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable form of semaglutide (2.4 mg), a GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for chronic weight management with diet and exercise in adults and certain adolescents (label). Wegovy is not a psychiatric medication and has no FDA-approved psychiatric indications. Its relevance to mental health care is usually metabolic (obesity and cardiometabolic risk that can complicate psychiatric treatment, including antipsychotic-associated weight gain) (clinical).

Wegovy carries the class boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors and includes a warning to monitor for suicidal behavior and ideation; this matters for psychiatric populations and should be addressed explicitly in shared decision-making (label).
The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), especially during dose escalation; gradual titration improves tolerability (label/clinical).
The compare view, evidence feed, and print page help compare titration schedules and safety monitoring themes.

Dosing & Formulations

Wegovy is supplied in single-dose pens for subcutaneous injection once weekly; it is distinct from Ozempic and should not be substituted dose for dose (label). Titration typically proceeds in 4-week steps: 0.25 mg weekly → 0.5 mg weekly → 1 mg weekly → 1.7 mg weekly → 2.4 mg weekly maintenance (label).

If a dose is missed and the next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away, administer as soon as possible; otherwise skip and resume the regular schedule (label).
Injection sites include abdomen, thigh, or upper arm; rotate sites (label).
Clinically, slower escalation (or a temporary down-titration) is a common strategy for persistent nausea rather than abandoning therapy entirely (clinical).

Monitoring & Risks

Boxed warning: risk of thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; contraindicated with personal/family history of MTC or MEN2 (label). Suicidal behavior and ideation: monitor for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts/behaviors, and unusual mood changes; discontinue if symptoms develop and avoid in patients with active suicidal ideation (label).

Pancreatitis and gallbladder disease have been reported; evaluate severe or persistent abdominal pain and discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected (label).
Dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea can worsen renal function; monitor volume status and renal function when clinically indicated (label/clinical).
Hypoglycemia risk increases when used with insulin or sulfonylureas in patients with diabetes; coordinate medication changes across prescribers (label/clinical).

Drug Interactions

Semaglutide delays gastric emptying, which can affect absorption of some oral medications during titration. Review narrow-therapeutic-index agents and time-sensitive regimens (clinical). When used in patients taking other glucose-lowering therapies, the main interaction risk is hypoglycemia (especially insulin or sulfonylureas) (label/clinical).

Severe GI symptoms can indirectly change tolerability of oral psychotropics (missed doses, reduced intake, dehydration); proactive counseling can reduce adherence disruptions (clinical).
Major CYP-mediated interactions are not expected (peptide metabolism), but polypharmacy review is still essential (clinical).

Practice Notes

Weight management goals should be individualized and should not replace core psychiatric stabilization; consider it one tool alongside sleep, activity, diet, and medication selection (clinical). Because Wegovy carries a warning about suicidal behavior and ideation, psychiatric history and current risk should be reviewed before starting and monitored over time (label/clinical).

Screen for disordered eating and ensure weight-loss goals are safe and appropriate; monitor for excessive appetite suppression and dehydration (clinical).
Operational feasibility (coverage, supply, injection teaching, follow-up cadence) frequently determines access; align plans with what is realistically sustainable (clinical).
When Wegovy is used to address antipsychotic-associated weight gain, coordinate with primary care/endocrinology for cardiometabolic monitoring rather than duplicating management in siloed care (clinical).

References

WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection prescribing information — DailyMed (2026)
Once Weekly Semaglutide IN Adults With Overweight OR Obesity — New England Journal of Medicine (2021)
Effect OF Liraglutide Treatment ON Prediabetes AND Overweight OR Obesity IN Clozapine OR Olanzapine Treated Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial — JAMA Psychiatry (2017)
Therapeutic Management OF Atypical Antipsychotic Related Metabolic Dysfunctions Using GLP 1 Receptor Agonists: A Systematic Review — Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine (2023)