Who can use Wegovy: how to know if you’re eligible

Who can use Wegovy?

Wegovy is available to overweight or obese people who have not had success losing weight from diet and exercise alone. You are eligible based on your body mass index (BMI) which is an obesity measure based on your height and weight.

Underweight below 18.5

Healthy weight 18.5 to 24.9

Overweight 25 to 29.9

Obese 30 to 39.9

You are eligible for Wegovy treatment if you have a BMI of 30 and above. If you have any weight-related conditions, you qualify for treatment if you have a BMI of 27 and above. You can work out your BMI for free on the NHS website Trusted source NHS Government Source Go to source or during our consultation process.

Eligible weight-related conditions include:

• asthma
• chronic back pain
• fatty liver disease
• gallbladder disease
• heart disease (includes high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease)
• osteoarthritis
• gout
• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

If you have a condition that you believe qualifies as a weight-related condition, ask your doctor.

Who should not use Wegovy?

Some groups of people should not use Wegovy. This is either because there is not enough research on the effects on those people, or they are at too great a risk of side effects.

You cannot take Wegovy if you:

• are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are under the age of 12*
• or any of your family have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) - a type of thyroid cancer
• have an endocrine condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• have had an allergic reaction to Semaglutide (the active ingredient of Wegovy)

*Please note that HealthExpress can only treat adults (18 and above).

If you are not sure whether any of these factors apply to you, consult your doctor or a healthcare professional.

You also cannot start Wegovy treatment if do not have a BMI of 27 and above.

Other cautions

Some other factors may mean Wegovy is not a safe weight loss treatment for you. This is because you may be at a higher risk of side effects or complications.

If you have one of these medical conditions, you should ask your doctor before starting Wegovy.

Wegovy cautions
Diabetes	Gallbladder problems	Underactive thyroid
Kidney problems	Pancreas problems	Mental health conditions

Diabetes

Wegovy can cause side effects in people with diabetes, especially if you take medicine for it.

One of the main risks is ‘hypo’ or hypoglycaemia, where your blood sugar levels drop dangerously low. Symptoms of hypo include feeling hungry, dizzy, sweating, shaking and changes in your vision. In severe cases, it causes seizures or unconsciousness.

Another risk is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition where ketones build up in your blood due to a lack of insulin. This can cause symptoms like thirst, stomach pain, peeing more than usual, diarrhoea and more. DKA requires urgent medical treatment so do not ignore symptoms.

You should also be conscious of any changes in your vision, as it may be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious complication of diabetes which can cause vision loss.

Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan or adjust the dose of your current medication to accommodate for Wegovy. They will also want to closely monitor your condition.

Gallbladder problems

Wegovy can cause gallbladder problems in some people such as gallstones, especially if you have had a history of gallbladder issues.

Gallstones occasionally require surgery if they are painful and cause discomfort. They can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, feeling or being sick and jaundice.

Your doctor will need to evaluate the risk of developing or worsening gallbladder problems if you take Wegovy.

Underactive thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. Most people take a medication for it called levothyroxine which increases thyroxine levels.

One Wegovy interaction is with levothyroxine. It can increase the effects of levothyroxine, which may affect your overall thyroid function. So if you wish to take Wegovy, your doctor may need to alter your treatment.

Kidney problems

People with a history of kidney problems like kidney failure may be at an increased risk of side effects. This is because Wegovy can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, which can cause dehydration and make kidney problems worse.

Pancreas problems

Wegovy can affect the pancreas. Rarely, Wegovy can cause the pancreas to become inflamed, a condition called pancreatitis. It can cause symptoms such as severe stomach pain, sickness and a high temperature.

If you have a history of pancreas problems, you may be at increased risk of pancreatitis. Discuss with your doctor before starting Wegovy.

Mental health issues

Some people have reported experiencing changes in their mental health. If you have had a history of mental health problems, especially depression or suicidal thoughts, you should be cautious whilst taking Wegovy.

What can I do if I am not eligible for Wegovy treatment?

If you are unable to take Wegovy, you may be eligible for another prescription weight loss treatment. There are two main alternatives:

Orlistat (Xenical)	Mysimba
Orlistat (Xenical) is a weight loss tablet that works to prevent fats from being absorbed from your diet. This means you consume fewer calories.	Mysimba is another weight loss drug. It works by suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure by altering your nervous system.

Saxenda and Mounjaro are other weight loss injections, like Wegovy. They belong to the same family of medicines as Wegovy however, so can have similar contraindications and side effects.

Ask your doctor before starting any weight loss medication. At HealthExpress, we conduct a medical review by registered doctors before you place an order to ensure Wegovy is safe for you to take.

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