Semaglutide Dosage Chart for Weight Loss: Doses by Week
Week-by-week dosing for the semaglutide shot and pill approved for weight loss, plus the diabetes versions, missed-dose rules, side effects at each step and what to know about compounded semaglutide.
For weight loss, the Wegovy injection starts at 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then steps up every 4 weeks (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg) until you reach the usual maintenance dose of 2.4 mg at week 17. Since March 2026, adults who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and need more weight loss can move to a maximum of 7.2 mg. The Wegovy pill starts at 1.5 mg once a day and steps up every 30 days to a 25 mg daily maintenance dose.
- Wegovy injection: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, then 2.4 mg weekly, about 4 weeks per step.
- Highest approved weekly shot for weight loss: 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD), only after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg.
- Wegovy pill: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, then 25 mg daily, 30 days per step.
- Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss, and use different doses.
- Staying on a lower dose longer is allowed: the label says to consider delaying a step if you are not tolerating it.
- Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved and has no label schedule; follow the mg dose your prescriber writes.
Wegovy injection dosage chart (week by week)
Wegovy is the semaglutide injection the FDA approved for weight loss. You inject it under the skin of your belly, thigh or upper arm once a week, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food (Wegovy prescribing information).
The label sets a 16-week step-up before you reach maintenance. Each step lasts 4 weeks.
| Weeks | Weekly dose | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose |
| 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg | Step-up |
| 9 to 12 | 1 mg | Step-up |
| 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg | Step-up |
| 17 and on | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg | Maintenance |
| After at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg | Up to 7.2 mg, if more weight loss is needed | Maximum (adults only) |
A few things the chart does not show:
- 1.7 mg is a real maintenance dose. For adult weight loss, the label lists 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly. Your prescriber weighs how well it is working and how you feel.
- The lower doses are for getting used to the drug. The early steps exist mainly to reduce the risk of stomach side effects.
- Teens 12 and older follow the same step-up and stay at 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg. The 7.2 mg dose is for adults.
In the main 68-week weight-loss trial in the label, adults on 2.4 mg lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight, compared with 2.4% on placebo (Wegovy label, Table 8).
The 7.2 mg higher dose
In March 2026, the FDA approved a 7.2 mg once-weekly Wegovy dose, sold as Wegovy HD. The current label allows it only for adults who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and whose prescriber decides more weight loss is clinically needed. It is the maximum weekly dose.
| 72-week trial in adults with obesity | Average body weight change |
|---|---|
| Placebo | -3.9% |
| Wegovy 2.4 mg | -15.5% |
| Wegovy 7.2 mg | -18.8% |
The higher dose came with more side effects. Altered skin sensations (tingling, burning or sensitive skin, called dysesthesia) were reported by 22% of people on 7.2 mg, compared with 6% on 2.4 mg (Wegovy label, section 6.1 and Table 12).
Wegovy pill dosage chart
The FDA approved Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide) for weight loss and heart risk reduction in adults in December 2025. The pill is taken every day, and the doses are much larger in mg than the shot because less of the drug is absorbed through the stomach.
| Days | Daily tablet dose | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 30 | 1.5 mg | Starting dose |
| 31 to 60 | 4 mg | Step-up |
| 61 to 90 | 9 mg | Step-up |
| 91 and on | 25 mg | Maintenance |
How to take it, per the label:
- Take one tablet in the morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of plain water. No other drinks.
- Swallow it whole. Do not split, crush or chew it.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else or taking other pills.
- Never take more than one tablet a day.
In the 64-week pill trial, adults on 25 mg lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight, compared with 2.4% on placebo. If 25 mg is not tolerated, the label says a prescriber can consider switching to the 1.7 mg weekly shot. People on the 2.4 mg shot can switch to the 25 mg pill, starting it one week after their last injection (Wegovy label, sections 2.3 and 2.5). Our GLP-1 pill vs injection guide compares the two.
Ozempic dosage chart
Ozempic is the same molecule as Wegovy, but it is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (blood sugar control, and lowering heart and kidney risks), not for weight loss. Its doses top out lower, at 2 mg a week.
| Timing | Weekly dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose only, to reduce stomach side effects |
| Week 5 and on | 0.5 mg | First maintenance option |
| After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg | 1 mg | If more blood sugar control is needed (also the kidney-protection dose) |
| After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg | 2 mg | Maximum dose |
Unlike Wegovy, Ozempic does not move up on a fixed calendar after 0.5 mg. The prescriber raises it only if blood sugar needs more control (Ozempic prescribing information). If your goal is weight loss, Wegovy is the semaglutide brand labeled for it, and the two are not swapped dose for dose.
Rybelsus and other diabetes tablets
Rybelsus is a daily semaglutide tablet for type 2 diabetes. The same label now also covers Ozempic tablets, a newer tablet with different strengths. The label says the two are not interchangeable mg for mg (Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets prescribing information).
| Days | Rybelsus daily dose | Ozempic tablets daily dose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 30 | 3 mg (starting only) | 1.5 mg (starting only) |
| 31 to 60 | 7 mg | 4 mg |
| 61 and on | Stay at 7 mg, or 14 mg if more control is needed | Stay at 4 mg, or 9 mg if more control is needed |
The rules for taking them match the Wegovy pill: empty stomach, up to 4 ounces of water, then wait 30 minutes before food, drinks or other medicines.
All semaglutide doses side by side
| Product | Form | How often | Starting dose | Maximum dose | FDA-approved for weight loss? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Injection | Weekly | 0.25 mg | 7.2 mg (2.4 mg usual) | Yes |
| Wegovy | Tablet | Daily | 1.5 mg | 25 mg | Yes |
| Ozempic | Injection | Weekly | 0.25 mg | 2 mg | No (type 2 diabetes) |
| Rybelsus | Tablet | Daily | 3 mg | 14 mg | No (type 2 diabetes) |
| Ozempic tablets | Tablet | Daily | 1.5 mg | 9 mg | No (type 2 diabetes) |
How semaglutide compares with tirzepatide on dosing and results is covered in our semaglutide vs tirzepatide guide.
How long to stay at each dose
The chart is the fastest the label allows, not a deadline. The Wegovy label says to step up every 4 weeks, and if you are not tolerating a dose, to consider delaying the next step by 4 weeks. For the pill, it says to consider delaying the step-up, without a set length.
Plenty of people stay on a lower dose for longer, and some never go past 1.7 mg because it works for them. That is a decision to make with your prescriber, based on:
- How strong your nausea, vomiting, constipation or other side effects are
- Whether you can eat and drink enough to stay hydrated
- How your weight, appetite and health markers are changing
Ready for the next step, or time to wait?
Bring this to your prescriber before your next dose increase:
✅ Likely fine to ask about moving up
- You have been on this dose for at least the full step
- Side effects are mild or fading
- You are eating small meals and drinking enough fluids
- Your prescriber agrees more effect is needed
📞 Ask about staying put first
- Nausea or vomiting is still strong
- You have trouble keeping fluids down
- You missed two or more weekly doses in a row
- You feel the current dose is already working well
Thinking about going even lower than the label starting dose? Read our guide to microdosing GLP-1s for what the evidence does and does not show.
Missed-dose rules
Each product has its own rule. These come straight from the prescribing information.
| Product | If you miss a dose |
|---|---|
| Wegovy injection | If your next dose is more than 2 days away, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than 2 days away, skip it and take the next one on your usual day. |
| Wegovy injection, 2+ weeks missed | If you miss 2 or more doses in a row, the label says to restart the step-up at a lower dose. Ask your prescriber which one. |
| Wegovy pill | Skip the missed tablet and take the next one the following day. Do not double up. |
| Ozempic injection | Take it as soon as possible within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day. |
| Rybelsus or Ozempic tablets | Skip the missed tablet and take the next one the following day. |
You can change your weekly injection day if needed. For Ozempic, the label says to keep at least 2 days (48 hours) between doses.
Side effects by dose step
The label does not list side-effect rates for each step. What it does say is that stomach side effects were reported most often during dose escalation, which is why the steps exist. Expect each new step to feel a bit like starting over for a few days.
At the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, these were the most common side effects in adult weight-loss trials (Wegovy label, Table 3):
| Side effect | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% | 16% |
| Diarrhea | 30% | 16% |
| Vomiting | 24% | 6% |
| Constipation | 24% | 11% |
| Stomach (abdominal) pain | 20% | 10% |
| Headache | 14% | 10% |
| Tiredness | 11% | 5% |
In the separate 7.2 mg trials, nausea was reported by 39% on 7.2 mg, 35% on 2.4 mg and 13% on placebo, and vomiting by 22%, 16% and 6% (Wegovy label, Table 4). For the 25 mg pill, the label says common side effects were similar in type and frequency to the shot.
💡 Getting through a step-up
Eat smaller meals, stop when you feel full, go easy on greasy or very rich food, and sip fluids through the day. If side effects make it hard to eat or drink, call your prescriber before your next dose rather than pushing through.
Lowest-cost ways to get brand semaglutide
Before you pay cash, check these, in this order:
- Insurance. If your plan covers Wegovy, the Wegovy savings offer can bring the cost to as little as $25 a month with commercial insurance, with a maximum savings of $100 a month (NovoCare).
- Medicare. Through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027), eligible Part D enrollees can get Wegovy for $50 per monthly supply. A prescriber must submit prior authorization and eligibility rules apply (CMS).
- Self-pay from NovoCare Pharmacy. Listed in October 2026 as $349 a month for the pen at 0.25 mg through 2.4 mg ($199 a month for the first two fills for new patients, through December 31, 2026) and $399 a month for 7.2 mg. The Wegovy pill was listed at $149 (1.5 mg), $199 (4 mg) and $299 (9 mg and 25 mg) a month as a limited-time offer. Prices can change, so check the NovoCare site.
Government insurance members cannot use the NovoCare self-pay or savings offers.
Compounded semaglutide dosing
Compounded semaglutide is made by a pharmacy for an individual patient. It is not FDA-approved and is not the same as any brand-name medication. That also means it has no FDA-approved dosing chart of its own.
Your prescriber sets the schedule. Most prescribers start low and raise the weekly mg dose gradually, about once a month, for the same reason as any semaglutide: to limit nausea and other stomach side effects. Your prescription should state your weekly dose in mg and when, or whether, it goes up.
Vial strengths differ, so follow your own label. Compounded semaglutide comes in vials, and pharmacies make different strengths (different mg of drug in each mL). The same mg dose can mean a different amount of liquid from one vial to the next. Always use the instructions and syringe your pharmacy sends with that vial, and call the pharmacy if a new vial's strength does not match your last one.
The FDA has warned about dosing errors. The agency received reports of people taking 5 to 20 times their intended dose from compounded semaglutide vials, often from mixing up mg, mL and syringe markings. It recommends pharmacies give patients the right syringe size and show them how to measure their dose (FDA). Our semaglutide unit conversion guide explains why you should not convert doses yourself.
Where compounding stands. The FDA declared the semaglutide shortage resolved on February 21, 2025. Licensed 503A pharmacies may still compound semaglutide for an individual patient when a prescriber determines and documents a significant clinical need, such as a dose or formulation change. The FDA also warns against unapproved semaglutide sold online, including products labeled "for research purposes," and advises buying only from state-licensed pharmacies (FDA; FDA). More in our compounded semaglutide safety guide.
Getting treatment through Rx.com
Rx.com offers compounded semaglutide from $99/month on a 12-month plan. The online provider visit, medication, supplies and cold shipping are included, at one flat price at every dose, and no insurance is needed. A licensed provider reviews your health history and sets your dose schedule. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Not sure where to start? Take the short weight-loss eligibility quiz. You can also read about the cost in our compounded semaglutide monthly cost guide.
🚨 When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Call your prescriber, or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you think you took too much. Call 911 for fainting, trouble breathing or severe pain.
- Severe stomach pain that does not go away, with or without vomiting, which can spread to your back: possible pancreatitis.
- Pain in your upper right belly, fever, yellow skin or eyes: possible gallbladder problems.
- Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness or very little urine.
- A lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing or a hoarse voice: semaglutide carries a boxed warning about thyroid tumors.
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a severe rash: possible allergic reaction.
- Shakiness, sweating or confusion if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea: possible low blood sugar.
Tell any doctor doing surgery or a procedure with anesthesia that you take semaglutide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
For the Wegovy injection, 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks. For the Wegovy pill, 1.5 mg once a day for 30 days. These starting doses are for getting used to the medicine.
What is the maximum semaglutide dose for weight loss?
The highest FDA-approved weekly injection is Wegovy 7.2 mg, for adults who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and need more weight loss. The usual maintenance dose is 2.4 mg. The highest Wegovy pill dose is 25 mg a day.
How long does it take to reach the full Wegovy dose?
On the label schedule, 16 weeks of step-ups, so you start 2.4 mg at week 17. It takes longer if your prescriber holds you at a step because of side effects.
Can I stay on a lower dose?
Yes, with your prescriber's agreement. The Wegovy label lists 1.7 mg as a maintenance option for adults and says to consider delaying a step-up by 4 weeks if a dose is not tolerated.
Is the Ozempic dose the same as the Wegovy dose?
No. Ozempic is labeled for type 2 diabetes and goes 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and a maximum of 2 mg weekly. Wegovy is labeled for weight loss and goes up to 2.4 mg, or 7.2 mg for some adults.
What if I miss two weeks of Wegovy?
The label says that if you miss 2 or more weekly doses in a row, your prescriber should restart the step-up at a lower dose to lower the risk of stomach side effects.
Can I take the Wegovy pill with coffee?
No. Take it with up to 4 ounces of plain water on an empty stomach, then wait at least 30 minutes before coffee, food or other medicines.
How is compounded semaglutide dosed?
There is no FDA-approved chart for it. Your prescriber sets a weekly mg dose and how it increases. Because vial strengths differ between pharmacies, always follow the label and syringe that came with your vial. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved.
Sources
- Novo Nordisk. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets, Prescribing Information (revised 06/2026). novo-pi.com
- Novo Nordisk. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, Prescribing Information (revised 05/2026). novo-pi.com
- Novo Nordisk. RYBELSUS and OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets, Prescribing Information (revised 01/2026). novo-pi.com
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and patients of dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products. fda.gov
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. fda.gov
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. fda.gov
- NovoCare. Price your Wegovy. novocare.com
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. cms.gov
