Wegovy 7.2 mg: Everything You Need to Know About the Higher Dose

Last updated: 29 May, 2026

Wegovy 7.2 mg is available in the UK, approved by the MHRA on 12 January 2026 following successful clinical trials. Novo Nordisk developed the higher dose for patients who have plateaued or been unable to achieve suffcient results on the 2.4 mg dose.

Wegovy manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, launched the new dose for patients who are not experiencing adequate weight loss and appetite suppression on the 2.4 mg dose.

Here, we explain what we know so far about this higher 7.2 mg dose – including what is means for Wegovy dosage, the results of clinical trials, how effective it is, side effects, when it may be available on prescription, and who it is suitable for.

Wegovy 7.2 mg pen update

What is changing with the Wegovy 7.2 mg pen format?

The 7.2 mg dose is moving from three separate 2.4 mg injections to a single weekly injection. The new single-use 7.2 mg pen delivers your full weekly dose in one injection, with a monthly supply of 4 x single-use pens.

Is the medication changing?

No. The active ingredient remains semaglutide and your total weekly dose stays the same. Only the pen format is changing.

Will I automatically move to the new pen?

Any treatment changes will be reviewed and approved by our clinical team before your supply changes.

Can I use my remaining 2.4 mg pens alongside the new 7.2 mg pen?

No. Do not use both formats in the same week. The new 7.2 mg pen is intended to replace the three separate 2.4 mg injections for that weekly dose.

Is the 7.2mg pen the same as my current Wegovy pen?

No. The 7.2mg pen format will be different. Current UK Wegovy pens contain four doses in one pen.
The Wegovy 7.2mg presentation will be 4 x single-use pens for one month’s supply, meaning one pen
is used for one weekly dose.

If you any additional questions please contact our patient care team who will be happy to help.

What is Wegovy 7.2 mg?

Wegovy’s 7.2 mg dose is the highest dose available. Before the launch of this dose, Wegovy came in five strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg.

The new dose contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and you take it once a week as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.

The 7.2mg dose is currently supplied as three 2.4mg pens per week. This will be changing to a new single-use 7.2mg pen, meaning your full weekly dose will be delivered in one injection. Your monthly supply will be 4 x single-use pens..

How Do You Take the 7.2 mg Dose?

Currently, the 7.2 mg dose requires three separate injections using 2.4 mg pens, with a new needle for each injection. Injections should be at least 5 cm apart, either in the same area or different injection sites.

This will be changing. A new single-use 7.2 mg pen is coming, meaning your full weekly dose will be delivered in one injection. Your monthly supply will be 4 x single-use pens – one per weekly dose.

Do not use both the new 7.2 mg pen and additional 2.4 mg pens in the same week.

How to administer Wegovy HD 7.2 mg pen

Before you start

1. Check you have the right pen

   Confirm the label reads Wegovy HD 7.2mg. Check the expiry date and that it has been stored correctly (in the fridge until use).

2. Inspect the medicine

   Look through the window. The liquid should be clear and colourless with no cloudiness or particles.

   If it looks off or the pen is damaged, do not use pen – contact us.

3. Wash your hands

   Thoroughly wash your hands with soapy water to ensure hygiene.

4. Keep the pen cap on until you are ready to inject

   Your pen will no longer be sterile if you store an unused pen without the cap.

   If you pull the pen cap off and put it on again, or if the pen cap is missing, this could lead to an infection.

Choose and prepare your injection site

5. Choose your site
   • Abdomen (at least 5cm from the navel)
   • Thigh
   • Upper arm

   We recommend rotating injection sites weekly.

6. Clean the area

   Wipe with an alcohol swab and let it dry completely before injecting.

How to inject Wegovy HD 7.2 mg pen

7. Remove the cap

   Pull the cap straight off – do not twist it.

8. Press the pen against your skin

   Hold the pen at 90 degrees (straight in) and press it flat and firmly against the cleaned skin.

   The injection starts automatically when the pen is pressed down. You will hear a click and the yellow bar in the window will start to move.

   If the bar doesn’t move, press the pen more firmly against your skin.

9. Hold until the yellow bar stops

   Keep the pen pressed firmly in place until the yellow bar has completely stopped moving. Then count slowly to 5-10 seconds before lifting the pen away.

10. Lift the pen away

    Remove the pen slowly. The needle cover will lock automatically.

    There may be a small drop of liquid or blood – gently press with cotton or gauze. Do not rub.

    Once removed, the injection cannot be paused or restarted.

    Do not attempt to reuse the pen.

Disposal

11. Dispose of the whole pen in a sharps bin

    The 7.2mg pen has a built-in hidden needle – the entire pen goes into an approved sharps container.

    Do not put it in household rubbish.

    Do not try to touch or remove the needle.

Why Has a Higher Dose Been Released?

Novo Nordisk started developing the 7.2 mg dose after learning some patients on the 2.4 mg dose weren’t getting the results they wanted. Clinical trials found a higher dose could help patients who had either plateaued or weren’t losing weight.

It also helps Wegovy compete more directly with Mounjaro (tirzepatide), another GLP-1 weight loss drug. In trials, Mounjaro had shown greater average weight loss than Wegovy. But patients on the 7.2 mg dose now have similar results to the highest Mounjaro dose (15 mg).

How Effective is Wegovy 7.2 mg?

In Phase 3b clinical trials, participants lost on average 20.7% of their starting body weight over a 72-week period.

Around one-third (33.2%) of participants lost at least 25% of their starting body weight, according to the results, published in June 2025.

In the randomised trial, called the STEP UP trial, 1,400 adults with obesity and without diabetes were given once-weekly injections of Wegovy. Participants received gradual dose increases, followed by a 7.2 mg maintenance dose.

These outcomes were compared to the placebo and the 2.4 mg dose of Wegovy.

How Does Wegovy 7.2 mg Compare to the ‘Standard’ Dose?

In the STEP UP trial, patients on the 7.2 mg dose lost, on average, more weight than participants on the current maximum 2.4 mg dose over 72 weeks.

Here’s the summary of the average results of Wegovy 7.2 mg compared to the 2.4 mg dose and placebo:

• 7.2 mg dose: Patients lost on average 20.7% of their baseline body weight.
• 2.4 mg dose: Patients lost on average 17.5% of their baseline body weight.
• Placebo: Patients lost 2.4% of their baseline body weight.

However, the best dose for you is not necessarily the dose where you experience the greatest appetite suppression. The ideal dose will be where you are experiencing appetite-suppressing effects, while also being able to manage side effects.

That’s why your provider will always assess you before increasing your dose. They’ll work with you to find the best dose for your weight loss journey.

How Does Wegovy 7.2mg Compare to Mounjaro?

Results of the Wegovy 7.2 mg dose are now closer to the results of Mounjaro (tirzepatide).

In clinical trials, participants on Wegovy 7.2mg achieved 20.7% average weight loss after 72 weeks. In a separate trial, patients on Mounjaro 15 mg lost on average 22.5% of their starting weight.

Because results are now similar, a patient’s choice of treatment may depend more on how they respond and side effects, rather than effectiveness. Costs and personal preference may also come into the decision.

Is Wegovy 7.2 mg Safe?

Yes, the 7.2 mg dose is safe. Clinical trials show that the dose has a similar safety profile (how safe a medication is and its side effects) as the 2.4 mg dose.

The dose has been approved by the MHRA. The MRHA will only approve a drug that meets high safety standards.

Is the Increase From 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg Not Too High?

The jump from 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg may seem high, given it’s three times the current maximum dose. But the STEP UP trial found patients tolerated the dose well.

In the trial, participants gradually increased their dose before reaching 7.2mg. Only 5.4% of patients on 7.2 mg stopped treatment because of side effects. This is compared to 4% on 2.4 mg.

The dose increase should be easier to tolerate once your body has adapted to the 2.4 mg dose.

What Are the Side Effects of Wegovy 7.2 mg?

The side effects of the new 7.2 mg dose are similar to the existing Wegovy side effects. In clinical trials, the most common side effects were stomach-related. They included nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Wegovy 7.2 mg did, however, show a significant increase in dysesthesia (unusual or unpleasant sensations, including numbness, tingling, pricking and burning). Most participants with dysesthesia didn’t stop treatment, and it typically resolved when they stopped taking the dose.

Who is Wegovy 7.2 mg Suitable For?

Who can, and cannot, use Wegovy 7.2 mg? The Wegovy 7.2 mg dose will be prescribed to patients who have already titrated to the Wegovy 2.4 mg dose. It may be recommended for patients who aren’t experiencing adequate appetite suppression and weight loss results on the existing 2.4 mg dose.

Your clinician will assess you and determine if the dose is right for you.

Wegovy is currently licensed for weight management in overweight and obese adults with a BMI of 30+ or for patients with a BMI of 27+ if they have another weight-related condition.

Find out more about who should not use Wegovy in this article.

Is Wegovy 7.2 mg Available in the UK?

Yes. If you are eligible, you can now access the new 7.2 mg dose through Simple Online Pharmacy.

The 7.2 mg dose is being offered first through private providers, like us. The NHS will likely offer the new dose at a later date.

It comes after the MHRA, which is responsible for approving new medicines in the UK, approved the new Wegovy 7.2 mg dose on January 12, 2026. Novo Nordisk submitted approval for the new dose to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in July 2025.

Will Wegovy 7.2 mg Be Available on the NHS?

The 7.2 mg dose is only available through private providers. So, if you’re wondering if you can get Wegovy 7.2 mg on the NHS, the answer is no. It will likely become available on the NHS. However, this may take some time.

For a medication to become available on the NHS, it must go through an assessment from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) after the regulator (MHRA) approves it.

This process typically takes six to nine months.

How Much Does Wegovy 7.2 mg Cost?

The cost of the Wegovy 7.2 mg dose will vary from provider to provider.

Wegovy 7.2 mg costs £329.00 per month at Simple Online Pharmacy. This includes a full four-week supply of 4 x single-use 7.2 mg pens – one per weekly dose. Costs may vary between providers..

Can I Move From My Current Dose to Wegovy 7.2mg?

If you’re using Wegovy and have titrated to the 2.4 mg dose, you may be able to move to the higher 7.2 mg dose.

Your provider will assess your progress and how well you’re tolerating the 2.4 mg dose. They will then advise you on whether the 7.2 mg dose is suitable for you.

Should I Switch From Mounjaro to Wegovy 7.2 mg?

This decision will depend on your personal situation and your response to treatment.

You might want to switch if you’re getting side effects on Mounjaro you haven’t had on Wegovy (if you’ve taken Wegovy before).

Wegovy is usually more affordable, so you may want to switch to reduce costs.

What Does This Mean For My Weight Loss Journey?

If you’re currently on Wegovy 2.4mg and you’re not achieving your treatment goals (or you have plateaued), you might want to consider the 7.2mg dose.

If you’re considering switching to Mounjaro for better results, Wegovy 7.2 mg might be a better option. It means you could stay on Wegovy and get similar results to Mounjaro.

New patients will need to titrate through the doses before reaching 7.2 mg. But it can be reassuring to know there’s a higher-strength option available if you need it.

Key Takeaways

• Wegovy 7.2 mg is a higher-dose version of semaglutide: The previous maximum Wegovy dose was 2.4 mg. It was approved in January 2026.
• Patients achieved ~20% weight loss (on average) over 72 weeks: The STEP UP trial results found one-third of participants achieved 25%+ weight loss.
• Wegovy 7.2 mg is changing to a single-use pen format: Previously supplied as three 2.4 mg pens, the new 7.2 mg single-use pen delivers your full weekly dose in one injection. Your monthly supply will be 4 x single-use pens.
• Side effects likely similar to other Wegovy doses: The most common side effects of Wegovy are gastrointestinal (stomach-related). This includes nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
• It may cause dysesthesia (unusual or unpleasant sensations): Most participants didn’t stop treatment. It typically resolved when they stopped taking the dose.

References

1966-LB: Efficacy and safety of semaglutide 7.2 mg in obesity—STEP UP Trial. Diabetes, 74(Supplement_1), American Diabetes Association

Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc [online]

A Research Study to See How Semaglutide Helps People With Excess Weight, Lose Weight (STEP UP), Clinicaltrials.gov

The Evaluation of medicines, step-by-step | European Medicines Agency, EMA

Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Internal Medicine

‌Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, New England Journal of Medicine

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