Wegovy 7.2mg is a new higher dose developed by the manufacturer of Wegovy Novo Nordisk. It’s expected to be available in the UK by early to mid 2026.
The 7.2mg dose contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide), it’s just a larger dose. Due to this, it’s administered in exactly the same way as the other doses (as a prefilled injection pen) and works in the same way by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that helps regulate appetite, slow digestion, and control blood sugar levels.
Until now, the maximum approved dose in the UK has been 2.4mg once weekly, but this higher dose will allow patients to further increase their dose if needed, helping them to lose even more weight.
As with the other Wegovy doses, treatment with 7.2mg will usually be part of a comprehensive weight management programme that includes healthy eating, exercise, and support from healthcare professionals.
Three key takeaways
Wegovy 7.2mg is a new, higher dose of Wegovy soon to be available as part of your treatment plan.
Studies show it can help people lose up to 20% of their body weight (similar to results seen with Mounjaro).
The 7.2mg dose is expected to be available in the UK by early to mid 2026.
When will Wegovy 7.2mg be available in the UK?
Wegovy 7.2mg is expected to be available in the UK by early to mid-2026. The exact timing will depend on approval following the manufacturer’s submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). UK approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) typically follows European approval by around 3–6 months.
Wegovy 7.2mg will be offered privately through providers like us within 1–2 months of MHRA approval. Access through the NHS usually comes later, after a health technology assessment, which tends to take 6–9 months.
Wegovy 7.2mg availability timeline
Now (2025): Wegovy 7.2mg is not yet available in the UK. The manufacturer is expected to submit data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Late 2025 – Early 2026: Possible EMA approval in Europe.
Early – Mid 2026: Expected MHRA approval in the UK (typically 3–6 months after EMA approval).
1–2 months after MHRA approval: Private availability in the UK through providers like us.
6–9 months after MHRA approval: Expected NHS availability, following a health technology assessment.
Wegovy 7.2mg cost
Wegovy 7.2 mg is expected to cost between £250 and £300, but prices have not yet been confirmed. It will likely cost more than the current highest dose of 2.4 mg, which ranges from £150 to £250 depending on the provider. This is because the 7.2 mg dose contains more of the medication and costs more to produce.
Confirmed prices will be available closer to launch, after regulatory approval. If you need help budgeting for Wegovy or any other weight loss treatment, our clinicians are here to advise and support you.
How effective is Wegovy 7.2mg?
Wegovy 7.2mg is extremely effective, helping patients in clinical trials lose up to 20% of their starting weight over 72 weeks. Let’s take a closer look at these clinical trials and how they proved just how effective Wegovy 7.2mg can be.
The STEP UP clinical trial
This clinical trial was put together to test the efficacy and safety of Wegovy (semaglutide) 7.2mg in obese patients.
Trial length: 72 weeks of treatments and nice weeks of follow-up (81 weeks total)
How it worked: Randomised trial, double blind, placebo-controlled. This means neither group of patients were aware whether they got Wegovy or the placebo.
Participants: 1407 adults with obesity (a BMI of 30 or above)
Average age: 47
Gender: 74% women, 26% men
Average starting weight: 113kg
Average BMI: 39.9
The trial was broken down into three groups:
Patients given the Wegovy 7.2mg injection
Patients given the Wegovy 2.4mg injection
Patients given the placebo
All participants where given lifestyle guidance and dietary support to reduce their calorie intake and exercise more.
The results
Average weight loss:
7.2 mg: lost between 18.7% and 20.7% of starting weight
2.4 mg: lost between 15.6% and 17.5% of starting weight
Placebo: lost between 2.4% and 3.9% of starting weight
While each group lose weight, the higher 7.2 mg dose worked best, beating both placebo and the standard 2.4 mg dose.
Weight loss milestones after 72-weeks of treatment
Weight loss
7.2 mg
2.4 mg
Placebo
5% or more
90–93%
~90%
37%
10% or more
82–86%
75–78%
20%
15% or more
66–70%
54–58%
8%
20% or more
48–51%
33–35%
3%
25% or more
31–33%
15–17%
0%
Side effects shown:
This trial showed that side effects were similar to those with other GLP-1 drugs and consistent with Wegovy at lower doses.
How many were affected? 71% (7.2 mg) vs 61% (2.4 mg) vs 43% (placebo).
How severe were they? They were mostly mild to moderate.
Nerve-related skin sensations (dysesthesia):
How many were affected? 23% (7.2 mg) vs 6% (2.4 mg) vs <1% (placebo).
How severe were they? Mostly mild. Most patients recovered while still on treatment.
Serious side effects: Rare (6.8% on 7.2 mg).
Stopping due to side effects: 5.4% (7.2 mg) vs 4% (2.4 mg) vs 1% (placebo).
Summary of the STEP Up trial:
The 7.2mg dose was shown to be much more powerful than the current highest dose of 2.4mg.
The 7.2mg dose helped almost half of the patients participating lose 20% or more of their weight over 72 weeks.
Side effects were more common at the higher dose, but were usually manageable.
Overall, the trial showed that Wegovy 7.2mg would be a great option for continuing treatment with Wegovy to lose more weight following the 2.4mg dose.
“While the results of these clinical trials are very promising, it’s important to remember that everyone loses weight at their own pace. You might not lose the same amount of weight as they did, or you might lose more. What’s important is that you’re taking positive steps to improve your health by losing weight. We’ll be here to guide you through this journey and make sure you’re on the best treatment (and dose!) for your health and goals.”
Most people can take Wegovy 7.2mg as long as they’re already taking Wegovy at the 2.4mg and tolerating it well.
This is because it’s the same medication with the same ingredients, just at a higher dose. You will still need approval from your clinician and a prescription before moving to this dose.
If you’re new to Wegovy or weight loss injections, you won’t start on 7.2mg straight away. Instead, you’ll need to gradually increase your dose over time from a lower dose. This step-up approach helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the chance of side effects.
You’ll also need to meet BMI and health criteria to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you to take. This is currently:
A body mass index (BMI) of 30
A BMI over 27 and a weight-related medical condition or risk factor, like high blood pressure
What does Wegovy 7.2mg mean for my weight loss journey?
What Wegovy 7.2mg means for your weight loss journey will depend on what treatment you’re on and what stage of it.
If you haven’t started treatment yet
Wegovy 7.2mg might make Wegovy a more appealing option for you. With it, you’ll now be able to lose a similar amount of weight to Mounjaro at a more accessible price point.
You’re already on Wegovy
If you’re already on Wegovy, Wegovy 7.2mg means you may be able to increase your dose to lose more weight.
If you’re already on maintenance or you’re just happy with your current dose, you do not need to switch to the higher dose and can continue losing weight how you’re most comfortable.
You’re on a different treatment
If you’re not currently on Wegovy, the new 7.2 mg dose could be a reason to consider switching treatments if you feel it may better help you achieve your goals. With this higher dose, Wegovy now delivers results that are very similar to Mounjaro, but at a lower price point.
Comparing Wegovy 7.2mg to other weight loss treatments
Wegovy 7.2 mg has been shown to deliver almost the same level of weight loss as the highest dose of Mounjaro, and significantly more than Saxenda. Here’s how this new dose compares with other weight loss injections:
Wegovy 7.2 mg is likely to be cheaper than Mounjaro but more expensive than Saxenda. It will also cost more than the current highest Wegovy dose (2.4 mg).
Clinical trials show Wegovy 7.2 mg is nearly as effective as Mounjaro, making it the most effective Wegovy dose to date — and significantly more effective than Saxenda.
Like Mounjaro, it is taken as a once-weekly injection, whereas Saxenda requires a daily injection.
Saxenda contains liraglutide, Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, and both Wegovy doses contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide.
Side effects are common with all treatments, especially gastrointestinal issues like constipation and diarrhoea. Side effects are generally more frequent at the 7.2 mg Wegovy dose compared with 2.4 mg.
“There is no ‘best weight loss treatment’. Instead, it’s about finding the best treatment for you. Everyone responds differently to different medications and has different needs. You may need something more cost effective, or you may get more side effects with a certain treatment. These things affect your weight loss journey and they’re important to consider. You can always change treatment and explore your options with our help. What’s most important is looking after your health, and we’ll be here to make sure it always comes first.”
Why did the manufacturer introduce a higher dose now?
The manufacturer (NOVO Nordisk) is introducing the higher dose now after clinical trials showed it to be both more effective than the current highest dose and safe. They want to introduce it quickly to help patients lose more weight and continue their journey with Wegovy.
Before it can become available, the results must be submitted to regulators for review, which is a process that takes more time. So even though the manufacturer is moving fast, there is always a long gap between the start of a trial and when a new treatment finally reaches patients.
Is Wegovy 7.2mg safe?
Yes. Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy 7.2mg is safe, provided a clinician has approved it for you and prescribed it.
What are the side effects?
The side effects of Wegovy 7.2 mg are the same as those seen with other Wegovy doses, since it’s the same medication. Clinical trials showed that side effects at the higher dose were common, particularly gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. The study also reported that some patients experienced nerve-related skin sensations (known as dysesthesia), but in most cases these went away on their own during treatment.
Yes. If you’re already on the highest of Wegovy (2.4mg), you should be able to switch to the new dose if your clinician thinks it’s right for you.
If you’re on a different weight loss medication, you can switch to Wegovy, but you’ll need to start at a lower dose before working your way up to 7.2mg.
Can I switch to it from another treatment?
You can switch to Wegovy from another treatment, but you won’t be able to switch directly to 7.2mg. You’ll most likely need to switch to a lower dose first and work your way up to 7.2mg so your body can get used to the new medication while minimizing side effects.
Can I get Wegovy 7.2mg on the NHS?
Wegovy 7.2 mg is likely to become available on the NHS, but not for some time. NHS approval usually takes around 6–9 months longer than private approval.
As with other weight loss treatments, access on the NHS will probably be more limited, with stricter eligibility criteria. For example, patients may need to have a BMI over 35 to qualify. In addition, Wegovy will likely only be prescribed through an NHS weight management programme.
If I’m already on the highest dose of Wegovy, will I need to switch?
No, you do not need to switch to the 7.2 mg dose if you don’t want to. If you’re happy with the weight loss you’re achieving at 2.4 mg and would like to stay on that dose as your maintenance dose, you can.
How much weight can I lose on Wegovy 7.2mg?
Clinical trials have shown that most patients lose up to 21% of their starting weight over 72 weeks, with some patients losing even more. In these same trials, around 33% of patients lost 25% or more of their weight in that time.
How much weight you lose depends on several factors, including your starting weight, how closely you follow a healthy diet, and how much exercise you do. It also depends on how the medication affects you. Everyone responds differently, and some people lose weight faster than others. There are also steps you can take to help increase your weight loss while on Wegovy.
Chemist 4 U uses cookies (and other techniques) to enhance your shopping experience.
Read more about our cookie policy, terms and conditions and privacy statement. By continuing on this site and accepting our cookies you agree to the collection of information on this basis by us and by third parties on the platform as well as direct email marketing. Please customise your cookie settings below.
Find out more about our data policies.
