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Womens Health
Health trends 2026
GLP1s
New High Dose Wegovy 7.2mg Approved for Weight Loss in the UK
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TribeTeam
This article explains Wegovy 7.2mg in the UK, including eligibility, weight loss effectiveness compared with Semaglutide 2.4mg and Tirzepatide, side effects, and administration.
🆕 January 2026 Update
In early January 2026, the UK's medicines regulator MHRA approved a new 7.2 mg weekly dose of Wegovy (Semaglutide), a higher-strength option designed to help people with obesity achieve greater weight loss alongside diet and exercise.
This represents a major update to weight-management treatment options available in the UK. GOV.UK
Below, we explain who can use the 7.2 mg dose, how effective it is compared to the standard 2.4 mg dose and Tirzepatide, side-effect considerations, and how it's administered.
What Is Wegovy 7.2 mg?
Wegovy® is a weekly injectable medication containing semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist originally developed to help with weight loss. Semaglutide works by reducing appetite, helping people feel full sooner and for longer. NHS England
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The new 7.2 mg dose is the highest weekly dose yet licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with obesity.
It is intended for people who have previously escalated through lower doses and need additional weight-loss support.
👤 Who Can Use the 7.2 mg Dose?
According to the MHRA approval:
✅
Adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) who are using Wegovy with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise plan
❌
Not currently approved for people with BMI < 30 or solely for cardiovascular risk reduction
🧑⚕️
Must have tolerated the standard 2.4 mg dose before escalation
The standard dose escalation for Wegovy starts very low (0.25 mg weekly), increasing gradually up to 2.4 mg. After a minimum of 4 weeks on 2.4 mg, and only if clinically appropriate, the dose can be increased to the 7.2 mg level (administered as three 2.4 mg injections in one session). GOV.UK
⚖️ Effectiveness: 7.2 mg vs 2.4 mg vs Tirzepatide
⚡ Wegovy 7.2 mg vs 2.4 mg (Semaglutide)
The STEP UP clinical trial evaluated the higher 7.2 mg dose:
💉 WEGOVY 7.2 MG
~20.7%
Average weight loss
~31% of participants
achieved ≥25% weight loss
💉 WEGOVY 2.4 MG
15-18%
Average weight loss
Current standard maximum dose in long-term studies
✅ The 7.2 mg dose provides enhanced weight loss compared with the 2.4 mg dose
🔥 How It Compares to Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro or Zepbound) is another weekly injectable used for weight management. It acts on two hormone pathways (GLP-1 and GIP), which often results in slightly greater weight loss in clinical trials.
💊
Tirzepatide 15 mg
~21%
Average weight loss in some studies
💉
Wegovy 7.2 mg
~20.7%
Average weight loss
In practical terms: This places the high-dose Wegovy closer in effectiveness to Tirzepatide's top dose than the previous 2.4 mg Wegovy dose, making it a viable alternative for many patients.
💉 How is Wegovy 7.2 mg Administered?
The 7.2 mg dose is still a weekly subcutaneous injection, but in current UK practice, it is given as three separate 2.4 mg injections on the same day (until single-dose pens become available). GOV.UK
Typical Escalation Schedule
1
Start at 0.25 mg once weekly
2
Gradually increase over weeks to 2.4 mg
3
Only if needed, escalate to 7.2 mg (three 2.4 mg injections)
Important: Each injection should be given under medical guidance, and healthcare professionals will advise on proper technique and scheduling.
⚠️ Side Effects and Safety Considerations
The side-effect profile at 7.2 mg is generally consistent with lower doses but can be more noticeable due to the stronger effect:
📌 Common Side Effects
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Vomiting
• Indigestion or bloating
• Temporary dysaesthesia (tingling)
Trials show a higher proportion of some symptoms like nausea and dysaesthesia at 7.2 mg vs 2.4 mg, though most cases are mild to moderate and often improve over time as the body adapts.
⚠️ Serious Risks
As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists:
⚠️ Rare cases of pancreatitis
⚠️ Gallbladder issues
⚠️ Possible effects on kidney function
⚠️ Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding
⚠️ Not recommended for those with a personal/family history of certain thyroid cancers (e.g., medullary thyroid carcinoma)
Close medical supervision and regular follow-up are essential, particularly when increasing to higher doses.
🧠 Eligibility on the NHS vs Private Prescribing
🏥
NHS
Currently, Wegovy prescribing through NHS specialist weight-management services focuses on the standard doses up to 2.4 mg and strict eligibility criteria related to BMI and comorbidities.
NHS availability expected later as pathways evolve
💳
Private
The 7.2 mg dose is approved in the UK, and initially will be more commonly accessed via private clinics and specialist services.
✓ Currently available
✅ Summary: What You Need to Know
✓ Wegovy 7.2 mg is now approved in the UK for adults with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² under specialist care
✓ It delivers stronger weight loss than the current 2.4 mg dose and approaches outcomes seen with top-dose Tirzepatide
✓ Administration is once-weekly injections, currently as three 2.4 mg pens on the same day
✓ Side effects are similar to lower doses but may be more pronounced during escalation
✓ NHS access may lag behind private availability initially
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