Wegovy Dosage UK: Dose Schedule, the 7.2 mg Dose and Missed Doses

Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg once a week and steps up every 4 weeks to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. Some adults with obesity then move to 7.2 mg. This guide sets out the full schedule from the UK product information, what to do if you miss a dose, how each pen is used and what each strength typically costs.

Wegovy Doses at a Glance

0.25 mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 1.7 mg, each for 4 weeks, then 2.4 mg; 7.2 mg for some adults with obesity.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injection. According to its Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), the dose goes up over 16 weeks:

• Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg once a week.

• Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg.

• Weeks 9 to 12: 1 mg.

• Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg.

• From week 17: 2.4 mg, the maintenance dose.

If needed, adults with obesity can go up to 7.2 mg once a week, after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg.

No dose adjustment is needed based on age, or for kidney or liver problems, although experience is limited in severe kidney or liver disease and Wegovy is not recommended in end-stage kidney disease. Wegovy is also available as a daily tablet, which has its own dosing: see our Wegovy pill dosage guide.

Why the Dose Goes Up Slowly

Stomach side effects are most common while the dose rises, so it goes up over 16 weeks.

The SmPC says the dose is increased over 16 weeks to reduce the likelihood of stomach and gut side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, which are most common while the dose is rising.

If those side effects are significant, the SmPC says to consider delaying the next increase, or going back to the previous dose until they improve. Talk to your prescriber before your next step up if side effects are hard to manage.

At any dose, the SmPC says to seek immediate medical attention for persistent, severe stomach pain, which can be a sign of acute pancreatitis. Report suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

The 7.2 mg Dose

For adults with obesity, if needed, after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg; one 7.2 mg or three 2.4 mg injections.

The 7.2 mg dose is for weight management in adults with obesity, if needed, after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg. It is not recommended for adolescents, for whom the highest dose is 2.4 mg.

The SmPC describes two ways to take it, depending on the pen:

• One injection of 7.2 mg from a single-use pen, pressed firmly against the skin until the yellow bar stops moving. The injection takes about 5 to 10 seconds.

• Three injections of 2.4 mg, one after another. They can go in the same body area but at least 5 cm apart, with a new needle for each.

Your prescriber decides whether a move to 7.2 mg is right for you.

When Treatment Is Reviewed

If less than 5% of starting weight has been lost after 6 months, continuing is reviewed.

For weight management, the SmPC sets a review point: if someone has not lost at least 5% of their starting body weight after 6 months of treatment, a decision is needed on whether to continue, weighing the benefits and risks for that person.

For adolescents aged 12 and over, the SmPC says treatment should be stopped and re-evaluated if their BMI has not fallen by at least 5% after 12 weeks on 2.4 mg or the highest dose they tolerate.

Missed Doses and Changing Your Injection Day

Within 5 days, take it; after 5 days, skip it. Keep at least 3 days between doses.

The SmPC gives these rules:

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day, then carry on weekly.

• If you miss more than one dose, a lower dose may be needed to restart, so speak to your prescriber before your next injection.

• To change your injection day, you can, as long as there are at least 3 days (more than 72 hours) between two doses.

How Each Dose Is Injected

Under the skin of the stomach, thigh or upper arm; 4 doses per pen; new needle each time.

Wegovy is injected under the skin of the stomach area (abdomen), thigh or upper arm, once a week at any time of day, with or without food. You can change the injection site.

Each FlexTouch pen holds 4 doses of one strength, so one pen lasts 4 weeks, and the pack includes 4 NovoFine Plus needles. The SmPC advises:

• Use a new needle for each injection, and remove it straight afterwards, storing the pen without a needle attached.

• After the fourth dose some solution may be left in the pen. It is not enough for a dose, so throw the pen away.

• The pen is for one person only.

Storage: keep new pens in the fridge (2°C to 8°C). Once in use, a pen can be kept below 30°C or in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Do not freeze it, and keep the cap on to protect it from light.

Switching From Wegovy Tablets to Injections

From the 25 mg tablet, the 2.4 mg injection can start the day after the last tablet.

The SmPC notes that the effect of switching between the tablet and the injection cannot easily be predicted. People taking the 25 mg tablet once a day can move to the 2.4 mg injection once a week, starting the day after their last tablet. Any switch should be agreed with your prescriber.

Other Medicines, Pregnancy and Contraception

Insulin or sulfonylurea doses may be lowered; not in pregnancy; stop 2 months before a planned pregnancy.

• Diabetes medicines: if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, your prescriber may lower that dose when you start Wegovy, to reduce the risk of low blood sugar. Wegovy should not be used with other GLP-1 medicines. People with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy should be monitored closely, as a rapid improvement in blood sugar has been linked to a temporary worsening.

• Contraception and pregnancy: the SmPC recommends contraception for women who could become pregnant. Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.

Tell your prescriber about every medicine you take before you start and before each dose increase.

How Much Each Wegovy Dose Costs

Typically £88.85 a pen at 0.25 mg, rising to £189.82 at 2.4 mg.

Privately, Wegovy is priced by strength. Across UK pharmacies, a 4-week pen typically costs £88.85 at 0.25 mg, £102.99 at 1 mg and £189.82 at the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, and the 7.2 mg dose typically costs £225.97 (collected on 9 November 2026).

These are medians across the UK pharmacies we track every day, so half charge less and half charge more. Because the dose rises over the first 16 weeks, the monthly cost usually rises before it settles. For pharmacy-by-pharmacy prices, see how much Wegovy costs. On the NHS, NICE guidance TA875 recommends Wegovy within specialist weight management services, for up to 2 years; access also depends on local commissioning and service availability.

Scientific References

1. Wegovy 2.4 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics.
2. Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875) - Recommendations.
3. MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions