Wegovy 7.2mg is the highest injectable dose developed by Novo Nordisk. It has similar results to the maximum dose of Mounjaro, with studies showing people can lose 21% of their body weight on average when using the treatment.
The 7.2mg dose contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as lower doses, just in larger quantities. Due to this, it works in the same way by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that helps regulate appetite, slow digestion, and control blood sugar levels.
Unlike other Wegovy doses, however, 7.2mg comes in single-dose pens that are disposed of after every use. This means your order will contain four single-dose pens.
Like all weight loss treatments, you should use 7.2mg alongside healthier eating habits, increased levels of physical activity, and support from healthcare professionals.
Three key takeaways
Wegovy 7.2mg is the highest injectable dose available.
Studies show it can help people lose 21% of their body weight on average (similar to results seen with Mounjaro).
Your Wegovy 7.2mg order will include four single-dose pens. You then use one pen a week, meaning your order lasts you four weeks.
How effective is Wegovy 7.2mg?
Wegovy 7.2mg is extremely effective, helping patients in clinical trials lose an average of 21% 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.
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 nine 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 were given lifestyle guidance and dietary support to reduce their calorie intake and exercise more.
The results
Average weight loss:
7.2mg: lost between 18.7% and 20.7% of starting weight
2.4mg: 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 7.2mg dose worked best, beating both placebo and the standard 2.4mg dose.
Weight loss milestones after 72-weeks of treatment
Weight loss
2.4mg
7.2mg
5% or more
90%
90-93%
10% or more
75-78%
82-86%
15% or more
54-58%
66-70%
20% or more
33-35%
48-51%
25% or more
15-17%
31-33%
“It’s important to remember that everyone loses weight at their own pace. You might not lose the same amount of weight as others do, 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.”
You can take Wegovy 7.2mg after gradually moving up through the previous doses. This means you will have to be on 2.4mg prior to starting at the highest dose.
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 the current Wegovy eligibility 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
The single-dose Wegovy 7.2mg pen works slightly differently from the pen you use for other doses.
Instead of your pen containing four doses to be used over four weeks, the single-dose pen contains just one dose.
This means, when using the 7.2mg single-dose pen:
You should still check the quality of your pen: make sure it isn’t damaged, expired, and that the fluid through the window isn’t cloudy.
You won’t need to apply a new needle: the needle already comes attached to the single-dose pen, so you don’t need to apply it before you inject or remove it once you’re done.
You don’t need to dial your dose: this is because it contains one full dose of your treatment.
You won’t need to prime your pen: since the needle is already attached, you don’t need to check the flow of the pen.
The needle cover will lock once it is removed from your skin: this means you can’t pause or restart your injection once you begin.
Switching from 3 x 2.4mg to the single-dose pen
If you’re still taking Wegovy 7.2mg via 3 x 2.4mg injections a week, it’s easy to switch to the single-dose pens. Simply finish your existing treatment, re-order your dose with Chemsit4U, and switch to the single pen on your next dose day.
How do you dispose of the 7.2mg single-dose pen?
Since the needle can’t be removed from the single-dose pen, you will need to dispose of the whole device in a sharps bin.
Wegovy 7.2mg cost
Wegovy 7.2mg costs £295 a month, similar in price to the maximum dose of Mounjaro.
Since the newest dose of Wegovy contains more medication, it costs more than the previous highest dose of 2.4mg.
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 7.2mg 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.
Wegovy 7.2mg side effects
This STEP UP trial showed that side effects were similar to those with other GLP-1 drugs and consistent with Wegovy at lower doses.
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.
You can find out more about what to expect with our comprehensive guide to Wegovy side effects.
Comparing Wegovy 7.2mg to other weight loss treatments
Wegovy 7.2mg 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 treatments:
Clinical trials show Wegovy 7.2mg is nearly as effective as Mounjaro 15mg, making it the most effective Wegovy dose to date.
Like Mounjaro, it’s taken as a once-weekly injection, whereas Saxenda requires a daily injection.
Side effects are common with all treatments, especially gastrointestinal issues like constipation and diarrhoea. Side effects are generally more frequent at the 7.2mg Wegovy dose compared with 2.4mg.
“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.”
As of January 2026, the new dose of Wegovy 7.2mg has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to be prescribed in the UK. This follows the positive opinion of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Wegovy 7.2mg will be offered privately through providers like us, while access through the NHS will likely come later. There will need to be a health technology assessment, which tends to take 6-9 months.
Why did the manufacturer introduce a higher dose?
The manufacturer (NOVO Nordisk) is introduced 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.
Is Wegovy 7.2mg safe?
Yes. Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy 7.2mg is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, provided a clinician with experience in weight management has approved it for you and prescribed it.
Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2mg?
Yes. If you’re already on 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 from Mounjaro to Wegovy, 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 minimising side effects.
Can I get Wegovy 7.2mg on the NHS?
Wegovy 7.2mg 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 7.2mg dose if you don’t want to. If you’re happy with the weight loss you’re achieving at 2.4mg 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 showed that patients lost 21% of their starting weight on average 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.
Will my Wegovy pens arrive refrigerated?
Unlike other doses, the single pen dose of Wegovy 7.2mg will arrive refrigerated, as it needs to be kept between 2°C-8°C until it is opened.
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.
