Novo Nordisk received FDA approval for Wegovy HD (semaglutide 7.2 mg weekly) on May 14, 2026 — a higher-dose extension of the existing Wegovy line for chronic weight management in adults.
Phase-3 STEP-UP enrolled 1,407 adults with BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 + comorbidity) randomized to 7.2 mg semaglutide vs continued 2.4 mg vs placebo over 68 weeks. The 7.2 mg arm averaged −20.7% body-weight reduction vs −14.9% for 2.4 mg and −2.4% placebo. Adverse-event profile was similar across dose tiers, with GI side effects modestly more frequent at the higher dose.
Practical implications: patients who plateaued on Wegovy 2.4 mg now have an evidence-based escalation option without switching to a different molecule. The titration adds 16 additional weeks (2.4 → 4.0 → 5.6 → 7.2 mg in 4-week steps), so the full curve from starter to maintenance is now ~32 weeks.
Launch pricing matches the existing Wegovy 2.4 mg list at $1,349/mo. NovoCare Savings Offer extends to the HD dose; commercial-insurance prior-authorization criteria are unchanged.
We've updated the Wegovy drug page + dosage price table to reflect the HD dose. The /switching/[pair] route covers transitioning from 2.4 → 7.2 mg.