Wegovy is a weight loss treatment that’s making waves for a reason. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which mimics the naturally-occurring GLP1 hormone, making you feel fuller for longer and helping to manage cravings.
Medicines such as Wegovy or Mounjaro are in high demand because they work for lots of people: one study showed those using semaglutide lost 17.5% of their body weight.
When you first start taking Wegovy weight loss injections, your clinician will set you up on a dosage schedule with a low starting dose to ensure safety, effectiveness and long-term results. Here, we’ll take you through the Wegovy dose schedule step by step.
Wegovy doses
The Wegovy dosage schedule is designed to support the best weight loss results whilst prioritising your safety. You inject a dose of Wegovy once a week, on the same day every week, using a prefilled pen.
The schedule always starts with the same low starting dose—0.25mg per week for four weeks. Then, we recommend increasing your dose every four weeks until your clinician finds the right dose for you. If you experience any side effects with a particular dose, you can contact your clinician to review your plan.
Why do I need a dosage schedule?
You might be wondering: “why can’t I just jump to the full dose if that’s what works?” It’s a fair question! But think of it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t start by running 26 miles on your first day, right? You’d build up to it gradually.
The same goes for Wegovy. Starting with a lower dose gives your body time to adjust, helping to minimise side effects and ensure the treatment works for you in the long run. This step-by-step approach is key to achieving safe, sustainable weight loss.
What are the Wegovy injection doses for weight loss?
There are five Wegovy doses for weight loss that a clinician might prescribe: Wegovy 0.25mg, Wegovy 0.5mg, Wegovy 1mg, Wegovy 1.7mg, Wegovy 2.4mg.
Wegovy dosing schedule
It’s important to follow the recommended titration plan, which gradually increases your dose every four weeks (or when your clinician recommends moving you up).
Some people may need more time at a lower dose before moving up to the next step, if you’re experiencing particularly strong effects from treatment, or any side effects. Always check with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your schedule.
If you ever need to pause or slow down, your healthcare provider can help you adapt the schedule to suit your needs—what matters most is finding a pace that works for you.
Here’s what the Wegovy dosage schedule might look like as your treatment progresses:
- Week 1 to 4: 0.25mg (per week)
- Week 5 to 8: 0.5mg (per week)
- Week 9 to 12: 1.0mg (per week)
- Week 13 to 16: 1.7mg (per week)
- From week 17: 2.4mg (per week)
Wegovy dosage chart
Wegovy starting dose
Everyone starts Wegovy on 0.25mg per week for four weeks. After this, doses are usually increased bit by bit every four weeks unless you experience side effects or want to remain on the dose you’re on.
Wegovy maintenance dose
At Voy, we define your maintenance dose as the dose you’ll transition to after you’ve reached your weight loss goal. This stage is all about protecting the great results you’ve achieved, helping you maintain your success, avoid further weight loss, and reduce the risk of regaining weight. It's a key part of building a long-term, sustainable future.
That might mean coming off treatment and returning in the future if you need a little extra support, or staying on a lower dose long term if that feels right for you.
The maintenance dose is different to the maximum tolerated dose meaning the dose you remain on when you’re in the weight loss stage of your journey. For most people, the dose is 2.4mg. After week 17, you continue with this dose once a week as per your treatment plan. Some Wegovy users do choose to stay on a lower dose. It’s all about what works for you, how you’re feeling and what your clinician recommends!
While it might feel tempting to skip ahead to the maximum dose, it’s best to follow your clinician’s guidance. The gradual increase helps your body adjust and leads to more effective, long-lasting results. Plus, your clinician will monitor your progress and tailor your treatment to what works best for you.
Wegovy maximum dosage
The maximum recommended dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg of semaglutide every week. This is the dose that’s shown to deliver the most significant weight loss benefits in clinical trials. But as we’ve explained, you don’t start taking 2.4mg of Wegovy straightaway. You build up to it gradually to minimise the risk of side effects, and for your body to get used to the medication.
At the 2.4mg dose, most people experience the full appetite-suppressing effects of semaglutide, which can make it easier to reach your health goals.
What if you can’t tolerate the maximum dose?
Not everyone can or needs to reach the 2.4mg dose. Some people find they respond well to a lower dose, such as 1.7mg, and may stay on that long-term. If side effects are a barrier, your healthcare provider may recommend sticking with a lower dose that your body can tolerate.
The key is finding the right balance between effectiveness and comfort. Lower doses can still lead to meaningful weight loss, especially when supported by healthy habits.
Wegovy 7.2mg
Right now, the highest approved dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg. But that could change soon. Wegovy 7.2mg has shown really promising results in clinical trials.
People taking the 7.2mg dose of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) lost more weight on average after 72 weeks than those on the standard 2.4mg dose. Specifically, participants on 7.2mg lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight, compared to 17.2% for those on 2.4mg. A third of users on the higher dose lost 25% or more.
The higher dose also appeared to be safe and well-tolerated. The most common side effects were mild to moderate digestive issues—things like nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea—similar to what people often experience at lower doses.
When will Wegovy 7.2mg be available?
The new 7.2mg dose of Wegovy hasn’t launched yet but it’s on the way. In July 2025, Novo Nordisk submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to make the higher dose available across Europe, including the UK. There’s no official update yet on US approval or an FDA submission.
The 7.2mg dose is expected to be available on Voy later this year. If you’re starting treatment now, the 7.2mg dose might be available by the time you’d typically reach that stage, so there will be no delay to your progress.
We’ll update our Wegovy weight loss injections page as soon as the new dose becomes available.
How many doses are in a Wegovy pen?
There are four doses in each Wegovy pen. As Wegovy is injected weekly, one pen will last four weeks.
At what dose does Wegovy start working?
Everybody is different. Some people may notice some appetite suppression and small changes in weight within the first 4–8 weeks, even at the lower doses (such as 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg). Noticeable weight loss tends to become more apparent once you reach the higher doses—particularly at the highest currently prescribed dose of 2.4mg.
Your metabolism, lifestyle and how closely you stick to the dosage schedule can influence the amount and rate of weight loss. This is totally normal.
How long does it take to see results on Wegovy?
How long it takes to see results on Wegovy really varies from person to person. Some people notice appetite suppression and weight loss at the lower doses, while others need to increase gradually until they find the dose that works for them.
In general, as your dose increases, appetite suppression and therefore weight loss, tends to become more pronounced.
In clinical trials, most participants saw noticeable results after reaching higher doses, with many continuing treatment for at least 12 months to achieve and stabilise their weight loss.
Wegovy is recommended alongside a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity, so you are more likely to reach your goals by eating fruit and vegetables, wholegrain and lean protein. And try to fit in 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week—activities like walking, jogging, or even dancing count!
At Voy, our dedicated and compassionate coaches will help you find the lifestyle changes that work best for you.
What happens if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
Life happens, and it’s okay if you forget a dose. Here’s what to do:
If you forget to take Wegovy on your scheduled day, take it as soon as possible within five days after the missed dose.
If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on your regularly scheduled day.
If you forget to take more than 1 dose of Wegovy, contact your clinician to review your treatment plan.
Whatever you do, don’t take a double dose to make up for it. If you accidentally take multiple doses in a week, contact your doctor right away. Missing a dose won’t ruin your progress—just get back on schedule as soon as possible.
How to inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is injected using a prefilled pen, which is provided to you. Using a Wegovy pen is straightforward. The injection is subcutaneous, meaning you inject it into the fatty tissue just under your skin—common areas include your upper arms, upper legs, or stomach. Avoid injecting into veins, muscles, or scarred areas. Take a look at our handy video that guides you through the process of injecting Wegovy.
Are there any Wegovy side effects to look out for?
Like starting any new medicine, you may experience some mild side effects after your first few doses of Wegovy while your body gets used to it. These could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or fatigue, but research suggests they tend to be mild and ease as your body adapts to the Wegovy doses. Some people notice a bit of discomfort at the injection site too.
There are things you can do that could reduce the risk of side effects when starting Wegovy. Staying hydrated is important. And because Wegovy slows digestion, eating smaller meals can also help. Like with any sickness, getting some fresh air and avoiding trigger foods such as very rich, fatty or spicy food can sometimes ease symptoms too. It’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake too.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Getting started on Wegovy
Like starting any new medicine, you may experience some mild side effects after your first dose of Wegovy while your body gets used to it. These could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fatigue, but research suggests they tend to be mild and ease as your body adapts to the Wegovy doses. Some people notice a bit of discomfort at the injection site too.
There are things you can do that could reduce the risk of side effects when starting Wegovy. Staying hydrated is important, as water helps our bodies to absorb medication more effectively. Because Wegovy slows digestion, eating smaller meals can also help. Like with any sickness, getting some fresh air and avoiding very rich or spicy food can sometimes ease symptoms too. It’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake too.
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