What are Wegovy® Tablets (semaglutide)?

Wegovy® Tablets are a prescription-only weight loss treatment containing semaglutide. They are taken once daily by mouth and are used to support weight management in adults who meet the appropriate prescribing criteria.

At The Kingston Pharmacy, Wegovy® Tablets are supplied as part of our clinician-led weight loss service following a suitability assessment by our qualified prescribing clinicians.

Available Strengths

Wegovy® Tablets are available in the following strengths:

• 1.5mg
• 4mg
• 9mg
• 25mg

Treatment begins at the lowest strength before gradually increasing according to the recommended dose escalation schedule, unless your prescriber advises otherwise. The usual maintenance dose is 25mg once daily.

How Do Wegovy® Tablets Work?

Wegovy® Tablets contain semaglutide, a medicine that mimics GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a naturally occurring hormone released by the body after eating. This hormone helps regulate appetite, food intake and feelings of fullness.

By acting on appetite centres in the brain, Wegovy® Tablets can help you:

• Feel fuller for longer
• Reduce hunger between meals
• Decrease food cravings

Semaglutide also slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach, helping you remain satisfied after eating.

As a result, many people find it easier to reduce their calorie intake and make sustainable dietary changes that support weight loss.

Wegovy® Tablets should always be used alongside a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity as part of a comprehensive weight management programme.

Treatment May Help To:

• Reduce appetite
• Increase feelings of fullness
• Reduce food cravings
• Support calorie reduction
• Promote sustainable weight management

For best results, treatment should be combined with healthy eating habits and increased physical activity.

Who May Be Suitable for Wegovy® Tablets?

You may be suitable for treatment if you:

• Are aged 18 years or over
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above
• Have a BMI of 27 or above with eligible weight-related health conditions
• Are looking for additional support with weight management
• Have found it difficult to achieve sufficient weight loss through lifestyle changes alone

All patients must complete a clinical assessment before treatment can be prescribed.

How to Take Wegovy® Tablets

Wegovy® Tablets are taken once daily.

For the medicine to work effectively, it should be taken exactly as instructed:

• Take one tablet each morning on an empty stomach.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a small amount of water (up to approximately 120 mL).
• Do not split, crush or chew the tablet.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking (other than water), or taking any other oral medicines.

Treatment usually follows a gradual dose escalation:

• Month 1 – 1.5mg once daily
• Month 2 – 4mg once daily
• Month 3 – 9mg once daily
• Month 4 onwards – 25mg once daily (maintenance)

Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your prescribing clinician.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Wegovy® Tablets can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach discomfort
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite

These side effects are generally mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts to treatment.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet and seek medical advice if you experience persistent, severe or concerning symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly will I see results?

Weight loss varies between individuals. Many patients begin noticing changes within the first few weeks when treatment is combined with healthy dietary changes and regular physical activity.

Do I need to follow a diet while taking Wegovy® Tablets?

Yes. Wegovy® Tablets work best when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, follow the instructions provided in the Patient Information Leaflet or contact your pharmacist or prescribing clinician for advice.

Do I need a prescription?

No GP prescription is required.

Wegovy® Tablets are a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) and can be supplied by The Kingston Pharmacy following assessment by one of our qualified prescribing clinicians.

Our Weight Loss Service

At The Kingston Pharmacy, we provide a personalised, clinician-led weight loss service designed to support you throughout your weight loss journey.

Before treatment can be prescribed, you will complete a confidential online consultation covering your:

• Current weight and height
• Medical history
• Current medications
• Previous weight loss attempts
• Weight management goals

Your consultation will be carefully reviewed by one of our qualified prescribing clinicians, who will assess whether treatment is safe and appropriate for you. If suitable, a personalised treatment plan will be created based on your individual needs and treatment goals.

Flexible Delivery and Collection Options

Once your prescription has been approved, you can choose the option that works best for you:

• Free in-store collection from The Kingston Pharmacy at a time convenient to you.
• Secure home delivery directly to your chosen address, ensuring your medication arrives safely and discreetly.

We aim to make accessing treatment as simple and convenient as possible, allowing you to focus on achieving your weight loss goals.

Ongoing Support Every Step of the Way

Our support doesn’t stop once your medication has been supplied.

As your local community pharmacy, we are committed to providing ongoing guidance throughout your treatment. Whether you have questions about your medication, dosage schedule, side effects, diet, exercise or your progress, our pharmacy team is here to help.

You can contact us by telephone, email or by visiting the pharmacy, and we will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Regular Reviews and Treatment Monitoring

Weight loss treatment is most effective when combined with ongoing monitoring and lifestyle support.

As part of our service, we encourage regular reviews to assess your progress, discuss your experience with treatment and ensure your medication remains appropriate for you.

Our team can provide advice on:

• Healthy eating and nutrition
• Physical activity and exercise
• Managing side effects
• Dose escalation schedules
• Maintaining long-term weight loss
• General treatment support and guidance

Important Information

Wegovy® Tablets are not suitable for everyone and should only be used under appropriate medical supervision.

Treatment should always be combined with healthy dietary changes and increased physical activity. Individual weight loss results will vary.

Always take Wegovy® Tablets exactly as prescribed by your clinician and read the Patient Information Leaflet before starting treatment.