Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly injection licensed for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities. Cuva Health wegovy cost typically ranges from £199–£249 per month through their private subscription service, which includes medication, clinical consultations, nutritional support, and home delivery. Whilst NHS provision exists for eligible patients at standard prescription charges, access remains limited by strict criteria and regional commissioning decisions. This article examines Wegovy's mechanism of action, NHS versus private costs, and what Cuva Health's service includes for patients considering this GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.

What Is Wegovy and How Does It Work?

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI ≥30 kg/m², or ≥27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity, as an adjunct to diet and physical activity. It belongs to a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, originally developed for type 2 diabetes management but now recognised for their efficacy in weight reduction.

The mechanism of action centres on mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which is released from the gut in response to food intake. Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors in multiple tissues, including the brain, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. In the hypothalamus, it reduces appetite and increases feelings of satiety, leading to decreased caloric intake. Simultaneously, it slows gastric emptying, prolonging the sensation of fullness after meals. In the pancreas, semaglutide enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses inappropriate glucagon release, contributing to improved glycaemic control.

Clinical trials, including the STEP programme, have demonstrated that Wegovy can lead to an average weight loss of approximately 15% of initial body weight after 68 weeks compared to 2.4% with placebo, when combined with lifestyle interventions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends Wegovy as part of a specialist weight management service for eligible patients, emphasising that pharmacotherapy should complement—not replace—dietary modification, increased physical activity, and behavioural support.

Common adverse effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting, which typically diminish over time. Important safety considerations include risk of pancreatitis (seek medical attention for severe, persistent abdominal pain), gallbladder disease, and dehydration with prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea which may lead to acute kidney injury. In people with diabetes, monitor for diabetic retinopathy and consider reducing doses of insulin or sulfonylureas to prevent hypoglycaemia. Wegovy should not be used with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, and its delay of gastric emptying may affect absorption of some oral medicines. Suspected adverse reactions should be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

NHS vs Private Wegovy Prescriptions: Cost Comparison

Access to Wegovy on the NHS is currently limited and subject to strict eligibility criteria outlined by NICE. Patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or above (or 32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds) and at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, NHS provision is restricted to specialist weight management services with multidisciplinary support for a maximum of 2 years, and availability varies significantly by region due to Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioning decisions and supply constraints.

For those who meet NHS criteria, the medication may be provided at standard prescription charges—currently £9.90 per item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or for those with exemption certificates) if dispensed via community pharmacy. However, if supplied through hospital services, different charging arrangements may apply. Waiting times for specialist referrals can extend to several months, and many ICBs have paused new initiations due to national supply limitations.

Private prescriptions offer an alternative route for patients who do not meet NHS criteria or live in areas without commissioned services. Private prescribing must still adhere to the UK licensed indication and safety monitoring requirements. Private costs vary considerably but typically range from £150–£250 per month for the medication alone, depending on the dose and supplier. This does not include consultation fees, which can add £50–£150 per appointment. Over a 12-month treatment course, private patients may spend £2,000–£3,500 in total. Some private providers offer package deals that bundle consultations, prescriptions, and ongoing clinical monitoring.

What's Included in Cuva Health's Wegovy Service

Cuva Health is a digital healthcare provider offering weight management services, including access to Wegovy through a structured, clinically supervised programme. The service integrates medication with ongoing clinical support, nutritional guidance, and behavioural coaching to optimise outcomes and ensure patient safety.

The service begins with an initial clinical assessment conducted by a UK-registered prescriber, typically via video consultation. This assessment reviews medical history, current medications, weight-related comorbidities, previous weight loss attempts, and suitability for GLP-1 therapy. Patients are screened for contraindications according to the UK SmPC (primarily hypersensitivity to semaglutide or excipients) and important cautions including history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy, and severe gastrointestinal conditions. Blood pressure, baseline weight, and BMI are documented to establish treatment goals.

Once approved, patients receive their Wegovy prescription with clear instructions on injection technique, dose escalation schedule, and management of common side effects. Cuva Health typically arranges direct delivery of medication to the patient's home, eliminating the need for pharmacy visits. The standard dose titration follows the licensed regimen: starting at 0.25 mg weekly for four weeks, then increasing monthly through 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 1.7 mg, before reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly.

Patients receive guidance on injection site rotation and safe sharps disposal. Important safety information is provided, including advice to avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding (stopping at least 2 months before planned pregnancy), monitoring for signs of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease, and managing dehydration risk if vomiting or diarrhoea occur. For patients with diabetes, additional monitoring for retinopathy and potential adjustment of insulin or sulfonylurea doses may be recommended to reduce hypoglycaemia risk.

Ongoing support includes regular check-ins with the clinical team, access to registered dietitians for personalised nutrition plans, and digital tools for tracking weight, food intake, and physical activity. Patients can message their care team between appointments for advice on side effect management or treatment adjustments.

Wegovy Cost Through Cuva Health

Cuva Health operates a subscription-based pricing model for Wegovy treatment. As of current information, the monthly subscription typically ranges from £199–£249, depending on the specific package and any promotional offers available at the time of enrolment. This monthly fee generally covers:

• Wegovy medication at the appropriate dose for that month

• Initial prescriber consultation and assessment

• Ongoing clinical monitoring with regular follow-up appointments

• Unlimited messaging access to the clinical team

• Nutritional support from registered dietitians

• Home delivery of medication

• Digital tracking tools and educational resources

For a standard 12-month treatment course, patients can expect total costs of approximately £2,400–£3,000. Private prescribing remains subject to UK SmPC indications and safety monitoring requirements. According to the SmPC, clinicians may consider stopping treatment if less than 5% weight loss is achieved after 6 months on the maintenance dose.

It is important to note that Cuva Health does not currently accept NHS prescriptions, so patients cannot access the service at NHS prescription charge rates. However, for those who do not meet NHS eligibility criteria or face long waiting times, the private route offers an alternative access pathway.

Patients should verify current pricing directly with Cuva Health, as costs may vary based on promotional periods, package options, or changes in medication supply costs. Some private medical insurance policies may provide coverage for weight management services, though patients should check their specific policy terms before commencing treatment.

Patients are advised to report any suspected adverse reactions to Wegovy via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or via the Yellow Card app).

Frequently Asked Questions