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What is Wegovy?
About this page. Written by the GLPInfo editorial team with AI assistance from the official sources listed at the end, and approved by the site owner before publication. It has not been reviewed by a named clinician. Published 27 Aug 2026 · last updated 27 Aug 2026 · next scheduled review 27 Nov 2026.
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Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide 2.4mg, a once-weekly injection made by Novo Nordisk and licensed in the UK for weight management alongside diet and physical activity. It was the first of the modern GLP-1 weight-loss injections to launch in the UK.
How it works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist: it mimics a natural gut hormone that signals fullness, reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying. It is a prescription-only medicine taken once a week, any day, at any time, via a pre-filled FlexTouch pen.
Licence and doses
Wegovy is MHRA-licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 and above with at least one weight-related condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, and for some adolescents under specialist care. Dosing starts at 0.25mg weekly and steps monthly through 0.5mg, 1mg and 1.7mg to the 2.4mg maintenance dose. Some UK providers now also list a higher 7.2mg dose; whether any step is appropriate is a prescriber decision. The gradual ladder exists to manage gastrointestinal side effects.
What the trials showed
In STEP 1 (68 weeks, adults with obesity without diabetes, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2021), semaglutide 2.4mg produced an average body-weight reduction of 14.9%, against 2.4% with placebo. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head against tirzepatide (2025), average loss was 13.7% with semaglutide versus 20.2% with tirzepatide at maximum tolerated doses. Averages hide wide individual variation.
Side effects and safety
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting, typically worst around dose increases. The patient information leaflet lists the full range including less common serious risks such as pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Semaglutide is also available as a daily tablet: see what is the Wegovy pill and pill vs injection.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy available on the NHS?
In some areas, through specialist weight-management services, under NICE criteria. Most people using Wegovy for weight loss in the UK currently access it privately. Check the NHS website or your GP for the position where you live.
How much does Wegovy cost in the UK?
It varies by provider and dose. Our live comparison shows current first-order and ongoing prices per dose across UK online pharmacies, re-checked every 12 hours: compare Wegovy prices.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both contain semaglutide, but Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes at lower doses, while Wegovy is the weight-management licence at doses up to 2.4mg weekly. UK prescribing for weight loss should use the weight-management licence.
Related: Wegovy injection price comparison · cheapest Wegovy injection today · true cost guide · how to check a provider
Sources
- STEP 1 trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg for obesity, New England Journal of Medicine (2021)
- SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, tirzepatide vs semaglutide, New England Journal of Medicine (2025)
- Wegovy patient information, electronic medicines compendium (emc)
- NICE guidance on semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity