What dose does Wegovy go up to — and does the answer change your options?

The misconception worth clearing up first: 2.4mg was never the ceiling

If you started researching Wegovy a year or two ago, you probably read that 2.4mg was the maintenance dose, the destination you worked towards, week by week, from the 0.25mg starting point. That was accurate at the time. It is no longer the whole picture.

In January 2026 the MHRA approved a higher dose: 7.2mg weekly, initially supplied as three 2.4mg pens taken in the same week. Then, on 14 April 2026, the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg pen, one pre-set weekly injection with an auto-dosing mechanism and a built-in covered needle that locks after use. If you want a clear overview of what doses Wegovy comes in and how the pen formats differ, that page covers every option currently available. That is a meaningfully wider ceiling, and it changes what's possible for some patients.

The reason this matters is that weight-loss medicines have a dose-response relationship: higher doses tend to produce greater appetite suppression, which is reflected in the trial data. Trial evidence reported roughly 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks at 7.2mg, a figure that narrows the historical gap between Wegovy and tirzepatide. You can read more about how semaglutide works in practice and what the broader evidence base looks like.

How the dose schedule actually works from week one to the maximum

Treatment begins at 0.25mg weekly. This is not a therapeutic dose in the sense of producing meaningful weight loss on its own; its job is to give your system time to adjust to the medicine, reducing the chance of nausea and other gastrointestinal effects that are more likely when a higher dose is introduced suddenly. Think of it as your body's settling-in period.

From there, a prescriber moves the dose up roughly every four weeks, through 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg and then 2.4mg. Patients who tolerate 2.4mg well and who are being assessed for the higher dose can continue through to 7.2mg under clinical supervision. The full breakdown of every Wegovy dose step covers what each level involves in more detail.

Importantly, 7.2mg carries a tighter licence. The MHRA approved it for adults with a BMI of 30 or above only. It is not licensed for people with a BMI between 27 and 29.9 with a weight-related condition, that group remains on the 2.4mg pathway. And 7.2mg is not approved for the cardiovascular risk-reduction indication that applies to 2.4mg, and if you are researching the emerging evidence around Wegovy and NAION, that page explains what the current data shows and how it affects prescribing decisions. Eligibility for the highest dose depends on your clinical picture, not simply a wish to go higher. Our clinical team assesses each case individually before any dose progresses.

What reaching the maximum dose means for side effects and practical management

Higher doses are associated with a higher rate of gastrointestinal side effects. In trial data, most participants on oral semaglutide (a related formulation) reported GI symptoms that were typically mild to moderate and settled with time. The same pattern applies to the injectable. Nausea, loose stools, constipation and reflux are the most commonly reported effects, they tend to peak in the days after a dose increase and ease as your system adjusts.

The MHRA has also highlighted acute pancreatitis as an infrequent but serious risk with GLP-1 medicines: severe stomach pain that extends through to the back, with or without vomiting, needs prompt medical attention. Any suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Our prescribers are reachable seven days a week through aftercare support, and we'd always say: when in doubt, contact us or your GP the same day.

Storage and handling stay the same across the dose range. Wegovy requires refrigeration at 2–8°C, and there is a limited window for room-temperature storage, the Patient Information Leaflet gives the exact figures and is the authority on this, not third-party summaries. There are specific rules around Wegovy storage and expiry that are worth knowing before you start.

Private access versus NHS access at the higher doses

On the NHS, Wegovy (semaglutide for weight management) is recommended under NICE guidance TA875 for use within specialist weight management services, for a maximum of two years, with strict eligibility criteria. That guidance applies to the 2.4mg dose; the 7.2mg is newer and sits outside the current NHS commissioning framework. Waiting lists for NHS specialist services are commonly long.

Privately, access depends on clinical suitability assessed by a registered prescriber. That includes the higher dose when it becomes appropriate in treatment. For context on what private treatment costs and what's included, the Wegovy pricing page sets out the honest picture, including what a transparent, all-inclusive price covers versus the stripped-back figures some providers advertise. There are no hidden extras in our pricing and no subscription that renews without your say-so.

If you are thinking about starting Wegovy or are already on treatment elsewhere and want clinical re-assessment, start a free consultation with our prescribers. A real clinician reads every response the same day, your answers go to a desk, not an inbox monitored by software.