Wegovy is a prescription weight loss medication containing semaglutide. It’s specifically for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 27 or more with weight-related health conditions, including prediabetes and high blood pressure.
Wegovy can help regulate your appetite and reduce food cravings, while also delaying the emptying of your stomach, so you feel full for longer periods after eating. You inject Wegovy once per week, and it follows a dosage schedule up to a maximum dose of 2.4mg.
Your doctor will also encourage you to eat a lower-calorie diet, follow healthy eating habits, and exercise more often while taking Wegovy. This helps you get the most from your treatment. You can buy Wegovy in the UK online from regulated prescribing services like NewGen Pharmacy with a prescription.
The Wegovy injection works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps to regulate your blood sugar levels and sends signals to the receptors in your brain that manage appetite.
Wegovy helps you to lose weight because it:
reduces your appetite, so you do not need to eat as many calories to feel full
delays how quickly food empties out of your stomach, so you’ll feel fuller for longer
helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, reducing cravings and blood sugar spikes (this can be especially helpful for people with prediabetes or insulin resistance)
Wegovy, like other weight loss injections, is always prescribed alongside a complementary healthy diet and exercise plan to help you with your weight loss journey.
Wegovy will start working from the very first injection, and you may start to feel fuller within the first few days.
In the first month of taking Wegovy injections alongside a healthy diet plan and regular exercise, you can expect to lose around 2% of your starting weight. However, you’ll notice the effects more as you follow the dosage schedule and reach a higher dose.
“As it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to see significant weight loss, your doctor will wait until you’ve been taking the Wegovy injection for 6 months before checking you’ve reached a weight loss of at least 5% from your starting weight. If this is not the case, you and your doctor will discuss whether it’s the right decision to continue taking Wegovy.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor.
Wegovy is an effective treatment for weight loss, and studies show that the 2.4mg maintenance dose works for 83.5% of people who take it.
After taking 2.4mg of Wegovy over 68 weeks, the average weight lost was 14.9% from starting weight. This is compared to a 2.4% loss of weight in those taking a placebo.
The Wegovy injection was also found, on average, to reduce:
The numbers from these studies are from people taking Wegovy alongside a diet and exercise plan. To get the most from your treatment, it’s best to follow healthy lifestyle changes during and after your treatment with Wegovy, so you can maintain your weight loss.
You can inject Wegovy into your lower abdomen, thigh, or upper arm (with the help of someone else), depending on which is easiest and most comfortable for you.
Wherever you choose to inject Wegovy, divide the section up into smaller sections and choose a different area to inject each week. This helps reduce Wegovy injection site irritation or soreness.
You should always use a fresh needle with every dose to prevent contamination or infection. Never reuse a needle or use a needle that’s unsealed, bent, or broken.
If you’re not using a new pen, you can skip this step.
There are 5 different doses of Wegovy:
Each dose comes in its own colour pen. Each pen contains 4 doses and lasts for 4 weeks before you need to switch pens.
Wegovy dosage starts low and increases gradually as you get used to the medication. This is done over a few months.
Wegovy dosage schedule
The Wegovy dosage schedule is as follows:
Month 1: You will start with the recommended dose of 0.25mg.
Month 2: Your dose will be increased to 0.5mg.
Month 3: Your dose will be increased to 1mg.
Month 4: Your dose will be increased to 1.7mg.
Month 5 and beyond: Your dose will be increased to 2.4mg, the maintenance dose. You will continue taking this dose for the rest of your treatment.
You might stay on a lower dose for longer, such as if you get side effects that you’d rather have settled before you continue with a higher dose. You can also stay on a lower dose if you’re losing weight and you’re happy with the results.
You can change your mind at any time and increase your dose with your doctor’s approval, as long as it’s been at least 4 weeks on your current dose but you cannot take more than 2.4mg a week.
Wegovy dosage chart that shows which dose you’ll take on which week until the maximum maintenance dose
What should I do if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
If it is 5 days or less since you should have used Wegovy, take it as soon as you remember. Inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day even if this means taking 2 doses within a few days of one another.
If it is more than 5 days since you should have used Wegovy, skip your missed dose. Inject your next one as usual on your next scheduled day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you forget Wegovy for more than 2 weeks, you might need to restart treatment from the 0.25mg dosage. Speak to your doctor if you’ve missed several Wegovy injections.
You can buy Wegovy in the UK with a prescription from trusted and regulated online doctor services, like NewGen Pharmacy. You can also get it on the NHS, although the criteria for getting it is different from private services. Wegovy must be prescribed by a doctor, so you won’t be able to get it over the counter.
Can I buy Wegovy online?
Yes, you can buy Wegovy online through our service. To get your prescription and treatment, follow these simple steps:
Doctors in the UK can prescribe Wegovy if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30, or over 27 and a weight-related medical condition or risk factor, such as high blood pressure. If you’re not sure you’re eligible for Wegovy, you can use our BMI calculator to check.
Can I buy Wegovy over the counter?
No, you cannot buy Wegovy over the counter. The active ingredient semaglutide needs to be prescribed to make sure it’s safe and suitable. Be cautious of any website offering genuine medication without a prescription, as this is illegal or the treatment could be fake.
Can I get Wegovy on the NHS?
Yes, you can get Wegovy on the NHS but only in certain circumstances. You can find out more on the NHS website. Some GPs and pharmacists can prescribe Wegovy, although this is not a UK-wide standard at the moment. Otherwise, you’ll need a referral to a special weight management service and this can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, as demand is high.
Can you buy generic Wegovy?
No, you cannot buy generic Wegovy in the UK, or anywhere else yet. Wegovy weight loss injections are currently under a patent with the manufacturer, so other manufacturers cannot make it a generic treatment yet. You’ll be able to buy generic semaglutide sometime in or after 2031 when the patent expires.
Very common side effects of Wegovy include:
These side effects usually go away over time as your body gets used to the medication. It’s possible for side effects to come back when you increase your dose.
Common side effects of Wegovy include:
Low blood sugar in diabetic patients is more likely if you’re also taking sulfonylurea or insulin. Before starting Wegovy, speak to your doctor if you’re taking these medications to adjust your dose if necessary.
Uncommon side effects of Wegovy include:
Some serious side effects of Wegovy require you to speak to a doctor straight away. These include:
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. You or someone else should call 999 straight away if you get symptoms such as:
How long do Wegovy side effects last?
Wegovy side effects can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. They tend to get better with time but some side effects can happen at any time, or may be likely after a dose increase. You must let your doctor know if you cannot tolerate Wegovy and its side effects.
What to do if you get Wegovy side effects
Speak to your doctor if you get any Wegovy side effects, especially if they:
taking over-the-counter medicines, like painkillers or acid reflux tablets
staying hydrated
For specific advice on your side effects, you can find more about Wegovy side effects in our guide, including tips on managing them, or ask your doctor.
You can take Wegovy if you’re over 18, need help managing your weight, and do not have any conditions or take any medications that interact with semaglutide and could make it unsafe.
You’ll also need to meet the BMI requirements for taking Wegovy, which is either over 30, or 27 and over with a weight-related health condition, including prediabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.