Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management. It contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but is prescribed at significantly higher doses, which has raised concerns about more severe and persistent side effects in some patients.
As Wegovy use expanded rapidly for obesity treatment, reports of serious gastrointestinal injuries, kidney damage, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and vision loss have increased, making Wegovy a central drug in ongoing GLP-1 safety investigations and litigation.
This page provides a comprehensive overview of Wegovy, how it works, known risks, and when medical or legal review may be appropriate.
What Is Wegovy?
Wegovy is an injectable medication containing semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Key facts:
- FDA-approved for chronic weight management
- Injected once weekly
- Higher target dose than Ozempic
- Manufactured by Novo Nordisk
- Approved for adults (and some adolescents) with obesity or overweight plus comorbidities
How Wegovy Works
Wegovy mimics the hormone GLP-1, which:
- suppresses appetite
- slows stomach emptying
- increases feelings of fullness
- alters gut-brain signaling
- reduces caloric intake
At higher doses, these effects can become more intense and longer-lasting, increasing the risk of complications in some patients.
Why Wegovy’s Higher Dose Matters
Compared to Ozempic, Wegovy:
- is prescribed at a higher maintenance dose
- produces stronger appetite suppression
- causes greater digestive slowing
Many reported injuries involve dose escalation, where symptoms worsen as patients move toward the full Wegovy dose.
Commonly Reported Wegovy Side Effects
Many users experience GI symptoms, particularly early in treatment:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- fatigue
- dizziness
While often described as expected, some side effects worsen rather than resolve.
Serious Safety Concerns Associated With Wegovy
Severe Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Reported injuries include:
- gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)
- ileus (bowel shutdown)
- severe constipation
- generalized digestive paralysis
➡️ Related: Motility Disorders
Dehydration & Kidney Injury
Persistent vomiting or inability to eat may lead to:
- dehydration
- electrolyte imbalance
- acute kidney injury (AKI)
- worsening kidney disease
➡️ Related: Dehydration and Kidney Damage
Gallbladder Disease
Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of:
- gallstones
- gallbladder inflammation
- gallbladder removal surgery
➡️ Related: Gallbladder Removal
Pancreatitis
Some Wegovy users report:
- severe abdominal pain
- elevated pancreatic enzymes
- hospitalization for pancreatitis
➡️ Related: Pancreatitis
Vision Problems / NAION
Serious vision complications, including Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), have been reported across semaglutide drugs.
➡️ Related:
Who May Be at Higher Risk
Risk may be higher for:
- patients with prior GI disorders
- individuals prone to dehydration
- people with kidney disease
- those with diabetes-related vascular conditions
- older adults
- patients experiencing rapid weight loss
Wegovy and Lawsuits
Wegovy is a major focus of GLP-1 litigation, particularly cases involving:
- severe motility disorders
- kidney injury
- gallbladder removal
- pancreatitis
- permanent digestive injury
- blindness / NAION
➡️ Wegovy lawsuits hub: Lawsuits
When to Consider a Review
You may want to consider review if:
- you used Wegovy, AND
- you required ER care or hospitalization, OR
- you developed a diagnosed complication, OR
- symptoms persisted after stopping the drug
➡️ Start here: File a Claim
Wegovy’s higher-dose semaglutide formulation makes it highly effective for weight loss — but also potentially increases the risk of severe and persistent side effects in some patients. While many tolerate the drug, others report life-altering complications.
If you experienced serious injury after using Wegovy, medical and legal review may be appropriate.