Semaglutide dosage, as the Wegovy label sets it
Wegovy injection: 0.25 mg weekly, rising to 0.5, 1 and 1.7 mg, then 2.4 mg from week 17; 7.2 mg is optional. Tablets reach 25 mg daily by day 91.
Key takeaways
- Injection: 0.25 mg (weeks 1–4), 0.5 mg (5–8), 1 mg (9–12), 1.7 mg (13–16), then 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg from week 17.
- 7.2 mg weekly is allowed after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg when more weight loss is clinically indicated.
- Wegovy tablets: 1.5 mg, 4 mg and 9 mg daily for 30 days each, then 25 mg daily.
- At 68 weeks in STEP 1, average weight change was −14.9% on 2.4 mg vs −2.4% on placebo.
Below is the dosing section of the Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information, reproduced for reference. It applies to Wegovy injection and Wegovy tablets only.
Injection: the 16-week escalation
| Weeks | Once-weekly dose |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | 0.25 mg |
| 5–8 | 0.5 mg |
| 9–12 | 1 mg |
| 13–16 | 1.7 mg |
| 17 onward | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg |
| Optional | 7.2 mg after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg |
For weight reduction in adults the label recommends 2.4 mg maintenance, with 1.7 mg as an alternative. The 7.2 mg dose (Wegovy HD, approved March 19, 2026) is a further step only when more weight loss is clinically indicated. If a step is not tolerated, the label suggests delaying the next increase by four weeks. The same steps, with the label link, are on our Wegovy schedule page.
Tablets: the 90-day escalation
| Days | Once-daily tablet |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | 1.5 mg |
| 31–60 | 4 mg |
| 61–90 | 9 mg |
| 91 onward | 25 mg |
If 25 mg is not tolerated, the label suggests switching to the 1.7 mg weekly injection. A missed tablet is skipped and the next one taken the following day.
What 2.4 mg achieved
| Trial (68 weeks) | Placebo | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Lost ≥15% on Wegovy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity or overweight with comorbidity | −2.4% | −14.9% | 47.9% |
| With type 2 diabetes | −3.4% | −9.6% | 25.1% |
| With intensive lifestyle therapy | −5.7% | −16.0% | 53.4% |
Source: Wegovy label, Table 8 (Studies 2, 3 and 4).
Missed injections
If the next scheduled dose is more than two days away, take the missed one as soon as possible; if less than two days, skip it. After two or more missed doses the prescriber may restart the escalation, which can reduce GI side effects on restarting. Side-effect rates are in semaglutide side effects.
Doses outside the label
Compounded semaglutide, sublingual drops and research vials are not FDA-approved, and FDA has warned about dosing errors with compounded semaglutide where mg, mL and syringe units were confused. Converting between them is arithmetic, which the semaglutide units converter shows step by step; it does not make an unapproved product equivalent to Wegovy. Published vendor prices: semaglutide prices per mg.
What the evidence does not show
- Ozempic diabetes dosing (0.25 to 2 mg weekly), which is a separate label.
- Any dose for compounded, sublingual or research semaglutide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
Wegovy injection starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Wegovy tablets start at 1.5 mg once daily for 30 days.
How long does it take to reach 2.4 mg?
Sixteen weeks: four weeks each at 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.7 mg, with 2.4 mg from week 17. If a step is not tolerated, the label suggests delaying the increase by 4 weeks.
What is the maximum dose of Wegovy?
7.2 mg once weekly, only after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg when additional weight reduction is clinically indicated.
What if I miss a Wegovy injection?
If the next dose is more than 2 days away, take it as soon as possible; if less than 2 days, skip it. After 2 or more missed doses, resume or restart the escalation, as your prescriber decides.
Is Ozempic dosed the same as Wegovy?
No. Both contain semaglutide, but Ozempic is a diabetes product with its own label and lower maximum dose; Wegovy is labeled for weight reduction up to 2.4 mg, or 7.2 mg as Wegovy HD.
Sources
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