Wegovy — what it's used for, how it works, and who it's for

Step 1, understanding what semaglutide actually does in your body

Semaglutide mimics a gut hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) that is released naturally after eating. It binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, reducing appetite signals, and slows gastric emptying so meals stay with you longer. The combined effect is that most people feel full sooner and stay full for longer without making a conscious effort. That is why trial participants lost meaningful weight while still eating, they simply wanted less food.

What semaglutide does not do is burn fat directly, suppress the body's metabolism in any damaging way, or guarantee a fixed outcome. Results vary between individuals, and the medicine works best when it supports rather than replaces changes to eating patterns and activity. The NHS medicines page for semaglutide explains the mechanism in plain language and is worth bookmarking if you want the clinical detail alongside this guide. For a broader look at what semaglutides are used for across different conditions and patient groups, the semaglutide overview on our site covers the full picture.

Step 2, the licensed uses of Wegovy in the UK right now

The primary licensed use is weight management in adults. The UK licence applies to a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to 29.9 if the person has at least one weight-related health condition, things like high cholesterol, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea, or type 2 diabetes. Lower BMI thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds under UK guidance; a prescriber will confirm whether that is relevant for you.

Beyond weight loss, Wegovy has received additional UK authorisations. It is licensed to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in eligible adults, and in July 2026 the MHRA granted conditional approval for its use in MASH, a form of fatty liver disease involving moderate-to-advanced fibrosis. Those indications are beyond the scope of standard weight-management prescribing, this page covers Wegovy's uses beyond weight loss in more detail. At nume, our prescribers assess suitability for the weight-management indication specifically.

One common point of confusion: Ozempic also contains semaglutide but holds a licence for type 2 diabetes, not weight management. They are different products with different licences. More on how semaglutide's uses differ by brand if that distinction matters to you.

Step 3 (the dose schedule and what the trial evidence shows

Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg weekly for the first four weeks, then increases in stages) through 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 1.7 mg, before reaching the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. Each step takes roughly a month. The titration exists to give your body time to adjust and keep side effects manageable; a prescriber decides the pace based on how you are tolerating each stage.

In the STEP 1 phase-3 trial (68 weeks, over 1,900 adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition, no diabetes) participants on 2.4 mg semaglutide lost an average of around 15% of body weight, compared with around 2.4% on placebo. That figure is quoted in NICE's appraisal of semaglutide (TA875). The evidence also underpins the MHRA's approval of a higher 7.2 mg dose in 2026, where trials suggested average losses approaching 20.7% over 72 weeks, a meaningful step up, though the titration process to reach it takes time. For a look at what Wegovy typically costs through a private pharmacy, the Wegovy price guide sets out what is included and why the figure varies.

The MHRA also approved Wegovy in tablet form on 11 June 2026, the first oral GLP-1 medicine licensed for weight management in the UK. The tablet schedule runs from 1.5 mg to a 25 mg maintenance dose and does not require refrigeration. If you are exploring the injection versus the tablet, this overview of the Wegovy range explains both formats side by side.

Step 4, eligibility, the clinical assessment, and the NHS versus private routes

Clinical suitability is not decided by BMI alone. A prescriber considers your full health picture (existing conditions, current medicines, history) before approving treatment. Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you are actively trying to conceive, and it is not licensed for under-18s. Certain conditions, including a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, mean it is not appropriate at all.

On the NHS, NICE recommends semaglutide (TA875) only within specialist weight management services, for a maximum of two years, and with multidisciplinary support, waiting lists for those pathways are commonly long. The NICE technology appraisal TA875 sets out the full NHS eligibility criteria if you want the official document. Privately, the criteria broadly follow the licensed BMI thresholds, with same-day clinical assessment rather than a referral queue. That is the route we offer at nume. Some people book in on a quiet Tuesday morning, others the Monday after payday when they have finally decided to act, either way, our prescribers work through consultations the same day they arrive. If you would like to understand the full range of options available, our weight-loss treatment overview covers both Wegovy and the other licensed medicines.

If you think Wegovy might be right for you, check your eligibility with a free consultation. A GPhC-registered prescriber reviews your answers (not software) and treatment is dispatched the same day if clinically approved.