Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine is new or being used differently. Please report side effects. See the
full CMI for further details.
1. Why am I using Wegovy®?
Wegovy® contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Wegovy® is used for weight loss
and weight maintenance in addition to diet and physical activity in adults and adolescents
ages 12 years and above.
2. What should I know before I use Wegovy®?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the
ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Wegovy® and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Wegovy®?
The recommended dose is 2.4 mg once weekly.
When you first start using Wegovy®, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly.
Your doctor will instruct you to gradually increase your dose every 4 weeks until
you reach the recommended dose of 2.4 mg once weekly.
Wegovy® is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Do not inject
it into a vein or muscle.
5. What should I know while using Wegovy®?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Wegovy®.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not stop using this medicine without talking to your doctor.
Do not use this medicine if you think it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Wegovy®
affects you.
If you use this medicine in combination with a sulfonylurea (such as gliclazide or
glimepiride) or insulin, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may occur which may reduce
your ability to concentrate.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the cooling element.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® can be taken out of the refrigerator for up 6 weeks at a temperature
not above 30°C.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
During treatment with Wegovy®, you may feel sick (nausea), or be sick (vomiting),
or have diarrhoea. These side effects can cause dehydration (loss of fluids). It is
important that you drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) which could cause severe pain in the stomach
and back which does not go away, allergic reaction (skin rashes over a large part
of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue,
fast pulse, sweating) and bowel obstruction are very serious side effects for which
you may need urgent medical attention.
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification
of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems .
Active ingredient(s):
semaglutide
0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, solution for injection pre-filled pen
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Wegovy® FlexTouch®. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Wegovy® FlexTouch®.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may
harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
Where to find information in this leaflet
1. Why am I using Wegovy®?
Wegovy® contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Wegovy® is similar to a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that
is released from the intestine after a meal. Wegovy® works by acting on receptors
in the brain that control your appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry
and experience less craving for food. This will help you eat less food and reduce
your body weight.
Wegovy® is used for weight loss and weight maintenance in addition to diet and physical
activity in adults, who have
a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity), or
a BMI of 27 kg/m² and less than 30 kg/m² (overweight) and weight-related health problems.
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of your weight in relation to your height.
Wegovy® is used together with diet and physical activity for weight management in
adolescents aged 12 years and above, who have
obesity
and
body weight >60 kg.
As an adolescent patient, you should only continue using Wegovy if you have lost at
least 5% of your BMI after 12 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose or maximum tolerated dose (see
Section
4. How do I use Wegovy®?). Consult your doctor before you continue.
Wegovy® is an injection that is used once a week.
2. What should I know before I use Wegovy®?
Warnings
Do not use Wegovy® if:
You are allergic to semaglutide, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
redness, swelling, rash and itching at the injection site
rash, itching or hives on the skin
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
It is after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows
signs of tampering.
It has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal. The expiry
date refers to the last day of that month.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, and for at least two months before
a planned pregnancy because Wegovy® may harm your unborn child. Therefore, it is recommended
to use contraception while using this medicine. If you wish to become pregnant, you
should stop using this medicine at least two months in advance. If you become or are
pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby when using this
medicine, talk to your doctor straight away, as your treatment will need to be stopped.
Effects on the digestive system
During treatment with Wegovy®, you may feel sick (nausea), or be sick (vomiting),
or have diarrhoea. These side effects can cause dehydration (loss of fluids). It is
important that you drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. This is especially
important if you have kidney problems. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions
or concerns.
Inflammation of the pancreas
If you have severe and on-going pain in the stomach area – see a doctor straight away
as this could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis).
People with diabetes
Do not use Wegovy® as a substitute for insulin.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
Taking a sulfonylurea (such as gliclazide or glimepiride) or an insulin with Wegovy®
might increase the risk of getting low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). Please
see section 6 for the warning signs of low blood sugar levels.
Your doctor may ask you to test your blood sugar levels. This will help your doctor
decide if the dose of the sulfonylurea or insulin needs to be changed to reduce the
risk of low blood sugar.
Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy)
Fast improvements in blood sugar control may lead to a temporary worsening of diabetic
eye disease. If you have diabetic eye disease and experience eye problems while taking
this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Children and adolescents
This medicine is not recommended in children and adolescents under 12 years as the
safety and efficacy in this age group have not been established.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
In particular, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are using medicines containing
the following:
Warfarin or other similar medicines taken by mouth to reduce blood clotting (oral
anti-coagulants). When you start treatment with e.g., warfarin or similar medicines,
frequent blood testing to determine the ability of your blood to clot may be required.
People with diabetes
Your doctor may adjust the dose of your diabetes medicines to prevent you from getting
low blood sugar.
Do not mix Wegovy® up with other medicines that you inject (e.g., insulins).
Do not use Wegovy® in combination with other medicines that contain GLP-1 receptor
agonists (such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide or lixisenatide).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Wegovy®
.
4. How do I use Wegovy®?
How much to use
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor,
pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
Adults
The recommended dose is 2.4 mg once weekly.
Your treatment will start at a low dose which will be gradually increased over 16
weeks of treatment.
When you first start using Wegovy®, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly.
Your doctor will instruct you to gradually increase your dose every 4 weeks until
you reach the recommended dose of 2.4 mg once weekly.
Once you reach the recommended dose of 2.4 mg, do not increase this dose further.
You will be told to follow the table below.
|
Dose escalation
|
Weekly dose
|
|
Week 1-4
|
0.25 mg
|
|
Week 5-8
|
0.5 mg
|
|
Week 9-12
|
1 mg
|
|
Week 13-16
|
1.7 mg
|
|
From week 17
|
2.4 mg
|
Your doctor will assess your treatment on a regular basis.
Adolescents (above 12 years of age)
For adolescents, the same dose escalation schedule as for adults should be applied
(see above). The dose should be increased until 2.4 mg (maintenance dose) or maximum
tolerated dose has been reached. Weekly doses higher than 2.4 mg are not recommended.
As an adolescent patient, you should regularly review your treatment goals with your
doctor.
Follow the instructions provided and use Wegovy® until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to use Wegovy®
You should use this medicine once a week and if possible, on the same day each week
You can give yourself the injection at any time of the day – regardless of meals.
If necessary, you can change the day of your weekly injection of this medicine as
long as it has been at least 3 days since your last injection. After selecting a new
dosing day, continue with once a week dosing.
How Wegovy® is given
Wegovy® is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Do not inject
it into a vein or muscle.
The best places to give the injection are the fronts of your upper arm, upper legs
or stomach.
Before you use the pen for the first time, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse how
to use it.
Follow the detailed instructions on how to inject Wegovy® FlexTouch® in the instructions
for use supplied with the product. These instructions are also available via the following
hyperlink
https://medsinfo.com.au/media/noiwegof
If you forget to use Wegovy®
If you forgot to inject a dose and:
it is 5 days or less since you should have used Wegovy®, use it as soon as you remember.
Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
it is more than 5 days since you should have used Wegovy®, skip the missed dose. Then
inject your next dose as usual on your next scheduled day. Do not take a double dose
to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you use too much Wegovy®
Talk to your doctor straight away. You may get side effects such as feeling sick (nausea).
If you think that you have used too much Wegovy®, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Wegovy®?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are travelling.
Ask them for a letter explaining why you are taking injecting devices with you. Each
country you visit will need to see this letter, so you should take several copies.
You may not be able to get Wegovy® FlexTouch® in the country you are visiting.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Wegovy®.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine without talking to your doctor.
Do not use this medicine if you think it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not share your pen with anyone else.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and
carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Wegovy®
affects you.
Wegovy® is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines. Some patients
may feel dizzy when taking Wegovy® mainly during the first 3 months of treatment (see
section 6). If you feel dizzy be extra careful while driving or using machines. If
you need any further information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
People with diabetes
If you use this medicine in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin, low blood
sugar (hypoglycaemia) may occur which may reduce your ability to concentrate. Avoid
driving or using machines if you get any signs of low blood sugar. See section 2 for
information on increased risk of low blood sugar and section 6 for the warning signs
of low blood sugar.
Looking after your medicine
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the cooling element.
Wegovy® can be taken out of the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks at a temperature not
above 30°C.
Always store the pen in the original carton in order to protect from light.
Do not use this medicine if you notice that the solution is not clear and colourless.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
Discard the Wegovy® FlexTouch® pen you are using after 6 weeks even if there is still
some medicine left in it.
Dispose of used needles safely into a yellow plastic sharps container.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. The expiry date refers to the last
day of that month.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Hypoglycaemia
The warning signs of low blood sugar may come on suddenly. They can include: cold
sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling sick (nausea) or very hungry,
changes in vision, feeling sleepy or weak, feeling nervous, anxious or confused, difficulty
concentrating or shaking.
Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice
these warning signs.
Low blood sugar is more likely to happen if you also take a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Your doctor may reduce your dose of these medicines before you start using this medicine.
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Wegovy® FlexTouch® contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
semaglutide
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
propylene glycol
phenol
water for injections
sodium hydroxide/hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)
|
|
Potential allergens
|
Nil
|
Wegovy® FlexTouch® contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, i.e. essentially
‘sodium-free’.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Wegovy® FlexTouch® looks like
Wegovy® FlexTouch® is a clear and colourless solution for injection in a pre-filled
disposable pen.
Each pen contains four doses. The pack size of each strength of Wegovy® FlexTouch®
contains 1 pre-filled pen and 4 disposable NovoFine® Plus® needles.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® 0.25 mg solution for injection (Aust R 424390)
One mL of solution contains 0.68 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 1.0
mg semaglutide in 1.5 mL solution.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® 0.5 mg solution for injection (Aust R 424391)
One mL of solution contains 1.34 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 2.0
mg semaglutide in 1.5 mL solution.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® 1 mg solution for injection (Aust R 424392)
One mL of solution contains 1.34 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 4.0
mg semaglutide in 3 mL solution.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® 1.7 mg solution for injection (Aust R 424393)
One mL of solution contains 2.27 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 6.8
mg semaglutide in 3 mL solution.
Wegovy® FlexTouch® 2.4 mg solution for injection (Aust R 424394)
One mL of solution contains 3.2 mg of semaglutide. One pre-filled pen contains 9.6
mg of semaglutide in 3 mL solution.
Who distributes Wegovy®
Wegovy® is supplied in Australia by:
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd.
Level 10
118 Mount Street
North Sydney NSW 2060
Wegovy®, FlexTouch® and NovoFine® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.
© 2024
Novo Nordisk A/S
Further information
For further information call Novo Nordisk Medical Information on 1800 668 626.
Always check the following websites to ensure you are reading the most recent version
of the Wegovy® FlexTouch® consumer medicine information:
This leaflet was prepared in July 2024.