For adults in the UK, Wegovy is licensed for weight management when your BMI is 30 kg/m² or above, or 27 kg/m² or above if you also have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea . These criteria help prescribers decide whether Wegovy may be suitable for you alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
The BMI criteria are based on the licensed use of Wegovy and the clinical evidence behind it. They are not simply a barrier to treatment. This guide explains the BMI thresholds, the health conditions that may be relevant, how NHS and private prescribing differ, what private Wegovy can cost by dose, how the medicine works, and what the clinical evidence says.
If your BMI does not currently meet the criteria, that does not mean you should try to work around them. A prescriber can help you understand your options and whether another approach may be more suitable.
Key things to know
- Standard criteria: BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure
- These BMI thresholds reflect the licensed criteria for Wegovy, although NHS access may have additional eligibility requirements depending on current guidance and local arrangements
- A private prescription follows the same licensed medicine and clinical prescribing requirements. Private treatment does not mean lower BMI criteria
- If your BMI does not currently meet the criteria, speak to a prescriber about your options rather than trying to work around a clinical requirement
The Genuine BMI Criteria for Wegovy
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| BMI of 30 or higher | Meets the standard threshold on its own |
| BMI of 27 or higher | With at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol |
These figures are consistent with the licensed indication for Wegovy and broadly reflect the populations studied in clinical trials . BMI, or body mass index, is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. Lower BMI thresholds may be considered for some ethnic groups because weight-related health risks can occur at lower BMI levels . For some ethnic groups, lower BMI thresholds may be used during clinical assessment where appropriate . The exact criteria used should be confirmed with your prescriber.
The licensed criteria apply to both NHS and private prescribing, although NHS access may have additional requirements depending on current guidance and local arrangements. Private prescribing does not mean different or more lenient clinical criteria. It is simply a different route to a clinical assessment and prescription where appropriate.
Why These Criteria Exist
BMI thresholds are not an arbitrary hurdle. They reflect the people included in the clinical evidence for Wegovy and help identify adults who may be more likely to benefit from treatment. No change required .
It is also worth remembering that BMI is a screening tool rather than a complete measure of health. This is one reason why Wegovy can be considered at a BMI of 27 or above when a relevant weight related health condition is also present.
Your prescriber will look at your BMI alongside your medical history, health conditions and other relevant factors. This helps them decide whether Wegovy is appropriate for you rather than relying on a BMI number alone.
How Eligibility Is Actually Assessed
A genuine assessment involves more than entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator. Your prescriber may ask about your BMI, medical history, current medicines, weight related health conditions and previous approaches to weight management.
This information helps your prescriber assess whether you meet the relevant criteria and whether Wegovy is suitable for you. A BMI calculator can give you an indication of your BMI, but it cannot replace an individual clinical assessment.
Age is also considered as part of the assessment. Wegovy is licensed for weight management in adults, subject to the relevant prescribing criteria.
Examples of Weight-Related Health Conditions Considered at BMI 27 or Above
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Dyslipidaemia (including high cholesterol)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
This is not an exhaustive list, and the relevance of a condition can depend on your individual circumstances. If you have another weight related health condition that you think may be relevant, mention it during your consultation so your prescriber can consider it properly.
What If My BMI Does Not Meet the Criteria?
If your BMI is below the relevant threshold, Wegovy is unlikely to be appropriate under its licensed weight-management indication . A responsible prescribing service should not prescribe it simply because you request it.
If you are close to the threshold or have a weight related health condition, speak to a prescriber about your circumstances. They can look at your overall health rather than relying on a single number.
If Wegovy is not suitable for you at the moment, there may be other approaches to weight management worth considering. Your prescriber can discuss these options with you.
Your circumstances can also change over time. If your BMI or health changes, you can discuss your options with a healthcare professional again rather than assuming that an earlier assessment will always apply.
Private vs NHS: What Actually Differs
The licensed BMI criteria for Wegovy are the same whether treatment is prescribed privately or through the NHS. However, NHS access can have additional eligibility requirements and depends on current national guidance, local NHS pathways and commissioning arrangements.
NHS access to Wegovy depends on current national guidance, local NHS pathways and commissioning arrangements . Some people may need a referral from their GP and may have to meet additional criteria, such as a higher BMI and certain weight related health conditions. Waiting times can also vary between services and areas.
Private prescribing follows a different access route. You can complete an online consultation with a private prescriber without an NHS referral, but you still need to meet the relevant prescribing criteria and the prescriber must decide that Wegovy is appropriate for you. If treatment is approved, the prescription can then be dispensed by a registered pharmacy.
This means private treatment can offer a different route to assessment and, where appropriate, treatment , but it does not mean easier or more relaxed clinical criteria. The difference is mainly how you access the prescribing service, rather than the safety and suitability checks themselves.
If you are considering private Wegovy because you are unsure about NHS eligibility, it is worth checking your NHS options with your GP as well.
Wegovy Pricing by Dose
Wegovy follows a dose escalation schedule, starting low and increasing over several weeks as guided by your prescriber.
| Strength | Price (with code FIRST40) |
|---|---|
| 0.25mg (starter) | £79.99 |
| 0.5mg | £94.99 |
| 1mg | £99.99 |
| 1.7mg | £139.99 |
| 2.4mg (maintenance) | £209.99 |
In the wider private market, Wegovy prices can vary considerably depending on provider and dose , so pricing can vary by provider and dose.
Some providers may charge separate consultation or prescribing fees .
Private vs NHS: What Actually Differs
BMI criteria for Wegovy are based on the licensed indication, but NHS access can have additional requirements and restrictions depending on the current NHS pathway and local arrangements. In England, NHS access to weight management medicines such as Wegovy has been introduced through a phased approach, with treatment initially focused on people with higher clinical need and delivered through appropriate NHS services.
A private prescription follows the licensed prescribing criteria, but you still need an individual clinical assessment before treatment can be prescribed. Private treatment may offer a different route to access and can sometimes involve a shorter wait, but this does not mean that the clinical assessment is less thorough or that you can bypass the relevant prescribing criteria.
NHS prescription charges and Prescription Prepayment Certificate costs can change. Check the NHS website for the latest information . Some people are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, so check whether you qualify before comparing costs.
Wegovy Prices and What to Expect
Private Wegovy prices vary depending on the strength, provider and any available offers. Each Wegovy FlexTouch pen provides 4 weekly doses at the prescribed dose.
Prices can change, so check the current product page before ordering rather than relying on an older price shown elsewhere on the website.
Bundles: What We Can and Cannot Confirm
An Intro Trio bundle covering the 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg doses across the first 12 weeks may be available. Check the live product page for current pricing and availability .
However, we have also seen references to an "Ultimate Stability Trio" described as covering three months of 2.4mg maintenance doses. We have not been able to independently verify this specific bundle, so we are not presenting it as a confirmed product.
If you are considering a bundle, check the live product page for the current options, strengths and prices before ordering. This helps make sure you are looking at the latest information.
How Wegovy Works
Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that acts on pathways involved in appetite regulation. It acts on pathways involved in appetite regulation and may help reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness , which may make it easier to reduce calorie intake.
Wegovy is licensed for weight management alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is not intended to replace a balanced diet or regular physical activity.
Treatment follows a gradual dose escalation schedule. Wegovy is taken once a week, starting at a lower dose and increasing over several weeks. This gradual approach is designed to help your body adjust to treatment and can help your prescriber decide which dose is suitable for you based on how you respond and tolerate it.
What the Evidence Shows
No change required , compared with around 2.4% with placebo alongside lifestyle intervention.
These figures are averages from a clinical trial, so individual results can be different. There is also no reliable way to predict exactly how much weight a particular person will lose or how quickly they will lose it.
Research has also shown that some weight regain can occur after stopping semaglutide. In the STEP 1 extension, participants regained a substantial proportion of the weight they had lost after treatment was withdrawn. This is one reason weight management with Wegovy is generally considered alongside longer term treatment and lifestyle support rather than as a short term course.
The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial reported a 20% relative reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events among the population studied among adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity who received semaglutide 2.4mg, compared with placebo. This result applies to the population studied in the trial and should not be taken to mean that every person taking Wegovy will experience the same cardiovascular benefit.
A Note on Reviews and Testimonials
You may come across customer testimonials, individual experiences or review numbers when researching Wegovy online. These can be useful for understanding how other people describe their experience, but they do not provide the same level of evidence as properly conducted clinical studies.
We have not included individual testimonials or review figures that we cannot independently verify. The clinical evidence above provides a more reliable starting point when you are deciding whether Wegovy may be suitable for you.
Who Should Be Cautious or Speak to a Prescriber First
- Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- A personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers or related conditions
- Certain pancreatic or digestive conditions
- Under 18 years old
These situations do not all automatically mean that Wegovy cannot be prescribed. However, they are important to discuss with a prescriber, who can consider your medical history and decide whether treatment is appropriate for you.
It is also important to discuss the possible benefits and risks of treatment before starting Wegovy . Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. In clinical trials, nausea was reported in around 44% of people, diarrhoea in 30%, vomiting in 24%, and constipation in 24%.
More serious side effects, including pancreatitis, have been reported but are uncommon . Pancreatitis was uncommon in clinical trials . If you develop severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it spreads to your back, seek medical advice promptly.
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about Wegovy and its BMI eligibility criteria. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
BMI is one factor a prescriber considers when assessing whether Wegovy is suitable. A BMI calculator can give you an indication, but it cannot confirm whether treatment is appropriate for you.
If you are unsure whether Wegovy is suitable for you, or you have questions about your medical history, medicines or possible side effects, speak with your prescriber, pharmacist or GP.
