Weight loss pen treatment approved to treat adult patients with obesity

Semaglutide can prevent development of type 2 diabetes.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a new single-dose semaglutide pen to treat adult patients with obesity.
The single-dose 7.2mg semaglutide (Wegovy) pen will be available to people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or higher.

As with any medicine, the MHRA saif they will keep the safety and effectiveness of Wegovy under close review.

Semaglutide could help people with pre-diabetes and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The recent MHRA approval will support adult patients with obesity by providing the option of a single-dose injection to receive the maximum weekly dose for weight loss and weight management.

The 7.2mg dose is administered via one injection. 
Patients should always use this medicine exactly as their prescriber tells them and to check with their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if they are not sure.  

This does not apply to overweight patients with a BMI of less than 30kg/m² using Wegovy for weight management or for patients using Wegovy to lower their risk of serious heart problems.  

A statement from the MHRA said: “This decision follows the January 2026 authorisation of the 7.2mg maximum weekly dose, which required three 2.4mg doses administered on the same day using the standard 2.4mg pen.  

“When patients start using Wegovy, the starting dose is 0.25mg per week, which will be gradually increased every four weeks as required and prescribed by the appropriate healthcare professional. The maximum dose is 7.2mg per week.

“Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.   

Read more about type 2 diabetes