New Era in Weight Loss Treatment: What You Need to Know About the Latest Wegovy Medication Updates

Wegovy: What’s New and What It Means for Weight Management

Obesity remains one of the biggest health challenges worldwide, affecting millions of people and increasing the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. As medical treatment options continue to evolve, there have been important recent developments around one of the most talked-about weight-loss medications: Wegovy.

If you’re considering medical support for weight management here’s what you need to know about what’s changed and how it could affect your care at Aceso Health.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a prescription medication containing semaglutide, which belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate your appetite. In practical terms, Wegovy can help you feel fuller for longer, reduce hunger and slow digestion. This supports weight loss when used alongside healthy eating and lifestyle changes.

At Aceso Health, Wegovy is never prescribed as a quick fix. Instead, it forms part of a clinician-led weight-management programme, with ongoing support around nutrition, lifestyle and regular medical reviews to ensure treatment remains safe, effective and appropriate for you. We like to approach weight loss treatment using the lowest effective dose; however, we also listen to our patients and ensure we have a patient-centric approach to treatment plans.

A new higher dose: Wegovy 7.2 mg

As of January 2026, a higher-strength maintenance dose of Wegovy, 7.2 mg once weekly, has been approved for use in the UK. This does not replace existing doses. Rather, it provides an additional option for some people who may benefit from stronger appetite regulation after reaching and tolerating the standard 2.4 mg dose. The 2.4mg dose was the highest Wegovy option prior to the new 7.2mg dose.

Why does this matter?

Evidence from the STEP UP clinical trial programme shows that people taking the higher 7.2 mg dose achieved greater average weight loss than those on the standard dose or placebo.

In this large study of over 1,400 adults living with obesity, participants were followed for 72 weeks and all received lifestyle and dietary support alongside treatment, reflecting how Wegovy is used and followed up in our clinic.

By the end of the study:

• People taking Wegovy 7.2 mg lost around 19–21% of their starting body weight

• Those taking Wegovy 2.4 mg lost around 16–18% of their starting body weight

• The placebo group lost around 2–4%

  
  

While weight loss occurred across all groups, the higher dose led to the most significant results. Importantly, outcomes at this level are beginning to approach those seen with some surgical weight-loss procedures, offering a powerful non-surgical option for people whose progress has plateaued on lower doses.

Practical points to know

The 7.2 mg dose is not a starting dose. It is intended only for people who have already been gradually increased to 2.4 mg and are tolerating it well. Wegovy is taken as a once-weekly self-injection, and until single-pen versions of the higher dose are widely available, it may be administered as multiple injections at the same time.

As with all GLP-1 medications, side effects can occur. The most common include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal discomfort, particularly during dose increases. Wegovy is available by prescription only, following a consultation with one of our clinicians.

How does this compare with other treatments?

The medical management of obesity is advancing rapidly. The availability of higher-dose Wegovy places it among the most effective weight-loss medications currently available. Other treatments, such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), work through slightly different biological pathways and may also be suitable options for some individuals.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right treatment depends on your medical history, weight-loss goals, side-effect tolerance and expert clinical guidance.

What does this mean for patients at Aceso Health?

For patients under our care, this update means:

• Access to the latest evidence-based treatments

• Individualised dose decisions, rather than automatic increases

• Ongoing support and regular reviews

• A strong focus on safe, sustainable, long-term weight loss

  
  

If you’re already taking Wegovy, we can discuss whether a higher dose may be appropriate for you at the right time. There’s no need to request changes urgently. If you’re considering starting Wegovy, this development simply means there are more options available later in treatment if needed.

The takeaway

The approval of higher-dose Wegovy marks a meaningful step forward in medically supported weight management. For people who need stronger appetite control or who have reached a plateau on lower doses, it may offer enhanced results when used as part of a carefully monitored, holistic treatment plan.

If you’d like to explore whether Wegovy is right for you, or how it fits into a longer-term approach to weight management, get in touch with us to book a consultation.