Starting a weight loss journey with Wegovy is an empowering time, but using an injectable medication for the first time can be intimidating. The best results from Wegovy are seen when used correctly, as part of a healthy lifestyle and under the careful guidance of a healthcare provider. Your safety and wellbeing is always the top priority.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Wegovy works for weight loss, who can use it and how it compares to other weight loss injections. We’ll also look at what to expect, how the dosing schedule works and how to use it at home.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide by manufacturer Novo Nordisk. It is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. Originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has been shown to play a key role in weight loss by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. [1] Wegovy was specifically developed and licensed for long-term weight management.

How Wegovy works for weight loss and management

Wegovy promotes weight loss by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone to reduce hunger, slow down digestion, and increase feelings of fullness, making it easier to eat less and lose weight over time. In a major clinical trial, overweight or obese adults who used 2.4 mg of Wegovy weekly lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks. [2]

Who can use Wegovy?

Wegovy is licensed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, which is classified as obesity, or a BMI of 27 or higher if they also have at least one weight-related health condition. Weight-related health conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Wegovy vs. other GLP-1 receptor agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, but not all are licensed for weight loss. Wegovy has been specifically studied and approved for long-term weight management in people with obesity, with clinical trials supporting its safe use for weight loss and long-term weight management. [3]

Another well-known semaglutide medication is Ozempic, which is licensed in the UK for treating type 2 diabetes (and it can also support weight loss as a secondary benefit). Clinical trials show that Ozempic is less effective than Wegovy in promoting weight loss, because it is used at lower doses. [2, 4] Another GLP-1 receptor agonist comparable to Wegovy is Mounjaro, but it contains tirzepatide as its main ingredient, not semaglutide. This activates both GLP-1 and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptors. It is also licensed in the UK for weight management.

The Wegovy dosing schedule

Wegovy is administered as a weekly dose via subcutaneous injection — it’s injected under the skin once per week. To help the body adjust and to reduce the risk of side effects, you’ll get a treatment plan that gradually increases your doses over several weeks before reaching a maintenance dose suitable for you. Your healthcare provider will adjust your treatment plan to suit your unique needs and health profile, but here’s what a typical dosing plan might look like:

• Week 1–4: 0.25 mg once weekly
• Week 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly
• Week 9–12: 1.0 mg once weekly
• Week 13–16: 1.7 mg once weekly
• Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance dose)

The importance of a gradual dose increases

Gradual dose increases help minimise side effects while allowing your body to adjust effectively to the treatment. [1] This is known as titration and is designed to give your body time to adapt and so the medication is gentler on your digestive system, helping minimise unpleasant side effects like nausea or diarrhoea.

Titration also allows your healthcare provider to monitor how you respond to Wegovy and make adjustments if needed, meaning your treatment plan can be made more sustainable for you in the long term.

What to expect at each dose level

During the first few weeks of your Wegovy treatment, it’s not unusual to experience mild side effects as your body adjusts. These are usually digestive symptoms like nausea or constipation and usually subside as your system becomes more accustomed to the medication.

Factors influencing your individual dosing schedule

Because everybody is different, not everyone will follow the same dosing schedule. Your healthcare provider will tailor your treatment plan based on how well you tolerate the medication, your weight loss progress, or whether you experience side effects. If side effects become difficult to manage at a particular dose, your provider might pause dose increases or reduce your dosage temporarily. You can support your weight loss with Wegovy by being consistent with your dosing and sticking to a healthy diet with Wegovy in mind and staying active

Administering Wegovy: practical steps for self-injecting

Wegovy’s injection pen is designed to be easy to use at home, but it’s important to follow the guidelines given by your healthcare provider to make sure each dose is administered safely and effectively. 

This section gives an overview of how to self-inject. If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to get support.

Where to inject Wegovy

Wegovy is injected subcutaneously, i.e. under the skin. The recommended injection sites include the abdomen (tummy), thigh, or upper arm, because these areas have enough fatty tissue under the skin to allow for proper absorption.

To avoid irritation or discomfort, it’s important to rotate between different injection sites each week. For example, if you inject in your abdomen one week, choose your thigh or upper arm the next. Don’t inject into areas that are tender, bruised, or scarred.

Step-by-step injection guide

Wegovy is taken as a once-weekly injection. Try to take the injection on the same day of the week at the same time to maintain a consistent level of medication in your body. 

1. Check your injection pen. This should be stored in the fridge and removed around 30 minutes before your injection time so that it can come to room temperature. Check the pen to ensure:
   1. The medication and dose is correct
   2. The pen isn’t damaged or expired
   3. The medicine is clear and colourless. Don’t use the pen if the medication is discoloured, cloudy, frozen, or contains any particles 
2. Clean your hands thoroughly before injecting. If someone else is helping you, make sure they wash their hands too. 
3. Choose your injection site. Wegovy should be injected into the fatty tissue just under your skin. The injection sites for a subcutaneous injection are your tummy, upper arm, or thigh — the places where you have fat under the skin.
4. Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe.
5. Prepare the pen with a new needle. Wegovy comes in a pre-filled pen with single-use needles for every dose. The Wegovy pen needs to be primed only before first use (not every time you use the pen). Check your needle to make sure it’s sterile and not damaged — the outer cap and paper tab should be intact. Attach the needle to the pen, carefully following the instructions given by your healthcare provider. 
6. Set your dose and inject the medication. Turn the dose selector until you see the correct dose in the counter window.  the needle into your skin. Slowly and carefully inject the entire dose. Remove the needle and press a cotton ball against the injection site if there’s a drop of blood. 
7. Safely dispose of your needle according to the instructions from your healthcare provider. 

Navigating side effects

When it comes to prescription weight loss medications like Wegovy, some people may experience side effects, especially during the early weeks of use when dose strengths are being increased. Most side effects are temporary and manageable. Simple strategies like eating smaller meals, staying well hydrated, avoiding fatty or greasy foods, and exercising can help ease them. Your healthcare provider may also make suggestions about managing symptoms, adjusting your dose, or suggesting over-the-counter remedies that can help. 

Gastrointestinal reactions and how to manage them

The most commonly reported side effects of Wegovy include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, and vomiting. These symptoms often occur as your body adjusts to the medication or an increase in dose. Most people find that these side effects reduce and disappear over time, especially once a maintenance dose is reached. [2, 4, 5]

To manage digestive symptoms:

• Eat slowly and mindfully to avoid overeating
• Stick to bland, low-fat foods during periods of discomfort
• Stay hydrated, especially if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting
• Avoid alcohol and high-sugar foods, which can worsen symptoms

Other potential side effects: what to watch out for

Rarely, more serious side effects can occur for Wegovy users, such as:

• Severe abdominal pain (which could indicate pancreatitis)
• Signs of allergic reactions such as swelling, rash, or difficulty breathing
• Vision changes or symptoms of diabetic retinopathy (especially in people with type 2 diabetes)
• Signs of kidney problems, such as reduced urination or swelling in your legs or feet

If you experience any of these, contact 999 or head to A and E. Serious side effects are uncommon, but it’s important to look out for them. [2, 4, 5]

What to do if you miss a dose

We’ve talked about taking your weekly dose of Wegovy on the same day of the week and at roughly the same time of day. This ensures a consistent level of medication in your system. 

But, if you miss a dose, you can take it within 5 days of the scheduled dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the dose and stick to your normal dosing schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for missed injections. 

Why is it so important to stick to your dosing schedule?

Following your prescribed dosing schedule means you’ll achieve the best results from using Wegovy for weight loss. Each dose increase is carefully planned by your healthcare provider and tailored to your specific needs to help your body adjust gradually, reducing the risk of side effects that could slow down your progress.

Skipping doses or adjusting your schedule without medical guidance can disrupt and can reduce how well your medication works over time. Your healthcare provider will monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments as they go, so it’s important to stay consistent and communicate clearly throughout your treatment.

What you need to know about Wegovy dosing and administration

Wegovy is an effective, clinically-backed medication for weight loss and weight management, but it must be taken correctly, at the right time and dose, to be effective. Here’s a quick recap of the most important things to keep in mind:

• Wegovy doses start low and are increased gradually to a maintenance dose (usually 2.4 mg). This is called titration and helps your body adjust and minimises the chance of side effects.
• Your dosing schedule may be adjusted by your healthcare provider based on your response to the medication, side effects, or progress.
  Wegovy is taken as a once-weekly injection under the skin in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.
• Rotating injection sites helps prevent irritation and improves comfort.
• A consistent dosing schedule will help you achieve the best results: missed doses or inconsistent timing can reduce Wegovy’s effectiveness.
• Healthy habits matter. A balanced diet, good hydration, and regular exercise play a crucial role in supporting your weight loss.

Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider and reach out if you have any concerns during your treatment.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.

References

1. Medicines.org.uk. Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) [Internet]. [place unknown]: Medicines.org.uk; [cited 2025 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13799/smpc#gref
2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. 1.A. Michael Lincoff, Kirstine Brown‐Frandsen, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Sille Esbjerg, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2023 Nov 11;389(24). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563 
4. Palmer SC, Mavridis D, Nicolucci A, Johnson DW, Tonelli M, Craig JC, et al. Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Adverse Events Associated With Glucose-Lowering Drugs in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA. 2016 Jul 19;316(3):313.
5. Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, Hesse D, Greenway FL, Jensen C, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2021 Apr 13;325(14):1414–25. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777886
6. Davies M, Pieber TR, Hartoft-Nielsen ML, Hansen OKH, Jabbour S, Rosenstock J. Effect of Oral Semaglutide Compared With Placebo and Subcutaneous Semaglutide on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA [Internet]. 2017 Oct 17;318(15):1460. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817971/