Jump to: Clinical evidence | UK availability | Comparing doses | Pricing and access | Safety profile | FAQs | Take home message
Wegovy 7.2 mg has been approved by the MHRA today (12th January 2026) for adults with a BMI over 27, making it the strongest semaglutide dose available for weight loss in the UK.1
Clinical trials show this higher dose delivers substantially greater weight loss than the standard 2.4 mg dose.
The Phase 3b STEP UP trial found that patients lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight with the 7.2 mg dose, compared to 17.5% with the standard 2.4 mg dose over 72 weeks.2
Significantly, 33.2% of patients on the higher dose achieved ≥25% weight loss, a threshold previously only seen with bariatric surgery and Mounjaro 15 mg.
For individuals currently on Wegovy 2.4 mg, this higher dose offers more support to continue losing weight for those that need to.
Important safety information: Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only medication for managing obesity and overweight. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication or changing your current dose.
Clinical evidence: what the STEP UP trial showed
The STEP UP trial provides the evidence behind today’s MHRA approval, demonstrating that this higher dose offers meaningful improvements over the current 2.4 mg.2
Trial design
The trial enrolled 1,407 adults living with obesity (BMI ≥30) without diabetes.
Participants received weekly injections following a 20-week dose escalation period, starting from 0.25 mg and increasing through the standard doses before reaching the 7.2 mg maintenance dose.
Weight loss results
Key findings from the STEP UP trial:
| Outcome measure |
Wegovy 7.2 mg |
Wegovy 2.4 mg |
Placebo |
| Average weight loss |
20.7% |
17.5% |
2.4% |
| ≥25% weight loss |
33.2% |
16.7% |
0% |
| ≥20% weight loss |
50.9% |
35.1% |
1.2% |
| ≥15% weight loss |
70.4% |
57.5% |
2.4% |
| ≥10% weight loss |
86.0% |
77.6% |
10.8% |
| ≥5% weight loss |
93.2% |
92.0% |
28.9% |
UK availability and NHS considerations
The MHRA approved Wegovy 7.2 mg on 12th January 2026, making it immediately available through private providers.1
Second Nature will be offering the 7.2 mg dose as part of our medication-supported programme.
Who is the 7.2 mg dose for?
This isn’t a starting dose. It’s intended for people who:
- Have already reached and tolerated the 2.4 mg dose
- Need additional support to continue losing weight
- Have plateaued on the current maximum dose
- Haven’t yet achieved their weight loss goals
If you’re currently on Wegovy 2.4 mg and your progress has stalled, this higher dose may be worth discussing with your prescriber.
NHS availability
NHS England already provides Wegovy 2.4 mg through specialist weight management programmes for patients meeting specific criteria.
The 7.2 mg dose will likely follow a similar pathway, though NHS England will need to conduct a health technology assessment before determining coverage.
This assessment typically takes 6-9 months following regulatory approval, meaning NHS availability is likely towards late 2026.
Comparing Wegovy 7.2 mg with the 2.4 mg dose and Mounjaro
Head-to-head, Wegovy 7.2 mg (20.7% weight loss) now shows results comparable to Mounjaro 15 mg (approximately 20-21% weight loss in published trials).3
How the treatments compare
| Treatment |
Average weight loss |
≥25% weight loss |
Time frame |
| Wegovy 7.2 mg |
20.7% |
33.2% |
72 weeks |
| Wegovy 2.4 mg |
17.5% |
16.7% |
72 weeks |
| Mounjaro 15 mg |
~20-21% |
~30% |
72 weeks |
| Bariatric surgery |
25-30% |
~60% |
12 months |
For people deciding between the two medications, the choice may now come down to individual response, side-effect profile, and personal preference rather than a significant difference in the amount of weight loss you can achieve.
Pricing and access
Second Nature pricing
Second Nature will offer Wegovy 7.2 mg at £379 per month as part of our medication-supported programme.
This includes:
- The medication itself
- Support from registered dietitians and nutritionists
- Access to our app with tracking, recipes, and daily educational content
- Peer support groups
Why lifestyle support matters
Research from the University of Oxford, published alongside today’s approval news, found that people on GLP-1 medications lose weight during treatment but typically regain it within 20 months of stopping.1
In contrast, people who develop healthier habits through diet and exercise are more likely to maintain their weight loss after coming off the medications.
This is why we combine medication with comprehensive habit-change support.
Our 12-month outcomes study showed that participants with ongoing behavioural support achieved 19.1% average weight loss.4
Safety profile
The side effect profile of Wegovy 7.2 mg is consistent with lower doses, with gastrointestinal symptoms being most common.
Key safety findings from the STEP UP trial:
- Gastrointestinal events: 70.8% with 7.2 mg vs 61.2% with 2.4 mg vs 42.8% with placebo
- Severe GI events: 3.4% with 7.2 mg vs 3.5% with 2.4 mg
- Dysaesthesia (abnormal skin sensations): 22.9% with 7.2 mg vs 6.0% with 2.4 mg
- Stopping medication due to side effects: 5.4% for 7.2 mg vs 4.0% for 2.4 mg
The higher rate of dysaesthesia (tingling or numbness sensations) at the 7.2 mg dose is worth noting.
However, 85.7% of these cases resolved while continuing treatment, and most were mild to moderate.
Side effects were typically most noticeable during dose escalation and improved over time as the body adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy 7.2 mg available now in the UK?
Yes. The MHRA approved it on 12th January 2026. Private providers, including Second Nature, can prescribe it immediately. NHS availability will follow later, likely towards late 2026.
How much more effective is Wegovy 7.2 mg compared to the standard dose?
The 7.2 mg dose achieved 20.7% average weight loss compared to 17.5% with the 2.4 mg dose.
Twice as many patients (33.2% vs 16.7%) achieved ≥25% weight loss with the higher dose.
Can I switch from Wegovy 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg?
Yes, if you’ve tolerated the 2.4 mg dose well but haven’t reached your weight loss goals, the 7.2 mg dose may be appropriate.
Your prescriber will assess whether going up a dose is right for you.
How does Wegovy 7.2 mg compare to Mounjaro?
Wegovy 7.2 mg (20.7% weight loss) now shows comparable results to Mounjaro 15 mg (approximately 20-21% weight loss).
Are there more side effects with the higher dose?
The overall safety profile is similar, with slightly higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects (70.8% vs 61.2%) and notably more dysaesthesia (22.9% vs 6.0%).
However, severe side effects and discontinuation rates remained comparable between doses.
How much does Wegovy 7.2 mg cost?
Second Nature offers the 7.2 mg dose at £379 per month as part of our comprehensive medication-supported programme, which includes dietitian support, app access, and peer groups.
Will the NHS cover Wegovy 7.2 mg?
NHS coverage will depend on a health technology assessment following today’s MHRA approval.
Given the established NHS pathway for standard Wegovy, the higher dose will likely follow similar criteria but may have additional requirements. Expect NHS availability towards late 2026.
Do I need to switch to the 7.2 mg dose?
No. If you’re achieving good results at 2.4 mg and are happy with your progress, there’s no requirement to increase.
The higher dose is an option for those who need additional support, not a mandatory step.
Take home message
The MHRA approval of Wegovy 7.2 mg provides people in the UK with access to a more effective semaglutide dose that aligns with Mounjaro’s weight-loss results.
The medication is available now through private providers, with NHS access expected later this year.
If you’re currently on Wegovy 2.4 mg and your progress has plateaued, this new dose may be worth discussing with your prescriber.
Remember that medications work best when combined with sustainable lifestyle changes.
Our research shows that people who develop healthy habits alongside medication maintain their results far better than those who rely on medication alone.
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
- Yahoo News. (2026). Wegovy to launch stronger dose weight-loss jabs as UK usage set to soar. 12 January 2026.
- Wharton, S., et al. (2025). Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide 7.2mg in Obesity—STEP UP Trial. American Diabetes Association.
- Jastreboff, A.M., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216.
- Richards, R., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered, Semaglutide-Supported Weight Management Program: 12-Month Outcomes. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e72577.
