What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription weight loss injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It was approved for weight loss by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight loss, and was launched in the UK in September 2023. Wegovy is specifically for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 27 or more with weight-related health conditions, including prediabetes and high blood pressure.
Wegovy can help regulate your appetite and reduce food cravings, while also delaying the emptying of your stomach, so you feel full for longer periods after eating. You inject Wegovy once per week, and it follows a dosage schedule up to a maximum dose of 7.2mg.
Your doctor will also encourage you to eat a lower-calorie diet, follow healthy eating habits, and exercise more often while taking Wegovy. This helps you get the most from your treatment. You can buy Wegovy in the UK online from regulated prescribing services like Superdrug Online Doctor with a prescription.
How does Wegovy work for weight loss?
The Wegovy injection works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps to regulate your blood sugar levels and sends signals to the receptors in your brain that manage appetite.
Wegovy helps you to lose weight because it:
- reduces your appetite, so you do not need to eat as many calories to feel full
- delays how quickly food empties out of your stomach, so you’ll feel fuller for longer
- helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, reducing cravings and blood sugar spikes (this can be especially helpful for people with prediabetes or insulin resistance)
Wegovy, like other weight loss injections, is always prescribed alongside a complementary healthy diet and exercise plan to help you with your weight loss journey.
How long does Wegovy take to work?
Wegovy will start working from the very first injection, and you may start to feel fuller within the first few days.
In the first month of taking Wegovy injections alongside a healthy diet plan and regular exercise, you can expect to lose around 2% of your starting weight. However, you’ll notice the effects more as you follow the dosage schedule and reach a higher dose.
“As it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to see significant weight loss, your doctor will wait until you’ve been taking the Wegovy injection for 6 months before checking you’ve reached a weight loss of at least 5% from your starting weight. If this is not the case, you and your doctor will discuss whether it’s the right decision to continue taking Wegovy.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor.
How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?
Wegovy is an effective treatment for weight loss, and studies show that the 2.4mg maintenance dose works for 83.5% of people who take it.
After taking 2.4mg of Wegovy over 68 weeks, the average weight lost was 17.5% from starting weight. On the 7.2mg dose the average weight loss was 21% over 72 weeks. This is compared to a 2.4% loss of weight in those taking a placebo. With the new 7.2mg dose, 1 in 3 patients have been shown to lose up to 25% of their starting weight
Wegovy is a weight loss injection for overweight adults or adults with obesity. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which mimics a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, and also sends signals to receptors in your brain that manage your appetite, allowing you to feel fuller for longer.
Wegovy is prescribed to be taken just once a week alongside a diet and exercise plan to help you lose weight. Taken as prescribed, it can help you lose on average 21% of your starting weight, and 1 in 3 patients have been shown to lose up to 25% of their starting weight at the 7.2mg dose.
To be eligible for Wegovy, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30, or over 27 and a weight-related medical condition or risk factor, such as high blood pressure.
What happens when I stop taking Wegovy?
When you stop taking Wegovy, it is possible that you may regain some or all of the weight you lost, as the effects of semaglutide on your appetite will no longer be present. A review published in 2025 found that significant weight regain occurred after 8 weeks of stopping weight loss medication. Specifically for semaglutide, patients were found to regain 66% of their lost weight 1 year after stopping Wegovy.
That’s why it is essential to make lifestyle changes while using Wegovy, such as following a calorie-controlled diet and engaging in regular exercise. These healthy habits will help you prepare for when you no longer need Wegovy, helping you maintain your weight loss. If you do not continue following these lifestyle changes, that is when you’re most likely to regain some weight.
Wegovy eligibility
You can take Wegovy if you’re over 18, need help managing your weight, and do not have any conditions or take any medications that interact with semaglutide and could make it unsafe. Wegovy is not suitable if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
To get Wegovy from Superdrug Online Doctor, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. You can also have a BMI of at least 27 if you also have a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or obstructive sleep apnoea.
How do I use a Wegovy pen?
Wegovy comes in the form of an injectable pen which you’ll inject yourself with once a week.
If you are taking 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg, these doses can be administered via a multi-dose pen, this means you don’t need to measure your dose, each pen contains 4 doses that will last for 4 weeks.
If you are taking the maximum maintenance dose, 7.2mg, this is available as a single-dose pen. This means that for 4 weeks treatment you will receive 4 pens and must use 1 pen once weekly and safely dispose of it after using it.
It’s recommended to take your Wegovy injection at the same time and day every week to get the best effect and reduce side effects. For more specific guidance on injecting your medication, read the patient information leaflet included with your treatment.
Where to inject Wegovy
You can inject Wegovy into your lower abdomen, thigh, or upper arm (with the help of someone else), depending on which is easiest and most comfortable for you.
Wherever you choose to inject Wegovy, divide the section up into smaller sections and choose a different area to inject each week. This helps reduce Wegovy injection site irritation or soreness.
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