Key Summary
- MHRA clears weekly 7.2mg Wegovy for adults with obesity and MBI over 30kg/m².
- Dose is built up gradually and only increased under clinician supervision.
- Not for lower BMI patients or those using Wegovy for heart risk reduction.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a higher weekly dose a 7.2 mg of semaglutide (Wegovy), from the current 2.4 mg limit, to treat obesity.
It has to be administered as three jabs of 2.4 mg on the same day and only adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30kg/m² are eligible.
Those with a lower BMI or those using Wegovy to lower their risk of serious heart problems are not eligible.
Patients should strictly follow the advice of their prescriber, and check with their doctor, pharmacist or nurse if they have any doubts.
A patient using Wegovy for the first time is given 0.25 mg per week, which is gradually increased to 2.4 mg under expert surveillance.
Doctors can increase the dose to 7.2 mg per week after a minimum of four weeks on 2.4 mg.
For the Wegovy 7.2 mg dose, the injections can be given in the same body area, but should be at least 5cm apart.
Patients must change the needle between each dose and may have to use multiple pens.
They should ensure that they have a sufficient supply of pens to complete their dose before they start injecting.
