You may be eligible for Wegovy (semaglutide) if you are an adult with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more. [1] You may also be eligible with a BMI of 27 to under 30 and at least one weight-related health condition. [1] The criteria are written without reference to sex: they are the same for men and women. [1]
Whether you are prescribed it is a clinical decision. A prescriber checks your health, your history and the medicines you take first. [2]
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist: a medicine that acts on the receptors of a hormone. [1] GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that regulates appetite and calorie intake. [1]
The licence is a medicine’s UK approval. Its rules sit in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), the document the regulator approves. The regulator is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
What does the UK licence say about who Wegovy is for?
The licence covers adults with an initial BMI of 30 or more, a band it calls obesity. [1] It also covers adults with an initial BMI of 27 to under 30 who have at least one weight-related comorbidity. [1] The licence calls that band overweight. [1]
A comorbidity is a health condition that exists alongside excess weight.
“Initial” means your BMI when treatment starts. The licensed use is weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance. [1]
It is an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. [1] An adjunct is an addition: diet and activity are part of the licensed use, not an optional extra. [1]
What does each BMI band require?
| Your BMI when treatment starts | What the licence requires |
|---|---|
| 30 or more | No other condition is required. The licence calls this band obesity. [1] |
| 27 to under 30 | At least one weight-related comorbidity. The licence calls this band overweight. [1] |
| Under 27 | Outside the licensed criteria for starting treatment. [1] The MHRA says it has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines outside their licensed use. [3] |
The MHRA adds that these medicines are not for people who want to lose weight for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes. [3] The licence also carries other indications (the other uses it approves) with their own criteria. [1] This article covers the adult weight-management criteria only.
Who is 7.2 mg licensed for?
The higher 7.2 mg weekly dose is licensed for weight management in adults with obesity if needed. [1] Obesity here means a BMI of 30 or more. [1]
It comes after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg. [1] The MHRA states that this does not apply to people in the overweight band with a BMI under 30. [4]
Our article on the 7.2 mg dose explains it in full. Whether you move to it is your clinician’s decision within the licence.
Which weight-related health conditions count?
The licence asks for at least one weight-related comorbidity in the 27 to under 30 band. [1] Its indication (the approved use) does not list them. [1] In three of the four trials behind the licence (STEP 1, 3 and 4), four conditions qualified people in that band. [1]
- Hypertension (high blood pressure). [1]
- Dyslipidaemia (abnormal blood fats, including raised cholesterol). [1]
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (pauses in breathing during sleep). [1]
- Cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart or blood vessels). [1]
In STEP 2 (the fourth trial) everyone had type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 27 or more. [1]
NICE is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It advises the NHS on care, and lists the long-term conditions linked to excess weight more widely. [5]
- Type 2 diabetes. [5]
- Cardiovascular disease and hypertension. [5]
- Dyslipidaemia. [5]
- Certain cancers. [5]
- Respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions. [5]
- Other metabolic conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a build-up of fat in the liver. [5]
The regulator expects a prescriber to verify the medical history behind a condition independently, because these are long-term conditions. [6]
Who should not take Wegovy?
The UK licence has one contraindication: hypersensitivity (an allergy) to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients. [1] A contraindication is a situation in which a medicine must not be used. Everything else a prescriber weighs is a warning or precaution rather than an automatic no. [1]
What are the warnings a prescriber checks?
The SmPC’s special warnings and precautions, in plain words. Each is a caution the prescriber weighs, not an automatic no. [1]
- A history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Semaglutide has not been studied in people with this history and should be used with caution. [1] If pancreatitis is suspected during treatment, the medicine is stopped. [1] If it is confirmed, it is not restarted. [1]
- Diabetes. Semaglutide must not be used as a substitute for insulin. [1] With insulin or a sulfonylurea (a type of diabetes tablet) the risk of low blood sugar may rise. [1] Those doses may be reduced when starting. [1]
- Diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease) in type 2 diabetes. People using semaglutide with this condition should be monitored closely. [1]
- Kidney problems. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can cause dehydration. [1] In rare cases dehydration can worsen kidney function. [1] The medicine is not recommended in end-stage renal disease (kidney failure). [1]
- Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). Caution, and not recommended if it is severe. [1]
- Sudden loss of vision. Studies may indicate an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), an eye condition that can cause vision loss. [1] Anyone reporting sudden vision loss should be urgently referred, and treatment is stopped if NAION is confirmed. [1]
What about surgery and groups not studied?
Two further points the SmPC raises, each a caution rather than an automatic no. [1]
- Surgery under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The licence says the risk of food or drink remaining in the stomach should be considered before such procedures. [1] Tell your healthcare team and the anaesthetist that you take Wegovy. [3] The MHRA says to continue as prescribed and not to stop without first discussing it with your doctor. [3]
- Not studied. There is no experience in NYHA class IV heart failure (a heart failure severity class) and limited experience in people aged 85 or more. [1]
Is there a thyroid cancer warning in the UK?
No. The UK SmPC and the patient leaflet carry no thyroid contraindication or warning. [1] [7]
The only thyroid wording sits in the preclinical section (animal and laboratory studies). [1] It describes thyroid C-cell tumours seen in rodents, a class effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists. [1] A class effect is one seen across medicines of the same type.
The SmPC says the relevance for humans is considered low but cannot be completely excluded. [1] If you have read about a thyroid warning elsewhere, check the UK leaflet. It is the document that applies to a UK prescription.
Which other medicines matter?
Semaglutide may delay stomach emptying and could affect how oral medicines are absorbed. [1] In the studies, no dose adjustment was needed for the oral medicines tested. [1] Two points stand out for a prescriber.
- Warfarin or similar anticoagulants (blood-thinning medicines): the licence recommends frequent INR monitoring when semaglutide is started. [1] INR is a blood test of how fast your blood clots.
- Other semaglutide products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist: not recommended alongside Wegovy. [1]
Tell the prescriber every medicine you take. Getting all the information needed to check that a supply is safe and appropriate is part of what they must do. [2]
What must a prescriber check before prescribing Wegovy online?
In Great Britain, the pharmacy regulator says medicines used for weight management are not suitable to be prescribed by a questionnaire model alone. [2] The regulator is the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Its February 2025 guidance sets the safeguards an online prescriber must have in place. [2]
What are the safeguards?
- Identity. Processes to check who you are, so the medicine goes to the right person. [2]
- Not a questionnaire alone. The prescriber independently verifies what you provide: through timely two-way communication, your clinical records or contact with your GP or another provider. [2]
- Weight, height and BMI. Verified by a different route from what you typed in. [2] The routes are a video consultation, an in-person check, your clinical records or another healthcare provider such as your GP. [2]
- Medical history. Where a long-term condition underpins eligibility, the history behind it is verified independently. [6]
- Your GP. Your GP’s contact details and your consent to share information about the prescription. [2] If you have no GP or do not consent, the prescriber decides whether it is safe to prescribe. [2] The guidance asks for an individual risk-based assessment and a clear record of the reasons. [2]
- UK guidance. Prescribing within national prescribing guidelines for the UK. [2]
If the prescriber cannot verify the information, you should be directed to an appropriate care provider for assessment. [2] The MHRA adds that a consultation with a healthcare professional must happen before a private prescription can be issued. [3] Doctors who prescribe follow the General Medical Council’s guidance, which the GPhC document also cites. [2]
Can weight be verified by phone or photograph?
No. A phone call is not an appropriate way to verify weight for a weight-management medicine. [2] A photograph or pre-recorded video alone is not acceptable either, because weight is hard to verify that way and an image can be edited. [6] The GPhC says that is particularly so at a BMI of 25 to 30. [6]
What does a private prescriber need from your GP?
Your GP’s contact details and your consent to share information about the prescription. [2] That is the regulator’s requirement for a private prescription. [2] The prescriber then shares relevant information about the prescription with the other professionals involved in your care. [2]
A GP referral is a different thing. It is the usual route into an NHS specialist weight management service. [8]
What did the regulator find in 2026?
The GPhC reviewed inspections and concerns from January 2024 to December 2025 and published its findings in April 2026. [9] It had received 1,307 concerns about weight management medicines and services. [9] Prescribing practice (unsafe or inappropriate prescribing and poor clinical oversight) accounted for 27% of them. [9]
The review recorded public concerns about instances where BMI could be self-declared through online questionnaires alone, or supported by photographs that could be easily manipulated. [9] It told prescribers to verify medical history, weight and height rather than rely on self-reported questionnaires. [9] It also recorded concerns about supply to people who did not meet the licensed criteria, including people under 18. [9]
For you, the practical test is simple. Ask any provider how they verify your weight and your history, and what they measure before they prescribe.
What do blood markers add to an eligibility decision?
A blood test is one way a prescriber can check a qualifying condition rather than take it on trust. The GPhC lists a need for a diagnostic test before prescribing among the factors in choosing how to consult. [2] Dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes are both on NICE’s list of weight-related conditions. [5]
One of the licence trials used a blood test to check who could take part. In STEP 1, anyone with an HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol or more on a laboratory test at screening was excluded. [10] HbA1c is your average blood sugar over roughly the past three months.
NICE says to identify any comorbidities after the initial assessment of overweight or obesity, and to start managing them as soon as they are identified. [5] The licence does not name the tests a prescriber uses to confirm a condition. [1] The regulator’s rule is that the prescriber verifies the history behind it independently. [6]
Liver health is not on the trial list above, but NICE counts MASLD among the long-term conditions linked to excess weight. [5] Our guide to the markers a blood test checks explains each one.
Is eligibility different for men?
No. The licence criteria and NICE’s NHS recommendation are written without reference to sex. [1] [11] The sex-specific wording in the licence concerns pregnancy, breastfeeding and contraception. [1]
The SmPC states that efficacy in terms of weight loss (how well it worked in the trials) was demonstrated regardless of the following. [1]
- Age
- Sex
- Race and ethnicity
- Baseline body weight and BMI
- Presence of type 2 diabetes
- Level of renal (kidney) function
Average trial results are not a prediction of individual results.
How many men were in the trials?
Men were a minority in the weight-management trials. STEP 1 was one of the four trials behind the licence.
It randomised 1,961 adults, meaning it assigned them by chance to semaglutide or a placebo (an injection with no active medicine). [1] The posted trial record counts 508 men and 1,453 women: about 26% men. [10]
In STEP UP (the trial of 7.2 mg) 26.3% of participants were male. [1]
SELECT was a cardiovascular trial in adults aged 45 and over with established cardiovascular disease. [1] In that trial 72% were male. [1] Our article on what the trials showed by sex covers the results.
What if muscle pushes my BMI up?
The licence uses BMI, so a prescriber starts there. [1] NICE says to interpret BMI with caution in adults with high muscle mass. [5] In that group it may be a less accurate measure of central adiposity, meaning fat carried around the middle. [5]
Below a BMI of 35, NICE uses waist-to-height ratio alongside BMI as a practical estimate of that fat. [5]
The rule of thumb is to keep your waist to less than half your height. [5] These measures inform the clinical picture. They do not replace the BMI criterion in the licence. [1]
Is Wegovy prescribed on the NHS for men?
Yes, within narrower criteria than the licence. NICE recommends semaglutide on the NHS only within a specialist weight management service, and for a maximum of 2 years. [11] You need at least one weight-related comorbidity. [11]
Your BMI must be at least 35, or 30 to 34.9 if you also meet the criteria for referral to specialist services. [11] NICE also says to consider stopping if less than 5% of initial weight has been lost after 6 months. [11]
How do the NHS criteria compare with the licence?
| Route | BMI and conditions | Setting and limits |
|---|---|---|
| The UK licence. A private prescriber works within it and within UK prescribing guidance. [2] | Initial BMI of 30 or more; or 27 to under 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. [1] | A clinician’s assessment. If less than 5% of initial body weight is lost after 6 months, a decision is required on whether to continue. [1] |
| NICE TA875, the NHS funding criteria (2023). [11] | At least one weight-related comorbidity, and a BMI of at least 35.0; or 30.0 to 34.9 with the specialist-referral criteria met. Thresholds usually 2.5 lower for the named ethnic backgrounds. [11] | A specialist weight management service only. A maximum of 2 years. Consider stopping if less than 5% of initial weight is lost after 6 months. [11] |
Lower thresholds apply for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds. [11] NHS England prints them as 32.5 or more, or 27.5 to 32.4. [12]
NICE’s committee set the NHS criteria narrower than the licence. [11] It set aside the 27 to 30 band and the 30 to 35 band without a comorbidity as not generally at high enough risk. [11]
How is it prescribed on the NHS?
You can only take Wegovy on the NHS if a specialist weight management service prescribes it. [12] Who can take it may differ by integrated care board, the NHS body that plans local services. [12] NICE’s committee recorded that specialist services are not equally available across the country and described a postcode lottery for access. [11]
The NHS route usually starts with a GP referral to a specialist weight management service. [8] Our article on GP or online clinician-led weight management works through the decision. Our wider guide to eligibility covers both routes, including the stricter NHS criteria.
How does HeMed fit in?
Always a clinical decision, made after your blood test and health review. Adults with a BMI of 30 or over, or 27 or over alongside a weight-related health condition, may be considered. Treatment is not suitable in pregnancy or when trying to conceive, under 18, or with certain medical histories. The clinician screens for these. The patient information leaflet carries the full list. If your blood test shows the plan isn’t suitable for you, we explain why and refund your first payment in full.
HeMed starts with a blood test. We measure 10 metabolic markers across four systems from a needle-free blood test at home. A clinician reviews your blood test first.
If you’ve been on treatment within the last 2 months, the baseline test is your choice. Your clinician can assess you from proof of your prescription and your medical history.
Wegovy is a prescription medicine for weight management. Whether it’s right for you is a clinical decision, made from your health information and your baseline blood test.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the regulator of health and social care services in England. Clinical, consultation and prescribing services are provided by eMed, a CQC-registered provider.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI do you need for Wegovy in the UK?
Under the UK licence: an initial BMI of 30 or more, or 27 to under 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. [1] On the NHS, NICE requires a comorbidity in every case. [11] The BMI threshold is 35, or 30 to 34.9 with the specialist-referral criteria met. [11]
A BMI figure is where the assessment starts, not where it ends. A prescriber checks your history, your other conditions and the medicines you take before deciding. [2]
Is a BMI of 27 within the Wegovy licence?
Under the licence, yes: you need at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure or dyslipidaemia. [1] The prescriber is expected to verify the history behind that condition rather than take it from a form. [6]
On the NHS the answer is no. NICE’s criteria start at a BMI of 30 with the specialist-referral criteria met, or at 35. [11]
Can I take Wegovy if I have had pancreatitis?
A history of pancreatitis is a caution in the UK licence, not a contraindication. Semaglutide has not been studied in people with that history and should be used with caution. [1] The decision sits with the prescriber.
If pancreatitis is suspected during treatment the medicine is stopped. [1] If it is confirmed, it is not restarted. [1] Persistent, severe abdominal pain needs immediate medical attention. [1]
Can I take Wegovy if I have type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is on NICE’s list of weight-related conditions. [5] In STEP 2 (one of the trials behind the licence) everyone had type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 27 or more. [1]
The licence adds cautions: Wegovy is not a substitute for insulin, and with insulin or a sulfonylurea the risk of low blood sugar may rise. [1] People with diabetic retinopathy should be monitored closely. [1] Tell the prescriber about every diabetes medicine you take.
Do I have to see someone face to face to get a prescription?
No. The GPhC says the consultation must allow two-way communication between you and the prescriber. [13] It must also allow independent verification of your weight, height or BMI. [13] That can be a video consultation, an in-person check, your clinical records or contact with another healthcare provider such as your GP. [13]
Relying on an online questionnaire alone does not meet the regulator’s standard. [13]
Does Wegovy affect male fertility?
The licence says the effect of semaglutide on fertility in humans is unknown. [1] In animal studies, it did not affect male fertility in rats. [1] Ask your clinician if you are planning a family.
Is a BMI under 27 within the Wegovy licence?
Not within the licensed criteria for starting treatment. [1] The MHRA has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines outside their licensed use. [3] Its example is weight loss in people who are not in the obesity or overweight bands. [3]
The MHRA also says they are not for weight loss for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes. [3]
HeMed provides clinician-led weight management. Treatment is prescription-only and is prescribed only where a clinician decides it is suitable. This page is general health information, not medical advice. If you are worried about symptoms, speak to your GP, or use NHS 111.
Next step: see what the HeMed blood test measures.
Sources (13)
- Novo Nordisk, Wegovy 2.4 mg FlexTouch (semaglutide) Summary of Product Characteristics, sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 5.1 and 5.3 (text revised September 2026; emc 22 September 2026). electronic medicines compendium. medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13803/smpc. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- General Pharmaceutical Council, “Guidance for registered pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance, including on the internet”, February 2025, section 4.2 items d, f, i, j, k and l, pages 20 to 25. assets.pharmacyregulation.org (PDF). Accessed 28 October 2026.
- MHRA, “GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know”, updated 5 February 2026. gov.uk/government/publications. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- MHRA, “Medicines regulator approves up to 7.2mg dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) for patients with obesity only”, news story, 16 January 2026. gov.uk/government/news. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- NICE, “Overweight and obesity management”, NICE guideline NG246, recommendations 1.9.7, 1.9.8, 1.9.12, 1.9.15, 1.9.16, 1.9.17 and 1.11.1 (published 14 January 2025, last updated 8 January 2026). nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- General Pharmaceutical Council, “Providing weight management services: FAQs”, last updated 22 July 2026. pharmacyregulation.org. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- Novo Nordisk, Wegovy 2.4 mg FlexTouch Patient Information Leaflet, section 2 (last revised August 2026; emc 22 September 2026). electronic medicines compendium. medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13803/pil. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre, “Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: everything you need to know”, 4 September 2023. healthmedia.blog.gov.uk. Accessed 28 October 2026. Cited for its 2023 description of the NHS referral route only.
- General Pharmaceutical Council, “Weight management medicines and services: a review of GPhC inspections and concerns”, April 2026, pages 2, 3, 10 and 17. assets.pharmacyregulation.org (PDF). Accessed 28 October 2026.
- ClinicalTrials.gov, STEP 1 results record NCT03548935, baseline characteristics by sex and the eligibility criteria (results first posted 11 August 2021). clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03548935. Accessed 28 October 2026. The percentage of men is derived from the posted counts.
- NICE, “Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity”, technology appraisal guidance TA875, recommendations 1.1 and 1.2 and committee discussion sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.23 (published 8 March 2023, last updated 4 September 2023). nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- NHS England, “Weight management injections” (no publication date shown on the page). england.nhs.uk. Accessed 28 October 2026.
- General Pharmaceutical Council, “Weight loss medications: FAQ” for patients and the public, last updated 22 July 2026. pharmacyregulation.org. Accessed 28 October 2026.
Numbered markers in the page text link to these entries. Statistics describe populations, not any one person’s results. Eligibility thresholds and NHS access rules are quoted from the cited documents as they stood on 28 October 2026, can change, and are not a HeMed assessment of any individual.
Published 28 October 2025. Updated 28 October 2026.