Everything you need to know about Wegovy
Learn how Wegovy works, what results to expect, and how it compares with Mounjaro
Wegovy has changed considerably since it first arrived in the UK. There’s now a higher-dose weekly injection, Wegovy 7.2mg (Wegovy HD in the US), as well as a once-daily tablet for people who’d rather not inject. The medicine has also gained UK approval for uses beyond weight loss, like reducing the risk of heart disease and treating a certain type of liver disease in people with obesity [1].
So, how does Wegovy work and how do the newer high-dose options and tablets compare? Here’s what you need to know.
In this article, we cover:
- What is Wegovy?
- Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
- How does Wegovy work?
- How do the Wegovy injections and tablet compare?
- Is Wegovy as good as Mounjaro?
- How do you take Wegovy?
- How long does Wegovy take to work?
- Does Wegovy have benefits beyond weight loss?
- Is Wegovy safe, and what are its side effects?
- Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a prescription medicine. Depending on the version, you take it as a weekly injection or daily tablet.
It’s licensed in the UK to help adults lose weight if they have:
- A BMI of 30 or above
- A BMI of 27 or above and a weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or prediabetes [2]
The higher-dose 7.2mg injection is only licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above who may need further weight loss after the 2.4mg dose [2].
Wegovy is used alongside changes to diet and physical activity. For many people, the point of treatment is that Wegovy makes appetite and food noise control easier, so the diet and activity changes feel more achievable.
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they’re prescribed for different reasons.
In the UK, Wegovy is licensed for weight management and comes as a weekly injection or daily tablet. Ozempic is a weekly injection licensed to treat type 2 diabetes.
The brands also use different doses: Ozempic goes up to 2mg weekly, while Wegovy injections can reach 2.4mg or 7.2mg.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy copies the action of a hormone your body already makes called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It acts on areas of the brain involved in appetite.
Wegovy works by helping you:
- Feel full after eating less
- Stay satisfied for longer
- Experience fewer food cravings
- Think about food less often
It can also slow the movement of food through your stomach. Some people describe the biggest change as a quietening of ‘food noise’. Food is still enjoyable, but it stops demanding as much attention.
How do the Wegovy injections and tablet compare?
Wegovy now comes in three forms, each with a different dose, routine, and average weight loss. Here’s how they compare.
| Standard Wegovy injection | Wegovy 7.2mg (HD) injection | Wegovy tablet | |
| How often? | Once weekly | Once weekly | Once daily |
| Maintenance dose | 2.4mg | 7.2mg | 25mg |
| Who is it for? | Adults who meet the usual Wegovy criteria | Adults with a BMI of 30 or above who may need further weight loss | Adults who meet the usual Wegovy criteria |
| Practical point | Gradually increased over 16 weeks | Used after at least 4 weeks at 2.4mg | Must be taken on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours |
| Average weight loss in clinical trials* | 16.9% after 68 weeks [3] | 20.7% after 72 weeks [4] | 16.6% after 64 weeks [5] |
*Results come from separate clinical trials and shouldn’t be directly compared. Averages assume everyone remained on treatment. All treatments were used alongside dietary changes and increased physical activity. Individual results vary.
The Wegovy tablet was approved in the UK in June 2026. It starts at 1.5mg daily and increases through 4mg and 9mg to a usual maintenance dose of 25mg [2]. You have to take it after fasting for at least eight hours, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other tablets. Eating or drinking sooner can reduce how much semaglutide your body absorbs.
Should I choose the injection or tablet?
Since they’re similarly effective, the choice largely comes down to which form you prefer.
The tablet may suit you if you strongly dislike injections. Other people may find that one weekly injection is easier than remembering a tablet every morning.
Is Wegovy as good as Mounjaro?
Mounjaro produced greater average weight loss than standard Wegovy in the only direct comparison so far. In that particular study, after 72 weeks, people taking 10–15mg of Mounjaro lost an average of 21.6% compared with 15.4% among those taking 1.7–2.4mg of Wegovy [6].
However, that trial didn’t include the newer 7.2mg Wegovy injection, which produced around 20.7% average weight loss in a separate study [4]. Until the two are compared head-to-head, we can’t say how closely they compare.
Average weight loss is only part of the decision. Your medical history, side effects, preferred treatment format, and cost can all affect which medicine suits you. Read our complete guide to Mounjaro for more about its doses, results, and side effects.
How do you take Wegovy?
How you take Wegovy depends on the version you’re prescribed.
The injection is taken once a week, on the same day, with or without food. You inject it under the skin of your stomach, thigh or upper arm.
The tablet is taken once daily after fasting for at least eight hours. You swallow it whole with up to half a glass of water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medicines.
You should always follow the instructions for your specific pen or tablet.
How long does Wegovy take to work?
Wegovy starts acting after your first injection, but you may not notice an obvious difference right away. Some people feel less hungry within the first few days or weeks. Others only notice a meaningful change once they reach a higher dose.
The first couple of months of treatment are more about allowing your body to adjust.
A typical timeline on Wegovy injection:
- Weeks 1 to 4: Your appetite typically drops within days of starting. You may experience small amounts of weight loss. Typical dose: 0.25mg.
- Weeks 5 to 8: As your dose is increased, hunger may drop further, and steady weight loss begins. Typical dose: 0.5mg.
- Weeks 9 to 12: Changes in your body may become more obvious. Your body starts to adapt to your new eating habits. Typical dose: 1mg.
- Weeks 13 and beyond: Weight reduction often progresses further during this phase as you reach higher maintenance levels. Typical dose: 1.7mg+.
Does Wegovy have benefits beyond weight loss?
Yes. In people with a BMI of 27 or more and known heart disease, the Wegovy injection reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke by 20% compared with placebo [7].
It’s also been approved in the UK to treat some people with MASH, a serious fatty liver condition that causes inflammation and scarring [1].
These uses are for specific groups, so they don’t necessarily apply to everyone taking Wegovy.
Is Wegovy safe?
Wegovy has been studied in large clinical trials and is considered safe for suitable patients when it’s prescribed and monitored properly. It can still cause side effects, and some people shouldn’t take it.
The most common side effects are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Stomach pain
- Headaches and tiredness
These tend to be most noticeable when the dose is increasing and are usually mild to moderate. Smaller meals can help. Eat slowly, stop when you feel full, and go easy on very rich or fatty foods. It’s important to keep well hydrated to help prevent dehydration and constipation.
Get urgent medical advice if you develop persistent, severe abdominal pain, particularly if it travels through to your back, as it can be a sign of pancreatitis. You should also seek help if you can’t keep fluids down, become severely dehydrated, or develop a serious allergic reaction.
Who shouldn’t take Wegovy?
Wegovy isn’t suitable for everyone.
You shouldn’t take it if you:
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Are allergic to semaglutide or another ingredient in the medication
If you’re planning a pregnancy, stop taking Wegovy at least two months beforehand to allow the medicine to leave your body.
Tell your prescriber if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer, or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Semaglutide has caused thyroid tumours in animal studies, so it's safest to avoid in people with a higher risk, although this link hasn’t been confirmed in humans [8].
The bottom line
Wegovy has evolved considerably from the original weekly injection. There’s now a higher-dose pen capable of producing around 21% average weight loss, as well as a daily tablet.
Ultimately, the right treatment is one that fits your routine, produces worthwhile results, and has side effects that you can comfortably manage.
References
- Semaglutide (Wegovy) approved to treat form of liver disease. GOV.UK [Internet]. [cited 30 Aug 2026].
- Novo Nordisk Inc. WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection and WEGOVY® (semaglutide) tablets: prescribing information. 2026.
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Gaal LFV, Lingvay I, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989–1002.
- Wharton S, Freitas P, Hjelmesæth J, Kabisch M, Kandler K, Lingvay I, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025;13:949–963.
- Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, Vale RD do, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:1077–1087.
- Aronne LJ, Horn DB, Roux CW le, Ho W, Falcon BL, Valderas EG, et al. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:26–36.
- Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221–2232.
- Pasternak B, Wintzell V, Hviid A, Eliasson B, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Jonasson C, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use and risk of thyroid cancer: Scandinavian cohort study. BMJ. 2024;385:e078225.