A higher-strength Wegovy dose has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for adults who require a higher percentage of weight loss.
The new 7.2mg semaglutide injection is expected to come to market in 2026 and drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk has said it is working with the NHS and private providers to establish access for patient across the UK.
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For the Wegovy 7.2 mg weight management dose, patients will need to inject three doses of 2.4 mg, one after each other on the same day. The injections can be given in the same body area but should be at least 5cm apart, the MHRA has said.
Patients must change the needle between each dose and may need to use multiple pens.
The decision is based on the STEP UP clinical trial, which found that a once-weekly dose of Wegovy delivered an average weight loss of up to 20.7%, with approximately one third of adult participants achieving a weight loss of 25% or more after 72 weeks.
The proportion of people who stopped taking the trial product due to side effects was comparable between the two active groups (semaglutide 2.4mg and 7.2mg groups).
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The 72-week trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of semaglutide 7.2mg compared to semaglutide 2.4mg and placebo. There were 1,407 adults with a BMI over 30 without diabetes who participated.
General manager at Novo Nordisk UK, Sebnem Avsar Tuna, said: ‘This approval represents another important step in Novo Nordisk supporting people living with obesity to achieve meaningful and significant weight loss.
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‘The addition of a new dose of semaglutide provides healthcare professionals with greater flexibility to tailor treatment for people living with obesity, supporting evidence-based approaches to improve health outcomes.’
The MHRA said Wegovy should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adults with a BMI over 30. This does not apply to overweight patients with a BMI of less than 30 using Wegovy for weight management or to lower the risk of serious heart problems.
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