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

Written by

Dennis Ouko

Last reviewed

November 27, 2025

Reviewed by

Dennis Ouko

Next review

December 1, 2026

The 7.2mg Wegovy dose (semaglutide) is a new, higher dose on the way and it’s set to become one of the most effective GLP-1 options available for weight loss. It’s now in the final stages of regulatory review and could become available in the UK very soon.

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. Currently, there are five different strengths, which starting from the lowest dose, is recommended to gradually increase over time to allow your body to adjust to the medication (from 0.25mg to 2.4mg).

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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When will Wegovy 7.2mg be available?

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Novo Nordisk, manufacturer’s of Wegovy, submitted the new dose to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in July 2025. The typical review time is up to 12 months which gives an expected EU approval of late 2025 to early 2026.

The UK’s Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) usually follows shortly after EMA approval so it is likely to be available in the UK to buy 7.2mg of Wegovy late 2025 to early 2026 (private sector first, NHS later).

There has been no FDA submission yet for the USA so the US timeline remains uncertain.

As of November 2025, Novo Nordisk has filed for FDA approval of the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose.

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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.

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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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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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Official pricing from Novo Nordisk to pharmacy providers hasn’t been confirmed yet but can be expected closer to the time of approval. Because the new 7.2mg dose contains significantly more medication, it will likely be more expensive than the current 2.4mg pen. At Phlo Clinic, we’ll keep our patients up to date on the latest around pricing as soon as we have it confirmed.

View all other 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, and may benefit from a higher strength to promote further weight loss.

Guidelines are still in development, but based on clinical evidence, this dose will likely be for:

Patients who have fully tolerated the 2.4mg dose: before increasing dose, patients would need to show they can tolerate 2.4mg without significant side effects. At Phlo Clinic, tolerance and safety always come first.
Patients who need additional weight-loss support: some patients reach a plateau on 2.4mg. For individuals who are progressing well but would benefit from additional weight loss, a higher dose may be considered.
Patients being closely monitored by a clinician: as with all Phlo Clinic patients on GLP-1 medication, any transition to a higher dose would only happen under clinical supervision. Your prescribing pharmacist would assess whether the 7.2mg dose is appropriate based on your feedback, medical history, and treatment goals.

Overall, eligibility would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. It’s about ensuring the dose remains safe and effective, and is tailored to each patient’s needs. It will not be a starting dose for beginners or for those still adjusting to lower doses.

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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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Key takeaways

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Wegovy 7.2mg offers significantly greater weight loss than the current highest dose.
Approval for sale in the UK is expected late 2025–early 2026
Safety profile is similar, although some side effects are slightly more common at higher doses.
It may become a valuable option for people who need more support beyond standard dosing.

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