How often do you have to inject Wegovy — and what does the schedule actually look like?

Why once a week, and where that frequency comes from

The once-weekly dosing of Wegovy is a pharmacological fact, not a lifestyle convenience. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with a half-life of roughly one week, meaning it stays active in the body long enough to sustain its appetite-regulating effects from one injection to the next. The STEP clinical programme, on which the UK licence is based, was designed entirely around this seven-day cycle, and the NHS semaglutide medicines page confirms that Wegovy is taken once weekly as a subcutaneous injection. There is no approved daily or fortnightly version for weight management, the tablet form (Wegovy oral) follows a different, daily schedule and is a separate product entirely. If you want a full breakdown of the injection schedule and how often the Wegovy injection is given, our dedicated page covers the clinical reasoning in detail. If you are curious how the injection compares to semaglutide used for other purposes, our page on Ozempic and weight-loss injections sets out the licensing differences clearly.

For most people the weekly injection quickly becomes unremarkable. A useful one-minute check: pick your injection day before you start treatment, then set a recurring reminder on your phone, many patients find Sunday evening or Monday morning works well because it is easy to anchor to an existing weekly habit. The specific day does not matter clinically; consistency does.

The titration ladder: why the dose changes over time

Starting at 0.25 mg per week, the schedule described in the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics (available on the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)) increases the dose roughly every four weeks. The standard path runs 0.25 mg → 0.5 mg → 1.0 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg, with 2.4 mg as the maintenance dose for most adults. The MHRA also approved a 7.2 mg maintenance dose in January 2026, with a dedicated single-dose pen approved in April 2026 for adults with a BMI of 30 or above; that option is discussed with your prescriber if you reach 2.4 mg and further titration is appropriate.

The titration steps are not optional stages to rush through. The 0.25 mg starting dose exists because the GI side effects of semaglutide (nausea in particular) are dose-related; slower escalation gives the body time to adjust. Your prescriber sets the pace. If you experience significant side effects at any point, the dose may be held at the current level for a further four weeks rather than increased. This is a clinical decision, not a setback. More detail on eligibility and who the injection is licensed for is on our Wegovy treatment page.

Practical details: where to inject, how to rotate and what to do with used pens

Each Wegovy injection is subcutaneous (into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin) at one of three approved sites: the abdomen (at least a few centimetres from the navel), the front of the thigh, or the back of the upper arm. Rotating between sites from week to week reduces the small risk of localised skin reactions building up in one area. You should also avoid injecting into skin that is bruised, tender or scarred.

The pen is kept refrigerated between 2 °C and 8 °C, but can be kept at room temperature for a defined period once removed from the fridge, the exact window is stated in the Patient Information Leaflet rather than here, because it is important to read the current approved text rather than a paraphrased version. Each dose level also comes in a distinctively coloured device, and our guide to Wegovy pen colors can help you confirm you have the right pen for your current stage of titration. Used pens are sharps and should go into a dedicated sharps container, never a household bin. If you have questions about injection technique or storage after starting treatment, our prescribers are available for aftercare seven days a week. The frequently asked questions section covers many common practical queries too.

What happens if you miss a weekly injection

Missing an occasional injection does not reset your treatment, but timing matters. The general clinical guidance (consistent with the NHS semaglutide information and the product's SmPC) is straightforward: if fewer than five days have passed since your scheduled day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and then continue on your usual day the following week. If more than five days have passed, skip that dose entirely and carry on with the next scheduled injection. Do not take two doses in the same week to compensate.

Persistent missed doses affect how well the medicine works. Semaglutide builds up gradually in the body over the titration period, and our page on how often you inject Wegovy explains why that steady rhythm matters for getting the most from treatment. If you find it difficult to keep to the weekly schedule (travel, work patterns, supply issues) that is worth raising directly with your prescriber rather than managing silently. Thinking about the cost of maintaining treatment? Our Wegovy pricing page explains what is typically included in a private prescription and what to look for when comparing providers.

Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine. The schedule above describes what the licence and clinical evidence support; your prescriber decides what is right for your specific situation. If you would like to check your eligibility for Wegovy through a same-day clinical review, a consultation with our prescribers is free and takes a few minutes to start.