Wegovy®

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea (about 44% in trials), diarrhea (about 30%), vomiting (about 25%), constipation, stomach pain, and heartburn. These are typically mild to moderate and tend to improve as your body adjusts, especially with Wegovy's gradual dose-escalation schedule. Eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty foods, and staying hydrated can help — see our guide on managing nausea on Wegovy. Your clinician will monitor for any side effects and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. It's also approved for adolescents ages 12 and older with obesity. Wegovy may not be appropriate if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, a history of pancreatitis, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have severe gastrointestinal disease. Your PEAK clinician will review your full medical history during your consultation. Check your BMI.

Many commercial insurance plans cover Wegovy for weight management, especially if you have weight-related health conditions. PEAK works with Anthem, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Sentara, and TRICARE commercial plans (coverage varies by plan). We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid plans. We handle the prior authorization process for you and will confirm coverage before you begin treatment. Learn more about Wegovy insurance coverage in Virginia. Some employer plans have weight loss exclusions — if that's your situation, we can discuss alternatives including Zepbound (which may have different coverage) or cash-pay options. View our full insurance and pricing information.

Both are FDA-approved for chronic weight management, but they work through different mechanisms. Wegovy (semaglutide) activates one receptor (GLP-1), while Zepbound (tirzepatide) activates two (GIP and GLP-1). In head-to-head clinical trials, tirzepatide showed greater average weight loss than semaglutide. However, Wegovy has broader insurance coverage and a longer track record, and it's the only GLP-1 with an FDA-approved cardiovascular benefit. Your clinician will recommend the best option based on your health history, insurance, and goals. Read the full comparison.

Obesity is a chronic condition, and treatment duration varies by individual. Some patients continue medication long-term for sustained weight management, while others may eventually taper off — especially if they've developed strong nutritional and behavioral habits during treatment. Research does show that weight regain is common when GLP-1 medications are discontinued without ongoing support, which is why PEAK's approach emphasizes building habits alongside medication. Read more about how long patients typically stay on Wegovy.

Yes. In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors in rodents. It is unknown whether this occurs in humans. Wegovy is not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Your provider will review your medical history to make sure Wegovy is appropriate for you. Less common but important risks include gallstones (more common with rapid weight loss), pancreatitis (rare but serious), and low blood sugar (mainly a concern if you also take insulin or sulfonylureas).