Wegovy Dose 7.2mg: Efficacy & Dosing Guide
Medically reviewed by
Dr Babak AshrafiLast reviewed: 13 Jan 2026
Wegovy is a popular and effective weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Research shows that the average weight loss on the maintenance 2.4mg dose over 68 weeks is 17%. However, a stronger Wegovy 7.2mg dose is now approved for use in the UK. Clinical trials have found 7.2mg dose of Wegovy to be up to 21% effective.
Here, we explore what the new Wegovy dose is, how effective it is, and who can use it.
What is Wegovy 7.2mg?
The Wegovy 7.2mg dose is a new maintenance dose of the semaglutide-based weight loss injection. Previously, the highest weekly dose was 2.4mg, but a stronger 7.2mg dose is now available from Wegovy’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, after it’s submission of the 7.2mg dose for approval.
This new Wegovy dose contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and works in the same way to help overweight or obese adults achieve meaningful weight loss by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Further clinical trials investigating safety and effectiveness are already underway, and the latest results from the STEP UP phase 3b trial were published in November 2025.
How effective is the Wegovy 7.2 dose?
The STEP UP phase 3b trial tested the safety and effectiveness of the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose. The study involved 1407 people who were randomly given 7.2mg or 2.4mg of Wegovy or a placebo over 11 months.
The average weight loss in each group was:
- 20.7% in the 7.2mg group
- 17.5% in the 2.4mg group
- 2.4% in people given a placebo
An earlier with a body mass index of 30 or above found that:
| Outcome | Wegovy 7.2mg | Wegovy 2.4mg |
|---|---|---|
| % of people who lost at least 5% of their starting body weight | 90.7% | 89.9% |
| % of people who lost at least 10% of their starting body weight | 82.4% | 75.1% |
| % of people who lost at least 15% of their starting body weight | 66.5% | 54.5% |
| % of people who lost at least 20% of their starting body weight | 47.7% | 33.3% |
| % of people who lost at least 25% of their starting body weight | 31.2% | 15.3% |
*Wharton S et al. Once Weekly semaglutide 7.2 in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025.
The results of these clinical trials show that a greater average weight loss is possible with the Wegovy 7.2mg dose compared to the current maximum maintenance dose of 2.4mg.
Both the 7.2mg and 2.4mg doses help a similar number of people achieve at least a 5% weight loss. However, almost double achieved at least a 25% average body weight change with the increased Wegovy 7.2mg dose in the earlier STEP UP trial, suggesting it could have greater benefits for obese people.
Potential side effects
The safety profile of both Wegovy doses were similar in the STEP UP trial with 71% of people reporting gastrointestinal side effects in the 7.2mg group compared to 61% in the 2.4mg group. Just 3.3% of people given the 7.2mg dose stopped taking it because of side effects compared to 2% in the Wegovy 2.4mg dose group.
Very common Wegovy side effects include:
- headache
- feeling sick
- being sick
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- weakness or tiredness
Dysaethesia and Wegovy 7.2mg
Wegovy 7.2mg has been shown to have a higher rate of a side effect called dysaethesia which means altered skin sensation. Around 23% of trialled patients experienced burning, tingling, skin pain or sensitive skin. Most of these cases were mild and settled. If you experience this and it is severe or persistent, you should request that you reduce your dose or stop treatment.
A full list of potential Wegovy side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that is provided with the medication.
How do side effects compare to Mounjaro's highest dose?
Wegovy and Mounjaro side effects are similar with the most common being gastrointestinal, like feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain.
At the previous highest Wegovy dose of 2.4mg per week and the highest 15mg Mounjaro dose, side effects included feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain. Here is an overview:
| Side Effect | Wegovy* | Mounjaro** |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling sick | 44% | 2% |
| Being sick | 25% | 0% |
| Diarrhoea | 31.5% | 0.5% |
| Constipation | 23% | 12% |
| Stomach pain | 10% | 0.5% |
| *Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity **Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity | ||
Gastrointestinal side effects like these described were 70.8% more likely in the 7.2mg dose of Wegovy than the 2.4mg dose (61.2%).
These results suggest that Mounjaro causes gastrointestinal effects less often than Wegovy.
Who can take Wegovy 7.2mg?
You should be eligible to take Wegovy 7.2mg if you:
- are over 18 years old
- have a BMI of 30kg or 27kg and a weight related health condition
- do not have type 1 diabetes
Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2mg?
Yes but note that Wegovy 7.2mg follows the current Wegovy dosage schedule. This means you will need to start on the lowest dose and gradually work your way up to the highest dose by increasing the dose every 4 weeks, although it may take longer for some people.
If you are already on the Wegovy dose of 2.4mg per week, you may be able to increase your dose to the new 7.2mg dose. This will depend on several factors, including:
- your current weight loss progress
- any side effects you may be getting
If you are considering switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, our doctors can help.
If I’m already on the highest dose of Wegovy, will I need to switch?
No, if you are happy with the current Wegovy dose you are taking, you do not need to switch. Moving to the highest dose will be decided on an individual basis and discussed with your doctor, you will not be forced to increase to the Wegovy 7.2mg dose.
When will Wegovy 7.2mg be available in the UK?
Wegovy 7.2mg is now available, licensed and approved for use in the UK as of January 2026.
How much is the highest Wegovy dose?
The cost of the Wegovy new dose is likely to be in keeping with the current pricing schedule, but because it contains a higher strength of semaglutide, it will cost more that the current highest dose of 2.4mg, which is £205 from Superdrug Online Doctor at the moment. Wegovy 7.2mg is coming to Superdrug Online Doctor soon.
Summary
The Wegovy 7.2mg dose is currently available in the UK. The higher dose is linked with greater average weight loss and is now available for obese and overweight adults.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Novo Nordisk develop the 7.2mg dose?
Novo Nordisk developed the higher Wegovy dose to help people who have not achieved their target weight loss goals on the current 2.4mg dose. The STEP UP trials found that the average weight loss on Wegovy 7.2mg was 20.7% compared to 17.5% in the 2.4mg group, showing that the higher dose led to more weight loss than the current maintenance dose.
Is Wegovy 7.2mg safe?
Yes, results from clinical trials have shown that the higher dose of Wegovy has a similar safety profile to the lower doses. Although it may be considered safe for use by some people, it is now approved for use in the UK.
Will Wegovy 7.2mg be available on the NHS?
If the Wegovy 7.2mg dose is approved by the MHRA and NICE it may become available on the NHS, but it could take some time.
Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2mg if I’m on Mounjaro?
No, you will not be able to switch from Mounjaro directly onto the Wegovy 7.2mg dose. Instead, you would need to start on a lower Wegovy dose and gradually move up to allow your body to get used to the medication and lower the chance of side effects. If the higher dose of Wegovy is approved for use in the UK, a doctor will discuss the best way to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy.
How does Wegovy 7.2mg compare to 2.4mg?
The Wegovy 7.2mg dose is an investigational strength of the weight loss medication, but clinical trials have shown that it produces a higher average weight loss than the current 2.4mg dose (18.7% vs 15.6%).
Sources
- 1966-LB: Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide 7.2 mg in Obesity—STEP UP Trial, Diabetes [accessed 09 January 2026]
- Novo Nordisk A/S: More efficacious dose of Wegovy® recommended by the European Medicines Agency can help people with obesity achieve an average of 20.7% weight loss, Yahoo! Finance [accessed 09 January 2026]
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) [accessed 09 January 2026]
- Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology [accessed 09 January 2026]
- Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, NEJM [accessed 09 January 2026]
- Wegovy 2.4 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen, electronic medicines compendium (emc) [accessed 09 January 2026]