The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
What Is 5 Mg Wegovy and How Does It Work?
The 5 mg dose is an intermediate step in Wegovy (semaglutide) treatment for weight management in UK adults. Wegovy is a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist injection given once weekly. The 5 mg dose comes after the initial 0.25 mg starting dose and represents the first proper maintenance level in the escalation schedule. This dose may help reduce appetite, support feeling fuller after smaller meals, and slow how quickly food leaves the stomach. However, individual results vary significantly, and this medication is only available following a clinical assessment by a licensed prescriber.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
5 Mg in the Wegovy Escalation Schedule
In the standard Wegovy escalation, 5 mg is reached in week 5 and held for 4 weeks before considering an increase. The full Wegovy dose schedule runs: 0.25 mg (weeks 1–4), 0.5 mg (weeks 5–8), 1 mg (weeks 9–12), 1.7 mg (weeks 13–16), and 2.4 mg (week 17 onwards). Note that 5 mg is not a standard Wegovy maintenance dose in the UK — the licensed doses are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. If you're discussing a 5 mg dose, it may be confused with Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which does include 5 mg as a maintenance option. Use our free BMI calculator to check whether you meet eligibility criteria for weight loss medication, and try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential outcomes at different doses alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
What Results Can You Expect at This Dose Level?
Clinical trial data from the STEP studies shows Wegovy helps participants lose an average of around 15% of their body weight at the maximum 2.4 mg dose. Results at intermediate doses like 1 mg or 1.7 mg are typically less dramatic but still meaningful — individual weight loss varies based on starting weight, diet adherence, exercise, metabolism, and genetics. Weight loss may plateau between dose increases, and it takes at least 4 weeks at each dose level for effects to stabilise. Always combine any weight loss medication with healthy eating and physical activity. Your GP or a licensed prescriber can assess your individual suitability and help you set realistic expectations. Track your progress with our free progress tracker to monitor changes over time.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Is there a 5 mg Wegovy dose in the UK?
No. UK-licensed Wegovy doses are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. If someone mentions "5 mg semaglutide", they may be referring to Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which does have a 5 mg dose. Always confirm which medication your prescriber is discussing.
How long do you stay on each Wegovy dose?
Minimum 4 weeks at each dose before escalating. This allows your body to adjust and for appetite suppression effects to stabilise. Your prescriber will assess tolerability and side effects before increasing to the next level.
What are the common side effects at intermediate Wegovy doses?
At any Wegovy dose, common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. These often improve over time as your body adjusts. Serious side effects are rare but include severe stomach pain or gallbladder problems — seek urgent medical attention if these occur.
Can you get Wegovy on the NHS in the UK?
Wegovy is available through NHS specialist weight management services (tier 3) following referral from your GP, though availability and waiting lists vary significantly by region. Private prescription through a licensed online prescriber is another option if you meet clinical eligibility criteria.
How does Wegovy compare to Mounjaro for weight loss?
Wegovy uses a single GLP-1 mechanism, whilst Mounjaro uses dual GIP+GLP-1 action. Clinical trials show both support weight loss of around 15% body weight on average, though results vary individually. Only your prescriber can advise which is more suitable for your circumstances. ```
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.