Inside Wegovy: The Weight-Loss Pill Making Waves in the U.S – Life & Style

Wegovy, a prescription medication designed to aid in weight loss, is now available in the United States, opening new doors for individuals managing obesity. 

The drug, part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, has generated significant attention in the weight-loss industry for its effectiveness in helping patients shed pounds.

To better understand how Wegovy fits into obesity treatment, Life & Style spoke with Dr. Jessica Duncan, a board-certified Obesity Medicine physician. She emphasizes that obesity is more than a matter of willpower.

“Obesity is a chronic, complex medical disease that requires a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition optimization, movement guidelines, sleep and stress management, management of both internal and external hunger cues, and often requires medical treatment, either long or short term,” Dr. Duncan told Life & Style.

Who Is a Candidate for GLP-1 Therapy?

Dr. Duncan explains that not every patient will use GLP-1 medications like Wegovy in the same way.

“Some individuals may need lifelong medical therapy for the treatment of obesity – this depends on individual risk factors, underlying conditions, genetic predispositions – and the decision to discontinue versus continue a GLP-1 indefinitely is one that should be made by an individual and their physician or healthcare practitioner,” she says.

For patients who either do not benefit from or choose not to continue GLP-1 therapy, Dr. Duncan stresses to Life & Style the importance of a sustainable lifestyle plan.“It is integral that they have a comprehensive, sustainable plan to make modifications to their lifestyle to support weight maintenance,” she notes.

“The caloric intake and exercise requirements change in the weight maintenance phase in a surprising way – from an energy in and out standpoint, it is actually more difficult to maintain weight loss than it is to lose weight in the first place.”

Building a Plan for Long-Term Success

Dr. Duncan highlights several science-backed habits that support long-term weight maintenance, including monitoring weight regularly and limiting sedentary screen time. She also emphasizes a gradual approach to discontinuing medication.

“The ideal approach to discontinuing GLP-1 therapy is gradual decrease in dose with increasing reliance on lifestyle modifications as well as coping strategies for managing internal hunger cues and other external factors that contribute to weight gain,” Dr. Duncan explains.

“This approach allows patients a slower landing strip to adjust to the return of food noise, decrease in appetite suppression, and other changes that result from discontinuing GLP-1 therapy. It also allows for a steady and stepwise acceleration of optimized nutrition and movement to support weight maintenance.”

How The Wegovy Pill Works

“The main difference is how the medication is delivered and absorbed, not what it’s designed to do,” explains Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, a board-certified physician specializing in medical weight loss and metabolic health. Dr. Zuriarrain is also the founder of Zuri Plastic Surgery in South Miami, FL, and the Medical Director of Hydrology Wellness, where he oversees GLP-1–based weight management programs.

Dr. Zuriarrain tells Life & Style “GLP-1 injections are given under the skin and enter the bloodstream directly, which allows for stronger and more consistent absorption. GLP-1 pills must pass through the stomach and intestines, where digestion can reduce how much of the medication is absorbed.”

To overcome this, she says, “oral formulations use special absorption technology and typically require strict dosing instructions, such as taking the pill on an empty stomach with water only. From a patient perspective, pills may feel more convenient or less intimidating, while injections tend to offer more predictable and potent results.”

Dosing Differences

Another key factor is how often you take the medication. Oral GLP-1 pills are typically taken once daily, requiring consistent timing and careful adherence. Injectable GLP-1 medications are usually taken once weekly, which many patients find easier to maintain long-term.

“Daily pills require consistent timing and adherence to instructions, whereas weekly injections are often easier for patients to maintain because they don’t need to remember a daily dose,” adds Dr. Zuriarrain.

Side Effects and Safety

Both the pill and the shot share similar side effect profiles because they work through the same biological pathway. Dr. Zuriarrain explains: “Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, decreased appetite, and bloating or abdominal discomfort. These side effects are usually dose-dependent and temporary, especially during the initial weeks of treatment.”

She also tells Life & Style about rare but more serious side effects. “Less common but more serious considerations include gallbladder issues with rapid weight loss, worsening reflux symptoms, and a rare risk of pancreatitis. This is why GLP-1 medications should always be prescribed and monitored by a medical professional, with careful patient selection and dose titration.”

Information regarding health and well-being is provided for awareness, education and general information. Health benefits of various medicines, diets, weight-loss strategies and foods are the opinions of the authors and/or those they interviewed, and there may be differing views on many of the topics covered, including evolving research, opinions, benefits and efficacy. This article is meant to inform the general reader and is not a substitute for medical advice from a physician or nutritional advice from a dietitian and/or nutritionist. Please refrain from starting, stopping or consuming any medication or regimen without the supervision of a trained physician. Please beware that in this emerging field of research, medications could cause adverse effects and problems not reported here. Please consult a doctor if you have chronic ailments or feel adverse side effects after starting a drug, nutrition or weight-loss regimen, and do not ingest, inject or otherwise use items to which you have sensitivities or may be allergic. Readers should consult a licensed health care professional who knows their personal medical history on matters relating to their health and well-being, including being aware of potential interactions with medications they are taking and conflicts with other wellness-related goals. Patients seeking treatment for weight loss should consult a physician trained in management of overweight or obesity.