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Drug Info

How to get Wegovy out of your system faster

Wegovy’s half-life determines how long it stays in your system
Karen Berger medical writer and reviewer headshot
By | Oct. 22, 2024
Two semaglutide pens: How to get Wegovy out of your system faster

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy remains in your system for up to five weeks due to its long half-life, and there is no way to speed up the elimination process.

  • Adjusting eating habits, staying hydrated, and incorporating gentle exercises, among other strategies, can help manage side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

  • Stopping Wegovy may lead to regaining weight, with studies showing that participants typically regain two-thirds of the weight they had lost after stopping this medication.

  • Consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your Wegovy treatment plan, especially if you’re dealing with side effects or considering stopping the medication.

In this article:

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight loss drug classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that’s administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wegovy for chronic weight management in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity. It is also approved for adults who are overweight and have a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Additionally, Wegovy is FDA approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events—including stroke, heart attack, and death—in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. 

If you are using Wegovy, you may want to know how long the medicine remains in your body, especially if you are having side effects that bother you.

How long does it take for Wegovy to get out of your system?

Wegovy can stay in your system for about five weeks and can take up to seven weeks to completely leave the body in some people.

To understand how long it takes for Wegovy to leave the body, it is useful to know what a drug’s half-life is. The half-life refers to the time it takes for approximately half of a drug to be eliminated from the body. Every medication has a different half-life, and some drugs are cleared from the system more quickly than others. Typically, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to be nearly completely eliminated from the body. It is important to remember that this process begins only after the final dose of Wegovy. If you continue taking Wegovy, the medication will stay in your system and extend the time it takes to clear it.

Wegovy has a half-life of around seven days. As a result, it may take as long as 35 days (five half-lives multiplied by seven days) for Wegovy to be almost fully cleared from your body after the last dose.

Is it possible to get medication out of your system faster?

The process by which a drug leaves your system follows a predictable pattern influenced by factors such as:

  • Half-life: This is the time it takes for about half of the drug to be cleared from your body.
  • Metabolism: This describes how your body processes and breaks down the drug.
  • Excretion: This involves the removal of the drug through means such as urine or stool.

Typically, there are no methods to speed up this process. Certain medications have specific reversal agents or antidotes that can speed up elimination. For instance, Narcan (naloxone) is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. However, these types of medicines are usually available only for particular situations and do not apply to every medication.

In most situations, the drug will be removed from your body according to its own schedule. If you are dealing with side effects or have concerns about a medication, consulting with your healthcare provider is advisable. They can provide tailored medical advice based on your individual needs and the specific drug you are using.

How to manage Wegovy side effects

Stomach-related side effects are frequently reported by individuals using Wegovy. These effects typically include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Abdominal pain (pain in the stomach area)

The length of time these side effects last can differ among individuals. Some people may experience them for a short period, such as several days or weeks, while others might endure them for a longer duration. The severity can also vary; for instance, some may have mild nausea, while others could suffer from frequent diarrhea.

Wegovy is prescribed according to a specific schedule with a gradual increase in dosage. This approach allows the body to adjust to the medication and may help in reducing gastrointestinal side effects. To further minimize the likelihood of stomach-related issues, consider the following recommendations:

  • Improve eating habits. Eat slowly and only when you feel hungry, be conscious of portion sizes, avoid distractions while eating, and stop eating when you begin to feel full.
  • Consider your food choices. Opt for easily digestible and bland foods with lower fat content. Use healthier cooking methods, such as boiling rather than frying, and increase your fluid intake with clear liquids like water.
  • Keep a food diary. Document your meals and snacks to identify any foods that may trigger side effects.
  • Exercise. Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise routine to ensure it is safe for you.

Here are additional tips for managing specific side effects of Wegovy:

  • Nausea and vomiting: Eating bland foods like crackers or apples and drinking clear liquids such as ginger ale can be helpful. Staying hydrated is important, and avoiding strong odors may also help lessen nausea.
  • Diarrhea: Drinking plenty of fluids is crucial to prevent dehydration. Adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water can help balance electrolytes. Avoid high-fiber foods like vegetables and whole grains, and opt for low-fiber options such as soup broth and rice.
  • Constipation: To alleviate constipation, increase your fiber intake by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink plenty of fluids, including water and other non-sugary beverages, and engage in regular physical activity. If constipation persists, consult your healthcare provider about using an over-the-counter stool softener.

Seek advice from your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve, or if you have any other concerns about your treatment. They can offer personalized guidance and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.

Other Wegovy side effects

In addition to the common side effects listed earlier, Wegovy can also cause serious side effects, such as:

  • Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), especially if used with insulin or certain other diabetes medications
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Diabetic retinopathy (eye damage from diabetes)
  • Allergic reactions
  • Kidney problems
  • Increased heart rate
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Wegovy has a boxed warning, which is the most serious warning required by the FDA. This warning applies to all medications containing semaglutide, including Wegovy, as well as other GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Rybelsus, which are used for Type 2 diabetes (and off-label for weight loss).

RELATED: Wegovy alternatives

The warning indicates that GLP-1 agonists have been linked to thyroid tumors in animal clinical trials. It is not known if these drugs can cause thyroid cancer in humans. The prescribing information advises that individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or a history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid GLP-1 agonists.

If you are taking a GLP-1 agonist, watch for symptoms of thyroid cancer and contact your healthcare professional right away if you experience difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, or a lump in the throat.

What happens when you stop taking Wegovy?

When discontinuing Wegovy under the guidance of a healthcare provider, several factors should be kept in mind. While Wegovy is not expected to cause withdrawal symptoms, stopping the medication may lead to a loss of its cardiovascular and weight management benefits. In fact, research published in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism found that participants regained two-thirds of the weight they had previously lost after they stopped using Wegovy. The researchers noted that this highlights the chronic nature of obesity and suggests that ongoing treatment may be necessary to maintain improvements in weight and health. It is important to maintain healthy habits, such as following a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise, even after stopping the medication. These practices can help preserve the weight loss you achieved. Without such lifestyle changes, there is a risk of regaining the lost weight.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend either stopping Wegovy or adjusting the dosage. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan, and ensure they are aware of any medical conditions you have, including pregnancy or if you’re breastfeeding, as well as all medications and supplements you are taking.