Looking for the Wegovy PDF? Here's what the official documents cover — and what to do next

The myth: downloading the PDF tells you whether Wegovy is right for you

People often search for the Wegovy PDF hoping it will answer their biggest question: am I suitable? The leaflet cannot do that. What it does contain is thorough: the full semaglutide dosing pathway (0.25 mg starter through 0.5, 1.0, 1.7 and up to 2.4 mg, titrated roughly every four weeks by your prescriber), injection instructions with diagrams, a complete list of reported side effects, storage requirements and what to discuss with your doctor before starting. That is genuinely useful reference material once you are being treated. But the document was written for patients already in a clinical relationship, it assumes someone has already decided, with a prescriber, that Wegovy is appropriate for them.

The SmPC, also freely available via the electronic Medicines Compendium, goes further and is aimed at healthcare professionals rather than patients. It covers pharmacokinetics, clinical trial data, contraindications and prescribing detail that most readers will find hard going without a clinical background. Both documents are legitimate and worth reading, they just answer a different question than the one most searchers have in mind.

If you want to understand semaglutide's mechanism, effects and evidence base in plain language, our semaglutide overview covers that ground more accessibly, and we also have a dedicated semaglutide PDF if you prefer a version you can save and refer back to.

What the PIL says about side effects, the parts worth knowing before you start

The most commonly reported side effects in the Wegovy PIL are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, burping and reflux feature prominently. These tend to be most pronounced in the first weeks of treatment or after each dose increase, and they typically ease as your body adjusts. The leaflet is clear that they are not a reason to stop without speaking to your prescriber first.

There are also signs listed that warrant prompt medical attention. Severe, persistent abdominal pain that radiates to the back (with or without vomiting) should be assessed urgently, as it can be a sign of pancreatitis. The MHRA reinforced this in its January 2026 Drug Safety Update for GLP-1 medicines. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, gallbladder problems and signs of dehydration from severe vomiting or diarrhoea are also flagged. The PIL lists what to tell your doctor before starting, including other medicines you take, this matters because semaglutide slows gastric emptying, which can affect the absorption of oral medications.

For a fuller look at what to watch for and when to seek help, our guide to starting Wegovy at the first dose covers the safety picture in more detail. You can also report any suspected side effects directly through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

The newer PIL you may not have seen: the 7.2 mg pen and the Wegovy tablet

The Wegovy documentation landscape changed meaningfully in 2026. In April 2026, the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2 mg pen, a higher maintenance option for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, with its own prescribing information and PIL. Then, in June 2026, the MHRA approved Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide), the first oral GLP-1 medicine licensed in the UK for weight management. The tablet has a separate PIL and a different dosing schedule: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg, taken daily first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The tablet PIL also specifies a 30-minute wait before any food, drink or other oral medicine, a detail easy to miss if you are reading an older version of the document.

These are not interchangeable with the weekly injection leaflet, and they are not the same as the Rybelsus PIL (which covers oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes at different strengths). If you have been handed a PDF and are unsure which product it refers to, check the brand name, the dose range and the licensed indication on the first page. Step-by-step Wegovy injection instructions are covered separately if that is specifically what you need.

For context on how treatment costs compare across providers, our Wegovy pricing page sets out the market picture honestly.

Getting a prescription: the step the PDF cannot replace

Reading the PIL is sensible preparation. It is not, though, the same as a clinical assessment. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine under UK law, which means a qualified prescriber must review your health history, current medicines, BMI and any relevant conditions before treatment is appropriate. The NHS medicines page for semaglutide sets this out clearly alongside the patient-level information.

At nume, every consultation is read by a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber (a real clinician, not an automated system) on the day it is submitted. Identity and weight are verified, and your GP is notified in line with GPhC guidance. If treatment is clinically appropriate and you order before 12pm Monday to Friday, your prescription is dispatched the same day, arriving the next working day by tracked DPD delivery, in plain packaging with no branding on the outside. The pen and its leaflet arrive together, as they should.

Our clinical team page explains who reviews your consultation, and our FAQs answer the questions people most often ask before starting. If you are ready to take the next step, start your free consultation and a prescriber will review your suitability the same day.