What’s the maximum dosage of Wegovy one can safely take?

The usual maximum recommended dose is 2.4 mg once weekly. Some people remain at 1.7 mg if that’s better tolerated; higher weekly doses are not advised. If you think you received more than prescribed, do not inject again — contact your clinician or pharmacist.

Why the 2.4 mg limit is set

Wegovy (semaglutide) is designed to be increased step by step, starting from 0.25 mg and rising over several months. The target maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once a week, which was the level tested in the major STEP clinical trials. NICE TA875 bases its recommendations on this evidence, confirming that 2.4 mg is the highest weekly dose licensed in the UK. Taking more has not been tested for safety or benefit, and higher doses are not included in MHRA approval. This means 2.4 mg is not just a guideline — it is the formal ceiling.

Evidence from the STEP trials

The STEP programme, which included thousands of participants across several countries, established 2.4 mg weekly as the effective dose for weight management. In STEP-1, participants taking this dose alongside lifestyle support lost on average around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. STEP-5 showed that benefits could be maintained for up to two years on the same dose. Lower doses were also tested, and while they produced some weight loss, the full effect was most consistent at 2.4 mg. These findings shaped both NICE and NHS guidance.

When lower doses are appropriate

Not everyone reaches or stays on 2.4 mg. Some people tolerate 1.7 mg better, especially if nausea or gastrointestinal side effects persist at higher levels. NICE guidance allows clinicians to keep patients at 1.7 mg if this balances safety with continued progress. NHS weight management teams emphasise that treatment is not “all or nothing” — effective results can still be achieved at 1.7 mg, particularly when combined with diet and physical activity. The main goal is staying on treatment long enough to see benefits, not forcing an uncomfortable dose increase.

Risks of going beyond 2.4 mg

Doses above 2.4 mg are not licensed and are not recommended in UK practice. Taking more could increase the chance of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, and dehydration. MHRA product information notes that overdose can also raise the risk of complications such as hypoglycaemia when combined with other diabetes medicines, or rare but serious issues like pancreatitis. Because no clinical trials have assessed higher doses for safety, their risks are unknown. NHS advice is clear: if you think you have injected more than prescribed, do not try to balance it out with schedule changes — contact a clinician or NHS 111.

How clinicians tailor treatment

NHS services recognise that tolerability varies. If side effects are troublesome at higher steps, clinicians can slow the escalation or pause at 1.7 mg for longer. NICE TA875 makes clear that flexibility in dosing is part of safe practice. In real-world clinics, the decision is always made with the patient, weighing up benefits and comfort. Pharmacists and specialist nurses also play a role, ensuring people understand their dosing plan and know what to do if they ever mis-inject or suspect an overdose.

Why not to self-adjust doses

Patients sometimes wonder whether taking “a bit more” will speed up weight loss. The evidence shows this is not the case. The STEP and SELECT trials achieved their results with strict weekly dosing at or below 2.4 mg, combined with diet and exercise. Higher, untested doses are more likely to increase side effects than improve outcomes. NHS teams caution that sticking to the licensed plan is the only way to make sure the treatment reflects the research evidence, avoids waste, and stays within safe limits.

The wider health context

The SELECT trial also demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced major cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity and existing heart disease. This important finding further reinforces that the licensed maximum dose is both safe and beneficial when used correctly. NICE has recognised these results in shaping its guidance, and NHS commissioning rules are built around them. Exceeding the dose does not add benefit — instead, it risks moving outside the evidence base that underpins NHS care.

What the research tells us

The maximum safe weekly dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg, established by the STEP trials and confirmed by NICE and MHRA approval. Lower doses like 1.7 mg remain valuable if better tolerated, but higher levels are not supported by evidence and are not recommended. The research tells us that steady, licensed dosing delivers the best outcomes: sustainable weight loss, improved health markers, and reduced cardiovascular risk. Following the plan as tested — rather than experimenting with higher amounts — is what keeps treatment safe, effective, and aligned with NHS practice.