Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only weight management injection available privately through Boots pharmacies in the UK. As of 2024, the cost at Boots typically ranges from £199 to £229 per month via their Online Doctor service, which includes clinical consultation, prescription, and home delivery. Whilst Wegovy is licensed for NHS use, access remains severely restricted due to supply constraints and strict eligibility criteria. Most patients seeking this treatment must therefore access it privately, representing a significant ongoing financial commitment alongside necessary lifestyle modifications for effective weight management.

Wegovy Pricing at Boots UK

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only weight management medication available through Boots pharmacies across the UK. As of 2024, the cost of Wegovy at Boots typically ranges from £199 to £229 per month when obtained through private prescription services, though prices may vary depending on the specific dose, service package and consultation fees.

The medication is supplied as pre-filled injection pens in a dose-escalation schedule, starting at 0.25 mg weekly and gradually increasing to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg over 16–20 weeks. Some patients may remain at the 1.7 mg dose if the 2.4 mg dose is not tolerated. This titration approach helps minimise gastrointestinal side effects whilst allowing the body to adjust to the medication. Initial starter packs may be priced differently from maintenance doses, and patients should budget for a minimum commitment of several months to achieve meaningful weight loss outcomes.

Boots offers Wegovy through its Online Doctor service, which includes the cost of a clinical consultation, prescription, and home delivery. The total monthly expenditure includes both the medication cost and any associated service fees. It is important to note that Wegovy is not routinely available on the NHS for most patients due to strict eligibility criteria and current supply constraints. When available on the NHS, it is only recommended within specialist weight management services and for a maximum of 2 years (as per NICE TA875). The majority of individuals seeking this treatment will need to access it privately. Patients should be prepared for ongoing costs, as Wegovy is intended for use alongside lifestyle modifications, and clinical studies suggest that discontinuation typically results in weight regain.

NHS vs Private Prescription Costs

The cost difference between NHS and private prescriptions for Wegovy is substantial. NHS prescription charges in England are currently £9.90 per item (as of 2024), which would make Wegovy remarkably affordable if available through this route. However, NHS access to Wegovy is severely limited due to supply constraints and restricted commissioning. NHS England has implemented a phased rollout prioritising patients with the highest clinical need, and most areas have waiting lists or are not yet offering the medication at all. It's worth noting that prescription charges apply in England only; Scotland and Wales have no prescription charges, while Northern Ireland has a different system.

For the small number of patients who do qualify for NHS Wegovy, eligibility is determined by specialist weight management services rather than general practice. As per NICE guidance (TA875), patients must typically have a BMI of 35 kg/m² or above (or 32.5 kg/m² for certain ethnic groups at higher metabolic risk) plus at least one weight-related comorbidity, and have demonstrated engagement with intensive lifestyle interventions. Treatment on the NHS is limited to a maximum of 2 years and must be provided as part of a specialist weight management service with a multicomponent programme. Even when eligible, waiting times can extend to many months or longer.

Private prescription costs through services like Boots Online Doctor range from £199–£229 monthly, representing a significant financial commitment. This price point includes clinical oversight, prescription issuance, and medication supply. Some private providers offer subscription models or package deals that may reduce per-month costs slightly. Patients should also consider that private prescriptions cannot be dispensed at NHS prescription charge rates—the full private cost applies regardless of where the prescription is filled. For individuals with multiple prescriptions, an NHS prescription prepayment certificate offers no benefit for privately prescribed Wegovy, as it remains outside the NHS pricing structure.

Boots Online Doctor Service for Wegovy

Boots Online Doctor typically provides a digital pathway for accessing Wegovy without requiring face-to-face GP appointments. The service generally operates through a structured online consultation process where patients complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire covering their weight history, previous weight loss attempts, current medications, and relevant health conditions. This information is reviewed by UK-registered clinicians (GPs or prescribing pharmacists) who assess suitability for treatment.

The consultation process typically includes questions about:

• Current weight and height (to calculate BMI)

• Weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnoea

• Previous weight management efforts including diet, exercise, and other medications

• Medical history including any history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or thyroid conditions

• Current medications that might interact with semaglutide

If approved, the prescription is issued electronically and Wegovy is delivered to the patient's home address. The service includes ongoing clinical support, with regular check-ins to monitor progress, manage side effects, and adjust treatment as needed. Patients are typically required to provide weight updates at specified intervals, and continued prescribing is contingent upon demonstrating adequate response to treatment (generally defined as at least 5% weight loss after 12 weeks at the maintenance dose, in line with the product guidance).

Follow-up consultations are built into the service model, ensuring that patients receive appropriate monitoring for both efficacy and safety. Patients should be aware of important safety considerations, including the risk of pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. If you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain, with or without vomiting, seek urgent medical attention and inform your healthcare provider that you are taking Wegovy. Patients taking insulin or sulfonylureas may need dose adjustments to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia. Suspected side effects should be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk).

Patients will also receive guidance on proper injection technique, storage requirements, what to do if a dose is missed, and safe disposal of used pens.

Eligibility Criteria for Wegovy Treatment

Eligibility for Wegovy follows NICE guidance and the medication's licensed indications. For private prescription services like Boots Online Doctor, patients typically need a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or a BMI of 27 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity. Weight-related comorbidities include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease. UK clinical guidance (such as NICE NG189) recognises that people of Asian, Black African, or African-Caribbean family background may be at increased metabolic risk at lower BMI levels, which clinicians may take into account when assessing suitability for treatment.

Contraindications to Wegovy include:

• Hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any excipients

Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception. If pregnancy is planned, Wegovy should be discontinued at least 2 months before.

Situations requiring careful assessment include a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), diabetic retinopathy (particularly proliferative retinopathy, where rapid glucose reduction may temporarily worsen the condition), history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and renal impairment. Wegovy should not be used in combination with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Patients must also demonstrate commitment to lifestyle modification, as Wegovy is licensed only as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not as monotherapy. Treatment should be discontinued if patients have not lost at least 5% of their initial body weight after 12 weeks on the maintenance dose.

Clinicians will assess whether patients have attempted conventional weight management approaches before prescribing Wegovy. Whilst prior failure of diet and exercise alone is not an absolute requirement for private prescription, demonstrating engagement with lifestyle changes improves outcomes and is considered best practice. Patients should be prepared to discuss their weight loss goals, previous attempts, and readiness to make sustainable behavioural changes.

Alternative Weight Loss Medications Available

For patients who do not meet eligibility criteria for Wegovy, cannot tolerate it, or find the cost prohibitive, several alternative weight management medications are available in the UK. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) is the most established option, available both on NHS prescription (120 mg) and over-the-counter at lower strength (60 mg). Orlistat works by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, reducing dietary fat absorption by approximately 30% at the 120 mg prescription strength. It costs significantly less than Wegovy—around £20–£50 monthly for private prescriptions—but requires strict adherence to a low-fat diet to minimise gastrointestinal side effects such as steatorrhoea and faecal urgency. Weight loss with orlistat is typically more modest than with GLP-1 receptor agonists, averaging 3–5% of body weight. Treatment should be discontinued if less than 5% weight loss is achieved after 12 weeks at the full dose.

Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed for weight management, administered as a daily subcutaneous injection. It shares a similar mechanism of action to Wegovy but requires daily rather than weekly dosing. Private prescription costs are typically £150–£200 monthly or higher, and efficacy is slightly lower, with average weight loss of 5–8% versus 10–15% for semaglutide. Saxenda may be preferred for patients who want more frequent dose adjustment flexibility or have concerns about the longer half-life of semaglutide.

Mysimba (naltrexone/bupropion combination) represents a different pharmacological approach, combining an opioid antagonist with an antidepressant to reduce appetite and food cravings. It is taken orally twice daily and costs approximately £150–£180 monthly privately. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and constipation, and it is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorders, or eating disorders. According to NICE guidance (TA494), treatment should be discontinued if patients have not lost at least 5% of their initial body weight after 16 weeks.

For NHS patients, Tier 3 weight management services may offer access to these medications alongside intensive lifestyle support, though availability varies by region. Patients should discuss with their GP or a specialist weight management service which option best suits their clinical profile, preferences, and financial circumstances. All weight loss medications are most effective when combined with dietary modification, increased physical activity, and behavioural support, and none should be viewed as a standalone solution.

Frequently Asked Questions