Is Wegovy about to get stronger? A new dose could change the game

Peter Paumgardhen | Last update: 5th August 2025

TL;DR

• Wegovy (semaglutide) launched in the UK in October 2023 as the first GLP-1 drug approved for private weight loss treatment.

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) followed in April 2024 and quickly became the most prescribed GLP-1 for weight loss in the UK private market.

• Mounjaro delivers an average weight loss of around 20 per cent, compared to 15 per cent for Wegovy at its current dose.

• Wegovy currently tops out at a 2.4mg weekly dose.

• Novo Nordisk is now seeking approval for a 7.2mg dose of Wegovy, designed to help users lose more weight.

• In trials, the higher dose resulted in up to 20.7 per cent weight loss, placing it closer to Mounjaro.

• Although not yet available in the UK, this new version could offer a strong alternative soon.

Wegovy was first, but Mounjaro took the lead

When Wegovy launched in the UK in October 2023, it became the first GLP-1 medication approved for weight loss through private prescription. It opened the door for many people seeking support through medical treatment, and saw the start of the weight loss drug revolution.

Then came Mounjaro, which became available in April 2024, and within months, it overtook Wegovy in terms of private prescription volume.

Why Mounjaro outperformed Wegovy

The reason Mounjaro surged ahead isn’t just brand preference. It’s down to how the drugs work and the results they deliver.

Wegovy (semaglutide) works on the GLP-1 receptor, which helps reduce appetite and slow digestion.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a dual effect that supports deeper weight loss. So along with appetite reduction, like Wegovy, it also affects blood sugar and fat storage

In major clinical trials:

• People using Mounjaro lost about 20.9 per cent of their body weight after 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1 trial)

• People using Wegovy lost an average of around 15 per cent (STEP 1 trial, NEJM)

In one head-to-head comparison, Mounjaro users lost 20.2 per cent, while Wegovy users lost 13.7 per cent (Source: Reuters).

What is the current Wegovy dose?

Wegovy is taken as a once-weekly injection. The standard dosing schedule starts at 0.25mg and increases gradually over five steps:

• 0.25mg (weeks 1–4)

• 0.5mg (weeks 5–8)

• 1.0mg (weeks 9–12)

• 1.7mg (weeks 13–16)

• 2.4mg from week 17 onward (this is the current maintenance dose)

This step-up is designed to help users adjust to the medication and reduce side effects. Right now, 2.4mg is the highest available dose of Wegovy in the UK and most other markets.

Novo Nordisk’s response, a higher Wegovy dose

To compete more directly with Mounjaro, Novo Nordisk has submitted a new 7.2mg dose of Wegovy to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The new version is designed to give people with obesity the option of achieving greater weight loss, especially if the current dose hasn’t been enough.

Results from the STEP UP trial showed that:

• The 7.2mg dose led to 20.7 per cent weight loss for people who stayed on treatment

• On average, including dropouts, users lost 18.7 per cent of their body weight

• One in three participants lost more than 25 per cent of their body weight

The safety and side effect profile was similar to what people experience at the current 2.4mg dose.

What is the EMA, and why does it matter for the UK?

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the regulator that evaluates and approves medicines across the EU.

Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, the MHRA often reviews similar data and may approve new doses shortly after EMA decisions. That means we might see the 7.2mg Wegovy dose in the UK not long after any EU green light.

Could this shift the landscape again?

If the 7.2mg Wegovy dose becomes available in the UK, it could give people a strong alternative to Mounjaro. For those who tolerate semaglutide well or aren’t suitable for tirzepatide, it may become a better option.

Based on the STEP UP data, the weight loss gap could shrink from 5 per cent to between zero and two per cent, depending on how people respond.

This would also give prescribers more flexibility when helping people set and reach their goals.

The SlimrChat take

At SlimrChat, we frequently discuss what’s coming next, including future GLP-1 medications in development (see our article on this topic here).

But progress doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, it’s about improving what already works. The higher Wegovy dose is a good example of this – a small change with the potential to make a meaningful difference, especially for individuals who respond well to semaglutide but require additional support.

That said, weight loss percentages are only part of the picture. What really matters is how your body responds, how well you tolerate side effects, and how the treatment fits into your daily life. These factors are just as important as any number on a chart, and often what determines long-term success.

Want to hear how others are thinking about the new Wegovy dose – or share your own experience with titration and side effects? Join the discussion in our forums.

And this is precisely why SlimrChat is here – to help you make sense of the options, share real experiences, and find what works best for you. Onwards and upwards.