Price range: £119.00 through £239.00
Wegovy® is a prescription-only weight loss injection for adults living with obesity or overweight with health risks. Containing semaglutide, Wegovy works by reducing appetite, helping you eat less and lose weight in a sustainable way. It is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
At MedCare Health Clinic & Pharmacy, Wegovy is available on private prescription following an online consultation with one of our clinicians.
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection licensed in the UK for medical weight management. Unlike a diet pill, Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the natural hormone GLP-1, reducing hunger and cravings so you feel fuller for longer.
Learn more about our weight management services.
You may be eligible if:
Wegovy is not suitable if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, or have a history of certain thyroid tumours or pancreatitis. Your consultation will confirm suitability.
Wegovy contains semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone your body releases after eating, which helps regulate appetite and digestion. Wegovy mimics the action of GLP-1 in your body. By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, Wegovy helps you feel fuller and less hungry, so you’re satisfied with smaller portions and have fewer cravings. This leads to eating less and, over time, weight loss.
In addition to curbing appetite, semaglutide slows stomach emptying, which means food stays in your stomach a bit longer, helping you feel full for extended periods. It may also influence blood sugar regulation (which is why lower doses are used in diabetes treatment), but the primary effect for weight loss is on appetite and calorie intake. Essentially, Wegovy acts on the areas of the brain that control hunger and fullness. By reducing daily calorie consumption, it creates the conditions for steady weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.
Patients often notice that after starting Wegovy, they get full faster when eating and are less inclined to snack or overeat. This pharmacological support can make it easier to adhere to a calorie-controlled diet. However, it’s important to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits while on Wegovy to achieve the best results. Wegovy is not a stimulant or traditional appetite suppressant; it works hormonally, which tends to result in a more gradual, natural-feeling reduction in appetite rather than a jolt.
In UK and European clinical trials, patients lost on average 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when Wegovy was used alongside diet and exercise.
Both medicines contain semaglutide, but:
If your primary goal is weight management, Wegovy is the recommended treatment.
Here’s an overview of how to use Wegovy injections properly:
Injection Sites: Wegovy should be injected into the fatty layer just under the skin (not into muscle or veins). Recommended injection sites include the abdomen (stomach area), the front of your thighs, or the upper arm (if someone else is giving you the shot, they can use the back of the upper arm). Some patients also use the upper outer buttocks. Pick a site that is comfortable and has some fatty tissue. Rotate your injection sites each week – for example, alternate between left and right sides, or between abdomen and thigh – to reduce the risk of irritation or skin lumps at any one site.
Preparation: Wegovy comes in a pre-filled pen that is pre-set to deliver a specific dose. Each pen is single-use and comes with its needle already attached and covered. Before injecting, check the pen’s label to make sure you have the correct dose pen for the week (especially important during the first 16 weeks when the dose changes). Also check the solution visible in the pen’s window – it should be clear and colorless. Do not use the pen if the solution looks cloudy, discoloured, or has particles. Wash your hands and clean the injection site with an alcohol swab (let it dry) if recommended.
Injecting: Remove the pen cap just before injection (this will expose the needle – although it may still be not visible in some pen designs as it’s inside a guard). Press the pen firmly against your skin at the injection site. Make sure it’s at a 90-degree angle (straight against the skin). Then press and hold the injection button (or if it’s an auto-inject style pen, pressing it against the skin may trigger the injection automatically, depending on the pen design). You will hear a click or will see an indicator move, and the injection will start. Keep the pen pressed against your skin for the full delivery time – the leaflet instructs keeping it in place for several seconds (e.g., until any indicator shows that the dose is delivered). This ensures you get the entire dose. You might hear a second click or see the window change color when it’s done. Tip: Always follow the specific pen’s instructions – the Wegovy pen instructions will tell you exactly how long to hold it. Typically, it’s around 10 seconds after clicking to ensure all medicine is injected.
After Injection: Once done, remove the pen from your skin. You can dispose of the pen (see the Storage and Disposal section below). If there’s a little bleeding at the site, you can press a cotton ball or tissue on it for a moment (don’t rub vigorously). If you notice a tiny lump or some mild redness, that’s okay and should subside. Use a bandage if needed. Do not reuse the pen – each Wegovy pen is single-use only. Also never share your pen with someone else, even if a needle wasn’t visibly exposed – it’s meant only for one-time personal use.
Timing: Use Wegovy once a week, on the same day each week if possible You can choose a day that best fits your schedule (e.g., Sunday mornings). The injection can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. It doesn’t have to be timed with meals. Consistency is key – try not to vary the day week-to-week. If you need to change your weekly injection day, you can, as long as your last dose was at least 3 days (72 hours) ago. For example, if you usually inject on Mondays but need to switch to Thursdays, ensure at least 3 days have passed since the last dose, then take it on Thursday and continue weekly from that new day.
Forgotten Dose: If you forget a dose on your usual day, the general advice (from the manufacturer) is: If you remember within 5 days of the missed injection, take it as soon as you remember, then continue your weekly schedule from that new day. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and just inject the next dose on your next scheduled day. Do not double up or take two doses to make up for a missed one. If you’re ever unsure, check the patient leaflet or ask a pharmacist/doctor for advice on a missed Wegovy dose.
Support: When you are first prescribed Wegovy, the healthcare provider or pharmacist will usually give you training on how to use the pen. Before your first injection, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to show you how to use it properly. There are also illustrated instructions in the medication box and sometimes tutorial videos available. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance – proper technique ensures the medication works and reduces any discomfort.
During Dose Escalation: In the initial 16 weeks, your dose changes (see the next section on dosage schedule). That means you will use a different strength pen after every 4 weeks. Your pharmacy will usually supply the appropriate pens and clearly label them. Make sure to follow the schedule; using too high a dose too soon could increase side effects, while staying on a low dose longer than planned might slow down your progress. Only escalate the dose as directed by your doctor.
Lifestyle: Remember to maintain your diet and exercise routine when you start the injections. Wegovy will help you eat less, but what you eat should still be nutritious. Aim for balanced, healthy meals with plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and some healthy fats. Stay hydrated (especially since the medicine can cause you to lose fluids if you have any GI side effects). Some patients find it helpful to schedule their injection on a day when they’re off work the next day, just in case they feel a bit nauseous initially – although many people can carry on normal activities.
Your clinician will guide you through safe injection and dose escalation.
Like all medicines, Wegovy can cause side effects. Most are mild and improve with time:
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe stomach pain (possible pancreatitis), gallbladder pain, or signs of allergic reaction.
This page provides general information only. Wegovy should only be used under medical supervision. Always follow the advice of your prescribing clinician and read the patient information leaflet.
| Strength | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg |
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