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What is the Wegovy® prefilled pen?
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Active ingredient: Semaglutide
Company name: Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
It is an analogue of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secreted in the intestines after a meal.
Semaglutide acts on receptors in the brain that control appetite, making you feel full and less hungry,
reducing the desire for food and lowering the preference for high-fat foods.
This action can help reduce food intake and weight loss.
It can be used for weight management in obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/㎡ or more.
There is a detailed explanation of
Semaglutide and GLP-1
at the bottom of the article.
Calculate body mass index (BMI)
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Source. National Health Information Portal (Republic of Korea) |
Obesity is most accurately assessed by measuring the amount of body fat, which is a state in which more fat is accumulated than normal.
However, it is difficult to accurately measure the amount of body fat, so it is usually assessed indirectly.
The most commonly used methods are using the body mass index (BMI) and measuring waist circumference.
Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) / height squared (㎡)
Obesity standards in Republic of Korea
The standard for adult obesity is a body mass index of 25 kg/㎡ or more.
A body mass index of 25.0~29.9 kg/㎡ is classified as stage 1 obesity
A body mass index of 30.0~34.9 kg/㎡ is classified as stage 2 obesity
A body mass index of 35.0 kg/㎡ or more is classified as stage 3 obesity (severe obesity).
When should I administer the Wegovy® Prefilled Pen?
Administer once a week.
You can administer it at any time of the day, regardless of meals.
Once a week, if possible, it should be used on the same day of the week.
The day of administration can be changed depending on the situation,
but the interval between the previous administration and the next administration should be at least 3 days (72 hours).
What should I do if I forget to administer the Wegovy® Prefilled Pen?
Administer the medication as soon as possible within 5 days of the day you missed the dose.
If it has been more than 5 days,
skip the missed dose and administer it on the regularly scheduled date.
If you miss 2 or more doses, you should consider reducing the starting dose when resuming administration.
How do I increase the dose of the Wegovy® prefilled pen?
Start with an initial dose of 0.25 mg once a week
and increase every 4 weeks to reach 2.4 mg once a week.
Increasing the dose every 4 weeks can reduce the possibility of side effects such as gastrointestinal upset.
If side effects occur,
stop administration or delay the increase in dose until symptoms improve, or lower the dose to the previous dose.
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Wegovy® prefilled pen injection site
Choose from the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.
When injecting the abdomen, do not inject within a 5 cm radius of the navel.
You can inject in the same body part every week,
but do not inject in the same place as the last injection.
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Source. wegovy.com |
How to use the Wegovy® prefilled pen
① Check the pen
Check the product name and dosage of the pen.
Pull the cap of the pen to open it.
Check that the liquid in the pen is clear and colorless.
② Inserting a new needle
Remove the paper cover of the new needle.
Insert the needle vertically into the pen and turn until it is firmly fixed.
Pull out both needle caps,
and keep the outer needle cap for later.
③ Checking the flow
Before the first injection with the new pen, turn the dose setting dial to select the flow check symbol.
Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward and press and hold the injection button.
A drop of medicine should form at the tip of the needle.
If no medicine is visible, check the flow again.
If no medicine is still visible,
Replace the needle and check the flow once more.
④ Setting the dose
Turn the dose setting dial until the dose counter stops, and the prescribed dose will appear.
When the dose indicator indicates the prescribed dose, the administration dose has been selected.
⑤ Injecting
Poke the needle into the skin.
Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter displays '0'.
With the needle stuck in the skin, slowly count to 6.
After completing the injection, remove the needle from the skin while pressing the injection button.
⑥ Removing the needle
Without touching the needle or the outer needle cap,
place the tip of the needle into the outer needle cap placed on a flat surface.
Once the needle is covered by the outer needle cap, carefully push the outer needle cap all the way in.
Twist the needle out and carefully discard it.
Be sure to remove the used disposable needle, close the pen cap, and store it.
How to store Wegovy® prefilled pen injection
Before first use
Avoid freezing and store in a refrigerator at 2~8℃
After first opening
Store below 30℃ or in a refrigerator (2~8℃) for up to 6 weeks
Keep the pen cap tightly closed to block light.
Never use if accidentally stored in the freezer or frozen★
All medicines have side effects.
Side effects of Wegovy® prefilled pen
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Very common symptoms include headache, feeling like you're going to vomit, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and feeling weak.
(This occurs especially when increasing the dose, and symptoms usually disappear over time.)
Fat bloating, abdominal distension, gastritis, heartburn, indigestion, and hair loss may occur.
In addition, symptoms of hypoglycemia may appear suddenly.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include cold sweats, cold and pale skin, headache,
rapid heartbeat, extreme hunger, vision changes, and feeling drowsy or lethargic.
If you have diabetic eye disease,
your vision may worsen due to the use of the Wegovy® prefilled pen.
Although uncommon, acute pancreatitis has been reported as a side effect.
If you have severe abdominal pain, it may be pancreatitis, so stop using it and see a doctor.
Allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema) may occur.
If you experience difficulty breathing or rapid swelling after using the Wegovy® prefilled pen, you should visit a hospital immediately.
The drug name of the Wegovy® prefilled pen is Semaglutide,
Same as Saxenda injection (liraglutide),
It is a drug belonging to the GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Incretin?
GLP-1?
GLP-1 receptor agonist?
Incretin??
While food is being consumed and digested,
In order to increase the secretion of insulin while nutrients are absorbed in the intestine,
a gut hormone called incretin is secreted.
Incretin can be broadly divided into GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and
GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).
GLP-1 is secreted in response to food intake,
and plays a role in lowering blood sugar by promoting the secretion of insulin
and inhibiting the secretion of glucagon.
GIP is a hormone that has been considered to cause obesity because it promotes the secretion of glucagon, which increases blood sugar.
However, when using a drug that combines GLP-1 and GIP,
the synergistic effect has resulted in faster weight loss.
There is a product called Maunjaro injection that combines these two drugs.
However, as of November 2024, it is not yet introduced in Korea.
GLP-1 is
decomposed by a decomposing enzyme called DDP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4),
making it difficult to maintain a continuous effect.
Therefore, when administered with the GLP-1 receptor agonist,
Wegovy® prefilled pen, it helps to show a steady effect in the body as a GLP-1 analogue.
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Advantages of GLP-1 receptor agonist
It increases the sensitivity of the beta cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin,
and secretes insulin, so there is less hypoglycemic side effect.
It also directly suppresses the food center of the brain, lowering appetite and showing a weight loss effect.
It also delays the discharge of food from the stomach, increasing the feeling of fullness,
and slows the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, preventing a rapid increase in blood sugar.
It is not recommended for patients with a history of pancreatitis because it can strain the pancreas.
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Why is it given as an injection?
It is a protein hormone that is broken down when taken orally.
Therefore, it should only be used as a subcutaneous injection.
Administered via subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh (thigh), and upper arm (arm) regardless of meals.
Prescription at Samsung Medical Center (Samsung Seoul Hospital)
Ilwon Station Exit 1 Pharmacy
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