Novo Nordisk has announced a new 7.2mg dose of Wegovy – the highest dose available for this weight management medication. For patients currently using Wegovy or considering it as a treatment option, this development raises important questions about who might benefit and when it will be available.
The new dose gives doctors another tool when the standard maximum dose of 2.4mg isn’t providing the results patients need.
Wegovy 7.2mg is a higher-strength version of the existing semaglutide injection used for weight management. Like the current doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg), it’s a once-weekly injection that works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1.
This hormone helps control blood sugar levels and slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which makes you feel full for longer. The 7.2mg dose contains three times more active ingredient than the previous maximum dose of 2.4mg.
The medication is still administered the same way – as a pre-filled pen injection under the skin, typically in the thigh, upper arm, or stomach area. The only difference is the strength of the medication in each injection.
The 7.2mg dose is specifically designed for patients who have met the Wegovy BMI requirements and are taking the 2.4mg dose but haven’t reached their weight loss goals. It’s not a starting dose – patients must first try the standard dose escalation protocol, which begins at 0.25mg and gradually increases to 2.4mg over several months.
Doctors will consider the higher dose for patients who:
The higher dose isn’t suitable for everyone. Patients with certain medical conditions, those who experienced severe side effects on lower doses, or those who haven’t followed the proper dose escalation schedule, won’t be candidates for 7.2mg.
Novo Nordisk’s phase 3b STEP UP trial studied 1,407 people with obesity over 72 weeks to test the effectiveness of the 7.2mg dose. The clinical trial compared semaglutide 7.2 mg against both the 2.4mg dose and placebo, with all participants following lifestyle interventions.
The results showed significant weight loss differences. Participants starting with an average weight of 113kg achieved:
More patients reached substantial weight loss milestones on the higher dose. After 72 weeks, 33.2% of patients taking 7.2mg achieved 25% or more weight loss, compared to 16.7% on the 2.4mg dose and none on placebo.
The trial met its primary goal of demonstrating that 7.2mg semaglutide was superior to placebo for weight loss. A second trial, STEP UP T2D, is currently studying the 7.2mg dose in 512 adults with both obesity and type 2 diabetes, with results expected in the coming months.
The STEP UP trial showed that semaglutide 7.2mg had a safety profile similar to the 2.4mg dose. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, which is expected with GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Wegovy.
Common side effects include:
Most of these side effects were mild to moderate and decreased over time as patients’ bodies adjusted to the medication. This pattern matches what doctors see with lower doses of Wegovy.
The higher dose does carry some additional considerations. Because it contains three times more active ingredient than the 2.4mg dose, patients may experience more pronounced gastrointestinal effects, particularly when first starting or increasing the dose.
Serious side effects remain the same as with other Wegovy doses, including potential risks of pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems, and diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes. Patients with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers should not use any dose of semaglutide.
Anyone considering the 7.2mg dose should discuss their full medical history with their doctor to make sure it’s appropriate for them.
The higher dose is only considered for patients currently taking 2.4mg who haven’t achieved adequate weight loss after at least 16-20 weeks of treatment. Your prescriber will look at how much weight you’ve lost and whether you’ve tolerated the current dose without severe side effects.
Medical factors that rule out the 7.2mg dose include a history of severe gastrointestinal side effects on lower doses, certain pre-existing medical conditions, or failure to follow the standard dose escalation schedule from 0.25mg upwards.
When deciding if the higher dose is appropriate, they will also consider your overall health, other medications you’re taking, and your weight loss goals. The switch isn’t suitable for patients who are new to Wegovy or who haven’t tried the full range of lower doses first.
Novo Nordisk submitted their application for the 7.2mg dose to the European Medicines Agency in July 2025. This covers approval for the entire European market, including the UK.
The regulatory review process typically takes several months. Even after approval, additional time will likely be needed for the medication to become widely available through the NHS and private healthcare providers.
Current estimates suggest the 7.2mg dose could become available in the UK sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, but this timeline depends on the speed of the regulatory review process and manufacturing capacity.
Patients interested in the higher dose should speak with their healthcare provider about their current treatment and whether they might be candidates for 7.2mg once it becomes available. In the meantime, continuing with the current treatment plan and lifestyle modifications remains important for ongoing weight management.
Thinking about weight loss injections? Not sure if Mounjaro and Wegovy are right for you? Click2Pharmacy’s weight loss clinic can help you figure out your best options.
Our doctors and pharmacists will assess whether you’re suitable for weight loss injections and keep track of how you’re doing once you start treatment. Everyone’s different, so we tailor your plan to what works for you.
We keep up with new treatments and dosing options, so you’ll know about developments like the 7.2mg Wegovy dose when they become available.
Start a consultation with our weight loss specialists today.
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