How the semaglutide weekly dose schedule works — and why it matters

Step 1: why weekly injections, and what "once a week" actually means day-to-day

Semaglutide has a half-life of roughly a week, which is exactly why a once-weekly injection makes sense pharmacologically. Inject on a Monday, and by the following Monday the level in your system is ready for the next dose. That consistency matters: skipping days or doubling up disrupts the smooth concentration your body has adapted to. Most people pick a day that fits a routine (a Sunday evening habit works well for some, a Friday morning for others) and stick to it. If your usual day shifts by a day or two on a single occasion, that is generally manageable, but any questions about what to do if you miss an injection should go to your prescriber or the patient information leaflet, not a forum.

One misconception worth addressing gently: some people assume that injecting more frequently would produce faster results. It wouldn't, and it would meaningfully increase the risk of side effects. The weekly rhythm is a feature, not a limitation. The once-weekly structure of Wegovy is built around how long semaglutide actually stays active in the body.

Injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotate between them to avoid irritation at any single spot. Storage is in the fridge until first use; beyond that, follow the patient information leaflet closely for exact room-temperature windows.

Step 2: the five-rung titration schedule in plain terms

The licensed Wegovy schedule, as described in the NHS's semaglutide medicine guide, begins at 0.25 mg for the first four weeks. That opening dose does almost nothing for weight loss on its own, its job is to introduce the medicine to your digestive system gradually, reducing the nausea and discomfort that come with starting a GLP-1 treatment. Think of it as the body's settling-in period rather than the treatment proper.

After four weeks, the dose moves to 0.5 mg, then 1.0 mg, then 1.7 mg, each step roughly a month apart. The 2.4 mg maintenance dose is where most of the trial evidence sits, the STEP 1 study reported around 15% average body-weight reduction over 68 weeks at 2.4 mg, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Not everyone reaches 2.4 mg at the standard pace. If side effects are significant at a given level, a prescriber may choose to stay there longer before moving up. That flexibility is part of clinical management, not a sign something has gone wrong.

For a closer look at individual dose levels, the full breakdown of semaglutide doses covers each stage in more detail.

Step 3: the 7.2 mg dose, what changed, and who it applies to

In January 2026 the MHRA approved a higher maintenance dose of 7.2 mg for semaglutide (Wegovy), initially supplied as three 2.4 mg pens used in a single week. A dedicated 7.2 mg single-dose pen followed with MHRA approval on 14 April 2026, a single weekly injection at a pre-set dose with a built-in covered needle that locks after use. Trials at this dose reported around 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks, bringing results closer to those seen with tirzepatide at its higher doses.

The 7.2 mg approval applies to adults with a BMI of 30 or above and is not indicated for the cardiovascular risk-reduction use or for BMI below 30. The starting point remains the same 0.25 mg, titrated upwards by the prescriber in the usual four-weekly steps, reaching 7.2 mg is the end of a longer journey, not a shortcut. Specific dose availability is confirmed during a clinical consultation rather than assumed. You can read through the Wegovy dose options for context on how the full range fits together.

If you are considering what dose progression might look like in practice, the semaglutide dosing overview gives a useful starting point, though any personal titration plan is a conversation between you and your prescriber.

What the weekly schedule means for cost and access in practice

Each Wegovy pen contains four weekly doses, meaning treatment is priced and supplied monthly. As prices vary by dose level, the cost picture shifts as titration progresses. For context on what the UK private market looks like, the Wegovy price comparison page walks through the figures honestly. What legitimate pricing always reflects is that a prescription and clinical assessment are part of the package, any seller offering semaglutide without those is a red flag, as the MHRA has consistently warned through its Yellow Card reporting system and public guidance on fake weight-loss pens.

On the NHS, Wegovy is available through specialist weight management services under NICE guidance (TA875), but waiting times are commonly long. Private treatment through a GPhC-registered online pharmacy is an alternative for people who don't meet the NHS criteria or prefer not to wait. At nume, every consultation is personally read by a GPhC-registered prescriber before anything is dispensed. If you'd like to explore whether treatment is appropriate for you, the consultation page is the place to start, no obligation, no pressure, just a clinical conversation.