Practical tips for starting Wegovy and getting the most from week one

Step 1: Understand what the first pen is actually doing

The 0.25 mg starting dose is a settling-in dose. Its job is to introduce semaglutide to your system gradually, reducing the chance of nausea and sickness that can come with jumping straight to a therapeutic level. Some people feel almost no effect in the first four weeks. That is normal. You may not notice much appetite change yet, and that does not mean the treatment is not working, it means your prescriber is being careful with the titration, which is exactly what the licensed schedule is designed for.

One practical thing worth knowing: Wegovy is stored in the fridge (2–8°C), so keep the pen in the fridge door rather than at the back where temperatures can dip. Take it out ten to fifteen minutes before injecting; a room-temperature pen is more comfortable. Rotate your injection site each week between your abdomen, thigh and upper arm, and always refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the specifics, your prescriber and our aftercare team are there if you have questions about technique. If you want a fuller picture before your first injection, our guide on what to do when starting Wegovy walks through the preparation steps in detail.

A common worry at this stage is that a bit of nausea means you should stop. Usually it does not. Nausea is your stomach adapting to slower emptying, and for most people it fades noticeably between doses two and four. If it is severe or you cannot keep fluids down, that is when to contact your clinical team rather than wait.

Step 2: Adjust how and when you eat

You do not need a specific diet to take Wegovy, but a few changes to how you eat make the early weeks much more comfortable. Smaller meals eaten slowly are easier on a stomach that is now emptying more gradually. High-fat foods (a greasy takeaway, pastry-heavy meals) can worsen nausea significantly on GLP-1 medicines, so many people find it easier to dial those back, at least during dose increases.

Protein is worth prioritising. When appetite falls sharply, it is easy to under-eat generally, and muscle loss is the outcome nobody wants. Including protein at every meal (eggs, Greek yoghurt, fish, legumes) helps preserve muscle alongside the weight loss. Staying hydrated matters too, especially if you are experiencing any loose stools; sip water steadily through the day rather than drinking a large glass with meals, which can feel uncomfortable when your stomach is fuller for longer.

Fibre is useful but worth introducing gradually if your digestion is already sensitive. A sudden increase in vegetables and wholegrains on top of semaglutide's GI effects can compound bloating. Steady, not dramatic, is the theme of the first few weeks. If you want structured dietary guidance alongside treatment, a registered dietitian is the right person to ask, our prescribers can advise on referrals too. You can also read broader guidance on how semaglutide works and what to expect on treatment if you want more background before your first injection. For practical day-to-day advice on getting the most from your medication, our page covering semaglutide tips is worth bookmarking before you begin.

Step 3: Know the side effects to watch for, and the ones that need urgent attention

Most tips when starting Wegovy focus on nausea, and rightly so. But it helps to have the full picture of what is normal versus what needs a call to 111 or your GP. Normal early effects include nausea (especially in the hours after injecting), mild bloating, burping, constipation or looser stools, and occasional headache or fatigue. These are common and generally improve with each passing week. Our dedicated resource on getting the best results with Wegovy covers many of these early-stage questions in one place.

Severe, persistent abdominal pain that spreads to your back is different. The MHRA highlighted acute pancreatitis as a known, though uncommon, risk with GLP-1 medicines in its Drug Safety Update guidance; get medical help the same day if that pattern of pain develops, particularly alongside vomiting. Gallbladder symptoms (pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes with fever) also warrant prompt attention. Signs of dehydration from prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea (dizziness, dark urine, not passing water) are another reason to act rather than wait.

You can report any suspected side effects directly at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Our aftercare team is also available seven days a week, that is not a small-print promise, it is how the service runs. Before your first injection is a good time to save the contact number in your phone; our contact page has everything you need.

Step 4: Plan for the first few dose increases

Wegovy is titrated roughly every four weeks, and each dose step is another moment of adjustment. Many people find that side effects they thought were behind them return briefly when the dose goes up, this is not a sign that you should stop, just that the same settling-in process is repeating at a higher level. The same strategies from weeks one to four apply: smaller lower-fat meals, steady hydration, injecting on a day when you can take it easy if needed. If you are still in the early stages of your journey, our overview of starting Wegovy sets out what the titration period looks like from beginning to end.

Some people choose to inject on a Friday evening or Saturday morning so that if Saturday is a bit queasy, it has passed before the working week. Others find a particular day in the week becomes their routine. There is no clinically mandated day, consistency from one week to the next matters more than which day you pick. Try to inject on roughly the same day each week, and if you miss a dose, your Patient Information Leaflet sets out exactly what to do, do not double up without checking with your prescriber first.

Cost is a practical consideration as you plan for the titration journey. If you want context on what private Wegovy treatment typically involves financially, our page on Wegovy pricing in the UK covers what to look for and what a legitimate price should include. For a broader view of your options, the weight-loss treatments overview sets out the landscape clearly. When you are ready to speak to a prescriber about starting, begin your free consultation here.