Wegovy pens dosage: how the schedule is structured and why it matters

The dose progression: what each pen step is for

The standard Wegovy titration runs through five steps. You begin on the 0.25 mg pen, spend roughly four weeks there, then move to 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and finally 2.4 mg. The 0.25 mg starting dose surprises a lot of people who expect to feel an effect immediately. It isn't intended to produce significant weight loss on its own; its job is to let your digestive system adjust to semaglutide before the dose climbs higher. That's a common misconception worth letting go of early: slow starts are deliberate, not a sign that the medicine isn't working.

Each pen holds four 0.5 ml doses in a pre-set auto-injector, one per week. You don't dial or measure anything; the device is pre-filled and pre-set at the factory for that specific strength. Once a pen is empty, you move to the next strength, but only if your prescriber confirms the increase is appropriate for you. If side effects at one level haven't settled, staying on the same dose for an additional four weeks is a reasonable clinical choice, and the full range of dose pens can be explored in more detail alongside that context.

The 2.4 mg pen is the licensed maintenance dose for most people. Clinical trials reported an average body-weight reduction of around 15% over 68 weeks at this dose, compared with placebo, in a study of adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (STEP 1, 2021). Those are trial averages: individual results vary, and a prescriber assesses your progress before every repeat order.

The 7.2 mg pen: what changed in 2026 and who it applies to

On 14 April 2026 the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2 mg Wegovy pen, one pre-set weekly injection with a built-in covered needle that locks after use. This is the maximum dose in the updated UK licence. Trials at this strength reported roughly 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks, which narrows the gap with tirzepatide 15 mg considerably. The 7.2 mg maximum dose page covers the detail on who this applies to and how the step-up to it works.

A critical point on eligibility for this pen: the MHRA licence specifies BMI of 30 or above. The 7.2 mg option is not licensed for people at lower BMIs, and it is not indicated for the cardiovascular risk-reduction use of semaglutide. The starting dose and titration pathway remain the same, you would still begin at 0.25 mg if you were new to treatment. Reaching 7.2 mg is a decision made between you and your prescriber based on your response and tolerance at 2.4 mg; it is not automatic.

Specific dose and pen availability is confirmed at consultation. Novo Nordisk's supply has varied since Wegovy launched in the UK, so what's actually dispensed to you depends on clinical assessment and stock confirmed at the time of your order. The Wegovy doses guide has more on how each strength sits within the treatment plan.

How a prescriber decides when to move your dose up

This is the decision the titration schedule is really built around. A prescriber reviewing your progress will look at a few things: whether side effects have settled at the current dose, whether you're tolerating injections without significant disruption to daily life, and (after several months at maintenance) whether your weight loss is on track with what the clinical evidence suggests is meaningful progress.

NICE guidance recommends that if someone achieves less than 5% weight loss after six months at their maintenance dose, continuing treatment should be reviewed. That benchmark matters to prescribers when assessing whether an increase is worthwhile, or whether a different clinical conversation is needed. The NICE appraisal of semaglutide (TA875) sets out the full clinical criteria.

Dose decisions are not something to navigate based on forums or general advice. A prescriber who knows your case is the right person to judge whether you're ready to move up, whether a slower titration suits you, or whether you've reached the dose where the treatment is doing its job. If cost is part of your thinking, our Wegovy pricing page explains what a legitimate private prescription actually covers.

Staying safe while moving through the schedule

The most common side effects across all Wegovy dose pens are gastrointestinal: nausea, loose stools, indigestion and, for some people, vomiting. These are most likely to appear in the first days after starting or stepping up, and they often ease within one to two weeks as your body adjusts. Eating smaller meals, staying hydrated and avoiding high-fat foods around injection day are practical steps many people find useful, but the specifics are in your Patient Information Leaflet and worth discussing with your prescriber if things don't settle.

One less commonly mentioned point: in January 2026 the MHRA issued a Drug Safety Update specifically about acute pancreatitis as an infrequent but serious risk with GLP-1 medicines. Severe stomach pain that travels to the back, especially if persistent, warrants urgent medical attention. Any suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme. And if you ever have questions between orders, the aftercare team at nume is available seven days a week.

Wegovy is not licensed for people under 18, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Anyone planning a pregnancy is advised to stop treatment and allow a wash-out period before trying to conceive. A prescriber will cover all of this at your consultation.