Weight Loss
11 min read
Written by Stephanie Brown
Published: May 2, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sheelu Bhatnagar
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. It’s often in short supply due to its popularity and effectiveness for weight loss. For a more accessible and convenient experience, you may be wondering how to get Wegovy online.
We have good news — it’s possible to get both a Wegovy prescription and fill it without leaving home. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about getting Wegovy online in 6 simple steps.
Wegovy is a prescription drug. So the first step to getting Wegovy online is to find an online healthcare provider who can write you a prescription if needed. Your provider can help you determine whether a medical weight loss program is right for you and what medication is best, if any.
You can always see your current provider or use a marketplace like Klarity to find an online provider for a Wegovy prescription. On Klarity, you can have an appointment in as little as 48 hours.
The next step to getting Wegovy online is to meet with your healthcare provider online. They will assess whether you meet the criteria to take Wegovy for weight loss. It’s approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, 27 or more with a weight-related health condition.
Your provider may order labs before prescribing you Wegovy. This ensures you’re healthy enough to take it and don’t have any conditions that might put you at risk if taking Wegovy. Lab results also give you and your provider a baseline to track your health while you take Wegovy. Required labs may include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), hemoglobin A1C, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and a lipid panel.
Be sure to discuss the potential risks and side effects of Wegovy with your provider. Common side effects include gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects have also been reported with Wegovy use. Your healthcare provider will help you determine whether Wegovy’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.
The third step to getting Wegovy online is to get a prescription. Your healthcare provider can write you a prescription for Wegovy if:
Your provider will talk to you about Wegovy doses. The drug comes in 5 doses — 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 2.4 milligrams. You start at the lowest dose and then increase your dosage every 4 weeks until you reach a maintenance dose, which is usually 2.4 milligrams, but can be 1.7 for some people. Regular follow-up may be required to ensure you’re tolerating Wegovy and that it’s working for you. Follow-up may also be necessary to get new prescriptions as your dose increases.
Prior authorization is required by most insurance companies to cover popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy. So, the fourth step to getting Wegovy online is to get prior authorization if you need it.
To get prior authorization, your healthcare provider will submit a letter of medical necessity to justify your use of the medication. Reach out to your insurance provider to determine whether prior authorization is needed to get your Wegovy prescription covered.
It’s important to note that Wegovy users have faced supply shortages. Wegovy was first featured on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug shortages list in early 2022. Sales data from the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, reports quarterly sales increased eightfold in 2023. To meet demand in 2024, Novo Nordisk ramped up manufacturing to more than double availability of lower doses in January 2023. They plan to increase supply throughout 2024 — investing $6.5 billion in production.
At the time of publication, the FDA reports limited availability of all but the 2.4 milligram dose of Wegovy. The estimated shortage duration is pending. Talk to your healthcare provider about where to find Wegovy in stock.
The last step to getting Wegovy online is to get your prescription filled by an online pharmacy. You can also opt for home delivery when purchasing online from some local pharmacies or national pharmacies with a location near you.
If you’re struggling to find Wegovy in stock, compounded semaglutide may provide an alternative. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy. Compounding pharmacies use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients to create custom medications.
Compounded drugs aren’t subject to the same FDA-testing that brand name drugs undergo. The FDA has said that patients shouldn’t use a compounded drug if an approved drug is available. If you’re considering compounded semaglutide instead of brand-name Wegovy, talk to your healthcare provider.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. It’s possible to get both your Wegovy prescription and the medication online. The first step is to find a healthcare provider online and schedule an appointment. Your provider will assess whether you meet the criteria for taking Wegovy. They may also order labs. If you and your provider agree that Wegovy might benefit you, they’ll write a prescription. You may need prior authorization to get Wegovy covered by insurance.
To get your Wegovy prescription online, choose an online pharmacy. You may also be able to opt for home delivery from your local pharmacy. There have been shortages of Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide may provide an alternative if you can’t find Wegovy in stock. Talk to your healthcare provider and get a prescription before taking any form of semaglutide.
If you’re considering Wegovy for weight loss and want to get it online, find a licensed healthcare professional specialized in weight management on Klarity.
Get started and find a provider on Klarity today.
Yes, you can buy Wegovy online with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Online pharmacies that have Wegovy in stock will deliver it directly to your door. See the FDA’s recommendations for how to safely buy medicines from an online pharmacy.
Yes, it is legal to buy Wegovy online. You must have a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. This was mandated by the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008.
The best way to get a prescription for Wegovy is to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. If you need to find a provider, platforms like Klarity can connect you with a licensed healthcare professional. They’ll evaluate whether Wegovy is right for you.
Wegovy is approved for use in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with a weight-related health condition. It’s also approved for adolescents aged 12 or older with a BMI in the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Wegovy should be used as part of a medically-supervised weight loss program that includes diet and exercise.
The average retail cost is $1,425.51 per month, according to drugs.com. It’s possible to get Wegovy for free or at a reduced price using the Wegovy Savings Card Program. Your actual cost will vary depending on the pharmacy you choose, your insurance coverage, and any savings programs you use.
Sources
Novo Nordisk, Updates about Wegovy, https://www.novonordisk-us.com/supply-update.html.
Statista, Quarterly Sales of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in 2022 and 2023, Matej Mikulic, February 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1416998/sales-wegovy-novo-nordisk-by-quarter/.
U.S. Congress, Public Law 110-425: Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008, October 2008, https://www.congress.gov/110/plaws/publ425/PLAW-110publ425.pdf.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Drug Shortages, reverified April 2024, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Semaglutide%20Injection&st=c.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss, January 2024, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss.
Wegovy, Explore Other Coverage Options, https://www.wegovy.com/coverage-and-savings/wegovy-coverage-options.html.
Wegovy, Wegovy Dosing Schedule, https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/dosing-schedule.html.
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
How we reviewed this article
This article went through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author. Learn more about the editorial and medical review process and standards for the HelloKlarity site.
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