Wegovy 0.5mg Dose Guide

Many people taking Wegovy 0.5mg begin to feel genuine appetite control and notice early changes in their energy, confidence, and eating habits.

This page explains what the 0.5mg dose is for, what you may experience while taking it, and how clinicians assess when it’s appropriate to increase the dose.

Patients switching from another provider to Medicspot on the Wegovy 0.5mg dose are eligible for a £50 saving in their first month, subject to clinical assessment. Visit our main Wegovy page if you’re looking to start Wegovy treatment.

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Written by

Laura Reed

Laura Reed

Health Coach

Reviewed by

Dr Abby Hyams

Dr Abby Hyams

Doctor

Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Next Review: Oct 30, 2026

Guide contents

01

What is the Wegovy 0.5mg dose?

02

How much does 0.5mg Wegovy cost?

03

When to use the Wegovy 0.5mg injection

04

What to expect at the 0.5mg stage

05

Common side effects and how to manage them

06

When to remain on 0.5mg or move up to 1.0mg?

07

Final thoughts

08

About the authors

09

Sources

10

Disclaimer

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What is the Wegovy 0.5mg dose?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist – a medication that mimics the natural hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite, slows digestion, and helps control blood sugar.¹

The 0.5mg dose is the second step in the Wegovy treatment plan, usually taken after four weeks at 0.25mg. It’s designed to gently increase your body’s exposure to semaglutide while minimising Wegovy side effects.

At this stage, your body is learning a new rhythm: feeling full sooner, experiencing fewer cravings, and gradually shifting towards a healthier relationship with food.

tip

“Many people tell me the 0.5mg dose is the first time they feel real appetite control. That’s when the work begins – building habits around that new feeling so it lasts long after treatment.”

– Laura

How much does 0.5mg Wegovy cost?

A Wegovy 0.5mg pen costs £109 for the first month, and then £159 for subsequent months. This includes ongoing medical oversight and access to Medicspot’s coaching support, helping you stay consistent, manage side effects, and get the most from your treatment.

If you’re already using Wegovy, you can easily switch to Medicspot. We’ll just need proof of your current prescription, such as:

  • A copy of your existing prescription, or
  • An invoice from your current weight loss provider.

When to use the Wegovy 0.5mg injection

Most people start Wegovy at 0.25mg for four weeks, then move up to 0.5mg for another four weeks.

However, there’s no one-size-fits-all plan. Your clinician may recommend staying on 0.25mg longer if you:

  • Still experience nausea or digestive discomfort
  • Feel happy with your current appetite control
  • Have other conditions that mean slower titration is safer

Wegovy works well when increased gradually. Rushing up the doses too fast doesn’t mean faster weight loss – it can actually make you feel worse and risk stopping treatment early.

See your potential weight loss results

This calculator uses data from a major clinical study on GLP-1 weight loss treatment to show what typical progress looks like. Your results will depend on your specific medication, dose, lifestyle, and medical history.

See how much you could lose

Based on the results of a clinical study with 806 participants.

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Appetite and eating habits

Most people notice a drop in appetite during this stage. You might feel full sooner, or lose interest in foods you used to crave.

This is your chance to practise mindful eating – listening to your hunger cues and eating slowly. You may find smaller portions satisfying for the first time in years.

tip

“Try putting your fork down halfway through a meal. Check in with your body – are you satisfied? This simple habit helps you reconnect with your natural fullness signals.”

– Laura

Energy and digestion

Wegovy 0.5mg can help stabilise blood sugar levels, which may reduce cravings for some people. But side effects are still common, such as nausea, bloating, and constipation.

These symptoms don’t mean the medication isn’t working. They’re a normal sign your digestion is slowing down as GLP-1 hormones do their job.

Here are 5 gentle ways to ease side effects:

  1. Eat smaller, simpler meals (e.g., soups, rice, yoghurt, toast)
  2. Avoid fried, greasy, or very spicy foods
  3. Sip water regularly throughout the day
  4. Go for light walks to help your digestion
  5. Don’t lie down straight after eating

Emotional adjustment

It’s completely normal to have mixed feelings right now – excitement about progress, but also frustration if side effects appear or the scale isn’t moving as fast as you hoped.

Medicspot’s coaching team encourages members to track both physical and emotional progress, because motivation often comes from how you feel day to day, not just what the scales say.

tip

“Remember, the 0.5mg stage is still early. Focus on consistency, not perfection. Every week you stay consistent, even if progress feels slow, you’re retraining both your body and your brain.”

– Laura

Common side effects

Before listing side effects, it’s important to know that you’re not failing if you feel rough. Many members feel some discomfort in the first few months – it’s part of your body learning to respond to a new hormone signal. Most side effects ease with time.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, this could be a sign of pancreatitis (a rare side effect of GLP-1 medications) and requires urgent medical review.²

How to manage them

Common side effects at the 0.5mg stage
Nausea or upset stomach
Wegovy slows how fast your stomach empties.		 Eat slowly, avoid high-fat foods, and try ginger or mint tea.
Constipation
Slower digestion.		 Drink 2L of water daily, add fibre (fruit, veg, oats), and walk regularly.
Bloating or burping
Food stays in your stomach longer.		 Eat smaller meals, chew thoroughly, and avoid lying down after eating.
Tiredness
Lower calorie intake.		 Eat balanced meals with protein and complex carbs; rest as needed.
Headache
Mild dehydration or sugar change.		 Stay hydrated and don’t skip meals.
Mild bruising around the injection site Vary the injection site.

When to remain on 0.5mg or move up to 1.0mg?

Typically, you’ll stay on the 0.5mg dose for about four weeks before increasing to 1.0mg. But it’s not a race. You might stay on 0.5mg longer if you:

  • Still feel nauseous or uncomfortable
  • Are losing weight steadily and prefer stability
  • Want extra time to build healthier eating routines

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 us.

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.

tip

“Members often worry they’ll ‘fall behind’ if they don’t increase on schedule. In reality, staying at a lower dose a little longer can make the whole journey easier and more sustainable.”

– Laura

Wegovy 0.5mg injection FAQs

Final thoughts

Wegovy 0.5mg is an important step in your weight loss journey, but long-term success comes from consistent habits and the right support.

At Medicspot, we provide expert care and coaching to help you:

  • Rebuild healthy eating patterns
  • Stay active with realistic routines
  • Manage stress and emotional triggers
  • Stay accountable with regular check-ins

If you ever have concerns, your Medicspot clinician is just a message away. We’re here to guide you from your first dose to lifelong results.

About the authors

Laura Reed is a Health Coach and Success Advocate with Medicspot. She holds a Level 5 Ofqual Diploma in Health & Wellness Coaching (UKIHCA approved), and Level 3 & 4 AfN Diplomas in Nutrition. Laura is deeply passionate about helping people create meaningful, lasting change, especially in weight management and lifestyle habits. She brings a background in counselling and behaviour change, with a focus on understanding how past experiences shape current food and movement patterns. In her role at Medicspot, Laura supports members using GLP-1 medications and beyond, empowering them to build healthier, more confident lives.

Dr Abby Hyams grew up in Manchester and completed her medical training in Bristol. She has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. Dr Hyams loves being a GP because of the wide spectrum of people she encounters every day and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

Cited sources

¹ NICE. Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (2023). Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875]

² European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy (semaglutide): Summary of Product Characteristics. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/wegovy-epar-product-information_en.pdf]

³ Wegovy. Wegovy dosing schedule. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/dosing-schedule.html]

Other sources

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]

NHS England. Weight-management injections. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/weight-management-injections/]

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]

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/]

Medicines.org.uk. Wegovy patient information leaflet. Last accessed October 2025. [https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil]

Disclaimer

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.

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