Weight Loss
Who Can Take Wegovy?
Reviewed by Rachael Clarke MRCPharm, Superintendent Pharmacist · Last reviewed 17 September 2026
In one sentence: Wegovy is licensed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related health condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more activity, but it is not suitable for everyone and a clinician must confirm it is right for you first.
At a glance
Main eligibility: adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to under 30 with at least one weight-related condition.
Weight-related conditions include high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or blood fats, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea and type 2 diabetes.
Always alongside lifestyle change: it is licensed as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you are allergic to semaglutide.
Extra care is needed with a history of pancreatitis, severe gut problems, end-stage kidney disease, or if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes.
On the NHS, it is limited to specialist weight management services for higher BMIs, so many adults access it privately.
Suitability is assessed through an online consultation, clinician review and BMI verification before any treatment is supplied.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only weight-management injection, so whether you can take it depends on your BMI, your health history and a clinician's assessment. This guide sets out exactly who Wegovy is licensed for, who should avoid it, who needs extra care, and how your suitability is checked. If you want the science behind it first, see how Wegovy works.
"Eligibility is about more than a single number on the scales. We look at your BMI, but also your wider health, the medicines you already take and your history, so that the treatment is both safe and appropriate for you. If Wegovy is not the right fit, saying so is part of doing this properly."
Key takeaways
Who is Wegovy licensed for?
Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition, alongside diet and physical activity.
Who should not take Wegovy?
Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, or who is allergic to semaglutide. It is not a substitute for insulin in type 1 diabetes.
Do you need a specific health condition to qualify?
Only if your BMI is between 27 and 30. At a BMI of 30 or more, obesity alone meets the licensed criteria.
Can you get Wegovy on the NHS?
Only through specialist weight management services for higher BMIs, so access is limited and many people go private.
Who is Wegovy licensed for?
Wegovy is licensed for weight management in adults, as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, in two groups. According to the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics, it is for adults with an initial BMI of "30 kg/m2 (obesity), or 27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity".1
Your BMI | What is needed to be eligible |
30 or above (obesity) | Obesity alone meets the licensed criteria, alongside diet and activity. |
27 to under 30 (overweight) | Plus at least one weight-related health condition. |
Under 27 | Not licensed for weight management with Wegovy. |
You can check your BMI with the free NHS BMI calculator.2 A weight-related condition means a health problem linked to excess weight, and the licensed examples include:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Raised cholesterol or other blood fats (dyslipidaemia)
Cardiovascular disease
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Type 2 diabetes
Is Wegovy suitable for teenagers?
Wegovy is licensed for adolescents aged 12 and over who have obesity and a body weight above 60 kg, alongside diet and activity.1 In practice, treatment for under-18s is started and monitored within specialist paediatric care. Mail My Meds provides Wegovy to adults only, so our online service is not available to those under 18.
Who should not take Wegovy?
Wegovy is not suitable for everyone. You should not take it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, or if you are allergic to semaglutide or any ingredient in the pen. The only listed contraindication in the product information is "hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients".1
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Wegovy should not be used, and it must be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy because it stays in the body for some time.
Type 1 diabetes: Wegovy must not be used as a substitute for insulin.
A known allergy to semaglutide or any of the pen's ingredients.
Under 18 through our service: adolescent treatment is handled in specialist care.
Who needs extra care before taking Wegovy?
Some people can take Wegovy but need closer assessment or monitoring. Tell your clinician about your full medical history and current medicines during the consultation, so they can weigh up whether it is safe for you. Based on the product information, extra care applies if you have:1
A history of pancreatitis: Wegovy has not been studied in these patients and should be used with caution.
Severe gut problems: it should be used with caution if you have gut conditions, and it is not recommended if you have severe gastroparesis (very slow stomach emptying).
End-stage kidney disease: Wegovy is not recommended, though no dose change is needed for milder kidney problems.
Liver problems: caution is advised.
Type 2 diabetes treated with insulin or a sulfonylurea: there is a higher risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), and your prescriber may lower the dose of those medicines.
Important: This list is a guide, not a full medical assessment. Always give a complete and honest account of your health and medicines in the consultation. A prescriber makes the final decision on whether Wegovy is suitable for you.
Can you take Wegovy if you are trying for a baby?
No. Wegovy should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it should be stopped at least two months before you try to conceive.1 Unlike some other weight-management injections, semaglutide is not expected to reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill, so no extra backup contraception is needed for that reason. You can read more in our Wegovy vs Mounjaro comparison, where the contraception advice differs.
Who can get Wegovy on the NHS?
On the NHS, Wegovy is available only through a specialist weight management service, and the thresholds are higher than the licensed private criteria. NICE guidance (TA875) recommends it for people with at least one weight-related condition and "a BMI of at least 35 kg/m2 or a BMI of 30 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2", used within a specialist service and for a maximum of two years.3 Lower BMI thresholds, usually reduced by 2.5, apply for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds.3
Separately, as the British Heart Foundation reports, from 2026 the NHS is also offering semaglutide to more than one million people with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or above, to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.4 We explain both routes in detail in Wegovy on the NHS and Wegovy for heart health.
How is your suitability for Wegovy assessed?
Because Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine, it cannot be bought over the counter. Suitability is assessed before any treatment is supplied. At Mail My Meds, a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy, this happens through an online weight-management consultation: you answer questions about your health, your BMI is verified, and a UK-registered clinician reviews whether Wegovy is appropriate for you. The full process is set out in how to get Wegovy online.
"The consultation only works if it is honest. Tell us about every condition and medicine, even the ones that feel unrelated. That is what lets a prescriber spot when Wegovy needs extra caution, a lower starting point, or a different approach altogether."
Once you are taking Wegovy, it is worth knowing what to expect. See the common unwanted effects in Wegovy side effects and the build-up schedule in the Wegovy dosage guide.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI do you need to take Wegovy?
Wegovy is licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 to under 30 if you also have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea or type 2 diabetes. On the NHS the thresholds are higher.
Can you take Wegovy if you are not overweight?
No. Wegovy is licensed only for adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition. It is not licensed or appropriate for people below these BMI thresholds or for cosmetic weight loss, and a clinician will not prescribe it outside its licensed use.
Can you take Wegovy with type 2 diabetes?
Yes, type 2 diabetes is a weight-related condition that can make you eligible. However, if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, there is a higher risk of low blood sugar, so your prescriber may reduce the dose of those medicines. Tell them about all your diabetes treatment.
Can you take Wegovy while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Wegovy should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it should be stopped at least two months before trying to conceive because it stays in the body for some time. Speak to your clinician if you are planning a pregnancy.
Can you take Wegovy with high blood pressure or heart disease?
High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are weight-related conditions that can make you eligible. Wegovy is also licensed to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or above. A clinician will assess your individual situation.
Who decides if Wegovy is right for me?
A prescriber makes the final decision. You complete an online consultation about your health and medicines, your BMI is verified, and a UK-registered clinician reviews whether Wegovy is suitable and safe for you before any treatment is supplied.
Related Wegovy guides
Sources and references
Wegovy FlexTouch Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), emc. Licensed indications (BMI thresholds, weight-related comorbidities, cardiovascular and adolescent use), contraindications, and special populations (pregnancy, renal, hepatic, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, insulin or sulfonylurea use, type 1 diabetes).
NHS. Calculate your body mass index (BMI). Free tool to check your BMI.
NICE TA875. Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity. NHS eligibility: BMI of at least 35, or 30 to 34.9, with a weight-related comorbidity; lower thresholds (usually by 2.5) for certain ethnic groups; specialist service; maximum of 2 years; review at 6 months.
British Heart Foundation (March 2026). Wegovy offered on the NHS to help prevent heart attack or stroke. Over one million people with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or above to be offered semaglutide.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine and should be used only under the guidance of a prescriber. Always read the patient information leaflet and speak to your clinician or pharmacist about your individual circumstances.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page was written using current UK clinical sources, including the electronic medicines compendium (emc), NICE and the NHS, and is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist. We review our weight-management content regularly and update it as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
