What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a once-weekly prescription medicine used within structured weight-management services for adults who meet criteria set out in UK guidance. It belongs to a group of medicines that act like the human gut hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and eating drive. In practice, Wegovy is used alongside tailored nutrition, activity and behavioural support, with access pathways differing slightly between England, Scotland and Wales.

Who can actually access Wegovy in the UK?

Access to Wegovy is carefully controlled, reflecting both clinical evidence and NHS capacity. Research shows it is not available as a first-line option, but rather through referral into specialist weight-management services. These services are multidisciplinary, bringing together dietitians, psychologists, exercise specialists, and prescribing clinicians. NICE guidance states that adults with a BMI of 35 or more can be considered, or those between 30 and 34.9 where weight has already caused significant health problems. The thresholds are lower for some ethnic groups, reflecting data showing higher risks of diabetes and heart disease at earlier stages. This system ensures that those most likely to benefit from treatment, and those most at risk from complications, are prioritised.

How does Wegovy support appetite control?

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which acts in a similar way to a hormone called GLP-1 that naturally occurs in the body. Research has shown that GLP-1 helps regulate feelings of hunger and satiety by slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach and signalling to appetite centres in the brain. Clinical trials, including those that informed NICE’s 2023 appraisal, reported that participants on semaglutide achieved average weight loss of around 10–15% over a year when paired with lifestyle support. This makes it one of the most effective medicines of its type currently available in the UK. NHS services place strong emphasis on combining the treatment with behaviour change because outcomes are most reliable when diet, activity, and psychology are addressed at the same time.

Does Wegovy offer benefits beyond weight loss?

Evidence gathered in recent years has highlighted wider health gains. In 2024, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) extended Wegovy’s licence to include cardiovascular protection. This decision followed results from large international trials, where people with existing heart disease and excess weight saw fewer heart attacks and strokes when treated with semaglutide compared with placebo. For clinicians, this repositioned the medicine as more than just a tool for weight reduction—it became part of a strategy to prevent serious illness in high-risk groups. In the NHS context, this makes Wegovy relevant to both specialist weight services and cardiology pathways, reflecting how interconnected weight and long-term health can be.

What do we know about safety and side effects?

Like any prescription treatment, Wegovy carries potential side effects, most of which have been well documented in trials and early NHS use. The most common issues are digestive—nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and occasional vomiting—especially during the early stages of treatment. Evidence suggests these are usually mild to moderate and often settle as the body adjusts. To improve tolerability, NHS programmes start people on a lower dose and increase it gradually, giving the digestive system time to adapt. Some people also experience headache or fatigue, though these tend to be short-lived.

Clinical guidance stresses that treatment should only be continued if it delivers clear benefits. NICE recommends stopping Wegovy if less than 5% of body weight has been lost after three months at the highest tolerated dose. This safeguard reflects research showing that those who do not respond early are unlikely to benefit in the longer term. It also helps ensure NHS resources are used where they make the most difference. Importantly, ongoing monitoring by specialist teams means that people using the medicine are not left to manage side effects alone but are supported to adapt their treatment plan if needed.

Putting the evidence together

Taken as a whole, the evidence paints Wegovy as a treatment designed for use in structured, supportive environments rather than as a stand-alone prescription. It is accessed through specialist referral, targeted to those most likely to benefit, and delivered alongside lifestyle programmes that address eating habits and physical activity. Research consistently shows that its active ingredient, semaglutide, leads to meaningful weight loss when paired with these changes, and newer studies highlight added protection against heart disease. At the same time, careful attention is paid to safety, with gradual dose increases, monitoring of side effects, and clear stopping rules.

For people exploring their options, this makes Wegovy part of a wider system of care. It is a medical treatment backed by robust trials and careful guidance, offering an additional pathway for those whose health is already being affected by excess weight. By embedding it in NHS services, the UK approach aims to ensure that support is not only effective but also safe, equitable, and sustainable over the long term.