Wegovy

What is Wegovy?

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.

How does Wegovy work?

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.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

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.

How effective is Wegovy?

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:

  • waist circumference by 13.5cm
  • systolic blood pressure by 6.2 millimetres of mercury (mmHg)


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.

How do I use a Wegovy pen?

Wegovy comes in the form of an injectable pen, which you’ll inject yourself with once a week. You don’t need to measure your dose, as each pen contains 4 doses that will last for 4 weeks. It’s recommended to take your Wegovy injection at the same time and day every week to get the best effect and reduce side effects.

Where to inject Wegovy

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.

How to use Wegovy

To use your Wegovy pen, you’ll need a few minutes, a fresh needle, a sharps bin, and a comfortable place to inject it. You can follow our step-by-step guide but before your first dose, you should also read all the information in the patient information leaflet.

Preparing your Wegovy pen

  • Wash your hands and the injection site with warm soapy water to prevent contaminating the needle.
  • Check your pen label to make sure it contains your prescribed dose of Wegovy.
  • Remove the pen cap and look through the small viewing window, where you can see the Wegovy liquid in the pen. Make sure that the liquid is clear and colourless. If it is not, do not use this pen and contact your doctor or prescribing service.
  • When you’re ready to inject, push a new needle onto the pen and turn it on tightly before removing the caps.


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.

Checking the flow of a new pen

If you’re not using a new pen, you can skip this step.

  1. If it’s your first time using this pen, you’ll need to check the flow. You can do this by turning the “dose selector” on the end of the pen until you reach the ‘flow check’ symbol (2 dots and a line).
  2. When you press the button, a small droplet of Wegovy should form on the tip of the needle. If it does, you’re ready to inject.
  3. If a drop does not appear, check the flow again. This should only be done twice.
  4. If there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. Do not use the pen if a drop of Wegovy still does not appear.

Taking your Wegovy dose

  1. Turn the dose selector until you reach your prescribed dose.
  2. Insert the needle into your skin and press the button, holding it down until the number on the dose counter reaches 0. Continue holding the button down after it reaches 0, and then count to 6. This makes sure all of the medication is properly injected.
  3. Remove the needle slowly from your skin, and then dispose of the needle and cap in the provided sharps bin.
  4. Put the cap back on your Wegovy injection pen and store it safely, away from sunlight, until you need to take your next dose.

There are 5 different doses of Wegovy:

  • 0.25mg
  • 0.5mg
  • 1mg
  • 1.7mg
  • 2.4mg


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

 
miss a dosage of wegovy
 

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:

  1. Complete a short medical questionnaire, which checks for any health conditions and current medications that could interact with Wegovy.
  2. You’ll also be asked to send some photos which are completely confidential and used by our doctors to check that Wegovy is a safe option for you. We need to do this to prescribe weight loss medication online. Read our photo guidelines to find out more.
  3. Once complete, your questionnaire and photos are sent to a registered doctor who can determine whether Wegovy is suitable for you, or whether another medication may be better.
  4. After approval, you can collect your medication from a convenient NewGen Pharmacy or have it delivered directly to you.


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:

  • headache
  • nausea (feeling sick)
  • vomiting (being sick)
  • constipation or diarrhoea
  • stomach pains
  • feeling tired or weak


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:

  • feeling dizzy
  • upset stomach or indigestion
  • burping
  • gas (flatulence)
  • bloating
  • inflamed stomach (gastritis)
  • reflux or heartburn
  • gallstones
  • hair loss
  • injection site reactions
  • change in the way food or drink tastes
  • change in skin sensation
  • low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with pre-existing diabetes


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:

  • an increased level of bilirubin in your blood (signs include jaundice which is the yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes)
  • hypoglycaemia in patients without diabetes
  • a delay in the emptying of the stomach
  • increase of pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase) shown in blood tests
  • fast heartbeat


Some serious side effects of Wegovy require you to speak to a doctor straight away. These include:

  • complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)
  • inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), with symptoms such as severe and long-lasting pain in your stomach and the pain may move to your back
  • kidney or bladder stones, with symptoms such as back or lower stomach pain, difficulty peeing, or a change in the colour of your urine
  • bowel obstruction, a severe form of constipation with additional symptoms like stomach ache, bloating, and vomiting
  • a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)


Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. You or someone else should call 999 straight away if you get symptoms such as:

  • breathing problems
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat with difficulty swallowing
  • wheezing
  • fast heartbeat
  • pale and cold skin
  • feeling dizzy or weak


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:

  • are getting worse
    do not improve after a few weeks of treatment
    are making it difficult to carry out daily
  • activities like working, eating, and sleeping
  • Most Wegovy side effects can be managed at home by:
  • getting rest eating little and often, and eating enough calories
  • avoiding alcohol and caffeine eating healthy foods

 

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.

Yes, the price listed is all-inclusive. This means that the price covers the cost of the consultation, prescription, medication, and next-day delivery. There are no surprising hidden fees.

Wegovy reviews