The Different Strengths of Wegovy: What Each Dose Actually Does

Which strength is right for you isn't a number you pick yourself

The question most people ask when they learn Wegovy comes in different strengths is a reasonable one: can I just start at the top? The short answer is no, and the reason is physiological rather than bureaucratic. Semaglutide slows gastric emptying and acts on appetite centres in the brain; at higher concentrations, those effects arrive quickly enough to cause significant nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms in people whose systems haven't adjusted. The titration schedule exists precisely to reduce that risk.

Starting at 0.25mg gives the body several weeks to adapt. Then 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, and eventually 2.4mg, with each step spaced roughly four weeks apart, though a prescriber may slow progression if side effects are troublesome at a given dose. No two patients move at exactly the same pace. If you are curious about how this plays out in practice across the full schedule, the breakdown of different Wegovy doses goes through each step in more detail. The clinical decision at every rung belongs to your prescriber, not to the titration calendar.

For people wondering whether semaglutide comes in different strengths more broadly: it does, across several products, but the strengths used for weight management and those used for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) are not interchangeable. If you want a clear picture before your consultation, understanding what the Wegovy strengths actually are is a useful place to start. Wegovy's specific dose ladder is built for weight management and licensed as such by the MHRA.

What the 7.2mg dose changes, and who it is for

The MHRA approved a 7.2mg maintenance dose of semaglutide in January 2026, initially delivered as three 2.4mg pens weekly. Then on 14 April 2026, the regulator approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg pen, one pre-set weekly injection, auto-dosing mechanism, covered needle that locks after use. That approval matters practically: one pen per week rather than three.

Trials reported an average weight loss of around 20.7% over 72 weeks at 7.2mg, which narrows the gap with tirzepatide 15mg results significantly. The licensed indication for the 7.2mg pen is adults with obesity (BMI 30 or above only, it is not indicated for BMI below 30 or for cardiovascular risk reduction). Titration still starts at 0.25mg; 7.2mg is the ceiling, reached through the same gradual schedule. You can read the full MHRA announcement in the GOV.UK news release confirming approval of the 7.2mg Wegovy pen.

Whether a specific dose or pen format is available to you is confirmed at consultation, it is worth raising the question then rather than assuming a particular strength is in stock. More context on Wegovy strengths and how they compare is available if you want to read ahead before speaking to a prescriber.

Side effects across the dose range, what tends to happen and when

Most of Wegovy's side effects are gastrointestinal, and most are tied to dose increases rather than ongoing use at a stable level. Nausea is the most commonly reported, followed by loose stools, constipation, indigestion, and fatigue. These tend to peak in the first one to two weeks after a dose step up, then settle for most people. They are the reason the titration schedule exists, and they are the reason your prescriber may hold you at a dose longer than the standard interval if your body needs it.

There are less common but more serious effects to be aware of. In January 2026, the MHRA issued a Drug Safety Update specifically highlighting acute pancreatitis as a known, infrequent but potentially serious risk with GLP-1 medicines: severe stomach pain that radiates to the back, with or without vomiting, warrants urgent medical attention. Gallbladder problems and signs of dehydration from prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea also merit prompt contact with a healthcare professional. A note on contraception: for people on oral contraceptives, the interaction picture across semaglutide strengths is worth understanding, particularly at dose increases, since altered gastric emptying can affect absorption of some oral medicines.

Side effects can be reported to the MHRA at any time via the Yellow Card scheme, which also handles reports about suspect medicines or sellers.

Wegovy on the NHS, privately, and what the dose has to do with cost

On the NHS, Wegovy is available through specialist weight management services under NICE guidance (TA875), with criteria that include BMI thresholds, the requirement to use it for a maximum of two years, and multidisciplinary support. Waiting lists for specialist referral are commonly long. The cost of Wegovy as a private prescription varies by dose and provider, and since the dose ladder means patients typically spend months at several different strengths before reaching maintenance, the pricing picture shifts over time.

Keep the pen in the fridge until you need it (2 to 8°C) and always check the patient information leaflet for the exact room-temperature window before travelling. A useful practical overview of the full Wegovy treatment pathway covers storage, what to do if a dose is missed, and how lifestyle changes sit alongside the medicine. That is also the right place to explore whether Wegovy or a different option suits your situation better. For a broader look at what medically supervised weight loss involves, the weight-loss treatments overview sets out the options available through nume.

If you would like a prescriber to review your notes and discuss which strength might be appropriate for you, speak to our prescribers through a free consultation. There is no obligation, and the clinical review is the same day.