Your guide to weight loss medication

Quick start: how to take your medicine

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)

• Take once daily first thing in the morning with a small sip of plain water (≤120 mL / 4 oz).
• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other oral medicines. Taking it with food or other drinks reduces absorption.

Wegovy

• Inject once weekly on the same day each week (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm; rotate sites).
  
  • Watch the video here if this is your first time using the pen: Wegovy video guide
• Missed dose rules: if the next dose is >48 hours away, take it when remembered; if <48 hours, skip and resume on schedule. If you miss ≥2 weeks, ask the clinic how to restart.
  

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What to eat

Core goals

• Protein: aim roughly 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day (higher if you lift weights), spaced across meals (e.g., 20–40 g/meal). Helps retain muscle while losing fat and keeps you full.
• Fiber: target 25–35 g/day from vegetables, legumes, whole grains; helps regularity and fullness.
• Carbohydrates & fats: choose minimally processed carbs (veg, whole grains, fruit) and mostly unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, fish).
• Meal structure: smaller meals, chew slowly, stop at “comfortably full.” This pairs well with GLP-1 medicines’ slower stomach emptying.

If you feel nauseated (common early on)

• Prefer bland, low-fat foods (toast, crackers, rice; light soups), avoid greasy/spicy meals, don’t lie down right after eating, and consider separating liquids from meals if queasy.

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Hydration (especially important on GLP-1s)

• Daily total fluid needs (from drinks + food) are about 3.7 L for men and 2.7 L for women; warm climates, exercise, and illness may increase needs. Sip fluids regularly through the day.
• If you have vomiting/diarrhoea, use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or clear broths; take frequent small sips and pause briefly if you feel more nauseated.
• Signs you need more fluids: very dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth, fast heartbeat—call the clinic if these persist or worsen.

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Exercise

GLP-1 medications will result in significant muscle loss without exercise. Hence, we strongly recommend you exercise regularly

Minimums that work

• 150 min/week of moderate aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening ≥2 days/week.

A smart, simple weekly plan

• 3 days of brisk walking/cycling/swimming (30–45 min each).
• 2–3 days of resistance training (full-body: squats, rows/pulls, pushups/presses, hinges).
• Optional: 1–2 short interval sessions once you’re comfortable.
  

Tip: Track steps or sessions; progressive overload (slowly increasing weights/reps) helps maintain muscle during weight loss.

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Common side effects & what to do

Very common (usually improve over weeks):

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, reflux, burping, headache, fatigue.
• Try the dietary tips above; stay hydrated; consider ginger or peppermint tea; light movement after meals can help. Manufacturer tip set again: bland, low-fat meals and staying upright after eating.

Less common but important: when to call us urgently or go to urgent care

• Severe, persistent upper stomach pain (may radiate to back), with/without vomiting → possible pancreatitis.
• Right-upper-quadrant pain, fever, jaundice → possible gallbladder problem.
• Signs of dehydration/acute kidney issues: very low urine, dizziness, confusion (especially if vomiting/diarrhoea).
• Allergic reaction: swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing.
  

Hypoglycaemia risk: Semaglutide itself rarely causes low sugar, but risk increases if you also use insulin or sulfonylureas. Know symptoms (shakiness, sweating, confusion) and notify your doctor promptly.

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Storage & handling

• Wegovy pens: keep refrigerated before first use. After first use, most pens can be kept refrigerated or at room temperature and must be discarded 56 days after first use (check your specific pen’s insert). Keep caps on; protect from heat/light; never share pens.
• Rybelsus tablets: store at room temperature in the original, closed bottle until use.

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