Wegovy 7.2 mg: New Dose Explained

Introduction to Wegovy 7.2 mg

Wegovy 7.2 mg is a newly developed, higher-strength version of Wegovy (semaglutide), which is currently awaiting approval for use in the UK.

The 7.2 mg strength dose is designed for weight management and administered once weekly by injection. It works in the same way as the existing doses, by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to slow stomach emptying, reduce appetite, and help regulate blood sugar.

This new strength is not a starting dose, but rather a maintenance dose option for patients who have already taken and tolerated the lower doses, including the current 2.4 mg strength dose. Regulatory submissions are underway, and Novo Nordisk (the Wegovy manufacturer) expects the new 7.2 mg dose to become available for UK patients in late 2025 or early 2026.

How effective is Wegovy 7.2 mg?

Results from the STEP UP trial showed that Wegovy 7.2 mg produced an average weight loss of around 20.7% after 72 weeks. About a third of participants achieved at least 25% weight loss, approximately double the rate seen in those on the 2.4 mg dose of Wegovy.^[1]

These results make the higher strength particularly promising for those whose weight loss has plateaued at the 2.4 mg dose. However, like all injectable weight loss treatments, its impact depends on adherence to lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

What’s the difference between Wegovy 7.2 mg and 2.4 mg?

The new dose of 7.2 mg is three times stronger than the current maximum, and in trials it produced greater average weight loss and a much higher proportion of participants reaching 25% body weight loss or more.

Increasing dose strength to 7.2 mg is only considered after patients have tolerated the 2.4 mg dose for some time, and all transitions to higher doses require monitoring due to the possibility of more pronounced side effects. It offers a solution for patients who do not achieve their weight loss goals on the current highest dose of 2.4 mg.

How does Wegovy 7.2 mg compare with other weight loss treatments?

Wegovy 7.2 mg is clinically proven to be highly effective for weight loss. In the STEP UP clinical trial, the test group taking the 7.2 mg dose lost between 18.7% and 20.7% of their starting weight on average. In comparison, the placebo group achieved between 2.4% and 3.9% body weight loss on average.^[1]

In comparison, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, contributed to 22.5% average weight loss for a trial group who took the 15 mg dose of the medication.^[2]

Recommended reading: Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Weight Loss Injection Comparison

Weight loss capsules such as Orlistat are also viable alternatives to weight loss treatments. Individuals who dieted and took Orlistat lost 10.2% of their body weight over one year.^[3]

How much weight can I lose on Wegovy 7.2 mg?

From clinical indications, patients can lose a large proportion of their body weight on Wegovy.

About a third of participants achieved at least 25% weight loss after 72 weeks of treatment; it’s presumed that further weight loss can be achieved beyond this point, but existing trials had to be concluded within a reasonable time frame.

In order to get the maximum weight loss while taking treatment, it’s necessary to exercise regularly and eat a calorie-controlled diet.

Recommended reading: What to Eat on Wegovy: Diet Tips, Foods to Avoid & Meal Plan

What are the side effects of Wegovy 7.2 mg?

The side effects of Wegovy 7.2 mg are consistent with other semaglutide doses. They include gastrointestinal symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Heartburn

Other reported side effects include:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Dizziness

These are usually mild to moderate and may ease over time, but some people may find them more pronounced when stepping up to the higher dose. As with other GLP-1 medications, there are rarer but more serious risks, including pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney issues, and worsening of diabetic retinopathy (chronic retina damage). People with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers are advised not to take semaglutide.

Recommended reading: Wegovy Side Effects: What You Need To Know

Can I switch to Wegovy 7.2 mg?

Switching to Wegovy 7.2 mg is only possible for people who have already escalated through the lower semaglutide doses and tolerated them well, including the current 2.4 mg maintenance dose.

The 7.2 mg strength is intended for those who need greater weight loss and have not achieved their goals with the 2.4 mg dose. By completing our weight loss consultation, we can determine your eligibility for treatment and offer a dose of Wegovy that suits your needs.

Recommended reading: Wegovy Dosage Guide: Schedule, Strengths & How It Works

Is Wegovy 7.2 mg available through the NHS?

Currently, Wegovy on the NHS is offered at doses up to 2.4 mg, which is the approved maximum dose in the UK. The new version has not yet been authorised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), so it is not available through NHS weight-management services.

This means patients in the UK cannot access the 7.2 mg dose through public healthcare at present, but it will soon be available at Pharmica.

When will the treatment be available?

Novo Nordisk has submitted Wegovy 7.2 mg for regulatory approval in Europe and the UK, but it has not yet been approved for use. Based on the latest information, availability is expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Once approved, it will first be accessible privately through online pharmacies such as Pharmica, before a rollout on the NHS.

Lose weight with Pharmica

Pharmica offers multiple cliniically proven weight loss treatments, including Wegovy and Mounjaro. Complete our quick online consultation to determine your eligibility. With Pharmica, you will also get ongoing monitoring and clinical advice throughout your treatment course from our experts to support safe, effective and sustainable weight loss.

Explore our weight loss treatments and take the first step towards your health goals with Pharmica.

Clinical sources

1. Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial, The Lancet, 2025. [Accessed 24/09/2025]
2. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity, New England Journal of Medicine, 2022. [Accessed 24/09/2025]
3. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of orlistat for weight loss and prevention of weight regain in obese patients, The Lancet. [Accessed 24/09/2025]