What Wegovy Alternatives are Available?

Wegovy has become very popular recently, with shortages of the drug developing across the United States. This is because it is a very effective weight loss drug — a 2022 literature review showed that some study participants lost up to 37.5 pounds (17 kilograms) of body weight while using the drug — but people can regain lost weight after stopping the drug.

Currently, there is a shortage of drugs like Wegovy that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. For this reason, people may wish to seek an alternative.

For those who cannot get Wegovy or want to try a different drug, alternatives are available. This article examines Wegovy’s availability, alternative options, and where to get them.

Due to the drug’s popularity, the company has faced challenges in keeping pace with demand. However, in 2023, Novo Nordisk, Wegovy’s supplier, announced that it established new production sites to increase supply.

Although all doses are available at pharmacies, Novo Nordisk writes that it currently produces limited amounts of the lower doses, including 0.25, 0.5, and 1 milligram (mg) options.

The company advises people to discuss their treatment plans with a doctor and organize their Wegovy prescription refills a few weeks ahead to have the best chance of keeping up with their treatment plan.

In 2023, there was a Wegovy shortage due to high demand for the drug. This prompted some individuals to find an alternative treatment.

There is no generic form of Wegovy, which makes the product expensive. Some people may be unable to afford this as a long-term treatment, especially for off-label use. Therefore, an alternative drug may be preferred.

Some people may experience unpleasant side effects when taking Wegovy. If this occurs, a doctor may suggest trying an alternative medication.

Doctors do not recommend that certain people take Wegovy. For example, those with a family or personal history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) are advised to avoid Wegovy.

Additionally, some people may be uncomfortable with the idea of injectable medications. In this situation, a doctor may recommend an alternative non-injectable drug.

Some people may want to consider alternatives to Wegovy if they cannot get their desired dose or if Wegovy is unsuitable.

Some alternatives we cover in further detail in the section below include:

• Orlistat: This is available in capsule form, making it most suited to those who feel uncomfortable injecting medications.
• Contrave: Contrave is an oral extended-release drug, which may make its effects last longer.
• Saxenda: A similar medication to Wegovy, Saxenda involves injecting the drug for long-term weight management.
• Qsymia: Another oral medication, Qsymia also works by suppressing appetite and improving satiety. However, it is currently very difficult to obtain Qsymia and many of the previous stockists no longer carry it.
• Alli: Alli is an over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy for those without a prescription.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Orlistat

Orlistat belongs to a class of medications called lipase inhibitors and is FDA approved for weight management. It helps prevent the intestines from absorbing around 30% of the free fatty acids from a person’s food. The body then gets rid of the unabsorbed fats through bowel movements.

Orlistat is available as a capsule. Research from 2022 recommends taking it three times daily within 1 hour of eating a fatty meal.

The study also notes that healthcare professionals may not recommend orlistat to people who are pregnant or have:

Pharmacies and telehealth companies stock orlistat. These include:

• Blink Health
• CVS Pharmacy
• PlushCare
• Walmart

Contrave

Contrave is an FDA-approved medication that contains two active drugs: naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, an antidepressant. It aims to reduce hunger and cravings. As an oral extended-release drug, it releases the medication slowly, and its effects can last longer.

The authors of a 2019 study found that bupropion-naltrexone weight loss drugs resulted in weight loss of around 5%, although other drugs were more effective.

According to the National Library of Medicine, individuals can take two tablets daily but not with a high fat meal. It can cause several side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).

The doctor may have to adjust the dose if a person takes other medications, including:

Contrave is available from:

• CVS Pharmacy
• Blink Health
• PlushCare
• Walgreens

Learn more about Contrave.

Saxenda

Saxenda is an FDA-approved injectable GLP-1 drug for long-term weight management. It is for people ages 12 years and older with obesity. This includes people who weigh over 132 pounds (lb) and those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 corresponding to their age and sex.

The FDA notes that those who use Saxenda may lose around 2.65% of their body weight. However, people should use it in conjunction with following a calorie-restricted diet and increased exercise.

However, it is not safe for everyone, including those who are pregnant, allergic to liraglutide, or have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

People can get prescription discounts through Optum and get Saxenda from the following pharmacies:

• CVS Pharmacy
• Walmart
• Walgreens
• Target
• Meijer

Learn more about Saxenda.

Alli

Alli is the branded version of Orlistat and is the only over-the-counter medication with FDA approval for weight loss.

Its manufacturer states that Alli is for those ages 18 years and older and is effective in combination with regular exercise and following a reduced-calorie diet.

The manufacturer warns that it may not be a suitable drug for people who have had an organ transplant. It may also be unsuitable for people with:

Where to get Alli over the counter

A person can get Alli without a prescription from the following suppliers:

Below is a comparison of all the above medications, including Wegovy.

There are a range of diabetes medications that may result in some weight loss. These include:

These drugs do not hold FDA approval for weight loss or management. However, healthcare professionals may prescribe them off-label sometimes as part of a weight management treatment plan.

Off-label use means that a doctor prescribes a drug for a different condition or at a different dosage than the FDA has approved.

Learn more about off-label use.

Some people choose to come off Wegovy because they have achieved their health goals on the drug, they do not like the side effects it can produce, or they cannot obtain the drug due to shortages.

It is not necessary to come off Wegovy slowly. However, a person should notify a doctor before coming off Wegovy so they can support them as they adjust to being off the drug. For instance, people may regain some of their lost weight after stopping Wegovy, their appetite and cravings may return, and their blood sugar levels may change.

One study found that people who stopped using semaglutide for a year gained back almost 66% of their weight loss. While lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet and doing regular exercise, can help keep weight off, people may have to keep taking the drug, which can be costly in the long run.

These changes can be distressing for some people, and support from a healthcare professional is important.

People should speak with a doctor about their weight loss goals, including their reasons for losing weight, and how they would like to lose it.

The American Medical Association (AMA) lists some questions that a person may ask a doctor:

• How do weight loss medications work?
• Do weight loss medications cause side effects?
• What makes me a good candidate for weight management medication?
• Does medication lead to weight loss without exercising?
• How long does it take to notice improvement?
• Does insurance cover the cost of medication?

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about Wegovy alternatives.

Wegovy is a prescription weight management medication for people with obesity or overweight in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. There is a Wegovy shortage in the United States, so people may consider alternatives such as Saxenda, Alli, or Contrave.

People should always discuss weight loss with a doctor and ensure that weight loss medication is safe for them to use.