Wegovy is the brand name for the semaglutide injections that the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) approved.
Semaglutide has been used for several years to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Wegovy was approved due to the trials that Novo Nordisk carried out, which showed semaglutide to be incredibly effective for weight loss.
Wegovy followed the same path as Saxenda (also manufactured by Novo Nordisk), which has now been discontinued. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, was also used as a diabetes treatment (Victoza) for a few years before being approved for weight loss as Saxenda.
Wegovy was the first weight loss medication to be injected weekly.
Eli Lilly followed Novo Nordisk with the GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, as their medicine, Mounjaro, was approved for weight loss in the UK in November 2023.
Who can take Wegovy?
Eligibility for Wegovy depends on your body mass index (BMI).
Wegovy is licensed for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with a BMI of 30 or above.
It might also be prescribed if you have a BMI of 27 and at least one weight-related health condition, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy is only prescribed to adults aged between 18 and 75 in the UK.
You must check with your prescriber to see if you are eligible to use Wegovy. Before you’re prescribed Wegovy, you must consider whether you are taking other medications, have underlying health problems, or are pregnant.
What’s the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic have the same active ingredient; however, long-term treatment doses differ. Ozempic is also only used for diabetes. It hasn’t been licenced for weight loss in the UK.
The maintenance dose of Wegovy is higher than that of Ozempic. The typical long-term dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg, compared to Ozempic, with a long-term dose of 1mg with a maximum of 2mg.
Wegovy is stronger than Ozempic, making it more effective for weight loss.
You can read our guide here for more information on the differences between Wegovy and Ozempic.
Can I buy Wegovy?
Before you can buy Wegovy, you will need a consultation, during which you will be asked questions about your health, the medication you are currently taking, your weight, and your lifestyle.
Our prescribers’ questions will determine if you are eligible to purchase Wegovy.
Remember, though, that prescribers will only suggest weight loss treatments to suitable patients and will always have the final say over your treatment. If these medications aren’t right for you, then unfortunately, they won’t be prescribed.
Is Wegovy available in the UK?
Wegovy became available on prescription in the UK in September 2023. You can only get it from specialist services like myBMI or on the NHS.
NICE determines whether or not you are eligible for Wegovy on the NHS to ensure value for money for the NHS. To get Wegovy on the NHS, you would need a referral to an NHS specialist for weight management service from your GP.
Wegovy alternatives
The most similar weight loss medication to Wegovy is Mounjaro, which is another weekly injection. Mounjaro contains both GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists. It also suppresses your appetite, encouraging you to consume fewer calories.
Ozempic is also a semaglutide injection, but it’s only used for type 2 diabetes. Some places also offer daily tablets as an alternative for those who don’t want to use injections.
Other weight loss medications also exist, such as orlistat, which helps block one-third of dietary fat, or even Mysimba, which works within the brain to suppress appetite.
What’s better, Wegovy or Mounjaro?
You can find more information in our guide here when comparing Wegovy and Mounjaro.
The guide will give you an insight into the different active ingredients used in both medicines, the prices, key differences and more.
How much is Wegovy?
The cost of Wegovy depends on the dosage of the medication. You can pay our prescribers a flat fee, which covers the cost of your treatment, including any supporting therapies you might need, such as treatments to cover your side effects.
The starting price for your first consultation and monthly pen is £125.
If you decide to change to a different treatment after your consultation, the cost of our services may change to reflect the cost of your medicine.