What is Wegovy HD? All about the Wegovy 7.2 mg injection

In March 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy HD, which is a high-dose version of the same medication. (Thus the “HD” in the drug’s name.) Also known as Wegovy 7.2 mg, it delivers 7.2 mg of semaglutide once weekly, making it the highest available Wegovy injection for weight loss and long-term weight management.

Keep reading to learn about Wegovy HD’s clinical trial results, side effects, cost, and more.

Wegovy HD is the newest and highest strength of injectable Wegovy, delivering 7.2 mg of semaglutide once a week. Wegovy 7.2 mg can help with additional weight loss in people who’ve been using Wegovy 2.4 mg and struggling to lose weight despite lifestyle modifications. 

Because it contains the same active ingredient as lower doses of Wegovy as well as the Wegovy pill (semaglutide), Wegovy HD works the same way. By mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone, the drug helps reduce appetite and slows how quickly your stomach empties. This helps you feel full longer and eat less.

Wegovy 7.2 mg or HD is FDA-approved, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise, for: 

• Weight loss and weight management in adults with obesity or in adults with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition (e.g. diabetes)

Now that Wegovy 7.2 mg is available, Wegovy injection can be found in a total of six dosage strengths, ranging from 0.25 mg to 7.2 mg. Wegovy 7.2 mg is the highest maintenance dose used after several gradual dose increases, and if additional weight loss is needed. 

Check for free

In a STEP UP trial, Wegovy 7.2 mg produced an average weight loss of nearly 19%. 

The aim of the STEP UP trial was to determine weight loss results in adults with obesity taking Wegovy 7.2 mg vs. 2.4 mg (the former maximum dose) or placebo over about 17 months. (FYI, study participants didn’t have diabetes and weren’t taking blood sugar-lowering medications.)

After a dose escalation period, participants in the study were assigned to use a maintenance dose of Wegovy 2.4 mg, Wegovy 7.2 mg, or a placebo for 52 weeks. The Wegovy 7.2 mg injection lowered body weight the most compared to 2.4 mg or placebo: 

• Wegovy 7.2 mg lowered body weight by about 19%.

• Wegovy 2.4 mg lowered body weight by about 16%.

• Those taking a placebo lost about 3% of body weight.

• Those taking Wegovy HD were more likely to lose up to an additional 25% of their weight compared to placebo and Wegovy 2.4 mg. 

• Overall, one out of three participants on Wegovy HD lost 25% of their body weight or more. 

Those taking Wegovy HD also had larger reductions in waist circumference, overall weight, and BMI at the end of treatment, along with benefits for blood pressure and cholesterol. 

The most common side effects reported with Wegovy HD include: 

• Nausea 

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting 

• Constipation 

Wegovy side effects are similar across all dosages, especially gastrointestinal discomfort. Hair loss, dizziness, and flatulence (i.e. gas) are uncommon side effects but can occur more often when taking Wegovy HD. 

Of note, people taking Wegovy HD experienced more vomiting than those taking Wegovy 2.4 mg in the STEP UP trial. In general, side effects are more likely with higher doses of Wegovy (and all GLP-1 drugs, for that matter). 

Here’s a breakdown of the side effects reported in the STEP UP trial:

Wegovy 7.2 mg and dysaesthesia 

Both Wegovy 7.2 mg and 2.4 mg can cause dysaesthesia. Dysaesthesia is a group of symptoms including pain, itching, numbness, heat, increased sensitivity, or burning sensation of the skin.

It’s unclear why dysaesthesias can happen when using Wegovy or other GLP-1 medications. It may be related to changes in nerve signaling with long-term use.

Dysaesthesia seems to be more common at higher doses. In the STEP UP trial, dysaesthesia was reported by:

• 22% of participants taking Wegovy HD 7.2 mg 

• 6% of participants taking Wegovy 2.4 mg 

Most cases were mild, but more people on 7.2 mg needed dose reductions or had to stop treatment due to dysaesthesia compared to those on the lower dose. 

Dysaesthesia can go away with time. By the end of the STEP UP trial, most participants recovered from this side effect. Some evidence suggests resolution of symptoms 6–12 weeks after the start of symptoms or with discontinuation. 

Wegovy HD is a once-weekly subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection that is taken exactly the same way as other injectable Wegovy doses:

• Inject Wegovy once a week on the same day.

• You can inject it at any time of day, with or without food.

• You can inject in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

• To avoid injection site skin reactions, rotate your injection sites. Avoid injecting the same place repeatedly. 

Wegovy HD or Wegovy 7.2 mg provides a higher dosage strength than what was previously available. 

As with other Wegovy doses, you follow a dose escalation schedule. In general, you wait about four weeks before increasing doses, in the absence of bothersome side effects. Below is an example dosage escalation schedule including Wegovy 7.2 mg. 

Wegovy 7.2 mg is currently available in the US with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. If prescribed, you can get it on Ro, Novo Nordisk’s online pharmacy (NovoCare), or through other partnered telehealth providers. 

Wegovy 7.2 mg was approved by the FDA on March 19, 2026. 

On Ro, Wegovy HD or Wegovy 7.2 mg has a cash price of $399 per month (four pens) or less if you choose a prepay option (and are prescribed, of course).  For example, you can get Wegovy 7.2 mg for:

• $329 per month on a three-month plan 

• $299 per month on a six-month plan

• $249 per month on an annual plan

In general, however, the cost of Wegovy 7.2 mg varies depending on your insurance status and coverage (if any). The list price for four pens is $1,349.02. 

If you have commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, you may be able to get Wegovy HD for as little as $25 through the manufacturer’s savings program.  

So far, there have not been any head-to-head trials comparing Wegovy HD and   Zepbound (tirzepatide). But separate studies suggest the drugs have similar effectiveness for weight loss:

• Wegovy HD 7.2 mg reduced body weight by ~19% after 72 weeks in the STEP UP trial. 

• Zepbound reduced body weight by 20%--21% after 72 weeks in clinical trials. 

These two medications work in slightly different ways. While Wegovy HD is a GLP-1 agonist, Zepbound is both a GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIP) agonist. Its GIP activity is thought to provide additional appetite reduction while potentially decreasing fat storage.

Wegovy HD and Zepbound also differ in their FDA-approved uses. Zepbound is approved, along with diet and exercise, for:

• Weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with obesity or overweight adults with at least one weight-related condition

• Treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity

See if you qualify

Wegovy 7.2 mg or Wegovy HD is the newest and highest dose of Wegovy available. Like lower dosages, it’s approved for weight loss but comes with a few differences in effectiveness and side effects. Let’s recap:

• Wegovy 7.2 mg, the maximum dosage available, may be started after safely tolerating at least four weeks of Wegovy 2.4 mg with additional weight loss desired. 

• The STEP UP trial showed Wegovy 7.2 mg was superior to Wegovy 2.4 mg and placebo for weight reduction and percentage of participants reaching over 25% weight loss. 

• Given the higher strength of Wegovy HD, side effects are more likely compared to lower doses.