Everything you need to know about the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose

Written by

Dennis Ouko

Last reviewed

January 14, 2026

Reviewed by

Dennis Ouko

Next review

January 14, 2027

The 7.2mg Wegovy dose (semaglutide) is a new, higher dose - now available - and it’s set to become one of the most effective GLP-1 options available for weight loss.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new dose and the clinical evidence behind it, including it’s effectiveness.

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About the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose

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Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication in the UK containing semaglutide, designed to curb appetite and reduce cravings.

Previously, the highest approved weekly dose of Wegovy in the UK was 2.4 mg. The introduction of this higher dosage option gives patients the flexibility to increase their treatment further when appropriate, potentially supporting greater weight loss outcomes.

The new highest strength of Wegovy (7.2mg) has been studied over the last year and research shows it can offer patients even greater weight loss. The 7.2mg dose works exactly in the same way. It simply delivers a higher amount of the ingredient semaglutide which will help many people who may need a higher dose to continue losing weight.

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How the Wegovy 7.2mg dose is administered

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The Wegovy 7.2mg dose is taken once weekly but is delivered slightly differently to lower doses. Instead of a single injection, the 7.2mg weekly dose is administered as three consecutive 2.4mg injections, taken one after another on the same day, at the same time.

Each injection is given under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using a Wegovy® 2.4mg FlexTouch® pen, with a new needle used for each injection. Injections can be given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. If injecting in the same area, injections should be spaced at least 5cm apart.

This dosing method allows patients to access a higher total weekly dose while continuing to use the existing 2.4mg pen format.

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How does the 7.2mg dose compare to the current Wegovy doses?

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The current highest approved UK dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg. The 7.2mg dose is a significantly stronger dose (three times stronger) and is designed as an option for patients who have already tolerated standard doses but need a stronger dose to further boost their weight loss.

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Understanding the jump from lower doses to 7.2mg

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The standard schedule for Wegovy starts at the lowest dose (0.25mg) and increases gradually every four weeks to help your body adapt to the medication. This slow step-up helps minimise common side effects like nausea, bloating or stomach discomfort, making the treatment easier to tolerate and to progress steadily.

The STEP‑UP Phase 3b trial provides strong evidence that the 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide is both effective and well tolerated. Participants on this high dose experienced generally mild to moderate side effects, and most importantly, these symptoms often diminished over time, showing that many people adapt to the higher dose well.

For people who have already tolerated 2.4 mg well, the risk of side effects when moving to 7.2 mg may be lower. Their bodies have already adjusted to a significant portion of the medication’s effect, making a more direct increase a possibility under careful clinical supervision.

In practice, this means clinicians may consider an option to increase the dose for patients who have demonstrated good tolerance to 2.4 mg, but any change should be individualised, discussed with the patient, and supported by close follow-up.

For patients already established on Wegovy 2.4mg, moving to the 7.2mg dose builds on the tolerance developed at the 2.4mg dose. Because the body has already adapted to semaglutide, many patients may tolerate the higher dose well when the transition is carefully managed and clinically supervised.

However, the 7.2mg dose is not a required next step. Many people continue to lose weight successfully on 2.4mg long-term, and dose increases are only considered where additional support is clinically appropriate.

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Wegovy 7.2mg effectiveness: what the clinical results say

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The STEP-UP clinical trial took place in 2024 and involved 1,407 adults with obesity but without diabetes, and observed them over a 72-week period. These patients were given a weekly dose of Wegovy, starting at 0.25mg increasing up to 7.2mg.

The trial showed:

With 2.4mg the average weight loss was 17.5%
With 7.2mg the average weight loss was 20.7%
33.2% of people on 7.2mg lost ≥25% of their body weight

These results place Wegovy 7.2mg nearly on par with the highest strength of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and approaching the weight-loss outcomes usually only seen with bariatric surgery.

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What are the Wegovy 7.2mg side effects?

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The side effects associated with the 7.2mg dose of Wegovy, are very similar to the other lower doses of Wegovy. The most common affecting the gut and digestive system. These are:

Nausea
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Constipation

As with all GLP-1s, side effects are mostly mild and usually improve over time. For many patients, side effects are well tolerated and easily managed with various nutrition & lifestyle tweaks.

In the STEP-UP trial, some participants on the 7.2mg dose noticed the side effect dysaesthesia, which can cause tingling, burning, or numbness in the skin. Around 23% reported this, but most cases were mild to moderate, manageable, and did not require stopping treatment. In fact, 86% of those affected continued their treatment and fully recovered while staying on the medication. While slightly more noticeable than on the 2.4mg dose, dysaesthesia is generally not severe and can be monitored effectively with your clinical team.

Reported discontinuation rates on the 7.2mg dose due to side effects were slightly higher than those on the 2.4mg, but still low (single-digit percentages). This is most likely due to the nature of the increase in strength, which can bring more frequent and intense side effects. However, it still proves strong tolerability in patients even at the higher dose, suggesting that most patients can continue treatment without needing to stop, which is encouraging for anyone considering escalating to the highest dose as part of their weight-management plan.

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Storage and handling of Wegovy 7.2mg

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Before first use, Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator between 2–8°C. After first use, an opened pen can be stored either below 30°C or in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

When taking the 7.2mg dose, you will inject three doses from the pen once weekly. This means one dose will remain in the pen, which should be stored correctly and used the following week alongside two doses from a new pen. Do not freeze Wegovy, and always keep the pen cap on when not in use.

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Is the 7.2mg Wegovy dose safe?

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Lower strengths of Wegovy are already approved by the MHRA and have been prescribed in the NHS for some time, following NICE recommendations. These organisations only approve medications after thorough testing to ensure they are effective, and that the safety of Wegovy and its benefits outweigh any potential risks.

The overall safety of the 7.2mg dose is considered similar to lower doses of Wegovy. Findings from the STEP-UP trial show that the most common side effects are related to the digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting, or mild stomach discomfort. These side effects are usually mild to moderate, vary from person to person, and can be well managed with guidance from your clinical team.

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How much will the 7.2mg Wegovy dose cost?

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The new 7.2mg dose contains significantly more medication, so is more expensive than the current 2.4mg pen.

View all Wegovy prices.

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Who might be offered the 7.2mg dose?

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The 7.2mg dose of Wegovy will be an additional option for patients who have already reached the 2.4mg dose, tolerated it well for at least 4 weeks, and may benefit from a higher strength to promote further weight loss.

Eligibility will always be assessed on a case-by-case basis but generally, to qualify for the 7.2mg dose you must have been on the Wegovy 2.4mg dose for at least 4 weeks and will be based on your progress, side effect history and overall tolerability.

At Phlo Clinic, any dose increase would only happen under close clinical supervision, based on progress and side-effect history. It’s about ensuring the dose remains safe and effective and is tailored to each patient’s individual treatment goals. It will not be a available as a starting dose.

If you are happy with your results on 2.4mg, there is no requirement to increase, and many patients continue successfully on this dose long-term.

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Can I take more or less doses per week than prescribed?

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Please take your medication as prescribed. If you wish to discuss your treatment with a clinician (e.g. decreasing doses due to side effects) please get in touch with our team and we will advise you accordingly

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How does the 7.2mg Wegovy dose compare to Mounjaro?

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The 7.2mg dose brings Wegovy closer than ever before to tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in terms of effectiveness:

Wegovy 7.2 mg: 20.7% average weight loss
Mounjaro 15 mg: 20.9% average weight loss

This shows that the higher Wegovy dose is a strong alternative if you’re considering switching from Mounjaro. In fact, around one-third of participants (33.2%) on Wegovy 7.2 mg lost more than 25% of their starting weight, a level of effectiveness previously only seen with bariatric surgery.

For people living with complex obesity, this higher dose of Wegovy offers a highly effective non-surgical option, helping support more people with significant amounts of weight to lose.

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Switching from another GLP-1 medication

Patients currently using another GLP-1 medication, such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), may be eligible to switch to Wegovy. The starting Wegovy dose will depend on your previous treatment, current dose, and how well you tolerated side effects.

In most cases, patients switching from another GLP-1 will start at a lower Wegovy dose first and gradually work up to higher doses, including 7.2mg if appropriate. This helps reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects and allows the body time to adjust safely.

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Key takeaways

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Wegovy 7.2mg offers significantly greater weight loss than the current highest dose.
Safety profile is similar, although some side effects are slightly more common at higher doses.
The 7.2mg dose is taken as three weekly injections using the 2.4mg pen and is only suitable for patients who have already tolerated standard dosing.
It may become a valuable option for people who need more support beyond standard dosing.

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