Is Wegovy for me? Working out if you're a genuine candidate

Picture yourself six months from now: what brought you here today?

Most people land on this question after a familiar sequence: they've tried reducing calories, they've increased how much they move, and the results haven't matched the effort. Or perhaps they have a condition (sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, a blood sugar reading edging toward prediabetes) and their GP has flagged that their weight is making it harder to manage. Some arrive after seeing a friend's results; others after months on an NHS waiting list with no end in sight.

Whatever brought you here, the first honest question is whether Wegovy is clinically appropriate for your situation, not simply whether you'd like to try it. Semaglutide works by activating GLP-1 receptors, which reduces appetite and slows how quickly the stomach empties. That mechanism can be genuinely effective, but it is not a fit for everyone, and a prescriber's job is to sort that out properly. You can read more about how the medicine works on our semaglutide overview page.

The licensed eligibility criteria give you a starting point. Adults with a BMI of 30 or above qualify on BMI alone. If your BMI sits between 27 and 29.9, you need at least one weight-related comorbidity, conditions like hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, or osteoarthritis typically count. Lower BMI thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds under UK clinical guidance. But passing the BMI test is not the same as being suitable: the prescriber also looks at your medical history, current medicines, and any conditions that might make semaglutide inappropriate.

The conditions that change the answer

Certain situations mean Wegovy is not recommended, and it's worth being clear-eyed about them before a consultation. The medicine is not licensed for use in pregnancy, and the NHS advises it is not suitable for people who are breastfeeding or actively trying to conceive. It is not licensed for anyone under 18. People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 should not use it. A history of pancreatitis, or certain gastrointestinal conditions, requires careful prescriber discussion.

Drug interactions also matter. If you take oral contraceptives, it's worth knowing that NHS guidance highlights the potential for GLP-1 medicines to affect how some medicines are absorbed, your prescriber will go through the specifics with you. The same applies to other regular medicines. This is one of the reasons a thorough clinical review is not a box-ticking exercise: it genuinely protects you. If you are weighing up how Wegovy compares to tirzepatide for your particular situation, our Wegovy treatment page sets out the key differences clearly.

On the question of what to expect if you are suitable: the evidence on Wegovy's benefits draws from the STEP 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which found average weight reductions of around 15% over 68 weeks in adults without diabetes, alongside lifestyle changes. Results vary between individuals. The question of whether it will work for you specifically is worth reading before your consultation.

Side effects: what being a good candidate means in practice

Being eligible for Wegovy is not quite the same as being ready for it. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, and fatigue appear most often in the early weeks or after a dose increase. For most people they're manageable and settle; for some they're a reason to pause or stop. Knowing this in advance, rather than being surprised by it, makes a real difference to how people get on.

Serious side effects are less common but need prompt attention. The NHS highlights that severe, persistent stomach pain, particularly if it radiates to the back, should be assessed urgently as a possible sign of pancreatitis. Any allergic reaction, gallbladder symptoms, or signs of significant dehydration from prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea also warrant medical help rather than waiting it out. You can report any suspected side effects at the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme. Our page on how Wegovy's side effects actually compare goes through the profile in more detail if you want to look before committing.

One practical note: the titration schedule starts at a low dose and increases gradually, which exists precisely to give your system time to adjust. It takes a few months to reach the maintenance dose. That's not a flaw in the design; it's how the medicine is meant to work. The dose-by-dose breakdown is there if you want to understand each step. And if you're thinking about the long-term picture, the question of whether Wegovy is a lifelong treatment is a reasonable one to ask your prescriber early.

What happens when you speak to a prescriber at nume

A consultation with our clinical team at nume is free. You complete a medical questionnaire, verify your identity with a photo ID check, and confirm your weight on a brief video call, because real clinical oversight means actually checking, not just asking. A named GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber reads your answers and makes the call the same day. If Wegovy is not right for you, they'll tell you that clearly. If it is, and you order before midday on a working day, treatment is dispatched that afternoon and arrives by DPD the next working day in plain unbranded packaging.

On cost: Wegovy is a private prescription, and the price varies with dose and provider. Our Wegovy price comparison page gives an honest breakdown of what the market looks like and what our single transparent price covers. The treatment page is where you begin if you want to speak to our prescribers and find out whether Wegovy is genuinely the right fit for you. That conversation is where the real answer lives.