What is Wegovy 7.2mg?

Wegovy 7.2mg is a new, higher-strength dose developed by Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Clinical trials show it can help patients lose an average of 21% of their body weight — bringing it close to the results seen with Mounjaro.  

It is available in the UK through private prescriptions, or in some cases through the NHS for weight loss, using a new single-use pen with a simplified injection process. 

Is Wegovy 7.2mg available in the UK?

Wegovy 7.2mg was made available from 13 January 2026, following approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 

Wegovy is a weekly weight loss injection that contains Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps patients feel fuller for longer, reducing cravings and slowing digestion. Until January 2026, the highest available dose was 2.4mg per week.

The new dose delivers three times the amount compared to the previous maximum dosage, but with a redesigned, single-use pen making it simpler for patients to take their medication. Previously, reaching a 7.2mg dose would have required patients to use three separate 2.4mg pens; the new pen merges the separate doses into one pen.  

Alongside a change in the device, there are some important differences to how the pen is stored and used – all covered in the section below. 

How is Wegovy 7.2mg administered?

The new 7.2mg pen has been designed to be simpler to use than the previous Wegovy pen. Unlike previous pens you don’t need to attach a needle which makes it easier to use. 

Here is what to expect when using the new pen: 

• Your Wegovy 7.2mg will be delivered with ice packs, as the pen needs to be kept refrigerated (between 2°C–8°C) until it is opened. 

• Once opened, the pen can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 28 days – note this is a shorter window than the 6 weeks allowed for existing Wegovy pens. 
• You will receive a box containing 4 injection devices (a one-month supply). Each pen is for single use only

How to inject:  

• Remove the cap from the pen 

• Press the pen firmly against your skin – the abdomen, thigh or upper arm are all suitable.  

• Hold it in place until the yellow bar has stopped moving (approximately 5–10 seconds). 
• No needle attachment is required — simply remove the cap and inject. 
• Discard the pen in your sharps bin 

Note: These pens are single use, if you inject it incorrectly you won’t be able to get another dose from the same pen. You will need to inject with a new pen if you inject it incorrectly.  

Read the information leaflet provided in your order so that you understand how to inject wegovy correctly.

Who is Wegovy 7.2mg for?

Wegovy 7.2mg has been developed for patients who are already stable on the current maximum dose of 2.4mg, with minimal or no side effects, but who want to lose more weight or have hit a weight loss plateau. It is not a starting dose; patients will need to have increased their dosage up to 2.4mg before being considered for the new 7.2mg dose. 

For those who have been on Wegovy for some time and are happy with their current weight loss progress, there is no requirement to move to the higher dose. But for patients who feel they still have more weight to lose, this new dose offers a meaningful step up.

It may be useful if you have experienced no significant side effects at 2.4mg and your clinician agrees that increasing your dose is appropriate and safe.

If you are currently on Mounjaro weight loss injections and considering switching to Wegovy, we can help you, but you will need to start from the lowest Wegovy dose and gradually increase from there. 

How effective is Wegovy 7.2mg?

The STEP UP clinical trial assessed how effective and safe Wegovy 7.2mg was in 1,407 adults with obesity (BMI 30 or above) over 72 weeks.

Participants had an average starting weight of 113kg and an average BMI of 39.9. All groups received lifestyle and dietary support alongside treatment, the results clearly demonstrated the superiority of the higher dose.  

The average weight loss for each group was: 

• 20.7% in the 7.2mg group 

• 17.5% in the 2.4mg group 

• 2.4% in the placebo group 

Notably, almost one in three patients on the 7.2mg dose achieved 25% or more weight loss over the course of the trial. This means Wegovy 7.2mg is nearly as effective as Mounjaro, making it the most effective dose to date. 

“The availability of a single-use 7.2mg Wegovy dose is a positive development for patients who are already tolerating treatment well and require further dose optimisation. Having a broader range of dosing options allows treatment to be tailored more closely to individual patient needs”  

Tannaz Sohrabi (MPharm, PGDip, IP, MRPharmS)
GPhC Number: 2225756 

How does it compare to other weight loss treatments?

The key difference between Wegovy 7.2mg and Mounjaro is how each medication works at a hormonal level. Wegovy (Semaglutide) targets a single receptor – the GLP-1 receptor which regulates appetite and blood sugar.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), on the other hand acts on two receptors – GLP-1 and GIP. This dual action contributes to Mounjaro’s higher weight loss results on average.  

However, the Wegovy 7.2mg dose closes that gap, making it a highly competitive option for patients who prefer Semaglutide or are already on a Wegovy programme. You can read more in our full Mounjaro vs Wegovy comparison.

The table below summarises the key differences: 

Wegovy 7.2mg side effects

The side effects of Wegovy 7.2mg are consistent with other Wegovy doses, since it contains the same active ingredient (Semaglutide) just in a higher quantity. As with lower doses the most reported side effects relate to the gastrointestinal system, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. 

In the STEP UP trial, gastrointestinal side effects were reported by: 

• 71% of participants on 7.2mg 

• 61% of participants on 2.4mg 

• 43% of participants in the placebo group.  

The majority were mild to moderate in severity. 

One side effect that was notably more common at the higher dose is Dysaesthesia, an abnormal or unpleasant burning sensation on the skin. This occurred in 23% of patients on 7.2mg versus just 6% on 2.4mg. 

In most cases this resolved on its own during the course of treatment, and patients did not need to stop using Wegovy because of it. Serious side effects remained rare: 

• 6.8% of patients on the 7.2mg dose 

• 5.4% of patients discontinued treatment due to side effects.  

For further advice on managing side effects, visit our guide to managing Wegovy side effects. 

Who can take Wegovy 7.2mg?

To be eligible for Wegovy 7.2mg dose, patients need to meet both the standard criteria for Wegovy and the additional requirements specific to this higher dose. You will not be able to start at 7.2mg — patients must have titrated through the lower doses first, as this step-up approach allows the body to adjust to the treatment and minimises the risk of side effects. 

Eligibility criteria include: 

• You are already stable on Wegovy 2.4mg with minimal to no side effects 

• You have a BMI of 30 or above, OR a BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related health condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol) 

• Your clinician has reviewed your treatment and approved the dose increase 

• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding 

• You do not have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (thyroid cancer) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) 

When will Wegovy 7.2mg be available in the UK?

Wegovy 7.2mg is already available in the UK on a private prescription basis, following MHRA approval in January 2026. NHS availability is expected to follow though this typically takes an additional 6–9 months beyond private approval, subject to a health technology assessment. We will update this page as soon as a confirmed NHS availability date is announced. 

How much is Wegovy 7.2mg?

Wegovy 7.2mg is priced at £279 per month on a private prescription. This reflects the higher Semaglutide content compared with the standard 2.4mg dose but is cheaper than Mounjaro at its maximum dose. 

Frequently asked questions

Is Wegovy 7.2mg safe?

Yes. Wegovy 7.2mg has been shown to be generally safe and well-tolerated in the STEP UP phase 3b clinical trial as previously mentioned. Serious side effects were rare and overall safety is consistent with what is already known about Semaglutide at lower doses. As with all prescription medicines, it should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified clinician who has reviewed your suitability. 

Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2mg?

If you are already on Wegovy 2.4mg and your clinician agrees it is appropriate, you can move up to the 7.2mg dose. If you are currently on a different weight loss treatment — such as Mounjaro or Liraglutide injections you can consider switching to Wegovy, but you will need to start at a lower dose and titrate upwards before reaching 7.2mg. This is to ensure your body adjusts safely to the new medication.