Wegovy 0.25mg Dose

Starting Wegovy can feel both exciting and nerve racking. You’re finally taking action, but you might not know what to expect in those first few weeks. That’s completely normal.

At Medicspot, every member is clinically supervised. A clinician reviews your case, we verify your medical history through your NHS Summary Care Record (SCR), and your health coach checks in regularly to guide you through side effects, hunger changes, and emotional ups and downs.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist – a medication that mimics a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. It’s licensed in the UK to support weight loss in adults who are obese (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with weight-related health conditions such as high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.¹

The 0.25mg dose is the starter dose. It’s the lowest available strength, used for the first four weeks of treatment to help your body adjust before moving up gradually to higher doses (usually 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, then 2.4mg).²

This slow, step-by-step approach helps reduce side effects, especially nausea and stomach discomfort, and sets you up for long-term success.

To help your body adjust

GLP-1 medications slow digestion and reduce appetite. Starting at 0.25mg gives your body time to adapt to these changes without overwhelming your system.³

To build habits as the medication starts working

Your appetite will begin to shift. Many people find they’re full faster, snack less, or crave different foods. This is the perfect time to experiment with new eating routines.

To prevent side effects from getting in the way

Most people tolerate the 0.25mg dose well, but if side effects appear, they’re usually mild and manageable. If symptoms are uncomfortable, your prescribing clinician may keep you on this dose for longer before increasing.

Week-by-week overview

• Weeks 1-4 – Inject 0.25mg once a week on the same day each week (for example, every Friday).
• Inject under the skin (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm). Rotate injection sites each time.
• Continue your reduced-calorie diet and regular activity – the medication works best when paired with healthy lifestyle changes.

How you might feel

In the first few weeks, you may notice:

• Feeling full sooner after eating.
• Fewer cravings for sugar or processed foods.
• Some tiredness, nausea, or mild stomach upset – usually settling after a few days.
• A small amount of early weight loss (typically 1-3 kg).

If you don’t lose weight yet, that’s okay. This stage is about tolerance, not rapid results.

Moving up to 0.5mg

After your first pen, you can indicate to your clinician if you’d like to remain on the same dose or increase your dose. You’ll only increase if the current dose is well tolerated, your body feels settled, and you want greater appetite suppression.

Staying longer at 0.25mg

If you’re experiencing nausea or other side effects, staying at 0.25mg for a little longer can give your body more time to adjust before increasing the dose. There’s no rush – the goal is tolerance, not speed.

On the other hand, if you’re already seeing positive results at 0.25mg, such as steady weight loss or reduced appetite, you may decide to remain at the same dose. Some people respond well to lower doses and may achieve meaningful progress before increasing, though higher doses are typically more effective for long-term results.

When not to escalate

If you experience persistent or severe side effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain, or dizziness, contact your clinician. These could indicate pancreatitis or gallbladder irritation – both require medical review.⁴

What to look out for

Mild side effects are normal and to be expected. If you feel your symptoms are more severe than you expected or you are concerned please contact your clinician.

We would always want to know about stomach pains that feel a little more than a mild discomfort or if you start feeling unwell. Any unusual redness or discharge from your injection site is also something to look out for. 

According to NICE guidance, Wegovy is recommended alongside a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity for adults meeting specific BMI and health criteria. Treatment should continue only if you achieve at least 5% weight loss within 6 months of the highest tolerated dose.¹

In the UK, Wegovy is typically prescribed for up to 2 years, depending on progress and clinical review.

At Medicspot, our approach includes structured aftercare and coaching, helping you maintain progress even as your medication tapers down.

The 0.25mg dose is your gentle starting point, helping your body adjust and build healthy habits.

Early side effects are common but manageable – slow eating, hydration, and support make all the difference.

Medicspot’s clinical team monitors you closely, verifying safety at each step and guiding your progress.

Real success comes from combining the medication with coaching, mindset shifts, and sustainable nutrition changes.

¹ NICE. Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (2023). Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875]
² Wegovy. Wegovy dosing schedule. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/dosing-schedule.html]
³ NHS England. Weight-management injections. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/weight-management-injections/]
⁴ GOV.UK. GLP-1 receptor agonists: reminder of the potential side-effects and misuse risk. UK Drug Safety Update (2023). Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/glp-1-receptor-agonists-reminder-of-the-potential-side-effects-and-to-be-aware-of-the-potential-for-misuse]
⁵ Wilding, J.P.H. et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1 trial). NEJM (2021). Last accessed October 2025. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/]
⁶ Medicines.org.uk. Wegovy patient information leaflet. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil]

New England Journal of Medicine. “STEP 1 Trial Summary. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity.” (2021). Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183]

Diabetes UK. Wegovy and GLP-1 medications – how they help with weight loss. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/treatments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/semaglutide/wegovy]

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See our Terms of Service for more information.