If you’re taking Wegovy for weight loss or you’re considering starting, you may have heard that a new, higher 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy is soon to become available. In this blog post, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about the new dose, including how it works and when it might become available.

What Is Wegovy?

Before we dive into the details of the new Wegovy dose, it’s important to understand how it works. Wegovy is a once-weekly, injectable weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide (the same ingredient as Ozempic). It’s part of a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, more commonly referred to as GLP-1s.

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone that is released in your gut after eating. They aid weight loss in a few different ways:

• Slowing stomach (gastric) emptying, helping you feel fuller for longer. [1]
• Targeting the reward centre in your brain to reduce your appetite. [1]
• Regulating your blood sugar levels to prevent cravings. [1]

Difference Between 7.2 mg and Other Wegovy Dosages

The new 7.2 mg Wegovy dose works in the same way as all other Wegovy doses, but it is significantly stronger than the current maximum Wegovy dose that is available (2.4 mg).  

Clinical Trials and Efficacy

In clinical trials, patients taking 7.2 mg of Wegovy lost 20.7% of their body weight compared to 17.5% with the current 2.4 mg dose over 72 weeks. Plus, 33.2% of patients on the higher dose lost over 25% of their body weight. [1,2]

Comparison with Other Treatments

When we compare Wegovy 7.2 mg with other GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide), it performs remarkably well. In trials, patients taking tirzepatide lost 20.9% of their starting weight over 72 weeks, which is only slightly more than with Wegovy 7.2 mg. 

Notably, 33.2% of patients on the higher Wegovy dose lost more than 25% of their body weight, meaning that if it’s approved, it will be one of the most effective GLP-1 medications on the market. 

Regulatory Status

Currently, Wegovy 7.2 mg is not approved for use in the UK or anywhere else. The good news is that Novo Nordisk (the company that makes Wegovy) submitted the new 7.2 mg dose to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval in July of 2025. [3] 

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) typically approves medications about six months after EMA approval. The role of these agencies is to conduct an independent scientific review of new treatments and confirm the manufacturer’s claims regarding efficacy and safety.

Importantly, the pending approval status of Wegovy 7.2 mg means that any providers claiming to sell it are doing so either fraudulently or illegally. You should also never attempt to increase your dose to 7.2 mg, because using unauthorised medications or dosages is unsafe.

Side Effects and Safety Profile

Because the new dose is a higher concentration of semaglutide, the side effect profile is the same as that of lower doses. Research has shown that digestive side effects remain the most common with Wegovy 7.2 mg, but, as expected, slightly more people stopped taking medication due to side effects. [3]

Here’s what we know about side effects from the STEP UP clinical trial so far:

• 44% of patients taking Wegovy 7.2 mg experienced nausea
• 27% of patients taking Wegovy 7.2 mg experienced diarrhoea
• 25% of patients taking Wegovy 7.2 mg experienced vomiting
• 23% of patients taking Wegovy 7.2 mg experienced constipation

A side effect called ‘dysaesthesia’ was also noted in the STEP UP trial, occurring in 23% of participants taking 7.2 mg semaglutide. It involves sensations of tingling, numbness and burning. It’s a neurological symptom, often affecting the skin, but can also involve other senses like touch.

Finally, it’s essential to remember that serious side effects of GLP-1 treatments, such as pancreatitis and severe allergic reactions, may occur with this new dosage. You can learn more about what to look out for and when to seek medical attention here. 

Considerations for Current Wegovy Users

When transitioning to Wegovy 7.2 mg, it’s important to do so under the supervision of a healthcare professional. This higher dose should only be used after you’ve successfully tolerated lower doses of Wegovy, such as 2.4 mg, ensuring your body adjusts safely and side effects are minimised.

Price of Wegovy 7.2 mg

The price of the new dose will be available closer to the launch date, but it is expected to be more expensive than the current highest dose of Wegovy. This is because the new dose contains significantly more medication, and demand is expected to be high.

Ready to Start Your Weight Loss Journey?

At MedExpress, we’ll help determine which medication is best suited to your needs, based on your medical history and weight loss goals. Learn more about your options here.

References

1. 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
2. Wharton S, Freitas P, Jøran Hjelmesæth, Kabisch M, Kandler K, Ildiko Lingvay, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology [Internet]. 2025 Sep 1; Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00226-8/abstract
3. Firstwordpharma.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 7]. Available from: https://firstwordpharma.com/story/5979623

Next review date: October 2028