Wegovy FASS: what the Swedish product summary tells you — and what UK patients need instead

Step 1, Find the right source document for the UK

FASS (Farmaceutiska Specialiteter i Sverige) is Sweden's national medicines compendium, run by LIF, the trade association for the pharmaceutical industry in Sweden. It is a reliable resource for Swedish patients and clinicians, but it holds no regulatory authority in the UK. If you are researching semaglutide on FASS, it is worth knowing that the MHRA licenses medicines here independently, and the legally binding product information for UK use lives on the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC), the Mounjaro and Wegovy SmPCs are both hosted there.

For everyday patient guidance, the NHS medicines page for semaglutide is the clearest starting point. It covers what Wegovy is, how it's taken, what side effects to watch for, and which medicines or conditions require special care. If you want the full technical detail (contraindications, pharmacokinetics, full interaction list) the eMC SmPC is the document UK prescribers work from.

One practical note: product information on FASS and the eMC will often align closely, because both draw on the same European regulatory dossier. But small differences in local approved labelling, available pack sizes, and approved indications do exist. For anything clinical, always use the UK source.

Step 2, Understand what Wegovy is licensed to do in the UK

Wegovy is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection made by Novo Nordisk. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, acts on GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut, reducing appetite, slowing how quickly the stomach empties, and helping people feel full on less food. It is not the same as Ozempic, which is also semaglutide but licensed solely for type 2 diabetes in the UK, not for weight management.

The standard titration pathway runs from 0.25mg up to the 2.4mg maintenance dose, with the prescriber guiding each step across roughly four-week intervals. In January 2026 the MHRA also approved a higher 7.2mg maintenance dose, and a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg pen followed in April 2026, both for adults with a BMI of 30 or above. The STEP 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported an average weight reduction of around 15% over 68 weeks at the 2.4mg dose. Those are trial averages; individual results vary and depend on diet, activity and adherence.

NICE recommends semaglutide for weight management (TA875) within specialist services, for a maximum of two years, for adults meeting specific BMI and comorbidity criteria, lower BMI thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds. NHS waiting lists for specialist services can be long, which is why many patients explore a regulated private route. You can read more about how Wegovy works and who it's for on our main treatment page.

Step 3, Know the side effects and safety checks that apply wherever you get it

The side-effect profile is the same whether a prescription is written in Stockholm or Sheffield. Gastrointestinal effects are the most common: nausea, loose stools, constipation, indigestion and burping tend to be most noticeable after starting or after a dose step, and they usually settle within a couple of weeks as the body adjusts. Fatigue, headache and dizziness also appear in the trial data.

More serious, but less common, effects include acute pancreatitis. The MHRA issued a Drug Safety Update in January 2026 specifically highlighting this risk across GLP-1 medicines: severe stomach pain that spreads to the back (with or without vomiting) is a reason to stop the injection and get urgent medical help. Gallbladder problems, allergic reactions and rapid heart rate are also listed in the SmPC. Anyone who suspects a side effect, or comes across a seller that looks irregular, can report it via the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.

Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or for anyone trying to conceive. It is not licensed for anyone under 18. Women taking oral contraceptives alongside tirzepatide (a different GLP-1 medicine) need extra precautions, but the current evidence for semaglutide does not show the same reduction in pill absorption, your prescriber will advise based on your full medicines list. If you're thinking about adjusting your eating pattern while on Wegovy, that's a conversation worth having at your clinical review too.

Step 4, Getting Wegovy through a UK-regulated pharmacy

Because Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine, there is one lawful route to it: a clinical assessment by a qualified prescriber, followed by a prescription, followed by dispensing through a registered pharmacy. A GPhC-registered pharmacy can be verified on the GPhC register, worth checking before handing over any payment details online.

At nume, a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber reviews every consultation personally, not software, not a template. Order before 12pm on a weekday (handy if payday lines up with a Monday) and, once clinically approved, your prescription is dispatched the same day, arriving free the next working day via DPD in plain packaging. For a fuller picture of what to expect from private treatment costs, the Wegovy price comparison page sets out what different providers typically include and exclude. And if you want to understand how to lose weight fast on Wegovy, including practical guidance on getting the most from treatment, the semaglutide overview covers it clearly.

If you're ready to find out whether Wegovy is clinically suitable for you, start your free consultation with our prescribing team.