Wegovy

What is Wegovy (Semaglutide)?

Wegovy is a prescription weight loss treatment that comes in the form of a once weekly self-injectable pen and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It is part of a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by helping you feel full sooner and stay satisfied for longer after eating. This makes it easier to eat less and cut back on cravings to lose weight steadily and sustainably. It is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

It has also recently been approved as a cardiovascular treatment to reduce the risk of heart-related issues like heart attack and stroke in people living with obesity.

It has been proven to be safe and effective for long-term use in the UK for adults (18+) and adolescents (12+ years old) who are obese and is only available on prescription through licensed providers. To buy Wegovy, you’ll need to meet BMI requirements (30+ or 27 with a weight-related health condition) and have a prescription from a clinician, which we can provide after a short, online consultation. This is to ensure the medication is safe and appropriate for you.

Start your Wegovy consultation

How does the Wegovy pen work?

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that works by:

Mimicing essential gut hormones that target the parts of the brain responsible for appetite, food noise and your ability to stay in control, it does this by:

• Reducing appetite: Wegovy mimics the natural ‘GLP1’ hormones released after eating, signalling your brain that you are full. This helps you feel satisfied with smaller meals and helps curb cravings, so you eat less.
• Slowing digestion: Wegovy also slows how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping you feel full longer and avoid snacking, making it easier to stick to healthier eating habits.
• Regulating blood sugar: By stabilising blood sugar and improving insulin response, Wegovy helps reduce hunger spikes. This supports weight loss and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Together, these make Wegovy one of the most effective prescription weight loss injections in the UK. It can support safe, steady, and sustainable results when combined with healthy eating and regular exercise.

Wegovy doses and dosing schedule

A typical Wegovy weight loss pen dosing schedule looks like this, however, this is not strict and the titration can depend and differ per individual.

“Wegovy arrives as injections that you administer yourself at home. You will receive a single pen (injection) containing four equal doses of Wegovy, which will last around a month. This is pre-filled and ready to use. All you need to do is inject once a week at the same time each week. You can read full instructions on how to inject Wegovy written by our experts, and if you have any difficulties, our pharmacists are here to help.

As you continue taking Wegovy, you gradually increase your dose each month or at a pace that suits you, until you reach a maintenance dose. We call this process ‘titration’. It simply means slowly increasing the amount of medication you take to give your body time to get used to it. We do this to reduce side effects and ensure you respond effectively to treatment.”

Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy

Not everyone will follow this plan exactly. Your doctor may suggest, or you might decide to:

• Stay on a lower dose for longer if you are still losing weight or need more time to adjust.
• Move back down a dose if side effects are difficult.
• Use a lower maintenance dose if you are getting good results without needing the highest dose.

This way, your treatment can be tailored to what works best for you.

Your first Wegovy dose:

Your first dose of Wegovy will be your starter dose of 0.25mg. You start on the lowest dose so we can make sure your body responds well to treatment. This also reduces your risk of side effects, as it gives your body time to get used to the medication gradually at a lower dose.

Increasing your dose

Most people tend to increase their dose every 4 weeks until they reach a maintenance dose. This is the dose you spend the majority of your treatment on as you work towards your weight-loss goals.

Increasing your dose like this is called titration. Most people titrate (increase) their dose every 4 weeks from 0.25mg to the maximum of 7.2mg, if they’re suitable. You do not have to increase your dose if you’re happy with your current dose and still achieving the results you want. You can even step down a dose if you’re getting side effects or feel more comfortable at a lower dose.

Who can take Wegovy?

You may be eligible for Wegovy privately in the UK through providers like us if you:

• are 18 years or older
• have a BMI of 30 or above (obesity)
• have a BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related health condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol)
• are committed to making lifestyle changes with diet and exercise
• have cardiovascular risk factors, as Wegovy also offers proven heart protection

If you’re not sure what your BMI is, you can use our calculator to find out now. Alternatively, our pharmacists will inform you if you are eligible during the consultation process.

How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

Why choose Wegovy?

Mounjaro and Wegovy now offer similar average weight loss across clinical trials over similar time frames. So you might be wondering what reasons there are to choose one over the other. Well, Wegovy offers advantages that might make it the right choice for your individual needs: 

Heart health

Wegovy is the only weight loss injection licensed to reduce cardiovascular risk in obsese patients. It has been shown to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 20%.. This means you're not just losing weight but investing in your heart health. Read Wegovy’s effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risk, including links between liver disease and heart failure. 

Contraception

Unlike Mounjaro's dual-action approach, Wegovy won't interfere with your oral contraception, so you can focus on your weight loss journey without worrying about whether you’re at risk of pregnancy.

Established track record

Clinical data supports Wegovy's safety and effectiveness for long-term use, giving you confidence in your treatment choice.

Wegovy progress timeline

Wegovy prices in the UK

Wegovy costs £99.00 for a starting dose through a weight loss consultation from Chemist4U. It is one of the more affordable prescription weight loss injections available privately in the UK, with prices typically ranging from around £100 to £279+ per pen (depending on dose and provider).

It is important to understand the usual cost of Wegovy. Knowing the typical price range can help you avoid fake websites or counterfeit medication because if a price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Our Wegovy prices

What’s included with Chemist4U:

With our service, you not only get authentic Wegovy injectable pens provided by licensed prescribing pharmacists, you also get:

• Ongoing support and advice from our pharmacy team throughout your treatment and maintenance
• Access to a wide range of treatments and supplements to help with side effects and nutrition
• Educational guides on managing side effects and guidance on building a healthy diet
• Regular check-ins to make sure you're progressing well, and order reminders to keep you on track
• Fast, discreet home delivery with reliable stock availability

How to inject Wegovy weight loss pens

You inject Wegovy directly into your skin using the provided pens. You will receive full instructions on how to do this safely with your order. Read our full instructions on how to inject Wegovy.

Wegovy 7.2mg is currently only available as 3 x 2.4mg pens. To safely use this dose, you should:

Storage and handling

Store your Wegovy pens in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. Once opened, you can continue to store them in the fridge or at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 42 days, as long as they are kept away from direct sunlight.

Important:

• never freeze your Wegovy pens
• do not try to heat them up
• do not use a pen if it has ever been frozen

If you are planning to travel with Wegovy, we recommend that you have a cooler bag to keep it cool and a fridge wherever you stay, especially if it is a warmer climate.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you have missed a dose of Wegovy and it has been:

Less than five days: Take your dose as soon as you remember, then carry on with your usual weekly schedule.

More than five days: Skip the missed dose. Just wait and take your next injection on your regular scheduled day.

More than two weeks: Speak to your doctor or one of our pharmacists before taking your next dose. You may need to restart at a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects and keep your treatment safe.

Wegovy side effects and safety

Wegovy can cause side effects. This is especially common when first starting treatment as your body gets used to the medication. The most common Wegovy side effects include:

• headaches
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• nausea or vomiting
• feeling weak or tired
• stomach pain

These side effects can happen to over 10% of people who take them.

Less common side effects include upset stomach, burping, bloating, acid reflux, and indigestion.

For information, read our comprehensive side effects guide.

Serious side effects:

Serious side effects are extremely rare with Wegovy, but it is important to know the signs so you can get help if you need it.

• Acute pancreatitis: Symptoms include long-lasting pain in your stomach or back which can be severe, long lasting, or both.
• Kidney or bladder stones: Symptoms include a change in urine colour or difficulty urinating and pain in your lower back and abdomen.
• Bowel obstruction: This is a severe form of constipation with symptoms like stomach aches, vomiting and bloating.
• Severe allergic reaction: Call 999 or go to A and E immediately if you have breathing problems, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, swelling, dizziness or weakness

Wegovy 7.2mg side effects

How to manage side effects

To manage and prevent side effects while taking Wegovy you should:

• eat small, regular meals
• avoid greasy, fatty foods
• avoid alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks
• make sure you are eating enough food
• stay hydrated

Is Wegovy safe long term?

Yes. Wegovy injectable pens have been shown to be safe and effective for long-term use in clinical trials. It is approved for weight management and maintenance, so people can keep taking it as long as needed to help maintain weight loss. There is also long-term safety data on Ozempic (which uses the same active ingredient), giving regulators even more confidence in its long-term use.

• Studies show Wegovy is safe to use for over 2 years
• Ozempic, the same drug at a different dose, has long-term data
• Doctors continue to monitor safety for even longer use

Living with Wegovy

While using Wegovy, it is important to make changes to your lifestyle and diet to get the best results. Wegovy works best in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Diet while on Wegovy

The best Wegovy diet focuses on foods high in protein and fibre, while avoiding greasy, high fat foods. More info on foods that help with wegovy weight loss and the ones need to avoid are explained in this Wegovy diet article.

Exercise and lifestyle support

Exercise not only helps you lose more weight but also helps you build muscle and improves energy levels and mental well-being. We understand that exercising more can be daunting, but you do not need to dive in straight away with a run. Just a little more movement daily or taking a brisk walk can make a world of difference.

Alcohol and Wegovy

It is generally safe to drink while taking Wegovy, but it is not recommended, as it can cause weight gain and lead to worse nausea. If you are going to drink, try to drink in moderation and stick to less calorie-dense alcohols, like clear spirits.

Fertility, pregnancy, and contraception

Wegovy can affect fertility, pregnancy, and certain types of contraceptives.

Trying for a baby: Stop taking Wegovy at least two months before trying to conceive. Some studies suggest potential risks to the foetus during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: We do not recommend breastfeeding while taking Wegovy, as there may be risks for both mother and baby. More research is necessary, but it is safest to avoid Wegovy during breastfeeding.

Wegovy and the contraceptive pill: Wegovy itself does not directly interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, but it can indirectly make them less reliable. This is because common side effects of Wegovy, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, can prevent the body from absorbing the pill. If you experience vomiting within 3 hours of taking the pill or prolonged diarrhoea, you may need to use a backup form of contraception, such as condoms.

Wegovy before surgery

We recommend pausing Wegovy before surgery if you will be under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, as it can increase the risk of complications like sedation aspiration (blocked airways). How long for will depend on the surgeon, but some request up to 5 weeks to allow the medication to complete wash out of your system.

Our patient’s Wegovy results

With Wegovy, our patients get results. But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve helped thousands of people significant weight with Wegovy, and they’re proud of what they’ve achieved.

See how our patients are smashing their goals with Wegovy.

Switching between treatments

You can switch between Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, but only with guidance from a prescriber with expertise in weight management treatments. 

How to switch depends on what treatment you are on and what treatment you are switching to.

From Mounjaro to Wegovy: Depending on your current dose and how you responded to treatment, you must wait between a week and 35 days after your last dose before starting Wegovy. Your starting dose will depend on your current Mounjaro dose.

From Saxenda to Wegovy: Often start Wegovy 1–2 days after your last Saxenda dose at the start dose of 0.25 mg.

Never change or combine treatments without medical guidance.

Sources

• Wegovy: what to know about the weight-loss injection. The British Heart Foundation. [Accessed 13 October 2025]
• Treatment-Obesity. The NHS.
• Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The new England Journal of Medicine.
• Patient Resources | How to take Wegovy®▼(semaglutide injection). Wegovy.
• FAQs About Wegovy® | Wegovy® (semaglutide) Injection 2.4 mg. Wegovy.
• National Library of Medicine.
• Wegovy And Pregnancy: What Happens If You Get Pregnant?. Dibesity.
• Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know. Department of Health and Social Care
• Orlistat Weight loss medicine. Patient
• Alli product use. Myalli.
• How Saxenda Works. Saxenda.