What's the highest dose of Wegovy available in the UK?

The myth worth clearing up: 2.4mg is not the highest dose of Wegovy

For a long time, 2.4mg was the answer to this question. That's no longer true. A widespread assumption (understandable, given how long 2.4mg sat unchallenged as the maintenance ceiling) is that once you reach it, you're at the top. You aren't, not anymore.

In January 2026 the MHRA approved 7.2mg semaglutide as a higher Wegovy maintenance dose, initially requiring three 2.4mg pens per week. Then, on 14 April 2026, a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg pen received full approval, one pre-set weekly injection, with a built-in covered needle that locks after use. The gov.uk announcement confirming the pen's approval is public and verifiable. So if you've been wondering what the highest mg of Wegovy actually is, the accurate answer as of mid-2026 is 7.2mg.

It's also worth being clear about what 7.2mg is not. It doesn't replace the existing schedule. It sits above it, as an option for adults who've worked through the standard titration and for whom a prescriber judges that continuing upward makes clinical sense. The approval also applies only to weight management in adults with a BMI of at least 30, it's not licensed for the cardiovascular risk-reduction indication. If you're curious how Wegovy's full range of approved uses has grown, the Wegovy overview page covers that in detail.

The full Wegovy dose schedule, from the starting point to the new maximum

Wegovy's titration exists to give your body time to adjust. Semaglutide slows gastric emptying and acts on appetite-regulating pathways in the brain; starting high tends to produce more nausea, which is why the schedule staggers the increases over several months.

The standard weekly dose ladder is: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg. Each step is held for roughly four weeks before a prescriber considers moving up. For most people, 2.4mg becomes the maintenance dose and stays there. Understanding what the highest dose of Wegovy is and how you reach it matters here, because the new 7.2mg tier sits above 2.4mg and is reached through the same principle, gradual increase, clinical sign-off, adequate time at each level. According to the NHS's patient information for semaglutide, the most common side effects follow the GI-led pattern familiar across this drug class: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and reflux, typically most pronounced after a new dose and settling within days to a couple of weeks. The NHS semaglutide page lists these in full alongside when to seek urgent help.

One practical note: every Wegovy pen, at every strength, needs to be kept in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. The exact room-temperature window for a pen you're actively using is specified in the Patient Information Leaflet, worth reading the leaflet rather than relying on a rule of thumb.

For a broader look at how the Wegovy dose schedule compares with semaglutide in other forms, the guide to the highest dose of semaglutide overall sets out the distinctions clearly.

What the 7.2mg approval means for results, and for eligibility

Clinical trial data reported around 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks at 7.2mg, which starts to approach the results seen with tirzepatide at its highest licensed strength. That's a meaningful shift. For context, the STEP 1 trial (published in the New England Journal of Medicine) showed roughly 15% average weight reduction at 2.4mg over 68 weeks. The higher dose appears to narrow that gap considerably, though individual responses vary and results are never guaranteed.

Eligibility for the 7.2mg pen is specific. It's approved for adults with obesity defined as BMI 30 or above. Many people ask whether 2.4mg is the highest dose of Wegovy they can access, and for those in the 27–29.9 BMI range with a weight-related condition, the answer is yes, because the lower BMI threshold that applies for the standard Wegovy licence does not extend to the 7.2mg pen. That matters practically: if your BMI is in the 27–29.9 range and you're on standard Wegovy, 7.2mg is not within your licensed options under current approval.

NHS availability is a separate question. NICE's recommendation for Wegovy (semaglutide) under Technology Appraisal TA875 covers the medicine for use within specialist weight management services, with a two-year maximum under NHS commissioning. Whether the 7.2mg dose becomes available through those NHS routes, and when, will depend on commissioning decisions that are still evolving. Private treatment through a regulated pharmacy is the current route for most people who want access without a specialist referral or waiting list.

To understand how Wegovy's dose options compare with other weight-loss treatments available in the UK, including tirzepatide, it's worth reviewing both pillars side by side. The Wegovy price comparison guide also gives useful context on what private treatment typically costs.

Dose decisions belong to your prescriber, not a search result

Knowing the ceiling of a dose schedule is genuinely useful. It tells you what's possible and what's licensed. But the right dose for you (including whether 7.2mg is appropriate, and when) is a clinical decision, not a question a webpage can answer. A prescriber looks at your current weight, how you've responded so far, your side-effect history, any other medicines you take, and your overall health picture.

At nume, our clinical team includes GPhC-registered Independent Prescribers who review every consultation personally. If you've been on Wegovy elsewhere and want to discuss where your treatment goes next, a new consultation gives you that conversation. You can also read more about how our service works on the about us page. When you're ready, check your eligibility through our free consultation, it takes a few minutes, and a prescriber reviews your answers the same day.