Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable medication used for chronic weight management that mimics the hormone GLP-1 to regulate appetite. A key effect of Wegovy is slowing gastric emptying, which can impact the absorption of other medications. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
The Primary Mechanism: Delayed Gastric Emptying
By delaying the movement of food and contents from the stomach, Wegovy can alter the absorption of oral medications, potentially affecting their effectiveness or blood concentration.
Oral Medications
Because of the delay in gastric emptying, the absorption of various oral medications can be affected. This can be particularly important for drugs that require precise dosing and absorption. Examples include oral contraceptives, thyroid hormones like levothyroxine, certain antibiotics, and the blood thinner warfarin. Monitoring and timing adjustments may be necessary for these and other oral drugs.
Significant Drug Interactions
Certain drug classes have notable interactions with Wegovy that can pose health risks.
Diabetes Medications
Combining Wegovy with other medications that lower blood sugar can significantly increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Insulin: Taking insulin with Wegovy raises the risk of hypoglycemia. Dose adjustments and increased blood sugar monitoring may be required.
- Sulfonylureas: Oral diabetes medications like glipizide or glyburide also increase the risk of low blood sugar when used with Wegovy. Dose reduction of the sulfonylurea might be needed.
- Meglitinides: Medications such as repaglinide can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with Wegovy.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include dizziness, shakiness, sweating, and confusion.
Other GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Wegovy should not be used concurrently with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, including other products containing semaglutide (like Ozempic or Rybelsus) or other GLP-1 drugs such as Victoza or Trulicity. This combination does not offer additional benefits and increases the likelihood of side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Wegovy Drug Interaction Comparison Table
| Drug Class | Examples | Potential Interaction | Management Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin | Insulin glargine (Lantus), Insulin lispro (Humalog) | Increased risk of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). | Your doctor may reduce your insulin dose and require frequent blood sugar monitoring. |
| Sulfonylureas | Glipizide (Glucotrol XL), Glyburide (Diabeta), Glimepiride (Amaryl) | Increased risk of hypoglycemia. | Your doctor may lower the dose of the sulfonylurea and advise on monitoring for low blood sugar. |
| Other GLP-1 Agonists | Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), Dulaglutide (Trulicity) | Increased risk of gastrointestinal side effects and redundant therapy. | Coadministration is not recommended. Inform your doctor if you are taking another GLP-1 drug. |
| Oral Medications (General) | Oral contraceptives, Levothyroxine, certain antibiotics | Delayed or altered absorption, potentially reducing effectiveness. | Discuss the timing of all oral medications with your doctor. Monitoring may be required for certain drugs. |
Who Should Not Take Wegovy? (Contraindications)
Wegovy is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not use it. A history of a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or its components is also a contraindication. If you have a history of pancreatitis, discuss this with your doctor as the risk is uncertain. Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy and should be stopped at least two months beforehand.
Conclusion
Wegovy is an effective weight management medication, but it's important to be aware of potential drug interactions. The main concerns involve an increased risk of low blood sugar when taken with other diabetes medications and the potential for altered absorption of oral drugs due to slowed gastric emptying. Always provide your healthcare provider with a complete list of all medications and supplements to ensure your treatment is safe and effective.
For more detailed information, you can review the FDA's official prescribing information for Wegovy.
