Many people with obesity or overweight also have elevated cholesterol, making the question of whether Wegovy and statins can be taken together highly relevant. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed for weight management, whilst statins are lipid-lowering medicines that reduce cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. The good news is that these medicines work through entirely different mechanisms and can generally be used safely together. This article examines the evidence, safety considerations, and practical guidance for patients taking both medicines concurrently, helping you understand how to manage this common treatment combination effectively.

Can You Take Wegovy with Statins?

Yes, you can generally take Wegovy (semaglutide) alongside statins. According to the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), concomitant use with statins is not contraindicated and no clinically significant interactions are expected. Many patients safely use both medicines concurrently. This combination is actually quite common in clinical practice, as both medicines address different aspects of cardiometabolic health that frequently coexist in the same individuals.

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed for weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or those who are overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related health condition. Statins, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin, are lipid-lowering medicines prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Many people who require weight management also have elevated cholesterol, making the concurrent use of these medicines a logical therapeutic approach.

It's important to note that neither statins nor Wegovy should be used during pregnancy. Statins are contraindicated in pregnancy, and Wegovy should be discontinued at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

This article provides evidence-based information about combining Wegovy with statins, exploring how each medicine works, safety considerations, current evidence, and when to seek medical advice. It is intended for educational purposes and should not replace personalised medical guidance from your GP or prescriber.

How Wegovy and Statins Work in the Body

Understanding how Wegovy and statins function helps explain why they can be used together. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism. Semaglutide works primarily by:

• Slowing gastric emptying, which prolongs the feeling of fullness after eating

• Acting on appetite centres in the brain to reduce hunger and food intake

• Improving insulin secretion in response to meals (glucose-dependent mechanism)

• Reducing glucagon secretion, which helps regulate blood sugar levels

These mechanisms lead to reduced calorie intake and, consequently, weight loss. Wegovy is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection, with doses gradually increased over several months (starting at 0.25 mg and escalating to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg) to improve tolerability.

Statins work through an entirely different mechanism. They inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in cholesterol production in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, statins:

• Reduce the liver's production of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

• Increase the liver's ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream

• Provide modest increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in some patients

• Reduce triglyceride levels to varying degrees depending on the specific statin

Because Wegovy and statins act through separate pathways—one affecting appetite and metabolism, the other targeting cholesterol synthesis—they do not typically interfere with each other's mechanisms of action. According to the Wegovy SmPC, no clinically relevant interaction was observed with atorvastatin, and no CYP-mediated interactions are expected with statins.

Safety Considerations When Combining Wegovy and Statins

Whilst there are no direct interactions between Wegovy and statins, several safety considerations warrant attention when using both medicines together. The most important principle is monitoring for the side effects of each medicine individually, as combining treatments does not typically create new adverse effects but may require careful management of existing ones.

Common side effects of Wegovy include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. These effects are usually most pronounced when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Statins, meanwhile, can occasionally cause muscle-related symptoms (myalgia), digestive upset, and, rarely, liver enzyme elevations. When taking both medicines, it is important to distinguish which medicine might be responsible for any new symptoms.

Key safety considerations include:

• Hydration and nutrition: Wegovy's gastrointestinal effects may reduce fluid and food intake. Maintaining adequate hydration is important

• Muscle symptoms: Statins can rarely cause muscle pain or weakness. If you develop unexplained muscle symptoms whilst taking both medicines, contact your GP, as this may require investigation

• Liver function: For statins, NICE recommends liver function tests at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. No routine liver monitoring is required for Wegovy alone

• Blood glucose monitoring: If you have diabetes, Wegovy may improve blood sugar control, potentially requiring adjustment of insulin or sulfonylureas to avoid hypoglycaemia

• Gallbladder disease: Wegovy may increase the risk of gallbladder problems, particularly with rapid weight loss. Contact your GP if you experience right upper abdominal pain, fever or jaundice

Wegovy may slow the absorption of oral medicines due to delayed gastric emptying. However, this effect has not been shown to significantly impact statin effectiveness. Most statins can be taken at any time of day, though simvastatin is traditionally taken in the evening. There is no need to separate the timing of your statin tablet from your weekly Wegovy injection.

What the Evidence Says About Taking Wegovy with Statins

Clinical trial data supports the safe concurrent use of Wegovy and statins. The pivotal STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity) clinical trial programme, which led to Wegovy's approval, included participants taking various concomitant medicines, including statins. No significant safety signals or drug interactions were identified in these studies.

In the STEP 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2021), which enrolled over 1,900 adults with obesity or overweight, a substantial proportion of participants were taking lipid-lowering medicines at baseline. The trial demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg (the Wegovy dose) was effective and well-tolerated regardless of baseline medicine use, including statins. Participants achieved an average weight loss of approximately 15% of body weight over 68 weeks, with no evidence that concurrent statin use diminished this effect.

Interestingly, weight loss achieved with Wegovy may provide additional cardiovascular benefits beyond those offered by statins alone. The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2023), demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity who did not have diabetes. Many participants in this trial were taking statins as part of standard cardiovascular care, suggesting complementary rather than competing effects.

NICE guidance on cardiovascular disease prevention recommends a comprehensive approach including lifestyle modification, weight management where appropriate, and lipid-lowering therapy. The combination of Wegovy and statins aligns with this multifaceted strategy. However, it is important to note that there is no official guidance specifically addressing this combination, as treatment decisions should be individualised based on clinical need, tolerability, and patient preference.

Post-marketing surveillance through systems like the MHRA Yellow Card scheme continues to monitor the safety of Wegovy in routine clinical practice, including when used with other medicines like statins.

When to Speak with Your GP or Prescriber

You should always inform your GP or prescriber about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal products. This is particularly important before starting Wegovy if you are already taking a statin, or before starting a statin if you are already using Wegovy.

Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly if accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as this may indicate pancreatitis (a rare but serious side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists)

• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by dark urine or fatigue, as this may indicate a rare muscle condition associated with statins

• Symptoms of dehydration such as dizziness, reduced urination, or extreme thirst, particularly if experiencing significant gastrointestinal side effects from Wegovy

• Right upper abdominal pain, fever or jaundice, which may indicate gallbladder problems (more common with Wegovy, especially during rapid weight loss)

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, which may indicate liver problems

• Allergic reactions such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing

Regular monitoring is important when taking statins. Your GP may recommend blood tests to check liver function at baseline, 3 months and 12 months, as well as periodic lipid profiles to assess effectiveness. If you have diabetes, more frequent blood glucose monitoring may be appropriate, as Wegovy can improve glycaemic control and may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia if you take insulin or sulfonylureas.

Before starting Wegovy, discuss with your prescriber:

• Your complete medicine list, including the specific statin and dose you are taking

• Any history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thyroid disease (especially medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2), or diabetic retinopathy

• Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy (both statins and Wegovy should be avoided in pregnancy; Wegovy should be stopped at least 2 months before planned conception)

• Whether you have experienced muscle problems with statins previously

• Your weight loss goals and expectations

If you are considering stopping either medicine, do not do so without consulting your healthcare provider. Both Wegovy and statins are typically prescribed for long-term management of chronic conditions, and discontinuation should be a shared decision based on clinical assessment.

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions