What is the new version of semaglutide available in the UK?

What exactly is the new 7.2mg semaglutide pen, and why does the dose matter?

The standard Wegovy injection has been available in the UK since 2023, with a maintenance dose of 2.4mg once weekly. The 7.2mg pen represents a significant step up. The MHRA first authorised the 7.2mg dose in January 2026 (initially supplied as three 2.4mg pens taken in a single weekly session) then on 14 April 2026 approved a purpose-built, single-use 7.2mg pen: one injection per week, pre-set, with an auto-dosing mechanism, a covered needle and a lock-out after use, as confirmed in the MHRA's April 2026 announcement on GOV.UK.

The higher dose matters because it narrows the gap between semaglutide and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in head-to-head evidence. Trials of the 7.2mg dose reported an average weight reduction of around 20.7% over 72 weeks, a meaningful jump from the roughly 15% seen with 2.4mg in the STEP 1 trial. That still leaves both medicines in the same general territory; which suits a given person is a clinical question, not a headline one.

One important note on eligibility: the MHRA's approval of the 7.2mg single-dose pen is specifically for adults with a BMI of 30 or above. It is not licensed for the lower 27–29.9 BMI bracket or for the cardiovascular-risk indication. The titration schedule still begins at 0.25mg, stepping up roughly every four weeks under prescriber guidance; 7.2mg sits at the top as the maximum, and people wondering whether a Wegovy generic version might eventually offer the same doses at lower cost should be aware that no such product is currently licensed in the UK. Specific dose availability is always confirmed at consultation, not assumed.

How is the Wegovy tablet different from the injection, and what did the trial show?

The Wegovy tablet is oral semaglutide co-formulated with an absorption enhancer called SNAC, which allows the medicine to cross the stomach lining into the bloodstream, something semaglutide alone cannot do reliably when swallowed. It is taken once daily, first thing in the morning, on a completely empty stomach with a small amount of plain water (no more than around 120ml). The instruction to wait at least 30 minutes before any food, drink or other oral medicines is not a minor detail; it directly affects how much of the dose is absorbed, so the timing matters.

The tablet schedule runs 1.5mg to 4mg to 9mg and up to the 25mg maintenance dose, with a minimum of one month at each level. People already stable on the 2.4mg weekly injection may move directly to the 25mg tablet, subject to their prescriber's assessment.

The phase-3 OASIS 4 trial (307 adults, 64 weeks, without diabetes) reported an average weight loss of around 13.6% against roughly 2.4% for placebo when measured across all participants regardless of adherence. Among those who remained fully adherent throughout, the figure was closer to 16.6%. If you see the higher number quoted elsewhere, the OASIS 4 data makes clear it applies to the fully-adherent group specifically. The most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea affected the majority of participants, though most cases were mild to moderate and settled over time.

No refrigeration is needed for the tablet, it is stored at room temperature, which makes it easier to travel with and removes the fridge-management step that some people find awkward with the pen. You can read a fuller breakdown of the Wegovy injection and its approved doses if you want to compare the two forms directly.

Who can access these new versions, and is either available on the NHS?

Both the 7.2mg pen and the Wegovy tablet are prescription-only medicines. A prescriber assesses clinical suitability before any prescription is issued; BMI alone is not sufficient. The licensed criteria broadly follow the same framework: adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea, alongside genuine engagement with diet and activity changes.

On the NHS, neither new form is straightforwardly available. The Wegovy tablet received MHRA approval in June 2026 but has not yet had a NICE appraisal, which is the step that triggers NHS commissioning. The injectable pathway on the NHS runs through specialist weight management services under NICE's recommendation for semaglutide (TA875), which specifies use within a multidisciplinary service and a maximum treatment duration of two years. Waiting lists are long in most areas. People who do not meet the NHS criteria, or who would rather not wait, typically access these medicines through a regulated private pharmacy. Our guide to where Wegovy can be obtained in the UK covers what to look for in a legitimate provider.

For anyone researching the cost of treatment, the weight-loss treatments page sets out what is included in a private prescription and what to expect from the process.

Are these new forms linked to any legal or safety concerns?

Two distinct questions tend to get merged here, so it is worth separating them. On safety: semaglutide in all its forms carries the same profile of known side effects, and the MHRA continues to monitor GLP-1 medicines under the Black Triangle (▼) scheme, meaning new information is reviewed as it emerges. Pancreatitis is an infrequent but recognised risk; severe stomach pain that spreads to the back warrants prompt medical attention. You can report suspected side effects for any licensed medicine through the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.

On the legal question: some readers arrive at this topic having seen references to a semaglutide lawsuit in the United States, relating mainly to compounded (non-branded, non-licensed) versions of the medicine. UK law and UK medicine regulation are separate from US proceedings. In the UK, only MHRA-approved semaglutide products (Wegovy injection and, now, Wegovy tablets) are licensed for weight management. Compounded semaglutide is not licensed here and is not dispensed through regulated UK pharmacies. The safest check for any online pharmacy is the GPhC pharmacy register, where registration can be confirmed before ordering.