Fact Checked
The price of Wegovy weight loss medicine is usually:
But how much you pay for Wegovy will differ from place to place. The price of Wegovy pens is lowest on the NHS, but certain criteria have to be met. The list price for a month supply is £73.25 for the starting dose of 0.25 mg up to the 1.0 mg dose, then £124.53 for the 1.7 mg dose, and £175.80 for the 2.4 mg dose.
But the NHS has a commercial arrangement with the manufacturer for a discount. To get Wegovy on the NHS you must have a BMI of over 35 (or 30 with other weight-related health conditions, occasionally), and see your GP to get referred to a specialist weight management service.
The graphic above shows how much a monthly supply of Wegovy can cost.
The amount of time it takes to lose weight using Wegovy will be different for everyone, but it’ll typically be at least a few weeks before you start feeling its effects. However, it can be a couple of months before you start noticing weight loss.
One reason for this is that you’ll begin on a low dose (0.25 mg) and increase your dosage every four weeks (to minimise the risk of any semaglutide side effects). So you’re not getting the full 2.4 mg dose of Wegovy right away. But it’s really important that you always follow your clinician’s instructions for taking Wegovy – don’t up your dose without speaking to them first.
Wegovy is a long-term treatment you’ll usually take for over a year. The price of Wegovy per year privately is typically around £3500. That’s if you’re starting at the lowest dose and move up every month until you reach the maintenance dose.
Although this is the recommended way of taking Wegovy, you might find that you’re not ready to change doses each month. If you’re happy with the pen you’re using and it’s helping you lose weight at a rate you’re comfortable with, you can speak to a clinician about how long you can carry on using that pen for. This can change the long-term cost of Wegovy, so the amount you pay might vary depending on how your treatment plan is going.
Part of the reason the demand for Wegovy is so high is because it’s so effective for weight loss. A trial of 1961 adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, where two-thirds of individuals were assigned weekly 2.4 mg injections of Wegovy and one-third with placebo for 68 weeks shows just how much it can help you lose weight. The participants were instructed to improve their physical activity and diet alongside their medication.
At the end of the 68-week trial, the mean change in body weight from baseline was -14.9% in the group that was taking Wegovy, compared with just -2.4% with placebo. 86.4% of those taking Wegovy also achieved weight loss of 5% or more, compared to just 31.5% of the placebo group. 69.1% of people in the Wegovy group experienced weight loss of 10% or more (compared to 12% in the placebo group), and 50.5% of those on Wegovy lost 15% or more of their body weight (as opposed to 4.9% in the placebo group).
The short answer: no. Depending on where you get Wegovy from, and even where you live in the world, the price of Wegovy can be much different. In the US, the average list price for Wegovy is $1,349, over five times the average price here in the UK.
The price you see when you order Wegovy with us is the only cost you’ll pay. We don’t add anything for delivery, consultation, or issuing prescriptions. You’ll also get aftercare from our clinicians included in the price. So if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, you can get in touch for expert advice at no additional charge – there are no hidden fees to worry about.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have a subject you’d like us to cover in a future article? Let us know.
We're making healthcare more about you. Sign up to our newsletter for personalised health articles that make a difference.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity/ The New England Journal of Medicine, 384. pp. 989-1002.
By clicking 'Subscribe now' you're agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
