Wegovy 7.2mg: Efficacy, dosing, and availability guide

Wegovy 7.2mg is the newest available dose of Wegovy. This new dose is 3 times higher than the previous highest dose of 2.4mg.

It’s the most effective dose available, helping people lose an average of 21% of their starting weight compared to 17% on 2.4mg. But this new dose also comes with a higher risk of side effects.

You may be able to take 7.2mg Wegovy if you’ve already been taking 2.4mg for at least 4 weeks and a doctor approves.

Wegovy 7.2mg is the newest dose available for the semaglutide-containing weight loss injection. Like other doses of Wegovy, 7.2mg is used for supporting weight loss when taken with a diet and exercise plan.

Wegovy 7.2mg replaced 2.4mg as the highest dose available in the UK in January 2026. This change was made following research into the effectiveness and safety of the dose, which concluded in November 2025.

This new higher dose of Wegovy is more effective, as clinical trials show it has a higher average weight loss, an average of 21% of your starting weight, compared to 17% for the 2.4mg dose.

The STEP UP phase 3b clinical trial found that the new 7.2mg dose of Wegovy is more effective than the previous highest dose of 2.4mg. This study compared the weight loss achieved for people using 7.2mg vs 2.4mg or a placebo (no medication).

This study found that, after 72 weeks of treatment, people lose an average starting weight loss of:

• 21% on 7.2mg
• 17% on 2.4mg
• 2.4% on a placebo

The same research also shows that a higher percentage of people using 7.2mg lose 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of their starting weight than compared to a lower percentage of people using 2.4mg:

*data comes from the STEP UP phase 3b trial

Wegovy vs Mounjaro

If you compare the new highest dose of Wegovy 7.2mg and the highest dose of Mounjaro 15mg, Mounjaro trials show a slightly higher weight loss over the same time period, but this is very close.

The average weight loss for people using these doses is:

• 22.5% of starting weight on Mounjaro 15mg
• 21% of starting weight on Wegovy 7.2mg

Research also shows that after 72 weeks of treatment, a higher percentage of people using 15mg Mounjaro lose 5, 10, 15, and 20% of their starting weight than people using Wegovy 7.2mg, though no data is provided for Mounjaro to compare 25% weight loss or more.

*data comes from the STEP UP phase 3b trial

**data taken from the SURMOUNT-1 trial

Wegovy 7.2mg is a single-dose pen, this means that there’s no need to:

• manually screw in a needle, it comes built-in and ready
• dial your dose, it contains 1 single-dose of 7.2mg already set for you

To take Wegovy 7.2mg single-dose pen:

1. Check you have the correct dose and the expiry date on the back.
2. Check in the dose window that the liquid is clear and colourless, it must not be cloudy.
3. Choose your injection site.
4. Once you are ready to inject, remove the pen cap and needle cover.
5. Press the pen firmly against your skin where you have chosen to inject. The injection takes around 5-10 seconds. You should hear 2 clicks. The first click happens when your injection starts, and at the second click you should begin to see a yellow bar in the dose window.
6. Once you see the yellow bar stop moving, the injection is complete.Ensure each injection site is at least 5cm apart and use a new needle for each dose.
7. Lift the pen away slowly and safely dispose of it

For more guidance, view our step-by-step guide.

You must always read the patient information leaflet included with your medication for full information on injecting your Wegovy 7.2mg pen.

How long can you take Wegovy 7.2mg for?

You can take Wegovy 7.2mg for as long as you need to support your weight loss and maintenance journey – if a doctor approves.

You can keep taking Wegovy 7.2mg as long as:

*These criteria are different from the ones used for starting the treatment, so you may still be able to take 7.2mg even if you’ve reached a healthy BMI of 25 or lower. You can find more information about taking weight loss injections long-term to maintain a healthy weight in our weight loss maintenance hub.

What if I miss a dose of Wegovy 7.2mg?

The advice for missing a dose of Wegovy 7.2mg is the same as for the other doses. What you need to do depends on how long it’s been since your dose should have been taken. If it has been:

• 5 days or less – take your dose as soon as you remember, then take your next dose as normal
• more than 5 days – skip the missed dose and take your next one as normal

What if I take too much Wegovy 7.2mg?

If you’ve taken too much Wegovy, you should:

• speak to a doctor or pharmacist
• avoid taking any more doses, even if you are due a dose, before you can speak to a doctor or pharmacist
• keep an eye out for side effects of Wegovy, particularly serious side effects
• stay hydrated
• think about having something with sugar in it to avoid low blood sugar, like fruit juice

It is likely that you can move up to the 7.2mg dose if you’ve already been taking Wegovy 2.4mg for at least 4 weeks and you have not had any problems with your medication.

Wegovy 7.2mg may be right for you if:

✓ you’ve been taking Wegovy 2.4mg for at least 4 weeks

✓ you have no had any serious side effects, or side effects you find hard to manage

✓ your personal health circumstances have not changed since the last time you were prescribed Wegovy in a way which would contradict taking it

✓ a doctor agrees 7.2mg is right for you

Wegovy 7.2mg may not be right for you if:

✗ you have had serious or difficult side effects

✗ Wegovy is no longer a safe treatment option, for example, because your personal health has changed

✗ your BMI has dropped low enough that Wegovy is no longer right for you

If you’re not already using Wegovy

If you have not started Wegovy treatment, you cannot start with Wegovy 7.2mg. You will need to start on the lowest dose of Wegovy, which is 0.25mg. From there, you can increase your dose after at least 4 weeks on your current dose to a maximum of 7.2mg.

Not everyone can use Wegovy. You may be able to start Wegovy with a doctor’s approval if you have a BMI:

• of 30 or more
• of 27 or more, and you have a weight-related medical condition, like high blood pressure

Not sure what your BMI is? See our BMI calculator page.

Switching from 2.4mg

If you’re already on Wegovy 2.4mg, you may be able to switch to 7.2mg.

To switch, you just need to request the 7.2mg dose the next time you request treatment, either online or from a doctor in person. You can do this through our online questionnaire if you get treatment from us, or if you want to start treatment with us and are currently on 2.4mg and have been for at least 4 weeks.

Make sure to let your doctor know about any side effects you’ve had, if any, so they can make sure Wegovy 7.2mg is right for you.

Switching from other medications

You cannot switch directly to Wegovy 7.2mg from other weight loss injection medications. This is because it’s not safe to move straight to the highest dose from your current medication. But you may not have to switch to the starting dose either.

Depending on the dose of your current treatment and whether you’ve had side effects, you may be able to start on a dose of Wegovy that’s higher than the lowest dose.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy

Switching from other weight loss treatments

If you want to switch to Wegovy from any other weight loss treatment, you’ll need to stop your current treatment first and start on the lowest dose of Wegovy. The other weight loss injection available in the UK is liraglutide (Nevolat). No matter what dose of liraglutide you take, you’ll need to stop this treatment first and start on the lowest dose of Wegovy.

For more advice on switching, see our pages on:

• switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy
• switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro

Can I buy Wegovy 7.2mg online?

Yes, it is possible to request Wegovy 7.2mg online. You can do this using ZAVA’s weight loss service, simply:

1. Start an online assessment for weight loss treatment.
2. Fill out a short consultation questionnaire – make it clear that you’re already on Wegovy 2.4mg.
3. When you’re shown treatment options, select the 7.2mg dose option.
4. Select a delivery option.
5. Sign in or create your account.
6. Provide payment details and submit your request.
7. A doctor will check your consultation to make sure Wegovy 7.2mg is right for you.
8. If your request is approved, payment will be taken and your treatment will be shipped to your preferred address. If your request is not approved, payment will not be taken and a doctor will message you with advice on next steps.

Can I buy Wegovy 7.2mg over the counter?

No, Wegovy is a prescription-only medication and cannot be bought over the counter in pharmacies. All weight loss injections in the UK are prescription only. The only over-the-counter weight loss treatments available in the UK are fat-blocking tablets like alli and Orlos.

Can I get Wegovy 7.2mg on the NHS?

No. While the 7.2mg dose is available from private providers, it is not yet offered on the NHS. It will only be available when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has reviewed treatment with the new 7.2mg dose.

If Wegovy 7.2mg becomes available on the NHS, it will likely be available to the same people who can access existing doses, such as people who have:

• already tried other weight loss methods
• been referred to a weight management specialist
• met the NHS BMI criteria for treatment

NHS criteria for Wegovy doses up to 2.4mg include a BMI of:

• 35 or more
• 30 or more with a weight-related condition like high blood pressure

These BMI requirements are reduced by 2.5 if you are of South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds. We do not know if these same BMI requirements will be set for the 7.2mg dose.

Does the NHS offer generic Wegovy?

No. If you are eligible to access Wegovy via the NHS, you will be given the branded medication, the same offered with private prescribers such as ZAVA. This is because Wegovy is still under patent, so it’s not legal for people to make generic versions yet using the same active ingredient.

Very common side effects that affect more than 1 in 10 people:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• headache
• feeling weak
• feeling tired

Common side effects that affect up to 1 in 10 people:

• feeling dizzy
• indigestion
• acid reflux
• bloating
• burping
• gallstones
• hair loss
• injection site reactions
• low blood sugar – mainly in people with diabetes
• changes in skin sensations (dysaesthesia)

Uncommon but serious side effects that affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• inflamed pancreas or pancreatitis that causes ongoing, severe stomach pain
• kidney or bladder stones
• increased levels of pancreatic enzymes

Rare or unknown frequency Wegovy side effects:

• severe allergic reactions that cause swelling of the face, lips, or throat
• bowel obstructions
• hip fractures

If you’re taking Wegovy, you should report any unexpected or serious side effects to your doctor and call 111 or 999 in an emergency. This includes symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as:

• sudden breathing difficulty, like wheezing and chest tightness
• swelling of the throat, tongue, face, or lips
• skin changes, like hives, paleness, or clamminess
• feeling dizzy or fainting
• feeling confused
• severe stomach problems, like throwing up or diarrhoea

For full details on Wegovy side effects, see the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

Wegovy 7.2mg side effects compared to lower doses

Wegovy 7.2mg can cause the same side effects as lower doses. The main difference is that the chance of side effects is higher for 7.2mg, for example:

• around 10% more people using 7.2mg get stomach-related side effects compared with 2.4mg
• 23% of patients in clinical trials reported symptoms such as burning, tingling, skin pain, and sensitive skin

Let your doctor know if you get any side effects while taking the 7.2mg dose.

How long do 7.2mg side effects last

Studies show that how long side effects last depends on what side effects you get, for example:

• vomiting – around 2 days
• nausea – around 8 days
• constipation – around 47 days

Even with the higher chance of side effects on 7.2mg, studies show they’re mostly mild and usually improve as treatment goes on and your body gets used to the higher dose.

What to do if you get Wegovy 7.2mg side effects

For common, mild side effects, you do not need to do anything. If you wait, they should improve on their own. There are things you can do to help you manage these side effects though, such as:

• headaches – stay hydrated, do not drink alcohol, and take over-the-counter painkillers
• diarrhoea – stay hydrated, eat bland foods, avoid spicy foods, eat more soluble fibre, and consider anti-diarrhoea medications like loperamide
• feeling sick – stay hydrated and eat smaller meals more often
• constipation – stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, slowly add more fibre to your diet, and make sure to exercise
• feeling tired – stay hydrated, make sure you’re eating enough and getting enough protein, get plenty of good-quality sleep, and avoid caffeine, especially later in the day

If you’re already on Wegovy 2.4mg and you’re not having any problems with it, you should be able to move up to 7.2mg. A 7.2mg dose is safe and effective, and can be a good choice if your weight loss has slowed down or plateaued (stopped) when taking 2.4mg.

However, you do not have to move up to 7.2mg if you do not want to. Lower doses of Wegovy can still be effective and come with a lower risk of side effects. It’s up to you to decide which dose suits you best, with help from your doctor.

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