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
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Is Wegovy 12.5mg Available in the UK?
Wegovy (semaglutide) does not come in a 12.5mg dose in the UK. The maximum licensed dose is 2.4mg, given once weekly by injection. This guide explains the actual Wegovy dose range available, how it compares to other weight loss medications, and what to expect from prescription weight management treatment in the UK. If you're searching for weight loss support, understanding the correct dosing information is essential for making informed health decisions.
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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.
Actual Wegovy Doses Available in the UK
Wegovy (semaglutide) doses available in the UK range from 0.25mg to 2.4mg, all given as once-weekly injections:
- 0.25mg — starting dose (weeks 1–4)
- 0.5mg — escalation (weeks 5–8)
- 1mg — escalation (weeks 9–12)
- 1.7mg — escalation (weeks 13–16)
- 2.4mg — maximum maintenance dose (week 17 onwards)
Each dose is increased gradually over weeks to help your body adjust and minimise side effects. The maximum licensed dose of 2.4mg is significantly lower than 12.5mg. Clinical trials showed that participants on 2.4mg lost an average of approximately 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks, though individual results vary considerably. Dosing is personalised by your prescriber based on your health, response, and tolerance.
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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.
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How Wegovy Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications
You may have heard of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which goes up to 15mg — a much higher dose than Wegovy. This is because Mounjaro is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, whereas Wegovy activates only the GLP-1 pathway. These are different medication classes with different mechanisms, so direct dose comparison is not meaningful. Both are prescription-only and require clinical assessment. Use our free weight loss calculator to explore potential outcomes with different GLP-1 medications, and our BMI calculator to understand your current health context before speaking with your prescriber about eligibility.
- 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.
Why does Wegovy go up to 2.4mg and not higher?
Wegovy 2.4mg is the maximum licensed dose approved by the MHRA for weight management in UK adults. Clinical trials established that this dose provides optimal benefit with manageable side effects. Higher doses are not approved for weight loss, though semaglutide is used in higher doses (up to 2mg) for type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic — but that is a different indication.
If I see "12.5mg semaglutide" mentioned online, what does that mean?
This is likely confusion or misinformation. Some sources may confuse Wegovy doses with other medications or older information. In the UK, Wegovy's maximum dose is definitively 2.4mg weekly. Always check prescribing information from the MHRA or your GP if you see conflicting dose information online.
Can my GP prescribe a higher dose than 2.4mg?
No. 2.4mg is the licensed maximum for Wegovy in the UK. A prescriber cannot legally prescribe above the licensed dose. If you need a higher-dose GLP-1 medication, your prescriber might discuss Mounjaro (tirzepatide, up to 15mg) as an alternative — but this is a separate medication requiring a separate clinical assessment.
How do I know if Wegovy is right for me?
You may be eligible for Wegovy if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or BMI of 27–29.9 with a weight-related health condition (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease). A prescriber will assess your individual health during a clinical consultation. Use our BMI calculator to check your current BMI and understand where you fall on NHS guidelines.
What's the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both contain semaglutide but serve different purposes. Wegovy is licensed for weight management (doses up to 2.4mg). Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes management (doses up to 2mg). Using Ozempic for weight loss in the UK is off-label — Wegovy is the licensed weight management option you should discuss with your prescriber.
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