From Preparation To Injection: How To Use The Wegovy Pen
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Mar 18, 2025
Our Levity experts created this guide to help you understand how to use the Wegovy pen so you can carry out your treatment plan with confidence.
Starting a new weight loss medication can be overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about side effects. In this article, we’ll unpack the most common side effects of liraglutide, what to expect and how to manage them.
Liraglutide is the active ingredient in daily injectable weight loss medications: Saxenda, Victoza and Compounded* Liraglutide with B12. It is a part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (or GLP-1s).
Liraglutide first gained FDA approval in 2010, under the brand name Victoza for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It was later approved for chronic weight management under the brand name Saxenda in 2014, making it one of the first daily GLP-1s to become widely available.
It works in the same way as other popular GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy (which contain the active ingredient semaglutide), by influencing three main factors:
Liraglutide helps to regulate your hunger levels by increasing satiety (feeling of fullness) and reducing your overall appetite. This makes it easier for you to eat fewer calories without the hunger pangs that come with traditional diets. [1]
Liraglutide helps to reduce your blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion when blood sugar levels are high. This helps reduce cravings for high-calorie or carbohydrate-rich [1]
Liraglutide promotes weight loss by slowing down the rate at which food leaves your stomach (delaying gastric emptying) which keeps you feeling fuller for longer. [1]
Clinical trials have shown that people taking liraglutide alongside healthy lifestyle changes like eating a reduced-calorie diet and moving more lost an average of 8% of their body weight by over 56 weeks.
In the same study, those using liraglutide with diet and exercise lost an average of 18.5 lbs, while those using just diet and exercise lost about 6.2 lbs. That means liraglutide helped people lose three times more weight, on average, than lifestyle changes alone, demonstrating the power of combining weight loss medication with sustainable habits. [2]
Everyone responds differently to liraglutide, so the timeline for experiencing side effects can vary from person to person.
It’s common to notice some side effects when you first start taking these medications or after an increase in your dosage. This happens because your body is adjusting, and these side effects usually subside within a few days to a couple of weeks. Most people find these temporary issues manageable at home.
Below we’ve listed the most common side effects of liraglutide, why they happen and management strategies to help you keep them at bay. [1]
Liraglutide helps you feel full longer by slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. Because food stays in your stomach longer, it can cause stretching, which sends signals to your brain that may lead to nausea.
To manage nausea we recommend drinking plenty of fluids (cold water, herbal teas), getting lots of fresh air, eating small and frequent meals and avoiding foods high in sugar.
Liraglutide can cause vomiting, just like it can cause nausea, because the food stays in your stomach longer and causes it to stretch. This triggers signals that are sent to the brain, which may lead to vomiting.
To prevent vomiting, we recommend staying hydrated by taking small sips of water, eating small and frequent meals and sticking to a bland diet that is easy on your stomach, such as toast, rice and bananas.
Diarrhea can happen while using liraglutide because the medication slows down how quickly food moves through your stomach, disrupting normal digestion.
To manage symptoms you should stay hydrated, eat small and frequent meals and consider taking oral rehydration salts from a pharmacist to replace lost fluids and electrolytes
Liraglutide slows down the movement of food and waste through your digestive system which may cause constipation.
To prevent this from happening, try drinking plenty of fluids, eating high-fibre foods such as prunes, figs, and oats and taking regular walks, as exercise can stimulate bowel movements.
Liraglutide can cause the likes of vomiting and diarrhea, which lead to fluid loss and dehydration - a major cause of headaches. Your treatment also directly slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which can also affect hydration levels and how your body absorbs nutrients, increasing the risk of headaches.
To manage and prevent headaches, you should drink plenty of fluids (including water and herbal teas), use simple pain relief like Acetaminophen and ensure you are getting enough sleep.
Less common side effects of liraglutide include:
Rare but side effects include:
The following symptoms could indicate pancreatitis, a serious condition that requires urgent medical attention.
The following symptoms could indicate anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention. If you experience any of the following, stop taking your medication immediately.
In clinical trials, 9 (0.3%) of Saxenda-treated patients reported suicidal ideation, compared to 0.1% of placebo. Therefore, liraglutide is not prescribed for individuals with a history of suicide attempts or current suicidal thoughts. [1]
The FDA has a black box warning for GLP-1s and their contraindication in people with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Therefore, liraglutide is not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary MTC or MEN2. [1]
You should never use liraglutide in combination with any other GLP-1 (semaglutide), GIP/GLP-1 (tirzepatide) or insulin, as they can make it difficult for your body to regulate your blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Research shows that liraglutide doesn’t interfere with how most oral medications are absorbed, including common ones like acetaminophen. That said, everyone responds differently, so it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for any changes, especially if you’re taking other medications alongside liraglutide.
If you need to take antibiotics while using liraglutide, it’s generally considered safe. However, it’s important to note that both antibiotics and GLP-1 medications can affect your digestive system, so you might notice an increase in side effects like nausea or diarrhea. This is a common experience and usually temporary.
To help you stay safe and feel your best, always let your healthcare provider know about any medications you’re taking before starting liraglutide and if there are any changes.
Liraglutide should not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs or you are trying to conceive, liraglutide should be discontinued immediately.
If you’re looking to start your weight loss journey, Levity offers Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 for just $129 for your first month and $179 per month thereafter. Find out if it is the right fit for you by taking a short online consultation.
*Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
[1] HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION These highlights do not include all the information needed to use SAXENDA® safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for SAXENDA. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use Initial U.S. Approval: 2010 FORMS AND STRENGTHS[Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/206321s007lbl.pdf
[2] Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2015 Jul 2;373(1):11–22. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
Our Levity experts created this guide to help you understand how to use the Wegovy pen so you can carry out your treatment plan with confidence.
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