Wegovy 7.2mg: What the latest trial data reveals about this weight loss injection

Wegovy is already approved in many countries at a maximum weekly dose of 2.4mg for weight management. The new 7.2mg formulation is designed for people who either haven’t lost enough weight on the standard dose or are looking for additional results.

The latest findings come from the STEP UP trial. This was a large, randomised study testing whether a higher dose of Wegovy can deliver more weight loss safely.

In the STEP UP trial, which enrolled adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes, participants taking 7.2mg of Wegovy lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight after 72 weeks.

That’s compared with 16.9% weight loss on the standard 2.4mg dose and just 2 – 4% for those participants within the placebo group.

Perhaps even more striking, 33% of people on 7.2mg lost at least 25% of their starting weight, which was roughly double the proportion seen with the standard dose. These numbers start to rival the outcomes we would expect to see with some bariatric surgery procedures, but with a medication instead that is non-invasive.

The safety profile of 7.2mg Wegovy was consistent with what clinicians already see at lower doses. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting and occurred normally during dose escalation.

Dropouts due to side effects were slightly higher on 7.2mg than on 2.4mg, but still relatively low (around 3%). No new safety concerns or unexpected serious adverse events were reported.

For those struggling to achieve enough weight loss on the standard Wegovy dose of 2.4mg, then 7.2mg could offer a valuable next step. With one in three patients achieving ≥25% weight loss, this higher dose may be a game-changer for long-term weight management.

Regulatory submissions are already underway in Europe, with approvals and wider availability expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Bottom line: Wegovy 7.2mg delivers significantly more weight loss than the currently approved doses, with a safety profile that remains consistent. If you’re already on Wegovy and wondering whether a higher dose might help you reach your goals, speak to your healthcare provider about what these findings could mean for you.

When the new 7.2 mg Wegovy dose goes on sale, PrivateDoc will support our weight-loss patients with personalised eligibility assessments, safe prescribing where appropriate, and ongoing monitoring, coaching, and side-effect management.

*https://sciencehub.novonordisk.com/content/dam/sciencehub/global/en/congresses-and-scientific-publications/congresses/ada2025/Wharton/documents/ADA25_STEP_UP_ePoster_slides.pdf