Wegovy tablets

Wegovy tablets have been licensed for use in the UK for weight management, with the 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg dose escalation schedule.   

Pharmacy2U is offering them through its private Online Doctor weight loss service from early July 2026, subject to stock availability and clinical suitability. If a clinician prescribes treatment, it will only be dispensed once stock is available. Treatment is not guaranteed. 

They are not currently available from the NHS.

At Pharmacy2U, the standard cost of Wegovy tablets is as follows (pending a full and successful clinical consultation): 

• Dose level 1 – 1.5 mg - £109.99 

• Dose level 2 – 4 mg - £119.99* 

• Dose level 3 – 9m g - £159.99* 

• Dose level 4 – 25 mg - £199.99* 

If Wegovy tablets become available on the NHS for weight loss, eligible patients may be able to access them for the standard NHS prescription charge, or free of charge for those who are exempt from prescription charges.  

*Prices to be confirmed once stock is available

Wegovy tablets mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite. It activates receptors in the brain and gut that can reduce appetite and caloric intake.  

The Wegovy tablet also slows down the speed at which food empties from the stomach, known as gastric emptying, allowing you to feel fuller for longer, which reduces your appetite. This can help support weight loss when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

The eligibility criteria for Wegovy tablets are as follows.  

Private prescribing (typical criteria):

• A BMI of 27 or above with a weight‑related health condition (such as high blood pressure)  

• A BMI of 30 or above  

• Adults aged 18 and above 

Wegovy tablets may not be suitable, or may need additional clinical review, if you:  

• have kidney problems  

• are breastfeeding  

• have diabetic retinopathy  

• have low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)  

• are pregnant or trying to get pregnant  

• have ever had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any ingredient in Wegovy  

• have type 1 or type 2 diabetes  

• have a history of pancreatitis   

• have severe congestive heart failure  

• have gastroparesis 

• are undergoing anaesthesia or deep sedation 

You should speak to your clinician if any of the above apply to you, but also if you have any other conditions. 

For more information, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) provided with your medication or consult your healthcare professional.

Although Wegovy tablets and Wegovy injections contain the same active ingredient, they are taken and absorbed differently. This means dosing, instructions and suitability may differ. A clinician can advise which formulation, if any, may be appropriate for you. This can influence how well the treatment works for each person and their effects and clinical outcomes may vary.

Wegovy tablets have been shown to be effective for weight loss when compared with a placebo (a tablet with no active medicine). In OASIS 4, the EMA reported average weight loss of 13.61% with Wegovy tablets compared with 2.18% with placebo over 64 weeks. Novo Nordisk has separately reported 16.6% mean weight loss when treatment was adhered to. Individual results vary.

Whilst the Wegovy tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not currently available via the NHS. Any decision on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).  

If semaglutide tablets are introduced on the NHS for weight management in the future, the criteria would be determined by NHS guidance at that time.

Very common (more than 1 in 10) side effects of weight loss tablets include:  

• headache 

• feeling sick (nausea) 

• being sick (vomiting) 

• diarrhoea 

• constipation 

• stomach pain 

• feeling weak or tired 

• upset stomach or indigestion 

These usually go away over time. If you experience vomiting or diarrhoea, you may lose more fluid than usual resulting in dehydration. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If symptoms are severe or persistent, contact a healthcare professional for advice. 

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) side effects of weight loss tablets include: 

• feeling dizzy 

• burping 

• gas (flatulence) 

• bloating of the stomach 

• inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) – the signs include stomach ache, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) 

• reflux or heartburn – also called ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux disease’ 

• gallstones 

• hair loss 

• change in the way food or drink tastes 

• change in skin sensation 

• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes 

• diabetic eye changes (in patients with type 2 diabetes) 

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) side effects of weight loss tablets include: 

• low blood pressure 

• feeling dizzy or lightheaded on standing or sitting up because of a drop in blood pressure 

• fast heartbeat 

• increase of pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase) shown in blood tests 

• a delay in the emptying of the stomach 

• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients without diabetes 

• increased levels of bilirubin in your blood. Signs include jaundice which is yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes 

More serious, uncommon, rare, and very rare side effects may include: 

• acute pancreatitis can present as severe persistent abdominal pain, with or without nausea or vomiting – stop using the medicine and seek urgent medical attention 

• allergic reactions including anaphylaxis with symptoms like swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe rash – stop using the medication and call 999 immediately  

• kidney or bladder stones 

• hip fractures – seek medical attention after a fall where there is severe hip pain or an inability to stand or bear weight  

• sudden loss or rapid worsening of vision 

• severe constipation with abdominal pain, bloating or vomiting, or inability to pass stools or wind can be signs of bowel obstruction 

• severe upper abdominal pain with fever, vomiting or jaundice  

• significant dehydration, including inability to retain fluids, passing less urine, faintness, or confusion 

If you experience any of the serious side effects, stop using the medicine and seek urgent medical advice.  

The information provided in the side effects section is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects associated with weight loss medication. For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) provided with your medication or consult your healthcare professional.  

If you experience any side effects, including those not listed, you are encouraged to report them via the Yellow Card Scheme or contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Reporting a suspected side effect does not replace seeking medical advice or emergency help.  

This information is intended as a summary for general awareness and does not replace professional medical advice.

Wegovy has different doses and a schedule to help you get used to the medication. The starting dosage is 1.5 mg and can be built up over a period of time to reach a clinically appropriate maintenance dose which will be the dose a clinician considers appropriate for you. 

The recommended starting Wegovy tablets dose is 1.5 mg, which is taken daily. You stay on the same dosage for 4 weeks then may increase to a higher dose if appropriate. This gives your body time to adjust to the medicine and may help reduce side effects. 

If you find that you are experiencing side effects that are lasting longer than expected, please speak to a clinician. This gives your body time to adjust to the medicine and may help reduce side effects.

If you’ve missed your Wegovy tablet, you should just skip that day’s dose and resume your agreed treatment plan as normal the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

You should store Wegovy tablets at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding areas like bathrooms where heat and moisture can build up. Keep them in their original packaging and ensure they’re kept safely out of reach of children. 

This will be completely individual to you. The clinician will consider your treatment plan, your medical history, your individual details including current and target BMI, and your own feedback on your experience so far, before making their recommendations as to what dose will be the safest and most effective dose for you. The clinician will make the final decision, but this is always in consultation and collaboration with the patient.

When you stop taking your weight loss medication, the effect of the medication will gradually fade. Appetite and hunger may increase, and the feeling of fullness after eating may reduce. Gastric emptying returns to its previous rate, which can mean feeling less full after meals. 

This means the likelihood of putting the weight back on you have previously lost increases. One study from 2022 found that after 68 weeks of weight loss treatment, the average patient saw a drop of 15% in their body weight, but within one year from the end of their treatment, patients saw an average of two thirds of their prior weight loss returned.

Wegovy tablets are prescription-only medicines that have been assessed by regulators for safety, quality and effectiveness. They are not suitable for everyone and should only be used under clinical supervision. 

The safety of the medication depends on several factors, including having a consultation to ensure you're a suitable candidate, following the correct dosage schedule, and regular monitoring by a clinician. This gives you professional guidance and support should you need it, such as managing side effects or issues with your medication.  

However, the popularity of GLP-1 medications has increased, which has coincided with the increase of illegal and falsified versions of the medicine. These may be falsely advertised online and on social media. Taking unauthorised GLP-1 medication can cause serious or unexpected side effects and may interact dangerously with any other medication you’re taking. GLP-1 tablets are only available on prescription and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Never buy them without a prescription or from unverified sources. 

It is possible that you can switch between Mounjaro and Wegovy or injections and tablets, but it needs to be done under medical supervision. A clinician must assess current treatment, dose, timing, side effects, medical history and suitability. You should not stop, combine or switch treatments unless advised by a clinician. 

You can find our guide to switching weight loss treatments here.