Wegovy weight loss consultation

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed in the UK for chronic weight management. It is available as a once-weekly pre-filled injection pen and, more recently, as a once-daily tablet. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine — it is only supplied after a clinical consultation reviewed by a qualified prescriber who confirms it is appropriate for you.

Both contain the same active medicine, semaglutide, and work the same way. The injection is taken once a week using a pre-filled pen; the tablets are taken once a day by mouth. The main difference is preference and routine: tablets suit people who want to avoid injections entirely, while the weekly pen suits people who prefer a once-a-week routine. Your prescriber will confirm whichever you request is clinically appropriate.

Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a natural hormone released after eating. It slows the rate food leaves your stomach, increases the feeling of fullness, and reduces appetite signalling in the brain. The combined effect for most people is a meaningful reduction in calorie intake without constant hunger.

In the STEP clinical trial programme, adults on the 2.4mg weekly injection lost on average around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, alongside diet and activity changes. Individual results vary widely and depend on dose, adherence, and lifestyle. Wegovy is an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not a replacement for them.

In the UK, Wegovy is normally appropriate for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnoea. Eligibility is decided by your prescriber after reviewing your full medical history and, where required, your photos.

The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, and reduced appetite. These are usually mild to moderate and most noticeable when starting treatment or moving up a dose, settling within days to weeks. Suspected side effects can be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Full safety information is in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Wegovy is not appropriate if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy; if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome; or if you have had a serious reaction to semaglutide. Caution is needed with a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, or diabetic retinopathy. Your consultation covers all of this and your prescriber makes the final decision.

Both forms start low and step up gradually so your body can adjust. The injection starts at 0.25mg weekly and escalates roughly every four weeks (0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg) towards the 2.4mg maintenance dose. The tablets start at the lowest strength and step up under prescriber review. You never move up a dose without tolerating the previous one.

Switching between treatments is a clinical decision. If you are an existing patient, request the change in your refill consultation and your prescriber will advise whether a switch is appropriate and how to transition safely. Never combine two GLP-1 medicines.

Complete the online weight-loss consultation, choose the treatment and dose you would like to request (tablets or injection), and authorise payment — your card is not charged until a prescriber approves your consultation. Upload your photos after checkout; your prescriber reviews everything and, if approved, your medicine is dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy partner and dispatched with tracked delivery.