At a glance
Once weekly
A single injection each week.
Same as Ozempic
Contains semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic.
~15–21% average loss
Depending on dose and trial.
New 7.2 mg dose
Higher-dose maintenance option, studied in the STEP UP programme.
What is Wegovy Injection?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight-management injection for adults living with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related health condition. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist — it mimics a natural gut hormone that regulates appetite, so you feel fuller sooner and for longer, and cravings reduce. It’s designed to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, and it shares its active ingredient with Ozempic.
Wegovy is also licensed to help lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in eligible adults with established heart disease who are living with obesity or overweight.
How it works
Semaglutide acts on the appetite centres of the brain and slows how quickly the stomach empties, which reduces hunger and helps you eat less. It also supports insulin release and helps regulate blood sugar. Treatment starts low and steps up gradually to help your body adjust and reduce side effects.
Wegovy doses
Wegovy comes in pre-filled pens. Treatment follows a step-up schedule over the first months, moving through the strengths under prescriber guidance until you reach your maintenance dose. Never increase your dose without advice, and never take more than one dose a week.
| Dose | Stage |
|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | Starting dose (first 4 weeks) |
| 0.5 mg | Titration |
| 1 mg | Titration |
| 1.7 mg | Titration |
| 2.4 mg | Standard maintenance |
| 7.2 mg NEW | Higher-dose maintenance option |
About the new 7.2 mg dose
The 7.2 mg strength is a higher-dose maintenance option for people with obesity who may benefit from more than the standard 2.4 mg. Per the SmPC, it is reached only after a minimum of 4 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose, and is given as either a single 7.2 mg injection or three 2.4 mg injections one after another, depending on the device. Its efficacy was assessed in the STEP UP trial programme; as with the other strengths, it is reached through gradual dose escalation.
Whether the 7.2 mg dose is right for you is a decision for your prescriber, based on your response and tolerance. The SmPC notes some effects are reported more often at 7.2 mg — see side effects below.
How to use it
Wegovy is injected once a week, on the same day each week, into the thigh, abdomen or upper arm — rotating the site each time. If it’s a new pen, check the flow first as described in the leaflet. You can inject at any time of day, with or without food. For the 7.2 mg dose specifically, depending on your device you’ll either use a single 7.2 mg pen or give three 2.4 mg injections one after another (at least 5 cm apart, changing the needle each time). Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and the patient information leaflet.
Is it right for you?
Who it's for
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or above
- Or BMI 27+ with a weight-related condition (e.g. high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea)
- Used with diet and increased activity
Do not use if you
- Have a history of pancreatitis
- Have certain thyroid conditions or cancers
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy
- Are allergic to semaglutide or any ingredient
Tell your prescriber if you have kidney or liver problems, an eating disorder, mental-health difficulties, a history of low blood sugar, or diabetic eye disease. This isn’t a full list — your prescriber reviews your complete history.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Wegovy can cause side effects. Most are digestive, tend to appear when starting or increasing a dose, and usually ease over time.
At the 7.2 mg dose, the SmPC reports some effects more often than at 2.4 mg — notably hair loss (about 5 in 100, more common in those losing ≥20% of their weight) and altered skin sensation such as tingling or numbness (dysaesthesia). These were mostly mild to moderate and often settled during continued treatment.
| Frequency | Effects |
|---|---|
| Very common | Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, tiredness |
| Common | Dizziness, indigestion, burping, wind, bloating, gastritis, reflux, gallstones, hair loss, injection-site reactions, low blood sugar (in diabetes) |
| Uncommon / serious | Fast heartbeat; inflamed pancreas (severe, lasting stomach pain); serious allergic reactions — seek urgent help |
When to seek urgent help
Severe or persistent stomach pain (possible pancreatitis), or signs of a serious allergic reaction — swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing. Contact your GP or NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999.
Frequently asked questions
It’s a higher-dose maintenance option, reached only after at least 4 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose. Depending on the device it’s given as one 7.2 mg injection or three 2.4 mg injections in a row. It was studied in the STEP UP trial programme; your prescriber decides if it’s appropriate for you.
In the STEP trials the typical patient on the standard 2.4 mg dose lost around 15% of their body weight, with many losing more. The higher 7.2 mg dose was studied separately in the STEP UP programme. Results depend on dose, diet, activity and individual response.
Once a week, on the same day, injected into the thigh, abdomen or upper arm, rotating the site. It can be taken with or without food, at any time of day.
If it’s 5 days or less since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue as normal. If it’s more than 5 days, skip it and take your next dose on the usual day. Never double up.
No. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine, supplied only after a prescriber confirms it’s suitable for you.
No — Wegovy should not be used with other semaglutide products or other GLP-1 medicines. Tell your prescriber everything you take.
Clinical review
Medically reviewed by
Tayebah Mahmood
Superintendent Pharmacist · GPhC 2216310
Page status
Last updated: 6th July 2026
Checked against the Wegovy SmPC/PIL
References & sources
- Wegovy (semaglutide) SmPC & Patient Information Leaflet — emc (medicines.org.uk/emc).
- Wegovy 7.2 mg SmPC — emc, product 102093 (last updated 21 Apr 2026; reference only, not currently marketed in UK). STEP UP programme data for the 7.2 mg dose.
- NICE guidance on semaglutide for weight management — nice.org.uk
- MHRA Yellow Card scheme — yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
For UK audiences; general information only, not a substitute for your prescriber’s advice or the Patient Information Leaflet. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine.
