Wegovy Launches in South Africa: How a Wegovy Prescription Works
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There is news for South Africans who are managing their weight. Wegovy® (semaglutide), a prescription weight-loss injection, is officially launching in South Africa on 18 August 2025.
This adds to the treatment options available for people living with obesity or weight-related health risks.
What Is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection containing semaglutide, a medication in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Wegovy was created by Novo Nordisk, the same pharmaceutical company that created Ozempic. Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, Semaglutide, but are registered for different indications. Ozempic is registered for diabetes, whereas Wegovy is registered for weight management.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy works by:
- Reducing appetite,
- Slowing stomach emptying,
- Helping regulate blood sugar levels.
Wegovy can also be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Wegovy reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke (along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity).
When combined with a healthy lifestyle, Wegovy can lead to clinically significant and sustained weight loss.
Who Is Wegovy For?
Wegovy is approved for adults with:
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30), or
- Overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Important: Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine. You will need to be assessed by a doctor before starting treatment.
What Results Can You Expect?
In clinical trials, patients on Wegovy, combined with lifestyle changes, lost on average:
- 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
Many also saw improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
How to Get Wegovy in South Africa
From 18 August 2025:
- Wegovy will initially be available from select registered pharmacies, with nationwide availability expected in the near future.
- You will need a valid prescription from a registered medical doctor. You can get a prescription for Wegovy at Online Doctor SA.
- Online Doctor SA provides online consultations to assess your eligibility and issue prescriptions for Wegovy where appropriate.
Steps to Get a Wegovy Prescription in South Africa
To start the process for a Wegovy prescription:
- Complete your Online Doctor SA clinical form
- Await assessment from registered South African medical doctors.
- Receive your prescription directly to your email. Use the prescription at your pharmacy to purchase the medication.
If you think this treatment may be right for you, you can read more about semaglutide for weight management and a registered doctor will assess whether it is appropriate.
*Links for further information:
https://www.wegovy.com/
https://onlinedoctorsa.co.za/wegovy-weight-loss-semaglutide-south-africa/
