Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

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's part of a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

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

The starting dose is 0.25mg, up to a maximum dose of 7.2mg. Studies have shown that Wegovy can help you lose an average of 21% of your body weight over time. 

Wegovy 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. It is only available on prescription through licensed providers like Chemist4U. 

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 that the medication is safe and appropriate for you.

Start your Wegovy consultation

Who manufactures Wegovy?

Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company that was founded in 1923. Novo Nordisk also manufactures Ozempic and Rybelsus, which also contain semaglutide, and are used to treat diabetes.  

How does Wegovy work?

There are three main ways Wegovy works to help you lose weight: 

• It reduces your appetite: Wegovy mimics the natural ‘GLP1’ hormones released after eating that tell your brain you’re full. This helps you feel satisfied with smaller meals and helps curb cravings, so you eat less. 
• It slows your digestion: Wegovy also slows how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping you feel full longer. This can make it easier to avoid snacking and stick to healthier eating habits. 
• It regulates your blood sugar: By stabilising your blood sugar and improving insulin response, Wegovy helps reduce your hunger spikes. This not only supports weight loss, but also lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Together, these three mechanisms make Wegovy one of the most effective prescription weight loss injections in the UK. 

It means you can achieve safe, steady, and sustainable results when you combine Wegovy injections with healthy eating and regular exercise. 

Wegovy progress timeline

To give you an idea of your weight loss journey on Wegovy, we’ve put together a timeline of what you can expect across your first six months: 

How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

Like Mounjaro, Wegovy has been through numerous clinical trials to ensure it is safe and effective as a weight loss treatment. The largest of these trials was the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) program. There have been eight STEP trials, alongside the STEP UP trial specifically at Wegovy 7.2mg. 

3 reasons to 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: 

Wegovy doses

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.

Wegovy weight loss month by month

Your weight loss journey is as unique as your body. However, it can be good to have an idea of what to expect in the first six months of taking Wegovy.  

• Month one: You’ll start at the lowest dose of 0.25mg. Results may vary, but weight loss is typically around 2% of your body weight.  
• Months two to three: You may start to increase your dose, up to 0.5mg and then 1mg. Weight loss continues, with many people losing 4-6% of their body weight. 
• Months four to six: You weight loss may become more visible as you continue to titrate up to 1.7mg and 2.4mg. The average weight loss at 2.4mg is 17% of your initial body weight.  
• Months six and beyond: You may’ve found your maintenance dose, or, if suitable, you might titrate up to 7.2mg. Trials have found people on average lose 21% of their body weight at this maximum dose.  

Do I need to start from the lowest dose of Wegovy?

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.

Why do you have to increase your dose of Wegovy? 

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.

Wegovy eligibility

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.

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 Wegovy sellers, because if a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. 

Our Wegovy prices

This means if you titrate to the maximum 7.2mg by your sixth month on Wegovy, your treatment will cost you £974. You’d then pay £279 a month to continue at your 7.2mg maintenance dose, if that was suitable for you.  

What’s included with my treatment?

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 how to increase weight loss on Wegovy and how to build a healthy diet on Wegovy. 
• 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

How to inject Wegovy 7.2mg

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

Where can I inject Wegovy?

You can inject Wegovy in: 

• Your stomach: make sure your injection is at least two inches away from your belly button. 
• Your upper arms: if you choose this option, your injection will need to be administered by another person. 
• Your upper legs: this injection should be in the front of your thighs.  

• If your next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away, you should take your missed dose as soon as possible.  
• If your next scheduled dose is less than 48 hours away, you should skip your missed dose and take your next scheduled dose on time.  
• If it’s been more than 14 days since your last dose, take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day, or talk to your healthcare professional about how to restart your treatment.  

When should I order my next dose? 

We recommend that you order your next dose of Wegoxy two or three weeks before you need it, to ensure that your injection schedule isn’t interrupted.  

Wegovy side effects

Like any medication, Wegovy can cause side effects. Side effects are especially common when first starting treatment, as your body needs to get 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 guide to Wegovy side effects. 

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are extremely rare with Wegovy. However, 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

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.

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

Who can’t take Wegovy? 

You shouldn’t take Wegovy if you: 

• are allergic to semaglutide 
• are pregnant
• have a history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis
• have severe damage to your kidneys or liver
• have severe heart failure
• have diabetic retinopathy
• have an active cancer, and/or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy

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

Can I travel with Wegovy?

Diet, exercise and lifestyle on 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 three hours of taking the pill or prolonged diarrhoea, you may need to use a backup form of contraception, such as condoms.

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.

• Mounjaro: a weekly injection containing the active ingredient tirzepatide. At the maximum dose of 15mg, patients achieve average weight loss of 22.5%.  
• Saxenda: a daily weight loss injection containing the active ingredient liraglutide. Patients on Saxenda achieve average weight loss of 8%. 

• Orlistat: the generic version of Xenical, this tablet is taken three times a day. It works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food. 
• Mysimba: with these tablets, you gradually increase the number of pills you take until you reach four tablets per day (two in the morning, and two in the evening). Mysimba pills help reduce your appetite and food cravings.  

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.