Wegovy 7.2mg: What the latest clinical trial data reveals about this higher-dose weight loss injection

Wegovy (semaglutide) has been widely used for weight management at doses up to 2.4mg once weekly. The newly released 7.2mg formulation is intended for adults who have tolerated lower doses but require greater appetite suppression or additional weight reduction.

Evidence for this higher dose comes from the large, randomised STEP UP trial, which assessed whether increasing semaglutide beyond 2.4mg could deliver further benefit without introducing new safety concerns.

In the STEP UP trial, adults with obesity (without type 2 diabetes) receiving Wegovy 7.2mg achieved an average body-weight reduction of 20.7% at 72 weeks.

This compared with 16.9% weight loss on the standard 2.4mg dose and approximately 2–4% in the placebo group.

Notably, 33% of participants receiving 7.2mg lost at least 25% of their starting body weight, around double the proportion seen with the 2.4mg dose. These outcomes approach weight-loss levels typically associated with some surgical interventions, achieved here using a non-invasive medication.

The safety profile of Wegovy 7.2mg was consistent with that observed at lower doses. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, and occurred most frequently during dose escalation.

Treatment discontinuation due to side effects was slightly higher than with 2.4mg, at approximately 3%, but remained low overall. Importantly, no new or unexpected safety signals were identified in the trial data.

For adults who have reached a weight-loss plateau on Wegovy 2.4mg, the 7.2mg dose provides an additional, clinically supported option. One in three patients achieving ≥25% weight loss highlights its potential role in long-term obesity management.

Bottom line: Wegovy 7.2mg delivers greater average weight loss than lower doses, while maintaining a similar safety profile when used with appropriate dose escalation and clinical oversight.

At PrivateDoc, patients are supported with structured eligibility assessments, clinician-led prescribing, gradual dose escalation, and ongoing monitoring to ensure treatment remains safe, effective, and tailored to individual needs.