How Long Does Wegovy Take To Work?

If you’re thinking about starting weight loss treatment with Wegovy, you’ll likely want to know how long you’d have to wait before starting to notice the benefits. You may have heard that the treatment takes effect immediately, but how accurate is this claim?

Containing the active ingredient, semaglutide, Wegovy is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works to suppress your appetite, reduce food cravings, and support weight loss. The treatment is known to deliver impressive before-and-after transformations, with one clinical trial showing that 36% of participants lost around 20% of their body weight over 104 weeks. This is compared to just 2% of people who took a placebo.

While this is all well and good for the long term, how do the early stages of the journey measure up? How long does Wegovy take to work and deliver real results? Join us as we discuss the length of time it could take to feel the effects of semaglutide on your weight and appearance. We’ll also provide you with some tips on how to maximise weight loss with Wegovy, so you can ensure you’re getting the most out of your treatment. 

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How Long Does Semaglutide Take to Work?

Wegovy's active ingredient, semaglutide, starts to work from the initial weekly dose of 0.25 mg. Clinical research indicates that users typically begin to lose weight within the first four weeks of treatment, with the potential to shed between 2% and 3% of their total body weight within a month.

During the first few days of taking the medication, you may also notice a reduction in appetite. As things continue, you should feel fuller, less hungry, and experience fewer cravings. Together, these effects will contribute to weight loss.

After several weeks, the Wegovy dosage will increase to a maximum of 2.4 mg of semaglutide. It’s at this point that the medication reaches maximum effectiveness. The gradual increase in strength over at least a 17-week period is designed to minimise the impact of side effects such as constipation and diarrhoea. 

Does Wegovy Work Straight Away?

Yes, Wegovy works straight away by binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the body to suppress your appetite. That being said, you shouldn’t expect an immediate large drop in weight. A double-digit percentage weight loss is only likely to occur with at least six months of regular treatment; therefore, it’s essential to remain focused and dedicated.

In the early days of taking Wegovy, it’s important to focus on the subtle differences and use them as motivators to keep you on the straight and narrow. Some telltale signs of progress include:

• Looser-fitting clothes
• Improved mobility
• Enhanced fitness levels
• Changes in appearance

Patience is most certainly a virtue when it comes to Wegovy weight loss. Provided you eat well and exercise regularly, success should come your way in due course.  Indeed, data shows people who combine Wegovy with a calorie-controlled diet, increased physical activity, and behavioural counselling can lose more weight compared to a placebo after 68 weeks (16% vs 5.7%).

How Long Do You Take Wegovy for Weight Loss?

How long you will need to take Wegovy varies from person to person and depends on several factors. Some people may only need to use it for a few months to achieve their weight loss goals, while others may require longer-term treatment.

Some of the things that can influence how long you need to take Wegovy for weight loss include:

• Your weight loss goals: How much weight you want to lose and in what timeframe can affect how long you continue treatment for.
• How your body responds to semaglutide: Not everyone will tolerate or respond to Wegovy in the same way, which can impact how long it will take to notice the effects.
• Side effects: If you experience Wegovy side effects, you may need to remain on a dose for longer or adjust the dosage schedule to suit.
• Clinical guidance: Your clinician will assess your progress and response to Wegovy and discuss how long you should continue your treatment.
• Lifestyle: Making changes to your diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep patterns can all contribute to enhanced weight loss. 

Can I Stay on Wegovy Long Term?

Yes, Wegovy has been approved for long-term weight management and is not designed to be a quick-fix solution. Indeed, clinical trials have demonstrated that the medication can support an average weight loss of 15% over a two-year period.

Weight loss is a marathon rather than a sprint, so it’s a good idea to keep going with your Wegovy treatment schedule until you are happy with your current weight and feel that you’ve made the necessary lifestyle changes to keep on the straight and narrow. That’s because coming off the treatment can lead to an increase in appetite, so it’s essential to have the right tools in place to counteract this. Failing to do so may result in you gaining weight and losing some of the progress you worked so hard to achieve.

This is backed up by clinical research, which showed that after one year of semaglutide withdrawal, participants regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss. A separate study revealed that after 20 weeks of Wegovy treatment, some people moved onto a placebo while others continued on semaglutide for an additional 48 weeks. At the end of this period, those who stayed on Wegovy lost a further 7.9% of their body weight, while the others gained 6.9%. Therefore, if Wegovy helps you effectively manage your weight and you tolerate the medication well, it may be recommended that you stay on it long-term. 

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• Weekly injection
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• Discreet delivery next working day
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Is It Safe To Take Wegovy Long Term?

Yes, it is safe to take Wegovy long-term, provided this is done under the supervision of a licensed clinician. This is because the treatment requires ongoing monitoring for side effects and weight loss progress, to ensure the medication remains appropriate for your circumstances. In fact, research has shown that Wegovy users can achieve meaningful results for at least 4 years.

Long-term use of Wegovy doesn’t just support weight loss either, with the same study finding that semaglutide lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events in 17,604 adults with pre-existing cardiovascular disease by 20%. The trial also discovered that Wegovy reduced:

• Heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death by 20%
• Heart attacks in people taking statins by 28%
• Non-fatal strokes by 7%
• Cardiovascular-related death by 15%

Wegovy Results Timeline

Everyone responds differently to weight loss medication, and results can vary depending on factors, including your starting weight, lifestyle, and how well your body responds to treatment. That said, clinical studies and real-world experiences can provide a general timeline of what to expect.

Here’s how your weight loss progress may look over time:

Weeks 4 to 8

During this period, you’re likely to experience subtle changes such as looser-fitting clothes and a reduction in appetite and cravings. The average weight loss at this time is between 2% and 4%.

Weeks 8 to 12

Weight loss will be more noticeable at this point in your treatment. On average, people can expect to lose around 6% of their starting weight within the first 3 months of treatment. If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight within 12 weeks, your clinician may advise you to stop taking Wegovy or suggest an alternative weight loss medication.

4 to 7 Months

By this point in your treatment, you should reach the maximum weekly dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide, and your results are likely to accelerate. The average weight loss in clinical trials at week 28 is around 12%. You may notice that your clothing no longer fits as well, your energy levels have increased, and your confidence is booming.

8 to 12 Months

Weight loss will continue while taking Wegovy. On the STEP 1 trial, the average weight loss at 9 months was around 13%. It’s essential to maintain your healthy lifestyle habits, as they will be crucial for sustaining your weight loss beyond your Wegovy treatment. Continue experimenting with new, healthy foods – our Wegovy Diet Plan guide is a useful resource here – and keep pushing yourself to meet your exercise goals. The continued hard work will pay off.   

Year 1+

Clinical data show that after 68 weeks, the average weight loss on the highest dose is 15%. People were more likely to lose weight on Wegovy compared to a placebo. Within the semaglutide group, 86.4% lost 5% of their starting body weight, 69.1% lost 10%, 50.5% lost 15%, and 32% achieved at least a 20% drop in body weight.

For a more detailed week-by-week weight loss guide, please read our dedicated article. You can also take a look at Wegovy reviews from real customers, and check out some impressive before-and-after pictures to give you a good idea of what to expect.  

How to Maximise Weight Loss on Wegovy

Although Wegovy is an effective weight loss injection. It works best when combined with healthy lifestyle choices. Small adjustments to your diet, exercise routine, sleep, and other daily habits can make a big difference in how much weight you lose and how well you keep it off.

Some of the things you can do to support your weight loss on Wegovy include:

• Follow a balanced diet that’s rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and wholegrains, but avoid greasy, fatty, or sugary foods
• Be physically active for at least 150 minutes per week 
• Stay hydrated, because not getting enough water can worsen side effects like feeling sick, but drinking water can also help to reduce hunger
• Get good sleep to support normal hormone levels
• Manage stress to avoid emotional eating habits

You can learn more and find more in-depth strategies in our dedicated article: 5 Ways to Increase Weight Loss with Wegovy.

Wegovy

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

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• Approved Weight Loss treatment
• Weekly injection
• Reduces risk of heart attack & stroke

• Discreet delivery next working day
• Online prescription - No doctor visit

Prices from £129.99 Review More Prices

Start Order More Info

Get Started

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Your Next Step: Effective Weight Loss with Wegovy at Prescription Doctor

Wegovy is a powerful treatment that gets to work right away, providing meaningful long-term weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. That being said, embarking on a journey with medication may seem like a daunting process to go through alone, so you could feel more comfortable knowing that you have a trusted and respected provider in your corner.

At Prescription Doctor, we’re here to support you throughout your entire weight loss journey. Our specialist clinicians will help you determine whether Wegovy is suitable for your requirements, while our UK-based General Pharmaceutical Council-registered dispensing pharmacy can issue your medication promptly in discreet packaging. We’ll also check in with you regularly to monitor progress and ensure everything is working as it should.

In addition, we have a library of information you can refer to if you ever have any questions. Whether it’s answering queries such as ‘How long does Wegovy take to work?’ or providing information on subjects like how to use the injection pens, increasing your dosage, managing side effects, and what to do if you’re not achieving the results you expected, you can rely on us. We can even help if you’re thinking of switching to Wegovy from another treatment, such as Mounjaro.

Ready to kick-start your Wegovy journey? Take control of your health and request a consultation today. 

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 12/10/2023 Re-Published on: 19/09/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 19/09/2025