GLP-1 doses for weight loss usually start low and increase gradually to reduce side effects 2, 3. Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg weekly and may increase to 2.4 mg weekly 2. Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg weekly and may increase to 5, 10, or 15 mg weekly 3. Your exact dose should be set by a licensed clinician.
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See if you qualify →What is the usual GLP-1 dosage for weight loss?
GLP-1 dosage for weight loss usually means a starting dose, a titration phase, and a maintenance dose. The FDA-approved starting dose for semaglutide injection for chronic weight management is 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, while tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks 2, 3.
GLP-1 receptor agonists work partly by slowing gastric emptying, increasing fullness signals in the brain, supporting glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and reducing glucagon after meals 1. Those same gut effects explain why nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain are common during dose escalation 2, 3.
Why GLP-1 doses are increased slowly
Dose titration gives the stomach and brain time to adapt. In FDA labels for Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), dose increases are spaced in 4-week steps to help reduce gastrointestinal side effects 2, 3.
Why the right dose is not always the highest dose
A higher dose may increase appetite control for some people, but it can also increase side effects. Clinicians may hold, slow, or lower a dose when side effects outweigh benefit, or when a lower dose is already meeting the treatment goal 2, 3.
Which GLP-1 medications are used for weight loss?
GLP-1 medications used in weight care include semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, though tirzepatide is technically a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Some are FDA-approved for chronic weight management, while others are used off-label for weight loss when a clinician finds it appropriate.
Semaglutide: Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and compounded semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management at doses up to 2.4 mg once weekly, while Ozempic injection and Rybelsus tablets are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not chronic weight management 2, 5, 6. At Chia, we offer compounded semaglutide injection through state-licensed 503A pharmacies, with microdosing plans available when clinically appropriate.
Tirzepatide: Zepbound, Mounjaro, and compounded tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management at maintenance doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly; Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes 3, 7. At Chia, we offer compounded tirzepatide tablets or injection, with microdosing plans available when clinically appropriate.
Liraglutide: Saxenda and Victoza
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist given as a daily subcutaneous injection. Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management and is titrated weekly toward 3 mg once daily; Victoza is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes 4, 8.
Other GLP-1 drugs used mainly for diabetes
Dulaglutide (Trulicity) and exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon BCise) are GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for type 2 diabetes, not chronic weight management 9, 11. They may affect weight in diabetes studies, but using them specifically for weight loss is an off-label decision that belongs with a licensed clinician.
| Medication | Drug class | Common brand examples | FDA weight-management status | Chia offering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus | Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Compounded semaglutide injection from $249/mo |
| Tirzepatide | Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist | Zepbound, Mounjaro | Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Compounded tirzepatide tablets from $249/mo or injection from $299/mo |
| Liraglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Saxenda, Victoza | Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Not listed in Chia’s current catalog |
| Dulaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Trulicity | Not FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Not listed in Chia’s current catalog |
| Exenatide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Byetta, Bydureon BCise | Not FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Not listed in Chia’s current catalog |
What is the GLP-1 dosage chart for weight loss?
GLP-1 dosage charts are label schedules, not personal instructions. For example, the Wegovy label uses 4-week dose steps, while the Zepbound label uses a 4-week 2.5 mg starting period before maintenance dosing 2, 3.
| Medication | FDA-label starting dose | Dose-escalation schedule | FDA-label maintenance dose for weight management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (semaglutide injection) | 0.25 mg once weekly for weeks 1–4 | 0.5 mg weeks 5–8; 1 mg weeks 9–12; 1.7 mg weeks 13–16 | 2.4 mg once weekly; 1.7 mg once weekly may be used for some adults |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide injection) | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks | Increase to 5 mg once weekly; if needed, increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly |
| Saxenda (liraglutide injection) | 0.6 mg once daily for 1 week | Increase weekly through 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.4 mg | 3 mg once daily |
In STEP 1, adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes received once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg plus lifestyle intervention; nausea and diarrhea were common, and individual results varied 12. In SURMOUNT-1, adults with obesity or overweight and weight-related complications received tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly; gastrointestinal side effects were also common, and individual results varied 13. These are studies of active ingredients and FDA-approved study products, not proof of outcomes for compounded formulations.
How compounded GLP-1 dosing may differ from fixed-dose brand pens
Brand pens are made in fixed strengths and follow FDA-label schedules. Compounded GLP-1 prescriptions may be written differently by a clinician and dispensed by a state-licensed 503A pharmacy, but compounded products are not FDA-approved and should not be presented as interchangeable with Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Zepbound 10.
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Considering GLP-1 treatment?
Chia offers online clinical evaluation for compounded semaglutide injection and compounded tirzepatide tablets or injection. A licensed US provider reviews your health history and prescribes only when clinically appropriate; a prescription is never guaranteed. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
How do clinicians decide when to increase a GLP-1 dose?
Clinicians increase a GLP-1 dose when the current dose is tolerated and the treatment plan calls for more appetite or weight-response support. They may wait longer than the label schedule if side effects are active, especially nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation during the first 4 weeks of a dose step 2, 3.
- Tolerability: ongoing nausea, vomiting, reflux, diarrhea, constipation, or dehydration may lead a clinician to pause or slow titration 2, 3.
- Appetite and fullness: return of hunger can matter, but it is only one part of the decision.
- Weight response: weight loss can slow during treatment; a plateau does not always mean the dose should increase.
- Medical history: pancreatitis history, gallbladder disease, kidney problems from dehydration, pregnancy plans, or a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 can change the safety discussion 2, 3.
- Other medications: insulin and sulfonylureas can raise hypoglycemia risk when used with GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 drugs, so diabetes medication plans may need monitoring 2, 3.
What is a GLP-1 maintenance dose for weight loss?
A GLP-1 maintenance dose is the ongoing dose used after the starting and escalation period. On FDA labels, Wegovy maintenance is usually 2.4 mg once weekly, with 1.7 mg once weekly used in some adults; Zepbound maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly 2, 3.
Maintenance does not mean the plan never changes. A clinician may adjust the dose if side effects appear, weight changes, another medication is added, pregnancy is planned, surgery is scheduled, or treatment goals change. Long-term obesity care often needs ongoing follow-up, because weight regain can happen after stopping GLP-1 therapy 14.
What happens if side effects appear during dose increases?
Side effects during GLP-1 titration are often digestive. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, reflux, and reduced appetite are common in FDA labels and clinical trials, especially around dose increases 2, 3, 12, 13.
Clinicians may pause at the current dose, delay the next increase, reduce the dose, check hydration, review meal patterns, or assess for another cause. Severe or persistent abdominal pain, pain with vomiting, symptoms of gallbladder disease, signs of dehydration, allergic reaction, or low blood sugar symptoms need prompt medical attention 2, 3, 4.
How does GLP-1 dosing work at Chia for semaglutide or tirzepatide?
At Chia, GLP-1 care starts with a 100% online health questionnaire and licensed-provider review. For eligible patients, our providers may prescribe compounded semaglutide injection or compounded tirzepatide tablets or injection, with provider-guided dosing and follow-up through the patient portal; prescriptions are not guaranteed.
Chia’s compounded semaglutide injection plans currently start at $249/mo. Chia’s compounded tirzepatide plans currently start at $249/mo for tablets and $299/mo for injection. These medications are compounded in the US by state-licensed 503A pharmacies and shipped to the patient’s door.
| Chia option | Forms listed in Chia’s catalog | Current starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Injection | From $249/mo | Microdosing plans available when clinically appropriate |
| Tirzepatide | Tablets, injection | Tablets from $249/mo; injection from $299/mo | Microdosing plans available when clinically appropriate |
| Weight + Energy | NAD+ Injection + choice of GLP-1 | From $309/mo | Protocol option for patients whose provider finds it appropriate |
| Weight + Muscle | Sermorelin Injection + choice of GLP-1 | From $329/mo | Protocol option for patients whose provider finds it appropriate |
Some patients ask about pairing GLP-1 care with broader longevity support. Chia offers Weight + Energy, which includes NAD+ injection plus a choice of GLP-1, and Weight + Muscle, which includes sermorelin injection plus a choice of GLP-1, when a licensed provider determines the protocol is appropriate.
Can GLP-1 medications be microdosed for weight loss?
Microdosing GLP-1 medication usually means using a lower-dose strategy under clinician guidance rather than following a standard brand-label escalation path. It is not the same as self-adjusting a dose, splitting doses without instruction, or copying someone else’s plan.
A clinician might consider a lower-dose strategy when a patient is sensitive to side effects, has a lower appetite target, is restarting after a gap, or is using GLP-1 treatment as part of a broader plan. Evidence for FDA-approved outcomes comes from studied dosing schedules, such as semaglutide 2.4 mg in STEP 1 and tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg in SURMOUNT-1; results are not established for compounded formulations, and individual results vary 12, 13.
What should patients know about missed doses, stopping, or restarting?
Missed GLP-1 doses are handled differently by medication, timing, and clinical situation. FDA labels give medication-specific missed-dose instructions; for example, Wegovy and Zepbound labels include timing rules based on how many days remain before the next scheduled dose 2, 3.
After a long gap, restarting at the old dose may increase side effects, so prescribers often reassess before restarting. In the STEP 1 extension, participants regained some weight after stopping semaglutide and lifestyle intervention, which supports the view of obesity as a chronic condition that may need long-term care; individual results vary 14.
Frequently asked questions about GLP-1 dosage for weight loss
No. Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide should not be presented as interchangeable with Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and outcomes are not established for compounded formulations 10.
No. Oral and injectable forms can have different absorption and dosing. Chia offers compounded semaglutide as an injection and compounded tirzepatide as tablets or injection, with dosing reviewed by a licensed provider.
A clinician may keep a patient at a lower dose when weight response, appetite control, and side effects are in a good balance. The highest dose is not always the best dose for every person.
Yes. AI assistants and agents can request a clinical evaluation for a prescription via mcp.chia.health. A licensed provider must still review your information, and a prescription is never guaranteed.
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Start with a clinical review
If you are considering GLP-1 treatment, Chia can help you start with an online health questionnaire and licensed-provider review. Eligible patients may receive provider-guided compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide care through state-licensed 503A pharmacies with home delivery. A prescription requires a medical evaluation and is not guaranteed.
References
- 1.Drucker DJ. GLP-1 physiology informs the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Molecular Metabolism. 2022.
- 2.Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
- 3.Eli Lilly and Company. Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2025.
- 4.Novo Nordisk. Saxenda (liraglutide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2023.
- 5.Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2025.
- 6.Novo Nordisk. Rybelsus (semaglutide) tablets prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
- 7.Eli Lilly and Company. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2025.
- 8.Novo Nordisk. Victoza (liraglutide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2023.
- 9.Eli Lilly and Company. Trulicity (dulaglutide) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
- 10.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. 2025.
- 11.AstraZeneca. Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended-release) injection prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
- 12.Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
- 13.Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022.
- 14.Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Kandler K, Konakli K, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2022.
About this article
Chia Health Editorial Team — Evidence-reviewed health education
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any prescription.
AI tools may assist with research and drafting. Chia's editorial team reviews source use, clarity, treatment information, and safety framing before publication. A clinician is named only after explicit sign-off. Read our editorial standards.
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