In short
Wegovy is a weekly semaglutide injection, approved in the UAE, for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition. In the STEP 1 trial, adults without diabetes lost 14.9 percent of their body weight on average over 68 weeks, compared with 2.4 percent on placebo. In Dubai, Wegovy needs a doctor’s prescription and usually continues long term.
Treatment Overview
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, licensed for weight loss and weight maintenance. Semaglutide acts like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1), a gut hormone that signals fullness to the brain and slows stomach emptying. Patients typically notice less hunger and fewer thoughts about food.
The European Medicines Agency licenses Wegovy “as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity”. Wegovy therefore works together with changes in eating and movement, not instead of them.
Who can take Wegovy?
Adults can take Wegovy with a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 to 29.9 plus at least one weight-related condition, according to the European licence. Weight-related conditions include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease and heart disease. Previous weight-management efforts are reviewed, and nutrition and activity support continue alongside treatment. The timing of medication is individualised.
BMI underestimates health risk in people of Asian and Middle Eastern background, which is relevant for many patients in Dubai. The NICE technology appraisal TA875 advises using BMI thresholds that are usually 2.5 points lower for people of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background. A semaglutide trial in South Korea and Thailand included adults from a BMI of 25 and found an average weight loss of 16 percent over 44 weeks, compared with 3.1 percent on placebo.
Dr. Felix Lucian Happich makes the final decision after an examination, because other conditions, medicines and personal goals change the answer.
Is Wegovy available in Dubai?
Wegovy is approved in the UAE and available in Dubai with a doctor’s prescription, as a weekly injection and, since 2026, as a daily tablet. The section Wegovy in Dubai and the UAE explains the tablet, storage in summer heat and use during Ramadan.
How is the Wegovy dose increased?
The Wegovy injection dose starts at 0.25 mg once a week and rises every four weeks until 2.4 mg is reached from week 17. The slow increase reduces nausea and vomiting. The table lists the five dose steps and how long each one lasts.
| Weeks | Weekly dose |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg |
| 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg |
| 9 to 12 | 1.0 mg |
| 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg |
| From week 17 | 2.4 mg, usual maintenance dose |
A dose step can be delayed by four weeks if side effects are difficult. Patients with a good response or poor tolerance of 2.4 mg can stay on 1.7 mg.
How much weight do people lose on Wegovy?
Adults without diabetes in the STEP 1 trial lost 14.9 percent of their body weight on average over 68 weeks with Wegovy 2.4 mg, compared with 2.4 percent on placebo. All 1,961 participants also received lifestyle support. The share of participants reaching each weight-loss level after 68 weeks is shown below.
| Result | Semaglutide 2.4 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Average weight change | minus 15.3 kg | minus 2.6 kg |
| Lost at least 5% | 86.4% | 31.5% |
| Lost at least 10% | 69.1% | 12.0% |
| Lost at least 15% | 50.5% | 4.9% |
Trial averages describe groups, not an individual forecast. Response is assessed using weight change, health benefits, tolerability and the applicable continuation criteria. Adult and adolescent recommendations differ. Without that response, the plan changes.
Does Wegovy lower heart risk?
Wegovy 2.4 mg lowered major cardiovascular events from 8.0 to 6.5 percent in the SELECT trial, a relative reduction of 20 percent. SELECT followed 17,604 adults aged 45 or older with a BMI of 27 or more, established cardiovascular disease and no diabetes for about 40 months. Major cardiovascular events meant cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke. The result does not apply to people without existing cardiovascular disease, because they were not studied.
How is Wegovy different from Ozempic and Mounjaro?
Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro differ in active ingredient, dose and licensed use. The comparison below covers the injectable forms.
| Medicine | Active ingredient | Main licensed use |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide, up to 2 mg weekly | Type 2 diabetes |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide, usually up to 2.4 mg weekly | Weight management; lowering cardiovascular risk in people with existing heart disease |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide, acts on GLP-1 and GIP | Type 2 diabetes; weight management in some countries |
Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same molecule at different doses and under different licences. Clinical guidance prefers semaglutide for people with established cardiovascular disease and no diabetes, because semaglutide has proven cardiovascular benefit in this group.
Wegovy in Dubai and the UAE
Is Wegovy approved in the UAE?
Wegovy is approved in the UAE as a weekly injection and, since 2026, as a daily tablet. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the tablet for long-term weight management and for lowering cardiovascular risk. Wegovy injections were already available in the UAE before that approval. Both forms need a prescription from a doctor.
How is the Wegovy tablet taken?
The Wegovy tablet is taken once every morning on an empty stomach, with no more than 120 mL of water and at least 30 minutes before food, drinks or other tablets. The dose starts at 1.5 mg and rises every 30 days to 4 mg, 9 mg and then 25 mg. Adults in the OASIS 4 trial lost 13.6 percent of body weight over 64 weeks on the 25 mg tablet, compared with 2.2 percent on placebo.
How should Wegovy pens be stored in Dubai heat?
Unused Wegovy pens belong in the refrigerator at 2 to 8 °C, according to the US prescribing information. Before the cap is removed, a pen may be kept at 8 to 30 °C for up to 28 days. Dubai summer temperatures, for example inside a parked car, exceed this range, so a pen exposed to that heat can no longer be relied on.
Can Wegovy be used during Ramadan?
Wegovy can usually be continued during Ramadan, but should not be started in the weeks just before the fast. Clinical guidance for people with diabetes supports continuing GLP-1-based medicines such as semaglutide during Ramadan, usually without a dose change. Starting shortly before Ramadan is discouraged, because nausea and vomiting are most common in the first weeks of treatment.
Fasting without food and fluids raises the risk of dehydration, and vomiting or diarrhoea increase that risk further. People who also take insulin or sulfonylureas need a separate plan, because fasting raises the risk of low blood sugar. Studies of Ramadan fasting come mainly from people with diabetes, so Dr. Felix plans the start date and the dose steps with each patient before Ramadan.
Wegovy is prescribed for obesity and, together with a weight-related condition, for overweight. Whether you meet the prescribing criteria: am I eligible for Mounjaro or Wegovy.
The same active ingredient as a daily tablet: Wegovy tablets.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea or fatty liver disease.
- Adults of Asian or Middle Eastern background with weight-related health risks at a lower BMI, assessed individually.
- Adults whose weight has not fallen by about 5 percent after several months of structured diet and activity changes.
- Adults with established heart or vessel disease and excess weight, where semaglutide has shown cardiovascular benefit.
- Adults ready for a 16-week dose build-up, regular reviews and long-term treatment.
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2): Wegovy is not used.
- Pregnancy, plans to conceive within the next 2 months, or breastfeeding: Wegovy is not used.
- Severe inflammatory bowel disease or gastroparesis: GLP-1-based medicines are usually avoided.
- Previous pancreatitis: Wegovy is considered only if the cause has been resolved.
- Requests for compounded semaglutide or a prescription without examination: not offered.
What Happens During the Consultation
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1
Goals and history
Dr. Felix reviews weight history, previous attempts, appetite, diagnosed conditions, pregnancy plans and contraception, because Wegovy is stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
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2
Medical review
The review covers examination, weight, blood pressure, blood tests where needed and all current medicines, including insulin or sulfonylureas that may need a lower dose once Wegovy starts.
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3
Suitability decision
Dr. Felix gives a clear yes or no. When Wegovy is not suitable, the consultation covers the alternative that fits better.
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4
Personal plan
The plan sets injection or tablet, the dose steps, nutrition and protein targets, strength training, what to do about nausea and the review dates for the first 12 weeks.
Program Structure & Follow-Up
How is Wegovy treatment monitored?
Wegovy treatment is monitored every 4 to 6 weeks while the dose rises, then about every 2 to 3 months, in line with clinical guidance. The reviews cover the following points:
- Tolerance: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, and symptoms of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease.
- Weight and health: weight, blood pressure and blood tests at agreed points.
- Diabetes: blood sugar checks at least daily during dose increases for people on insulin or sulfonylureas, and slower dose steps with diabetic eye disease.
Between appointments, patients can contact the practice directly through the membership programmes.
How is muscle protected during Wegovy treatment?
Muscle is protected during Wegovy treatment through enough protein, regular strength training and body composition checks. How much of that is muscle, and what protects it, is covered on the GLP-1 page. Clinical guidance recommends combining aerobic and resistance exercise, which reduces muscle loss during weight loss.
The muscle plan includes these elements:
- Protein: a daily target based on body weight.
- Strength training: at least two sessions a week, alongside aerobic activity.
- Nutrition: enough calories, fluid and vitamins despite a smaller appetite.
- Measurement: body composition checked alongside the scale.
What happens after stopping Wegovy?
After stopping Wegovy, most people regain a large part of the weight they lost. In the STEP 1 extension study, adults had lost 17.3 percent of their weight by week 68 and regained 11.6 percentage points by week 120, one year after stopping. Their net loss was therefore 5.6 percent.
Obesity is a long-term condition, so clinical guidance recommends continuing Wegovy long term when it is tolerated and has produced more than 5 percent weight loss. Reducing the dose once the maintenance dose is established usually leads to weight regain. Options for keeping weight off are described on the weight maintenance page.
Benefits, Limits & Safety
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, usually mild to moderate and worst after a dose increase. Across GLP-1-based medicines, 25 to 40 percent of patients experience nausea and about 10 to 20 percent vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
The US prescribing information reports these rates for Wegovy in the approval trials:
| Side effect | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% | 16% |
| Diarrhoea | 30% | 16% |
| Vomiting | 24% | 6% |
| Constipation | 24% | 11% |
| Abdominal pain | 20% | 10% |
| Headache | 14% | 10% |
| Fatigue | 11% | 5% |
In those trials, 6.8 percent of people on Wegovy stopped because of side effects, compared with 3.2 percent on placebo.
What serious risks does Wegovy have?
Serious but less common problems reported with GLP-1-based medicines include gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction; a direct cause has not been proven for all of them. People taking insulin or sulfonylureas can develop low blood sugar as weight falls.
Semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumours in rodents. Human studies, including a Scandinavian cohort with a median follow-up of three years, have not confirmed an increased thyroid cancer risk. Routine calcitonin tests or thyroid ultrasound are not recommended during treatment.
How can nausea on Wegovy be reduced?
Nausea on Wegovy often improves with smaller meals, slower eating and a delayed dose step. Clinical guidance lists these measures:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Eat slowly and stop at the first sign of fullness.
- Limit fatty, greasy and spicy food.
- Delay the next dose increase by four weeks if nausea persists.
When should you seek urgent medical help on Wegovy?
Seek urgent medical help on Wegovy for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of gallbladder problems or sudden vision changes. The warning signs in detail:
- Severe abdominal pain that spreads to the back, with or without vomiting.
- Persistent vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down.
- Pain under the right ribs, fever, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Sudden vision changes in people with diabetes.
In the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance in an emergency.
What should other doctors know about Wegovy?
Other doctors need to know that Wegovy slows stomach emptying and can change the dose needed for diabetes medicines.
- Surgery or sedation: Wegovy may need to be paused before a planned operation, because a slowly emptying stomach raises the risk of aspiration during anaesthesia.
- Diabetes treatment: insulin, sulfonylureas or meglitinides are often reduced during the first four weeks.
Why are compounded semaglutide and microdosing not offered?
Compounded semaglutide and microdosing are not offered because neither has been tested for safety and effectiveness. Compounded copies do not go through regulatory review, and safety problems have been reported. Microdosing, meaning deliberately smaller doses than prescribed, has not been studied and carries a risk of dosing errors.
Only buy these medicines from licensed pharmacies. What the Emirates Drug Establishment did about unapproved peptide sellers is described on the prescription weight loss page.
What the evidence shows
14.9 percent average weight loss over 68 weeks in STEP 1 (placebo 2.4 percent). In SELECT, major cardiovascular events fell from 8.0 to 6.5 percent in people with existing heart disease.
How you are followed
Reviews every 4 to 6 weeks during dose steps, then about every 2 to 3 months, covering tolerance, weight, blood pressure, blood tests and diabetes medicines.
When Wegovy is not used
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2. Usually avoided with severe inflammatory bowel disease or gastroparesis; previous pancreatitis needs individual review.
Cost & Program Investment
What Wegovy treatment costs depends on the dose and the length of treatment. Dr. Felix explains the figure before any prescription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adults qualify for Wegovy with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. NICE advises lower BMI thresholds for people of Asian and Middle Eastern background. A doctor in Dubai decides after an examination.
Wegovy usually reduces appetite within the first weeks, while weight loss builds as the dose rises over 16 weeks. Response and tolerability are reviewed using the product-specific treatment duration and continuation criteria. An insufficient response can lead to a change after discussion with the prescriber.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide but differ in dose and licence. Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes at up to 2 mg weekly. Wegovy is licensed for weight management, usually up to 2.4 mg weekly, and was tested for weight loss in the STEP trials.
The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the once-daily Wegovy tablet in the UAE in 2026. The tablet rises to 25 mg daily and is taken on an empty stomach. In the OASIS 4 trial, adults lost 13.6 percent of body weight over 64 weeks, compared with 2.2 percent on placebo.
A missed Wegovy injection is taken as soon as possible if the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, according to the US prescribing information. If the next dose is less than 2 days away, the missed dose is skipped. After longer gaps, contact the practice before restarting.
Wegovy pens are stored in the refrigerator at 2 to 8 °C. The US prescribing information allows up to 28 days at 8 to 30 °C before the cap is removed. Temperatures above 30 °C, for example in a parked car in summer, are outside this range.
Wegovy is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The US prescribing information advises stopping Wegovy at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy, because semaglutide stays in the body for a long time. Contraception is discussed before starting.
Blood tests are done before starting Wegovy and at agreed points during treatment. The tests show conditions that change the plan and track improvements as weight falls. People with diabetes also check blood sugar regularly during dose increases.
Alcohol is not forbidden on Wegovy, but alcohol adds calories and can worsen nausea. People taking insulin or sulfonylureas have a higher risk of low blood sugar when drinking alcohol during weight loss.
After stopping Wegovy, appetite returns and most people regain weight. In the STEP 1 extension study, adults regained 11.6 of 17.3 percentage points within a year of stopping. Clinical guidance therefore recommends long-term treatment when Wegovy works and is tolerated.
The cost of Wegovy in Dubai depends on the form, the dose and the length of treatment. Dr. Felix explains the full cost in the consultation before any prescription.
Evidence
Where this information comes from
Every figure on this page is taken from the sources below. All of them are free to read, so you can check them yourself.
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1)
- Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT)
- Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide (STEP 1 extension)
- Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (OASIS 4)
- Wegovy (semaglutide) injection: US prescribing information
- Wegovy: European public assessment report
- Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity
- Emirates Drug Establishment approves oral Wegovy (semaglutide)
- UAE cracks down on unapproved peptide weight-loss drugs
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Trial results are averages across large groups, not a prediction for any one person.