Wegovy 7.2mg Explained: The New Higher Dose

Wegovy has become one of the most talked about weight loss treatments in recent years, helping thousands of people achieve meaningful results. Until recently, the highest approved dose in the UK was 2.4mg taken once weekly. Now, following successful clinical trials, a new higher dose of 7.2mg has been approved and is available for patients who need additional support with their weight loss goals.

In this article, we explain what the 7.2mg dose is, how it works, who it is suitable for, and what you need to know if you are considering this option.

What is Wegovy 7.2mg?

Wegovy 7.2mg is a new, higher strength of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy. It was developed to offer greater weight loss benefits for people who have not achieved their goals on the standard 2.4mg maintenance dose.

The 7.2mg dose is now approved in the UK and available with a prescription. It is taken once weekly, just like the other Wegovy doses, but delivers three times the amount of semaglutide compared to the previous maximum dose.

Currently, the 7.2mg dose is provided as three separate 2.4mg pens. This means you will need to inject yourself three times in one session to make up the full 7.2mg dose. A single dose 7.2mg pen is expected to become available between May and July 2026, which will simplify the process to just one injection per week.

Why was the 7.2mg dose developed?

Not everyone responds to medication in the same way. Some people achieve excellent weight loss results on 2.4mg of Wegovy, while others may need a higher dose to continue making progress.

The 7.2mg dose was developed to support patients who have tolerated the 2.4mg dose well but need a stronger option to reach their weight loss targets. The goal is to provide more flexibility in treatment and help more people achieve clinically meaningful results.

How effective is Wegovy 7.2mg?

The effectiveness of the 7.2mg dose was studied in the STEP UP clinical trial, which compared weight loss outcomes between people taking 2.4mg, 7.2mg, and a placebo over 72 weeks.

The results were encouraging. On average, participants taking the 7.2mg dose lost 21% of their starting body weight by week 72, compared to 17% for those taking 2.4mg and 2.4% for those on placebo. All participants were also following a reduced calorie diet and increasing their physical activity.

The trial also looked at how many people reached specific weight loss milestones. Here is how the 7.2mg dose compared to 2.4mg:

At least 5% weight loss: 90.7% (7.2mg) vs 89.9% (2.4mg)

At least 10% weight loss: 82.4% (7.2mg) vs 75.1% (2.4mg)

At least 15% weight loss: 66.5% (7.2mg) vs 54.5% (2.4mg)

At least 20% weight loss: 47.7% (7.2mg) vs 33.3% (2.4mg)

At least 25% weight loss: 31.2% (7.2mg) vs 15.3% (2.4mg)

These figures show that the higher dose helped more people reach greater levels of weight loss, particularly at the 20% and 25% milestones.

Who is eligible for the 7.2mg dose?

Wegovy 7.2mg is not a starting dose. It follows the same gradual dosing schedule as the other strengths, which means you need to begin at the lowest dose and work your way up over several months.

You may be eligible for the 7.2mg dose if:

You have been taking the 2.4mg dose for at least four weeks

You have tolerated the 2.4mg dose without significant side effects

Your clinician believes a higher dose is appropriate for your weight loss goals

You meet the standard criteria for Wegovy (BMI of 30 or above, or 27 and above with weight related health conditions)

You cannot start directly on 7.2mg if you have never taken Wegovy before. The dose needs to be increased gradually to reduce the risk of side effects and allow your body to adjust.

How do you take the 7.2mg dose?

Right now, the 7.2mg dose is taken by injecting three separate 2.4mg doses at the same time, once per week. This means you will receive three pens as part of your monthly supply, with each pen containing four doses.

Here is how to take the current 7.2mg dose:

Attach a new needle to your first pen

If the pen is new, prime it as usual

Dial the pen to 2.4mg

Inject the first dose into your chosen injection site

Remove and dispose of the needle

Attach a new needle and repeat the process for a second 2.4mg dose

Repeat once more for the third 2.4mg dose

Each injection site should be at least 5cm apart to reduce irritation. You can inject into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites each week as you normally would.

When the single dose 7.2mg pen becomes available later this year, you will only need to inject once per week, just like the other Wegovy strengths.

What are the side effects?

The side effects of Wegovy 7.2mg are similar to those seen with lower doses, but they may be more frequent or more noticeable at the higher strength.

The most common side effects affect the digestive system and include:

Feeling sick (nausea)

Being sick (vomiting)

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Stomach pain

Other common side effects include:

Headache

Feeling tired or weak

Dizziness

Indigestion, reflux, or bloating

Injection site reactions

In the STEP UP trial, around 10% more people experienced gastrointestinal side effects on the 7.2mg dose compared to 2.4mg. Most of these were mild to moderate and improved over time as the body adjusted.

One side effect that was more common at the higher dose was dysaesthesia, which refers to unusual skin sensations such as tingling, burning, or sensitivity. Around 23% of people in the trial reported this, although most cases were mild and settled as treatment continued.

Serious side effects are uncommon but can include:

Inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)

Gallstones

Kidney or bladder stones

Severe allergic reactions

If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, contact your clinician. You may need to reduce your dose or pause treatment.

Should you switch to 7.2mg?

Switching to the 7.2mg dose is a decision that should be made with your prescribing clinician. It may be a good option if you have been taking 2.4mg for at least four weeks, have tolerated it well, and feel that your weight loss has slowed or plateaued.

Some people prefer to wait until the single dose 7.2mg pen is available before making the switch, particularly if they are not comfortable with taking three injections each week. This is a personal choice, and both options are valid.

Your clinician will consider your overall progress, your tolerance of the current dose, and your individual weight loss goals when deciding whether the higher dose is right for you.

When will the single dose pen be available?

The single dose 7.2mg Wegovy pen is expected to become available in the UK between May and July 2026. Once it is released, patients will be able to transition from the three injection method to a single weekly injection, making the treatment more convenient and easier to manage.

Until then, the 7.2mg dose remains available using three 2.4mg pens, and many patients are already benefiting from the higher strength.

Final thoughts

Wegovy 7.2mg represents an important development in weight loss treatment. It offers a higher dose option for people who need additional support beyond the standard 2.4mg maintenance dose, and the clinical trial results suggest it can lead to greater weight loss for many patients.

If you are currently taking Wegovy and feel that your progress has slowed, or if you are interested in exploring whether the 7.2mg dose is right for you, speak to your prescribing clinician. They can assess your suitability and help you make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.

Weight loss is not the same for everyone, and having more options available means more people can find a treatment plan that works for them.

Reviewed by Irfan Mahmud, Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber (GPhC Reg. No: 2080386)

Irfan is a UK registered pharmacist and independent prescriber with expertise in men's health, weight management and lifestyle medicine. As the founder of Cuva Health, he is dedicated to providing safe, clinically approved treatments and clear, trustworthy health guidance.