How long does Wegovy take to work?

Key Takeaways

• On average, people taking Wegovy lose 2% to 3% of their body weight in the first month – the equivalent of half a dress size.
• Wegovy starts to work within a few days, but visible changes usually take longer – people start to notice results after month one.
• You can support your progress by building small, realistic habits that fit into your daily life. These steady changes help create results that last.
  
• With Oviva, access personalised, 1:1 support designed to make real change at a pace that suits your lifestyle.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

When you start taking Wegovy, the medication should start working within a few days of your initial injection. 

You might notice fewer cravings or reduced appetite within the first few weeks but it varies from person to person. 

People taking Wegovy lose 2% to 3% of their body weight in the first month, on average. If you weigh 85 kg, that could mean losing around 1.7 to 2.5 kg in the first four weeks – roughly half a dress size.

You’ll start on a low dose – this is designed to slowly get your body used to the medication. Once your dose increases (which happens every four weeks), you’ll likely see the effects increase too. It takes four to five months to build up to the maintenance dose, which is when people tend to see the most significant weight loss results. 

A typical results timeline 

Everyone’s experience is different, and changes tend to build gradually rather than happen all at once. Here’s a general guide to what many people notice over time:

• First four weeks: ~2-3% body weight lost 
• First three months: ~5-6% body weight lost 
• First six months: ~10-11% body weight lost
• First 12 months: ~14-15% body weight lost 

So, if your starting weight is 85 kg, by the end of your first year, you may lose up to 12-13 kg – equal to 2-3 dress sizes. 

These results happened when Wegovy was combined with meaningful changes to eating habits and activity levels. The medication can help you feel more in control of your appetite, but lasting progress comes from the habits you build alongside it.

5 ways to boost weight loss on Wegovy

At what dose does Wegovy start working?

The Wegovy dosing schedule begins at 0.25 mg once per week, and this low initial dosage should stay the same for the first four weeks of treatment. 

From there, the dosage increases gradually in four-week intervals before you eventually reach the maintenance dose, which is usually 2.4 mg per week.

Wegovy can start producing weight loss benefits at the starting dose (0.25mg), but it’s typical for weight loss results and appetite suppression to become more apparent as the dosage increases.

Generally, weight loss effects increase when dosage increases. Therefore, you can expect the best results once you reach the 2.4 mg/week maintenance dose.

When should my Wegovy dosage increase?

When you first begin treatment with Wegovy, you’ll receive an initial dosage of 0.25 mg, taken once a week using a simple injection pen that can be self-administered. This low initial dosage is taken for four weeks so your body can get used to the medication.

The dosage escalation then progresses as follows:

• Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg/week
• Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg/week
• Weeks 9-12: 1 mg/week
• Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg/week
• Week 16 and beyond: 2.4 mg/week

Healthcare providers may recommend either 1.7 mg/week or a higher 2.4 mg/week dose as the final maintenance dose. The aim is to reach the maximum dose and manage side effects, as the best and most widely studied results are associated with the 2.4 mg/week dosage. 

However, your maintenance dose may depend on various factors, including the severity of any side effects you experience and your weight loss results on the 1.7 mg/week dosage.

Take Wegovy with confidence, not guesswork

To receive a prescription for Wegovy via the NHS, you must be eligible for referral to an approved weight management programme like Oviva. The eligibility criteria include a BMI over 35 and a weight-related health condition. 

Oviva’s team of healthcare professionals and experts will work with you to create a personalised plan, including lifestyle changes around food and exercise, helping you to maximise Wegovy’s results. 

You’ll also gain access to the Oviva app, where you can track your meals, activity, mood, medication and more.

Start your weight loss journey