Wegovy 7.2mg: Wegovy’s New Dose Explained

Wegovy is an effective weight loss injection. Positive customer reviews and impressive before-and-after stories highlight the medication's impact when taken alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

However, Wegovy has a rival in determining the most effective injection on the market. Mounjaro, with its active ingredient tirzepatide, can lead to greater weight loss. Its dual-agonist mechanism of action and higher maximum dosage mean that you could lose approximately 22.5% of your starting body weight. This is higher than Wegovy’s potential results.

January 2026 saw the gap narrow, however, as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved a new, higher Wegovy 7.2 mg dose that could offer greater weight loss potential than before. But what exactly is this new dose of Wegovy, how can you get it, and how effective could it be? Read on to find out everything you need to know. 

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What is the New 7.2mg Wegovy Dose?

The new 7.2 mg Wegovy dose is a higher strength of semaglutide. Studies were conducted to determine whether this dose could achieve greater weight reduction than the previous maximum maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Because the trials were a success, Novo Nordisk (Wegovy’s manufacturer) submitted the new dose for regulatory approval, which has now been granted.

Wegovy’s new dose works in the same way as lower doses: it mimics the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone to promote a sense of fullness, reduce appetite, and reduce cravings. It is an addition to the existing Wegovy dosage schedule that gradually increases to reduce the risk of side effects.

Currently, the new dose will be 3 x 2.4 mg, administered simultaneously using a 2.4 mg pen. A 7.2 mg pen may be available later in the year. 

Wegovy 7.2mg Dose Approval: When Did it Happen?

Wegovy’s new higher dose was approved by the regulator on 12th January 2026, meaning it is now available from licensed UK-based prescribing services such as Prescription Doctor. You can obtain it on a prescription-only basis and under close medical supervision. 

Who is the New Dose of Wegovy For?

The 7.2 mg Wegovy dose is intended for individuals currently on the 2.4 mg strength who are tolerating it well, have more weight to lose, or have reached a plateau. You must have already been taking the 2.4 mg dose for at least 4 weeks to be eligible for the new strength.

Other than this, the previous prescription criteria for Wegovy still apply. This means you should be eligible for the 7.2mg dose if you:

• Are over the age of 18
• Have a BMI of at least 30, or over 27 with a weight-related medical condition
• Do not have type 1 diabetes
• Are not pregnant

A clinician can determine whether the higher dose is appropriate for your circumstances. 

How Effective is Wegovy 7.2mg?

Clinical trials have shown that the new 7.2 mg Wegovy dose led to an average 20.7% weight loss in obese people after 72 weeks of treatment, with a third of participants losing at least 25% of their starting body weight.

To determine how it compared with previously available doses, the higher-strength dose was tested against the 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide and a placebo. The average weight loss results were as follows:

• 20.7% with 7.2 mg
• 17.5% with 2.4 mg
• 2.4 mg with a placebo

Meanwhile, another study tested individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 30 and found that:

Another key result from the STEP UP trials was that approximately 84.5% of weight loss came from body fat rather than lean body mass (LBM). Maintaining as much LBM as possible is crucial for sustainable weight management, keeping a high metabolic rate, and staying physically strong. Lower LBM can also affect daily living and emotional or psychological states. 

Side Effects of Wegovy 7.2mg

Gastrointestinal side effects were common in both groups receiving Wegovy. Among those receiving the 7.2 mg  Wegovy dose, 70.8% experienced adverse effects and 3.3% discontinued treatment; in the 2.4mg group, 61.2% experienced adverse effects and 2% discontinued.

The most commonly reported Wegovy side effects include:

• headache
• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• weakness or tiredness

Side effects are most likely to occur at the beginning of treatment and when the dose increases, but some people may experience them longer. It all depends on how your body reacts to the active ingredient. A more comprehensive list of Wegovy side effects is available in the Patient Information Leaflet. 

Wegovy 7.2mg and Dysaesthesia

Some 22.9% of people receiving the 7.2 mg  Wegovy dose experienced dysaesthesia, painful, burning, or tingling sensations, compared to 6% receiving the 2.4mg dose and 0.5% who were given a placebo. Most events were mild to moderate in intensity and cleared up during the course of treatment.

If you end up experiencing dysaesthesia while taking the new dose of Wegovy and your symptoms become unmanageable, you should contact your clinician to either reduce your dose or stop treatment. 

How to Take the 7.2mg Wegovy Dose

Wegovy 7.2 mg is administered by injecting 3 doses of 2.4 mg, so you will need to inject yourself 3 times instead of the usual once. These should be taken on your usual day and time, once per week.

A single 7.2 mg pen may be available later in the year. If this comes out, you’ll only need to administer 1 injection per week and follow the usual dosage instructions. As long as you’ve been taking the 2.4mg semaglutide dose for at least 4 weeks, you should be able to titrate up to the new 7.2 mg strength. 

Wegovy 7.2mg Dosage Instructions 

To safely administer the new Wegovy dose, please do the following:

1. Attach a new needle to your Wegovy injection pen.
2. If the pen is new, prime it as you usually would. If not, skip to step 3.
3. Dial the pen to the 2.4 mg dose.
4. Inject the treatment into your preferred injection site.
5. Once administered, remove the pen and replace the needle. 
6. Attach a new needle and repeat the process until you have injected 3 x 2.4mg doses.

Please note that you must use a new needle for each of the 3 injections. Never reuse a needle. You can use the same injection site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) for each dose, but the needle pricks should be at least 5cm apart to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

If your current injection pen has insufficient doses, switch to the next pen and prime it as usual. Remember that each 2.4 mg pen contains enough semaglutide for 4 doses. 

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Switching to Wegovy’s New Higher Dose

The process of switching to the 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy is determined by your current situation. For example, factors to consider depend on whether you’re just starting a weight loss treatment or currently taking an alternative medication such as Mounjaro or Nevolat.

Here’s how everything works:

Starting Your Weight Loss Journey

If you haven’t used a weight loss injection before, or you’ve come back after a long break, you won’t be able to switch directly to the new, higher Wegovy dose. Instead, you will start at the lowest dose of 0.25 mg and work your way upwards according to the usual dosage schedule. 

Already Taking Wegovy 2.4 mg

If you’ve been taking the 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide for at least 4 weeks, you may be able to titrate up to Wegovy 7.2 mg. This depends on your weight loss results and any side effects you may be experiencing.  

Please note that if you’re currently taking the 2.4 mg dose and are satisfied with your progress, or unsure about titrating up, there’s no obligation to do so. Moving to the highest dose will be determined on an individual basis after consultation with your clinician. 

Currently Using Alternative Treatments

If you’re switching from another medication to the 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy, you may need to start at a lower semaglutide dose and then increase per the usual dosing schedule. This is to give your body time to adjust to the medication. Your clinician can work with you to determine the most suitable course of action.

For more information on switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, please see our dedicated article. 

Wegovy 7.2mg vs Mounjaro

Clinical trials have shown that the 7.2 mg Wegovy dose can produce similar weight loss results to Mounjaro, one of the most effective weight loss injections available. This could make Wegovy a more cost-effective option, especially after the Mounjaro price increase in 2025.

Let’s review how Wegovy 7.2 mg compares to the highest weekly dose of Mounjaro, based on data from a 72-week tirzepatide trial:

Wegovy 7.2mg Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re interested in the new higher Wegovy dose, you may still have some questions about why it was introduced or whether it will be available on the NHS. This is where we can help.

Why Did Novo Nordisk Introduce the New Wegovy Dose?

The new 7.2 mg Wegovy dose is designed to provide additional weight loss support for people who have plateaued on their current dose or haven’t yet met their targets. Indeed, the Step Up trial showed that some people benefit from a higher weekly dose, resulting in an average weight loss of 20.7% over 72 weeks.

Is Wegovy 7.2mg Safe?

Yes, the higher Wegovy dose has been approved by the UK regulator, as clinical trial results showed a safety profile similar to that of the lower doses of semaglutide. Your clinician will work with you to determine if the 7.2 mg Wegovy dose is suitable for your circumstances. 

Wegovy

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

• 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

Start Order More info

Will I Need to Use the New Wegovy Dose if I’m Already on Wegovy 2.4mg?

No, most people will not need the 7.2mg Wegovy dose, or may choose not to increase it. Many people achieve significant weight loss on the 2.4mg strength. The higher dose is intended for anyone who is struggling with weight management on Wegovy despite making lifestyle changes and tolerating the treatment well. 

Is Wegovy 7.2mg Available on the NHS?

No, the new Wegovy dose isn’t yet available on the NHS. This may change in the future, but it could take considerable time. Higher doses of medication are often subject to stricter cost-effectiveness evaluations, which can delay access to them.

Begin Your Wegovy Journey with Prescription Doctor

Whether you’re just starting out on your weight loss journey or are already incorporating Wegovy into your healthy lifestyle, Prescription Doctor is here to help. Since 2013, we’ve helped countless individuals reach their goals, and we’re ready to do the same for you.

Our experienced clinicians will be with you every step of the way, assessing whether Wegovy is suitable for your circumstances and providing guidance and support as needed. We will even regularly check in with you to monitor progress.

We also have a library of useful information on our website, including a complete dosage guide,  a diet plan, and tips and tricks for success. No matter what you need to know, we can help.

If you’re looking to make real progress with your weight loss efforts, don’t wait for the new, higher Wegovy 7.2 mg dose to come out. Begin your consultation with Prescription Doctor 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: 25/11/2025 Re-Published on: 30/01/2026

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: 30/01/2026