Wegovy

What is Wegovy (semaglutide)?

Wegovy is a weekly weight loss injection that helps you take control of your health. This clinically proven treatment could help you lose up to 21% of your body weight[1] while protecting your heart health. In fact, it's the only weight loss injection licensed for both weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction.

How it works

Wegovy mimics GLP-1, a hormone your body already produces, acting like a volume control for hunger. Here's how it supports your weight loss goals:

• Suppresses appetite and reduces food cravings
• Keeps you feeling satisfied for longer after meals
• Slows stomach emptying so you feel full sooner
• Helps improve blood sugar control

Your treatment schedule

Available doses

• 0.25mg
• 0.5mg
• 1mg
• 1.7mg
• 2.4mg
• 7.2mg

We’ll always start you on the lowest dose and slowly build up to help your body adjust, a process known as titration. Below is what your treatment plan could look like:

• Weeks 1-4: 0.25mg weekly
• Weeks 5-8: 0.5mg weekly
• Weeks 9-12: 1mg weekly
• Weeks 13-16: 1.7mg weekly
• Week 17-20: 2.4mg weekly (your maintenance dose)
• Week 20+: 7.2mg weekly (maximum dose)

Is it right for you?

Eligibility requirements

You could be eligible for Wegovy if you:

• are 18 years or older (licensed from age 12, but we can only prescribe to adults 18+)
• have a BMI of 30+ (obesity) or a BMI of 27+ with a weight-related health condition
• are ready to make lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise
• have cardiovascular risk factors, as it offers heart protection

How much does it cost?

Prices vary as you titrate up the doses:

Why choose Wegovy?

Although Mounjaro shows higher average weight loss in clinical trials over similar timeframes (22.5% vs 21%), 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 by 20%. This means you're not just losing weight but investing in your heart health. For further reading on Wegovy's other benefits, including links between liver disease and heart failure, click the highlighted guide article.

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. For further guidance on contraception while using Wegovy, please refer to this document.

Established track record

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

Safety information

Who should not use it

It isn't suitable if you:

• are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer
• have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• are allergic to semaglutide

Common side effects

Most people experience mild side effects that improve as their bodies adjust to the medication. These may include:

• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• injection site reactions

For further information on Wegovy side effects and how to treat them, refer to the linked guide article.

Wegovy 7.2mg side effects

At the higher 7.2mg dose, there’s a greater risk of dysesthesia, an altered skin sensation that can feel like burning, tingling or electric shocks. Most cases are mild to moderate and will go away without the need to stop your treatment. However, in a small number of cases this can be long term or permanent.

There’s also an increased chance of the common gastrointestinal side effects that can come with Wegovy usage.

If you are concerned about any side effects please contact one of our clinicians or your GP. For any further information on the 7.2mg dose you can read our full comprehensive guide here: What is Wegovy 7.2mg?

How to use

Your weekly injection routine

Making Wegovy part of your weekly routine is straightforward:

• Choose a regular day and time each week that works for your schedule.
• Rotate injection sites (upper arms, stomach, or upper legs) to keep your skin healthy.
• Stay 5cm away from your belly button.
• Use a fresh needle each time for hygiene and comfort.
• Count to 6 after injecting before removing the needle to ensure you get the full dose.

Read our guide on ‘How to take Wegovy’ for detailed instructions on how to inject.

Dosing guidelines

Following your prescribed schedule is important not only for getting the best results, but also for ensuring you remain safe:

• Always stick to your prescribed dosing exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Don't try to extract doses from your pen after completing four weekly injections, as the remaining liquid is only for priming purposes and could lead to inconsistent dosing, pen problems or increased side effects.
• Avoid modifying your dosing schedule or injecting less frequently to make pens last longer, as this can reduce Wegovy's effectiveness and create gaps in your treatment that may compromise your progress.
• Always discard your pen after four doses, regardless of any liquid you can still see.

Living with Wegovy

Storage

Keep your pen refrigerated (2°C-8°C) in its original packaging to protect it from the light. For storage guidance, including the best way to travel with your pen, our 'Storage safety for weight loss injections' guide covers everything you need to know.

Food and alcohol

You can inject at any time, whether you've eaten or not. However, since it slows your digestion, you might find it more comfortable to eat smaller meals and avoid greasy or spicy foods, especially when starting or increasing your dose.

If you do decide to drink alcohol, have it in moderation. It can slow your weight loss progress and may increase nausea. Some people also find they have a lower alcohol tolerance while using Wegovy.

Check out our guide on lifestyle changes for Wegovy to ensure you’re making the most of your treatment.

Sources

• Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide 7.2 mg in Obesity: The STEP UP Trial. (2025). Novo Nordisk. [Accessed 18 March 2026].
• Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 19 January 2026].
• Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 19 January 2026].
• Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. (2022) Journal of the American Medical Association. [Accessed 18 March 2026].