Wegovy (semaglutide) injections

What is Wegovy?  

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists (typically referred to as ‘GLP-1s’). 

GLP-1s work by mimicking hormones that suppress your appetite and by slowing digestion. This helps to food curb cravings and make you feel fuller for longer.     

Prescribers most often recommend Wegovy to support weight loss for people living with obesity.  

It’s also licenced for prescription to help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke for people living with obesity. 

Wegovy has benefits besides simply helping with weight loss, it can also: 

• improve blood sugar control 
• support healthy kidney function 
• may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s 
• may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 

Wegovy has been proven in clinical trials to be safe and effective for weight loss, including for long-term use. 

In the UK, it’s only available on prescription through licenced providers like myBMI. 

Who manufactures Wegovy in the UK?  

Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, which is one of the largest producers of health products in the world.  

Novo Nordisk tests its products for safety extensively using independent clinical trials performed by third-party expert scientists. 

Is Wegovy safe for weight loss?  

Yes, Wegovy (semaglutide) has been proven in clinical trials conducted in several stages to be both safe and effective for weight loss, including for long-term use.  

It’s licenced and approved in the UK for both weight loss and weight management, which means that once you’ve reached your goal weight, you can continue to take it long-term to prevent weight regain. 

Studies conducted over a two-year period show Wegovy continues to be safe and effective, so you can keep taking it for as long as you need to. 

How does semaglutide work?  

Wegovy, whose active ingredient is called semaglutide, works to help you lose weight in three ways: 

Suppressing appetite 

Wegovy mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which your body naturally produces.  

This hormone is released after you eat to signal to your brain that you’re full. So, by mimicking its effect, food cravings are controlled, and you’ll naturally want to eat less. 

Slowing digestion 

Wegovy also helps slow down your digestive transit – how long it takes food to leave your stomach after you eat.  

This helps you to feel fuller for longer and gives your brain more time to receive signals from your stomach that you’re satisfied after eating.  

This helps reduce the urge to overeat at mealtimes and snack between meals, so healthier eating habits become easier to stick to.  

Controlling blood sugar  

As well as suppressing appetite and slowing digestion, Wegovy helps to stabilise your blood sugar levels. 

It does this by stimulating your body to produce more insulin – a hormone made in the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar. 

This reduces the blood sugar spikes that can cause food craving, helping you to eat less.  

How effective is Wegovy?  

Numerous studies show Wegovy is highly effective for weight loss.  

A 2021 study known as the STEP-1 trial, which studied almost two-thousand people living with obesity, found that those taking semaglutide (Wegovy) lost around 17% of their starting body weight on average over 68 weeks. 

A different long-term study into Wegovy found some participants lost between 15-25% of their starting body weight over a 15-month period.   

However, everybody’s weight loss journey is different. Some people may lose more or less than this amount, the important thing to remember is that when you’re living with obesity, all weight loss is an important step towards better health. 

How much weight can you lose?   

How much weight you lose on Wegovy depends on several factors including: 

• your age 
• your sex 
• your starting weight 
• your diet 
• hormones 
• genetics 
• your activity level 
• any other health conditions you’re living with 
• any other medications you’re taking 

How long does it take to work?   

Wegovy starts working straight away when you take your first dose, though it may take a day or two for you to notice any effects.  

Once Wegovy gets to work, you should feel your appetite start to reduce (though some people on the 0.25mg dose don’t experience much suppression). And when you eat, your digestion should be slower. But the weight loss that these effects on your body cause usually takes a little longer to see.  

Everyone’s weight loss journey looks different, but, based on your starting weight, you can expect to see, on average: 

• Weeks 1-4: possible 2% weight loss 
• Weeks 5-8: possible 8% weight loss 
• Weeks 9-12: possible 6% weight loss 
• Week 13 onward: possible 8% weight loss by week 13, with many people losing 15-17% of their starting weight long-term 

Will I regain weight if I stop taking Wegovy?  

Not everyone who stops taking weight loss medications will regain the weight they’ve lost, but research shows weight regain after stopping treatment is likely.  

A 2022 study of over 300 people participants, people lost an average of 17.3% of their starting weight taking 2.4mg semaglutide (Wegovy) for 68 weeks. 

However, on average, participants regained two-thirds of the weight they’d lost 12 months after stopping weight loss. 

If you want to stop using weight loss injections once you hit your goal weight, it’s essential to stick to a nutritious diet and exercise plan to make sure you don’t regain the weight you’ve lost. 

How myBMI works  

Our process for prescribing weight loss medications to those who suit them is easy and works in four simple steps: 

Ongoing care and clinical monitoring  

Once you’ve received your prescription, we’ll continue to monitor your progress and our clinical team is here to reach out to for support any time, to make sure your treatment continues safely and effectively. 

What’s included in our service?  

With MyBMI’s service, you’ll get authentic Wegovy medications provided by a regulated pharmacy following a prescription from a licensed clincian, as well as: 

• ongoing guidance and support from our pharmacy team, throughout your weight loss treatment and weight loss maintenance 
• regular check-ins to make sure your treatment is progressing well, and order reminders to make sure you never run out of your medication 
• educational guides on how to treat and manage your side effects and advice on how to stick to a nutritious, balanced eating plan 
• access to an array of treatments to help you manage any side effects 
• fast, discreet home delivery with reliable stock availability 

“Starting weight loss treatment, is a big, important step in your health journey. Obesity is a risk factor for a lot of other health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. So tackling it using weight loss injections, alongside the appropriate lifestyle changes, is one of the most important and positive actions you can take for your long-term health.” 

Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy  

Start your weight loss journey consultation 

Wegovy doses and titration  

Wegovy is currently available in five different dose strengths. 

You start on a low dose for safety, to minimise potential side effects. As your body gets used to the medication over time, you can increase the dose. This process is called ‘titration’. 

Wegovy UK dose chart   

The typical recommended titration schedule is: 

There is also a new 7.2mg dose strength for Wegovy currently in development, but it’s not expected to be in available in the UK in 2026 at the earliest.   

Do you have to start on the first dose?  

Yes, you’ll need to start treatment at the lowest dose, regardless of your health status or starting weight. 

We do this for safety and to reduce your chances of side effects.  

How does titration work?   

You start on a low dose for safety, to minimise potential side effects. As your body gets used to the medication over time, you can titrate up (increase) the dose.  

The typical titration schedule that prescribers recommend is a dose increase every 4 weeks minimum.   

However, the titration schedule looks different for everyone and depends on how well you tolerate side effects.  

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy  

You can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, but only under clinical supervision from a prescriber. 

Depending on your current dose and how well you tolerated treatment, you’ll need to wait between a week and 35 days after your last dose of Mounjaro before starting treatment with Wegovy.  

Your Wegovy starting dose will depend on the dose of Mounjaro you were previously taking. 

Who is eligible for Wegovy?  

You might be eligible to have Wegovy prescribed privately through a provider like myBMI if you meet these criteria: 

• you’re 18 or older 
• you have a BMI of 30 or above (obesity) 
• you have a BMI of 27 or above, alongside a weight-related health condition (like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes) 
• you’re committed to making lifestyle changes with diet and exercise 
• you have risk factors for stroke or heart disease (as Wegovy reduces these risks) 

Is it suitable for any age?   

No, Wegovy is not suitable for any age.  

While some countries do prescribe Wegovy for adolescents aged 12 and over with certain health conditions, in the UK, you must be at least 18 years old to get a prescription, 

Can you take Wegovy while pregnant or breastfeeding?   

No, prescribers do not recommend Wegovy for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?   

You shouldn’t take Wegovy if you: 

• are under 18 
• have heart, kidney, or liver problems 
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant 
• have a family history of thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 
• have severe stomach or gut issues, like gastroparesis 
• have a history of pancreatitis 

Before taking Wegovy, you should always discuss your individual and family health history with your prescriber and tell them about any medications you’re taking. 

Can you get Wegovy in the UK on the NHS?  

Yes, you can get Wegovy on the NHS in the UK. However, although Wegovy is cheaper on the NHS, prescription criteria are much stricter.  

To receive a prescription for Wegovy on the NHS, you must have a BMI of 40 or above, as well as four out of the five following conditions: 

• type 2 diabetes 
• high blood pressure (hypertension) 
• heart disease 
• obstructive sleep apnoea confirmed by a sleep clinic 
• dyslipidaemia (blood fat levels outside the typical range) 

Wegovy side effects  

Like any medication, Wegovy can cause side effects. This is most common when starting treatment or when titrating up, as your body adjusts to the medication and dose strength. 

The most common Wegovy side effects are: 

• constipation 
• diarrhoea 
• fatigue 
• headaches 
• nausea or vomiting 
• stomach pain 

These side effects can happen to more than 1 in 10 people taking the medication. 

Less common side effects include: 

• acid reflux (heartburn) 
• bloating  
• burping 
• indigestion (dyspepsia) 
• upset stomach 

Serious side effects 

Very rarely, some people might experience serious side effects when taking Wegovy, you should seek medical help straight away if you notice signs of: 

• Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): seek medical help urgently if you notice severe or long-lasting pain in your stomach or back. 
• Kidney or bladder stones: symptoms include trouble urinating, a change in urine colour, abdominal pain and lower back pain. 
• Bowel obstruction: this is a severe form of constipation with symptoms like stomach aches, vomiting and bloating. 
• Severe allergic reaction: call 999 or go to A and E immediately if you have breathing problems, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, swelling, dizziness or weakness. 

Wegovy mixed with other medications  

Wegovy has been known to interact with other medications. So make sure to inform your prescriber of any other medications you are taking during the consultation process.   

Storage, administration and disposal   

For safety reasons, it’s essential that you store, administer, and dispose of Wegovy the right way. 

How to store Wegovy  

• you should store your Wegovy pens in the fridge until you’re going to use them. 
• after the first use, you can store them either in the fridge or at room temperature (below 30°C. 
• keep Wegovy pens out of direct light, in a cool, dark place and never freeze them 

Should you store Wegovy in a refrigerator?  

Yes, before you first use each pen, you should keep Wegovy in the fridge. 

After the first use, you can store pens in the fridge or somewhere cool and dark at room temperature, like a cupboard. 

Injecting Wegovy  

To inject Wegovy: 

1. Gather together everything you’ll need: your Wegovy pen, alcohol swab or soap and water, guaze pad or cotton ball, and container to place the used pen in. 
2. Thoroughly wash your hands. 
3. Choose your injection site (upper arm, front of thigh, or abdomen). You should rotate injection sites to avoid bruising. 
4. Remove the pen cap, taking care not to push down on the needle point.  
5. Line the pen up straight on the injection site. Push the pen down firmly and keep applying pressure until the yellow bar starts moving. You’ll hear two clicks – this doesn’t mean the injection is finished. Continue applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving (about 10 seconds). 

Best places to inject   

The best places to inject Wegovy are: 

• upper arms 
• upper legs (the front of the thigh) 
• lower abdomen 

What if I inject too much?  

If you think you’ve injected too much Wegovy, you should seek medical care, as taking too much can lead to: 

• blurred vision 
• dizziness 
• hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) 
• loss of consciousness 
• weakness 

Disposing of your Wegovy pen  

Once your pen is finished, remove and safely dispose of the needle (placing it inside a closed container in the bin is a good idea). 

You can place the pen, along with any other used pens, in the medications return box and when the box is full,  take it to any participating pharmacy to be recycled. 

Wegovy diet advice  

Your diet is a key part of your weight loss treatment if you’re using Wegovy.  

You’re much more likely hit your weight loss goals if you’re eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet focused on unprocessed whole foods high in lean protein and fibre. 

What foods should I avoid whilst taking Wegovy?  

While you’re taking Wegovy, it’s recommended to avoid: 

• High-fat, greasy foods: these can cause or worsen side effects like diarrhoea,  heartburn, and nausea. 
• Spicy foods: these can cause or worsen indigestion, diarrhoea, and nausea. 
• Sugary foods and drinks: these can cause blood sugar spikes which can lead to food cravings, reduce your energy, and add empty calories. 
• Processed foods and takeaways: these tend to be high-calorie, low in essential nutrients, and less filling than high-fibre whole foods. 
• Excess alcohol: alcohol can lower your blood sugar and may make side effects like nausea and heartburn worse, so enjoy it in moderation. 

What foods will help me on my journey?  

To hit your nutrient goals, try eating the following: 

Protein 

• beef  
• turkey 
• chicken 
• fish 
• tofu 
• tempeh 
• chickpeas 
• beans 
• lentils 
• low-fat dairy products like yoghurt and cottage cheese 

Fibre 

• broccoli 
• cauliflower 
• beetroot 
• carrots 
• artichokes 
• aubergine 
• Brussels sprouts 
• potatoes 
• whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, wholegrain bread, brown pasta, and oats 

Healthy fats 

• avocados 
• olive oil 
• nuts 
• seeds 
• oily fish 

Wegovy and alcohol  

If you’re taking Wegovy, you don’t need to avoid alcohol entirely.  

But to stay in a calorie deficit, and to minimise side effects, like nausea and indigestion, it’s recommended to drink alcohol in moderation and opt for low-calorie low-sugar options like clear spirits and sugar free mixers. 

Wegovy and fizzy drinks  

It isn’t recommended to drink fizzy drinks while taking Wegovy. A lot of them have high amounts of sugar that can affect blood sugar and add empty calories. 

Diet fizzy drinks are preferable to full-sugar versions, but even these aren’t typically recommended by health professionals, because they can increase sugar cravings and trigger or worsen side effects like:  

• wind 
• bloating 
• stomach discomfort  

If you’re going to drink diet fizzy drinks while taking Wegovy, it’s recommended to do so in moderation.   

Wegovy and exercise  

Exercise is crucial to weight loss while taking Wegovy. It helps burns calories, regulate hormone levels, control blood sugar, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms like fatigue. 

If you’re new to exercise, start slowly and build up over time with exercises like: 

• walking  
• swimming 
• cycling 
• yoga 
• beginner bodyweight and resistance band exercises 

Do you have to exercise while taking Wegovy?  

Yes, exercise is crucial to weight loss while taking Wegovy.  

Exercise helps to:  

• burns calories 
• build muscle 
• regulate hormone levels 
• control blood sugar 
• improve sleep 
• reduce symptoms like fatigue 

Sources:  

Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial (2024) Nature Medicine [Accessed 11 November 2025]   

Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine [Accessed 11 November 2025] 

Clinical Review - Semaglutide (Wegovy) NCBI Bookshelf [Accessed 11 November 2025]   

How to Use the Wegovy® Pen | Wegovy® (semaglutide) Injection 2.4 mg (2025) Novo Nordisk [Accessed 11 November 2025] 

Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (2022) New England Journal of Medicine [Accessed 11 November 2025] 

Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial (2022) Nature Medicine [Accessed 11 November 2025]   

Wegovy - Uses, How it Works and Side Effects (2025) Diabetes UK [Accessed 11 November 2025]   
_{*https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183}