Who is Wegovy 7.2 mg for?
The 7.2 mg dose is intended for adults with a BMI>27 who are already taking semaglutide 2.4 mg and seek additional support for weight loss.
It’s not a starting dose. The standard titration schedule still applies: you’ll work up through 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg before your prescriber considers whether 7.2 mg might be appropriate.
The STEP UP trial specifically enrolled people without diabetes. A separate trial, STEP UP T2D, is investigating the 7.2 mg dose in people with type 2 diabetes, with results expected soon.2
In practice, your prescriber might consider the 7.2 mg dose if you:
- Have tolerated 2.4 mg well with minimal side effects
- Haven’t reached your weight loss goals on the standard dose
- Are committed to the lifestyle changes that support long-term success
- Don’t have contraindications to higher doses
How is it delivered?
Currently, Wegovy 7.2 mg is delivered as three separate 2.4 mg pens rather than a single higher-dose pen.
This means you’ll inject three times the usual volume, but it’s still a once-weekly injection. You’ll use all three pens on the same day, in separate injection sites.
Novo Nordisk may develop a single 7.2 mg pen in the future, but for now, the three-pen approach is used to deliver the dose.
Weight loss: what the research shows
The STEP UP trial compared semaglutide 7.2 mg against 2.4 mg and placebo over 72 weeks in 1,407 adults with obesity without diabetes.1
| Outcome |
7.2 mg |
2.4 mg |
Placebo |
| Average weight loss |
20.7% |
17.5% |
2.4% |
| Achieved ≥5% weight loss |
93.2% |
92.5% |
35.7% |
| Achieved ≥10% weight loss |
86.0% |
77.6% |
10.8% |
| Achieved ≥15% weight loss |
70.4% |
57.5% |
2.4% |
| Achieved ≥20% weight loss |
50.9% |
35.1% |
1.2% |
| Achieved ≥25% weight loss |
33.2% |
16.7% |
0% |
The additional 3.2 percentage-point weight loss may not seem significant, but the difference becomes more meaningful at higher thresholds. Twice as many people achieved 25% or more weight loss with 7.2 mg compared to 2.4 mg.
For someone weighing 100 kg, this difference corresponds to approximately 3 kg of additional weight loss over the course of treatment.
The trial also measured waist circumference, showing an 11.7 cm greater reduction with 7.2 mg compared to placebo.
Side effects comparison
As you might expect, a higher dose increases the risk of side effects. The STEP UP trial found:1
| Side effect |
7.2 mg |
2.4 mg |
Placebo |
| Any GI side effect |
70.8% |
61.2% |
42.8% |
| Dysaesthesia (tingling/numbness) |
22.9% |
6.0% |
0.5% |
| Discontinued due to GI side effects |
3.3% |
2.0% |
0% |
| Serious adverse events |
6.8% |
10.9% |
5.5% |
The most notable finding is dysaesthesia, a tingling or altered sensation, affecting nearly a quarter of people on the 7.2 mg dose.
However, the researchers found that 85.7% of these cases resolved while participants continued treatment, suggesting it’s usually temporary.
GI side effects (nausea, constipation, diarrhoea) followed the pattern seen with lower doses, where they’re more common initially, then diminish over time.
Importantly, the number of people stopping the drug due to side effects remained relatively low at 3.3% with 7.2 mg, only slightly higher than the 2.0% seen with 2.4 mg.
Cost and availability in the UK
Wegovy 7.2 mg is awaiting MHRA approval in the UK. Once approved, it will be available through private prescriptions.
Current Second Nature pricing:
- Wegovy 2.4 mg: £249/month (all-inclusive with programme support)
- Wegovy 7.2 mg: TBC
Because the 7.2 mg dose requires three 2.4 mg pens, the cost will be higher than the standard dose.
Who might benefit from switching to 7.2 mg?
Based on the STEP UP trial results and clinical guidance, the 7.2 mg dose might suit you if:
You’ve plateaued on 2.4 mg: If your weight loss has stalled despite following the programme and you’ve been on the maximum dose for several months, the higher dose may help restart progress.
You haven’t reached your goal weight: Some people respond well to 2.4 mg but don’t achieve the weight loss they were hoping for. The 7.2 mg dose may provide the additional support needed.
You tolerate 2.4 mg well: If you’ve experienced minimal side effects on the current dose, you’re more likely to tolerate the higher dose.
You have significant weight to lose: The trial data suggest the higher dose particularly benefits those aiming for substantial weight loss (20%+ of body weight).
Who should stay on 2.4 mg?
The higher dose isn’t right for everyone. You might be better off staying on 2.4 mg if:
You’re still losing weight: If you’re making steady progress on your current dose, there’s no need to change. The 2.4 mg dose resulted in an average 17.5% weight loss in the trial, which is clinically significant.
You struggle with side effects: If you’re already managing nausea or other GI symptoms on 2.4 mg, increasing the dose will likely make them worse, at least initially.
You’ve reached your goal: If you’re happy with your current weight and focused on maintenance, the higher dose won’t provide additional benefits.
Cost is a concern: The 7.2 mg dose will be substantially more expensive than 2.4 mg. If cost is a factor in your decision-making, the 2.4 mg dose remains highly effective.
How to switch from 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg
If you’re considering the 7.2 mg dose, here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Speak with your prescriber: Discuss your weight loss goals, current progress, and whether the higher dose is appropriate for you.
- Review your side effect history: Your prescriber will want to know how you’ve tolerated 2.4 mg before increasing your dose.
- Continue lifestyle support: The STEP UP trial participants received lifestyle intervention alongside medication. The higher dose is most effective when combined with nutrition and behaviour change support.
- Monitor for side effects: There is a higher risk of GI symptoms and, potentially, dysaesthesia when you first increase the dose. These typically improve over time.
- Give it time: The trial ran for 72 weeks. Allow sufficient time to see the full benefits of the higher dose.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy 7.2 mg three times as strong as 2.4 mg?
The 7.2 mg dose is three times the 2.4 mg semaglutide dose, but the weight loss isn’t three times greater.
The trial showed 20.7% weight loss with 7.2 mg compared to 17.5% with 2.4 mg, a relative increase of about 18%.
Will I need to inject three times a week?
No. You’ll still inject once weekly, but you’ll use three 2.4 mg pens on the same day, in different injection sites.
Can I start Wegovy at 7.2 mg?
No. The 7.2 mg dose is only for people who have already titrated through the lower doses and been stable on 2.4 mg. Starting at a high dose would cause severe side effects.
What is dysaesthesia?
Dysaesthesia is an abnormal sensation, often described as tingling, numbness, or a burning feeling.
In the STEP UP trial, it was more common with 7.2 mg, but resolved in most cases while continuing treatment.
How long does it take to see results with 7.2 mg?
Weight loss continues throughout treatment. In the trial, participants were assessed at 72 weeks (about 16 months). You should discuss realistic timelines with your prescriber.
Can I switch back to 2.4 mg if I don’t tolerate 7.2 mg?
Yes. If the higher dose causes unacceptable side effects, you can return to 2.4 mg. This is a discussion to have with your prescriber.
Is 7.2 mg available on the NHS?
Currently, Wegovy on the NHS is limited and typically prescribed at the standard 2.4 mg dose. The 7.2 mg dose would be subject to the same restrictions once approved.
Take home message
Wegovy 7.2 mg provides additional weight-loss support for people who haven’t reached their goals on the standard 2.4 mg dose.
The STEP UP trial showed an average weight loss of 20.7% compared with 17.5% with 2.4 mg, and twice as many participants achieved> 25% weight loss.
The higher dose does come with a higher chance of side effects, particularly GI symptoms and dysaesthesia, though discontinuation rates remained low. It’s delivered as three 2.4 mg pens and costs more than the standard dose.
If you’re currently on Wegovy 2.4 mg and considering whether the higher dose might be right for you, speak with your prescriber.
The decision depends on your individual response to treatment, tolerance for side effects, and weight-loss goals.
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
References
- Wharton S, Freitas P, Hjelmesæth J, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Published online September 14, 2025. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00226-8/abstract
- ClinicalTrials.gov. A Research Study to See How Semaglutide Helps People With Excess Weight, Lose Weight (STEP UP). NCT05646706. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05646706
