Wegovy 7.2 mg explained
Wegovy 7.2 mg is the highest approved weekly dose of semaglutide for weight management in adults with obesity in the UK. It was authorised for use after evidence showed that some patients who had already reached the standard 2.4 mg maintenance dose could achieve further clinically meaningful weight loss at a higher dose.
This dose is not designed for everyone, and it is not a faster route through treatment. Instead, it exists for people whose weight loss has clearly slowed or stalled on 2.4 mg despite consistent use and good tolerance.
Why a higher dose was developed
Semaglutide works by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and slowing gastric emptying. For many people, these effects remain effective long term at 2.4 mg. However, clinical trials showed that a subset of patients experienced a weight-loss plateau, even with good adherence.
The STEP UP clinical trial evaluated a higher weekly dose of semaglutide in adults with obesity who were not reaching their goals on 2.4 mg. Participants receiving 7.2 mg once weekly achieved greater average weight loss over 72 weeks than those who remained on the lower dose, supporting the role of a higher-dose option for selected patients.
How the 7.2 mg dose is currently given
At present, Wegovy 7.2 mg is administered as three consecutive injections of 2.4 mg on the same day each week. Each injection uses a separate needle, and injection sites should be spaced at least 5 cm apart.
This approach reflects the fact that a single-dose 7.2 mg injection pen is not yet available. When administered correctly, this method delivers the same total weekly dose that was used in clinical trials.
Who the 7.2 mg dose is intended for
The higher dose is intended for adults with obesity who have already completed a period on 2.4 mg, tolerated it well, and whose rate of weight loss has slowed to the point where further progress is unlikely without a change.
It is not intended for people who are still losing weight steadily on 2.4 mg, nor for those who are experiencing ongoing side effects at lower doses. Increasing the dose does not guarantee better results and can increase the likelihood of adverse effects.
As Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at medino, explains:
"The 7.2 mg dose should be seen as a targeted option rather than the next automatic step. For many patients, staying at 2.4 mg is both safer and effective long term."
Safety considerations at higher doses
Higher doses of semaglutide are associated with a higher frequency of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. Clinical trial data also showed a higher incidence of sensory symptoms, including dysaesthesia, at 7.2 mg compared with 2.4 mg.
These effects are dose-related and usually reversible, but they underline the importance of careful monitoring and avoiding unnecessary escalation.
What is expected to change next
Novo Nordisk has confirmed that a single-dose 7.2 mg injection device has been submitted for regulatory review. If approved, this device is expected to become available in summer 2026 and would allow the full weekly dose to be delivered in one injection instead of three.
Until then, the current multi-injection regimen remains the only approved method for administering the 7.2 mg dose.
Key points to remember
Wegovy 7.2 mg is an advanced treatment option for a small group of patients. It offers additional potential benefit when weight loss has genuinely plateaued, but it also requires realistic expectations, attention to side effects, and a safety-first approach.
