Wegovy Weight Loss Injections: doses, results, reviews and how it’s used

If you’ve been seeing TikToks or headlines about Wegovy weight loss injections, it can sound like a simple “diet shot” you just order online.

Reality: Wegovy is a prescription GLP-1 medicine (semaglutide), licensed in the UK for weight management in people with obesity or overweight plus health risks. It’s a once-weekly injection, used as part of a medical weight-loss plan – not a quick fix.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What Wegovy medication is and how it works

• Who might qualify for Wegovy for weight loss on the NHS vs privately

• The dose escalation schedule and how a Wegovy injection is used

• Injection sites, practical tips and common side-effects

• Wegovy reviews – common themes from real-world experiences

• Wegovy injection cost in the UK and why prices vary

• Why it requires a Wegovy prescription, and why “Wegovy for sale” without one is unsafe

At the end, we’ll explain how Piko can offer a digital doctor assessment for GLP-1 eligibility – with no guaranteed prescription.

What is Wegovy and how does it work?

Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.

Unlike a casual “diet shot”, Wegovy is a prescription-only injectable medicine that has to be prescribed by a qualified clinician and dispensed by a regulated pharmacy.

How Wegovy helps with weight loss

Wegovy works by:

• Reducing appetite and cravings
  It acts on appetite centres in the brain so you feel full sooner and less driven to snack.

• Slowing stomach emptying
  Food stays in the stomach longer, which helps you feel fuller for longer and smooths blood sugar spikes.

• Improving blood sugar control
  It helps the body release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces glucagon, especially relevant for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

In clinical trials (the STEP programme), people taking semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly plus lifestyle support lost on average around 15% of their starting weight over 68 weeks, much more than with lifestyle changes alone.

Important: these averages are not guaranteed results. Individual responses vary: some lose more, some less, and some cannot tolerate or don’t respond well to the drug.

Who might qualify for Wegovy in the UK?

NHS criteria (high-level)

NICE guidance (TA875) recommends semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight management in adults who:

• Have a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with at least one weight-related condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea), or

• Have BMI 30–34.9 kg/m² with similar conditions, if they meet criteria for referral to a specialist weight management service

Lower BMI thresholds may apply for some ethnic groups because obesity-related risks start at lower BMI.

NHS use is usually:

• Within specialist services (not routine GP repeat prescriptions)

• For a limited duration (often up to 2 years), and only if sufficient weight loss is seen

Private Wegovy prescription (typical patterns)

Private clinics offering Wegovy weight loss injections usually follow the licensed indication, often something like:

• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², or

• BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity

Even privately, a doctor must:

• Take a full medical history

• Check current medication and potential interactions

• Assess risks vs benefits

• Provide ongoing monitoring

Wegovy is not intended for people who are only slightly overweight or who just want a quick cosmetic “trim-down” before a holiday.

And crucially: in the UK, you cannot legally get Wegovy for sale over the counter. Any service offering “Wegovy near me – no prescription” is a serious red flag.

Wegovy doses: how the once-weekly injection is escalated

One of the most common questions about Wegovy injection is: “What dose do you start on?”

To reduce side-effects, Wegovy is not started at the full dose. Instead, the dose is increased slowly over about 16 weeks.

Typical Wegovy dosing schedule (UK / EU SmPC)

From the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), the usual escalation is:

• Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg once weekly

• Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly

• Weeks 9–12: 1.0 mg once weekly

• Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg once weekly

• From week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance dose, if tolerated)

Some patients stay on 1.7 mg rather than 2.4 mg if that’s the best balance of results vs side-effects for them, based on doctor advice.

If significant gastrointestinal side-effects occur (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea):

• Your prescriber may delay dose increases, or

• Temporarily reduce back to the previous dose until symptoms settle

You should never adjust your Wegovy medication dose on your own. Changes must be agreed with your doctor or clinic.

Wegovy injection sites and how to use it (in overview)

Route: Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection – that means it’s injected into the fatty layer under the skin, not into muscle or a vein.

Common Wegovy injection sites include:

• Abdomen (stomach area), avoiding a 5 cm radius around the navel

• Front of thigh

• Upper arm (outer area), if someone else is administering it

General principles (always follow your official instructions and training):

• Once weekly, same day each week – you can change the day if needed, but there are minimum time gaps required (your leaflet explains this).

• Rotate injection sites – don’t inject in exactly the same spot every time; rotate within and between sites to reduce irritation.

• Check the pen and dose – follow the patient leaflet for checking solution, attaching a needle, and dialling the correct dose.

Many people are nervous at first about Wegovy injections, but find the needles are very fine and the process becomes routine once they’re used to it.

“Wegovy pills for weight loss”: do they exist?

You’ll often see searches like “Wegovy pills” or “Wegovy pills for weight loss”, especially from people who are afraid of needles.

Here’s the reality:

• There are no Wegovy pills.

• Wegovy is only available as a once-weekly injection pen.

What does exist is oral semaglutide under a different brand name (Rybelsus®), licensed for type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. It is not the same product as Wegovy and should not be taken as a DIY “tablet version” of Wegovy.

So if a site is selling “Wegovy pills”, it is not selling genuine Wegovy and may be unsafe or illegal.

How much do Wegovy weight loss injections cost in the UK?

Wegovy injection cost varies a lot depending on:

• Whether you receive it via the NHS or privately

• Which dose you’re on (higher doses cost more)

• Whether the price includes just the Wegovy drug, or also consultations, lab tests and coaching

Wegovy on the NHS

• If you meet NICE criteria and are treated via an NHS specialist service, you usually pay your standard NHS prescription charge in England (or it may be free in Scotland/Wales/NI depending on local rules).

• The full list price to the NHS is higher, but there are confidential commercial discounts between the manufacturer and the health service.NICE+1

Wegovy private prices (typical ranges)

Private UK online clinics and pharmacies currently advertise (as of late 2025):

• Starter month (0.25 mg) often from around £70–£100

• Ongoing monthly supply for higher doses (1.0–2.4 mg) typically in the £140–£200+ per month range for medicine only, depending on provider

• Some full programmes (including consultations, lab tests, coaching) reaching £250–£300+ per month

Because pricing changes frequently and depends on your dose and package, it’s better to think in terms of a monthly budget range rather than a fixed “Wegovy for sale at £X” figure.

Wegovy reviews: what do people say in real life?

When people search “Wegovy reviews”, they’re usually looking for real-world, “what is this actually like?” insights.

Looking across UK review pages, clinic blogs and media interviews, several common themes come up:

1. Effectiveness

Many reviewers report:

• Substantial weight loss, especially over 6–12 months

• Feeling less hungry and “not thinking about food all day”

• Smaller portion sizes feeling “enough” for the first time

Some high-profile media stories describe people losing 4–6 stone (25–38 kg) over a year or so, although these are not typical for everyone.

2. Side-effects

On the flip side, Wegovy reviews often mention:

• Nausea, especially during the first weeks or after dose increases

• Occasional vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation

• Stomach cramps or “off” digestion

• Feeling unusually tired or low-energy on some days

• In a few cases, people describing feeling very cold or noticing increased sensitivity to alcohol

Most people say symptoms are worst during dose changes and improve if they:

• Eat smaller, slower meals

• Avoid very fatty or heavy foods

• Stay hydrated

• Speak to their clinic about slowing dose escalation

A minority stop the medicine because side-effects are too strong.

3. Emotional impact

Positive reviews often talk about:

• Feeling they finally have a tool that “turns down” food noise

• Improving confidence as clothes sizes drop

• Better control of blood sugar, BP or cholesterol

Negative or mixed experiences include:

• Frustration with supply issues or stock shortages

• Worry about long-term safety

• Anxiety about weight regain if treatment stops

• Concerns about cost, especially at higher doses

Remember: real-world reviews are personal stories, not guarantees. Your experience could be very different, which is why careful medical supervision and realistic expectations are essential.

Safety, side-effects and who should avoid Wegovy

Like all medicines, Wegovy drug treatment carries risks.

Common side-effects

Very common side-effects of Wegovy include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain or bloating

• Headache

• Feeling tired or weak

• Injection-site reactions

These often improve with time, slower dose increases and dietary adjustments.

Serious but less common risks

More serious issues can include:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) – severe abdominal pain, often with vomiting

• Gallbladder problems and gallstones

• Worsening of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) in some people with type 2 diabetes when glucose improves very rapidly

• Possible risks for people with certain thyroid tumours (personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2)

• Kidney issues, particularly if dehydration occurs due to vomiting/diarrhoea

Because of these, Wegovy is not suitable for everyone. Your clinician may avoid or be very cautious with Wegovy if you:

• Are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding

• Have a history of pancreatitis

• Have certain endocrine tumours or MEN2

• Have severe gastrointestinal disease

• Have advanced kidney or liver disease

• Have significant untreated eating disorders or mental health issues

This is why a full medical history and medication review is non-negotiable before starting GLP-1 treatment.

Thinking about Wegovy? How Piko can help (with no guaranteed prescription)

If you’ve reached the point of Googling “Wegovy for weight loss”, “Wegovy injection near me” or “Wegovy prescription online”, it’s really important to take a safe, structured route – not the “fastest cheap seller”.

At Piko, we treat Wegovy and other GLP-1s as medical tools, not magic bullets. Here’s how our digital pathway works:

1. Comprehensive online assessment

You start with a detailed questionnaire covering:

• Weight and BMI

• Past weight-loss attempts

• Medical history, including medications, pregnancy plans and mental health

• Lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, diet, physical activity)

This helps our clinicians understand whether GLP-1 treatment might be appropriate to explore, or whether other options make more sense.

2. Doctor appointment – not just a form

You’ll have an online consultation with a UK-registered doctor, who will:

• Review your assessment and ask follow-up questions

• Check for contraindications and risk factors

• Explain realistic benefits, risks and side-effects of Wegovy and alternatives

• Answer your questions about Wegovy injections cost, duration and expectations

If, after this, Wegovy is deemed appropriate and safe, a Wegovy prescription may be issued and sent to a partner pharmacy. If it’s not appropriate, the doctor will explain why and discuss other approaches.

Importantly: a Piko consultation does not guarantee a GLP-1 prescription. Safety and clinical appropriateness come first.

3. Ongoing monitoring & support

If you do start Wegovy:

• You’ll be monitored over time, with opportunities to report side-effects, adjust dose (under medical guidance) and track progress

• We support you in building the habits that keep weight off – nutrition, movement, sleep, stress – not just relying on the injection

Key points to remember

• Wegovy weight loss injections are a once-weekly semaglutide GLP-1 treatment, licensed in the UK for adults with obesity or overweight plus health risks – not a casual diet shot.

• Doses start low and increase over 16 weeks to a maintenance dose (usually 2.4 mg) to manage side-effects.

• There are no Wegovy pills for weight loss; any product marketed that way is not genuine Wegovy.

• Wegovy injections cost vary widely by dose and provider, but expect a private programme to be a significant monthly investment.

• Real-world Wegovy reviews often highlight strong appetite reduction and meaningful weight loss, but also nausea, digestive side-effects, cost and concerns about long-term use.

• It’s not suitable for everyone. A full medical assessment is essential, and no ethical clinic will promise a prescription in advance.

If you’re curious whether Wegovy or another GLP-1 medicine might be right for you, Piko can offer a doctor-led digital assessment – focussed on safety, realistic expectations and long-term health, not quick-fix marketing.