Wegovy 7.2mg: What you need to know

If your progress has plateaued on 2.4mg, Wegovy 7.2mg is now available as a higher strength option for people on their weight loss journey. And if you’re curious about whether this latest dose could work for you, you’ve come to the right place.  

Let’s break down everything you need to know about Wegovy 7.2mg, including what makes it different, who it’s for, and what you can expect in terms of price and results. 

Key points: 

• Wegovy 7.2mg is now available to request, administered as three 2.4mg injections at once. 
• People using Wegovy 7.2mg lost 21% of their body weight on average, with many achieving higher levels of weight loss. This means Wegovy is almost as effective as Mounjaro.  
• You’ll still need to titrate up to the 7.2mg dose, and not everyone needs it to achieve effective weight loss. 

What is Wegovy 7.2mg? 

Wegovy 7.2mg is the newest, higher dose of the weight loss injection medication from Novo Nordisk. It still contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, just at a higher strength than previously available doses.  

Like all Wegovy doses, it’s a GLP-1 medication that works by mimicking a natural hormone your body already produces, helping to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite.  

This dose is designed for people who’ve already achieved successful weight loss on lower-strength doses. It helps them continue their progress and maintain their results long-term. 

The benefits of 7.2mg 

The benefits of Wegovy 7.2mg include: 

• Clinical trials show people lose an average of 21% of their body weight compared to around 15% on the previous highest dose of 2.4mg. 
• It offers a new way to keep progressing on your journey if your weight loss has plateaued on lower doses. 
• It helps you maintain the weight you've already lost and prevent regain over time. 
• It helps to improve blood sugar control and cardiovascular health in addition to weight loss. 

How do I take 7.2mg  

Wegovy 7.2mg is given as three separate injections once a week. Here’s what you need to know about how to take Wegovy: 

• Three injections per dose: You’ll administer three separate 2.4mg injections to make up the full 7.2mg. 
• Inject under the skin: Give the injections subcutaneously (just under the skin) into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.  
• Once weekly, on the same day: Take your dose on the same day each week to maintain consistency. 
• Use a new needle each time: Always use a new sterile needle for each of the three injections.  
• Keep every injection site 5cm apart: You can keep the same injection site if you wish, but each injection needs to be 5cm apart. Alternatively, you can rotate your injection sites. 
• Always read the instructions: Make sure to read the enclosed patient information leaflet before your first dose. 

Wegovy 7.2mg: The cost 

At the time of writing, the monthly cost of Wegovy 7.2mg is £295, which is slightly less than the highest dose of Mounjaro. The current cost of Wegovy 2.4mg is £199.  

How do I buy Wegovy 7.2mg? 

Wegovy 7.2mg is a prescription-only medicine, so it’s not technically available to buy, as you’ll need to go through a consultation first. 

Keep in mind that Wegovy 7.2mg is specifically for people who’ve already been using lower strengths first. 

Can I get 7.2mg on the NHS? 

While Wegovy is available on the NHS, the new maximum dose of 7.2mg is only available through private prescribers like myBMI. 

How effective is Wegovy 7.2mg 

The new 7.2mg dose has shown impressive results in clinical trials, with people losing 21% of their body weight on average. And many participants actually lost more than that on the higher dose.  

That said, effectiveness varies from person to person. While many people saw better results with the higher dose, some still achieved excellent weight loss on the standard 2.4mg dose, showing that more isn’t always necessary for everyone. 

The STEP UP clinical trial 

The 7.2mg dose was tested in a large study called STEP UP, which involved over 1.4k adults with obesity across 11 countries. The trial ran for 72 weeks and compared the previous highest dose (2.4mg) with the new 7.2mg strength. 

Results in trials  

• Greater weight loss on average: People taking 7.2mg lost an average of 21% of their body weight compared to around 15% in the 2.4mg group. Around 50% on 7.2mg achieved 20% or more weight loss. 
• Individual results vary: Around 15% of people on 2.4mg still achieved 25% weight loss, showing the lower dose can still work brilliantly for some people. 
• Slightly more digestive side effects: Around 70% of people on 7.2mg experienced side effects like nausea, constipation, and bloating, compared to 60% on 2.4mg.  
• Similar serious side effect rates: Serious side effects occurred in 7% of people on 7.5mg, 11% on 2.4mg, and 6% on placebo. The overall safety profile remained consistent. 

Who can take 7.2mg? 

Wegovy 7.2mg is for people who are already taking Wegovy and have achieved successful weight loss on lower doses. It isn’t a starting dose – you’ll need to have worked your way up (titrated) through the lower doses first.  

You may be suitable to take 7.2mg if you: 

• have a BMI of 30 or above (or 27 and above with a weight-related health condition) 
• are currently taking Wegovy 2.4mg and are tolerating it well (minimal or no side effects) 
• want to maintain your weight after reaching your goal 
• have plateaued on the 2.4mg dose and need additional support to lose weight 

Is 7.2mg right for me? 

“The 7.2mg dose might be right for you if you’ve been doing well on Wegovy 2.4mg but feel you could benefit from extra support to reach or maintain your weight loss goals. 

“It’s worth considering if: 

• you've lost weight on 2.4mg but your progress has slowed or plateaued 
• you're struggling with appetite control on your current dose 
• you want to maximise your weight loss results 
• you've tolerated the lower doses well with manageable side effects  

“Remember, you don't always need the highest dose to achieve successful weight loss. Your prescriber will guide you throughout your journey and will only suggest moving to a higher dose if it's right for you.” 

Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U 

How does 7.2mg fit the Wegovy dosing schedule? 

The Wegovy titration path is: 

• 0.25mg (month one) 
• 0.5mg (month two) 
• 1mg (month three) 
• 1.7mg (month four, or maintenance dose) 
• 2.4mg (month five, or maintenance dose) 
• 7.2mg (month six, or maintenance dose) 

Following the dosing schedule and not immediately going onto 7.2mg allows your body to gradually adjust to the medicine and reduce the chance and severity of side effects.  

What’s the difference between 7.2mg compared to 2.4mg? 

The differences between Wegovy 7.2mg and 2.4mg are: 

• 7.2mg is three times higher than 2.4mg 
• 7.2mg is injected three times at once, weekly, whereas 2.4mg is injected once a week 
• people typically lose more weight on 7.2mg 
• the side effects of 7.2mg are well tolerated, with only a few stopping treatment 

How does 7.2mg compare to other weight loss medications? 

Until now, Mounjaro has been one of the most effective weight loss injections on the market. But Wegovy’s new 7.2mg dose is closing the gap. Below, we’ve compared Wegovy 7.2mg against others.  

Can 7.2mg cause additional side effects? 

Yes, the 7.2mg dose can cause more side effects than lower doses. There is also a higher risk of dysaesthesia, an altered skin sensation that feels like tingling, burning, or electric shocks. The majority of these cases are mild to moderate and settle down while on treatment. 

However, the types of side effects remain mostly stomach-related issues like nausea and diarrhoea. These are generally well-tolerated, with few people stopping treatment because of them. 

Can I inject in the same place each time? 

You can use the same injection site or area for Wegovy 7.2mg, but it mustn’t be in exactly the same spot. Keep them 5cm apart to reduce irritation and tissue damage, while also ensuring the medication absorbs properly. 

Is Wegovy 7.2mg safe? 

The safety profile of the 7.2mg dose is consistent with lower doses, showing similar side effects that are generally well tolerated. 

Of course, Wegovy isn’t suitable for everyone, which is why it’s a prescription-only medication. Your prescriber will assess whether Wegovy is right for you and determine which dose is most appropriate.  

Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2mg from another treatment? 

If you switch from another treatment like Mounjaro, you’ll usually need to start on the lowest dose, which would be Wegovy 0.25mg to ensure your body tolerates it. However, always speak to your prescriber for advice as this may differ based on your individual circumstances. 

Our expert’s summary of Wegovy 7.2mg 

“Wegovy 7.2mg is the newest dose available, and while the weight loss results are promising compared to the previous highest dose of 2.4mg, not everyone needs it to achieve effective weight loss. 

“If you’re already on the highest dose of Wegovy and your weight loss has plateaued, speak to your prescriber to see if this new dose could be right for you as you continue on your weight loss journey.” 

Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U 

Frequently asked questions about Wegovy 7.2mg 

Why isn’t 7.2mg available as a single pen yet? 

The 7.2mg dose as a single pen isn’t available yet, as Novo Nordisk is still working on manufacturing this new product.    

However, the 7.2mg dose itself has been approved, meaning it can be given as three separate doses. Due to this, we expect the single pen to be available soon. 

Will I receive additional needles with my order? 

Needles automatically come with each Wegovy pen. With Wegovy 7.2mg, it works out as 12 doses a month, meaning you’ll get three pens and 12 needles included with your order.  

Why did the manufacturer introduce a higher dose now? 

The manufacturer (NOVO Nordisk) is introducing the higher dose now after clinical trials showed it to be both more effective than the current highest dose and safe. They want to introduce it quickly to help patients lose more weight and continue their journey with Wegovy.  

Before it can become available, the results must be submitted to regulators for review, which is a process that takes more time. So even though the manufacturer is moving fast, there is always a long gap between the start of a trial and when a new treatment finally reaches patients, meaning you can have confidence it is safe and well-tolerated. 

Do I have to move up a dose if I’m already on 2.4mg? 

No, you don’t need to move up if you’re happy with your progress on the 2.4mg dose. The 7.2mg dose is optional and targeted at those whose weight loss has plateaued on 2.4mg and want to achieve further weight loss. 

How much more weight can I lose on 7.2mg? 

Clinical trials show that people using the higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy lost an average of 3.2% more body weight compared to those on the 2.4mg dose over 72 weeks. 

Can I go back to 2.4mg? 

Yes, if you’re not tolerating the 7.2mg dose due to side effects or you want to reduce the cost of your treatment, you can go back down to the 2.4mg dose. 

What if side effects increase? 

If you’re finding that your side effects have increased on the 7.2mg dose and you’re struggling to tolerate them, speak to your prescriber. They can suggest treatments to manage side effects or may recommend lowering your dose back to 2.4mg. 

Is more weight loss guaranteed? 

Everyone’s response to treatment is different, and more weight loss isn’t guaranteed. As it’s a higher dose, you’re likely to experience slightly more weight loss (15% on 2.4mg compared to 21% on 7.2mg on average), but individual results will vary. 

How long was 7.2mg studied? 

Wegovy 7.2mg was studied in the STEP UP trial for 72 weeks, which is a little less than a year and a half. 

Summary of Wegovy 7.2mg 

• More effective weight loss than the previous highest dose, but individual responses will vary. 
• Competitively priced at £295, which is less than the Mounjaro equivalent but around £100 more than 2.4mg. 
• Requires three separate injections once a week at the same time until the single pen becomes available. 

Sources 

• Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP). (2025). The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. [Accessed 9th January 2025]. 
• Wegovy and Heart Health. Wegovy. [Accessed 9th January 2025]. 
• Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP). (2025). PubMed. [Accessed 9th January 2025]. 
• Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. (2022). New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 9th January 2025].