Wegovy is semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The usual Wegovy injection schedule starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then increases every 4 weeks through 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 1.7 mg toward maintenance dosing, commonly 2.4 mg once weekly. Dose changes should be clinician-guided 1.
Wondering if semaglutide is right for you? Take the 3-min clinical quiz.
See if you qualify →| Schedule point | Wegovy injection dose | Wegovy tablet dose | What providers are watching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks 1 | No FDA-approved Wegovy tablet schedule in the cited prescribing information 1 | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, hydration, and appetite change |
| First increase | 0.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Whether side effects are improving or limiting daily life |
| Middle titration | 1 mg once weekly for 4 weeks 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Blood sugar risk in people using insulin or sulfonylureas |
| Late titration | 1.7 mg once weekly for 4 weeks 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Gallbladder symptoms, pancreatitis symptoms, and tolerability |
| Maintenance | Usually 2.4 mg once weekly for chronic weight management 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Weight response, side effects, nutrition, activity, and medical history |
What is the Wegovy dosing chart?
Wegovy has a labeled schedule for the once-weekly injection. The key pattern is: start low, then increase step by step over 4-week intervals so the gut has time to adjust 1.
Wegovy injection dose chart by week
| Weeks | Labeled Wegovy injection dose | Frequency | Role in treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg 1 | Once weekly 1 | Starting dose |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg 1 | Once weekly 1 | Dose escalation |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | 1 mg 1 | Once weekly 1 | Dose escalation |
| Weeks 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg 1 | Once weekly 1 | Dose escalation or possible maintenance for some patients |
| Week 17 and after | 2.4 mg 1 | Once weekly 1 | Usual maintenance dose for chronic weight management |
Wegovy tablet dose chart by month
There is no FDA-approved Wegovy tablet dosing chart in the cited prescribing information. Wegovy is FDA-approved as a once-weekly semaglutide injection; oral semaglutide products, such as Rybelsus, are different products with different indications and dosing schedules 1, 3.
| Time period | Labeled Wegovy tablet dose | Frequency | How it is taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 30 days | No FDA-approved Wegovy tablet dose in the cited prescribing information 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Do not use an oral semaglutide schedule as a Wegovy dosing plan |
| After each 30-day step | No FDA-approved Wegovy tablet step schedule in the cited prescribing information 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Verify the exact product name and label with a clinician |
| Maintenance | No FDA-approved Wegovy tablet maintenance dose in the cited prescribing information 1 | Not applicable for Wegovy 1 | Wegovy maintenance dosing refers to the injection label |
Why Wegovy doses usually increase slowly
Semaglutide works by activating the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, which affects appetite signals, insulin and glucagon release, and how fast the stomach empties 3. These same effects can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort, so gradual titration is part of the labeled safety plan 1.
What dose of Wegovy do people usually start with?
Wegovy injection usually starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks 1.
The starting dose is mainly a tolerability step. It is not usually the long-term dose used to evaluate full response. If side effects are hard to manage, clinicians may delay an increase, assess hydration and nutrition, or consider whether semaglutide is still a good fit 1.
What is the usual Wegovy maintenance dose?
Semaglutide maintenance dosing depends on the form and indication. For chronic weight management with Wegovy injection, the labeled recommended maintenance dosage is commonly 2.4 mg once weekly 1.
A clinician may delay escalation if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gallbladder symptoms, low blood sugar risk, or other safety issues appear during titration 1.
Is 2.5 mg Wegovy too much?
Wegovy injection is labeled in exact dose strengths, including 2.4 mg, not 2.5 mg, for the usual chronic weight-management maintenance dose. Do not round, combine, or change semaglutide doses without the prescriber who manages your medication 1.
If you think you took too much Wegovy, the label warns that overdose may cause severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe hypoglycemia. The label advises contacting a clinician, Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or emergency care right away if serious symptoms occur 1.
Do higher Wegovy doses work better?
Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly has been studied in large randomized trials for chronic weight management as an adjunct to diet and physical activity. In STEP 1, adults without diabetes received once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo for 68 weeks; weight outcomes favored semaglutide, but gastrointestinal side effects were more common, and individual results varied 4.
Higher dose does not always mean better for one person. In STEP 4, participants who continued semaglutide after a run-in period had better average weight outcomes than those switched to placebo, but nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting still mattered for tolerability 5.
The CADTH clinical review found that semaglutide 2.4 mg had evidence of benefit for chronic weight management when used with diet and activity changes, while also noting harms such as gastrointestinal events and treatment discontinuation in some patients 2. That is why dose decisions are about benefit, side effects, and safety together.
When is Wegovy the strongest?
Wegovy strength depends on the product form. For the standard injection schedule, the commonly referenced maintenance strength is 2.4 mg once weekly 1.
Strength, response, and tolerability are different questions. A person can be on a higher labeled strength and still need a clinician to reassess side effects, nutrition, hydration, other medicines, or whether semaglutide remains appropriate 1.
What should you do if you miss a Wegovy dose?
Wegovy injection missed-dose instructions depend on how close you are to the next scheduled weekly dose. If the next dose is more than 48 hours away, the label says the missed dose may be taken as soon as possible; if the next dose is less than 48 hours away, skip it and resume on the regular day 1.
If 2 or more weeks have passed since the last Wegovy injection dose, the label says to take the next dose on the regular day or ask a clinician how to restart or adjust treatment 1.
How does Wegovy dosing compare with compounded semaglutide at Chia?
Wegovy is an FDA-approved brand-name semaglutide product. Chia does not offer brand-name Wegovy; we offer compounded semaglutide injection through state-licensed 503A pharmacies, with provider-guided dosing and microdosing plans available where clinically appropriate. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved and is not FDA-reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality.
It also should not be described as a generic or equivalent version of Wegovy, Ozempic, or Rybelsus. Results for compounded formulations are not established by FDA-reviewed outcomes trials.
| Option | What it is | Form | How dosing is managed | Chia availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | FDA-approved brand-name semaglutide | Injection per label 1 | Prescriber follows the product label and patient safety needs | Not offered by Chia |
| Compounded semaglutide at Chia | Compounded semaglutide prescribed when clinically appropriate | Injection | Licensed provider review, provider-guided dosing, and microdosing plans where appropriate | Offered at /product/semaglutide; plans currently start at $249/mo |
| Other GLP-1 options | Different active ingredients may have different schedules and safety issues | Varies by medication | Requires clinician review | Chia also offers tirzepatide tablets and injections |
At Chia, treatment starts online. You complete a short health questionnaire, then a licensed US provider reviews your history, medicines, BMI, goals, and contraindications. If prescribed, medication is compounded in the US by a state-licensed 503A pharmacy and shipped to your door. A prescription is never guaranteed.
3-min quiz
Interested in semaglutide care with Chia?
Chia offers compounded semaglutide injection, with provider-guided dosing and microdosing plans where clinically appropriate. A licensed provider must review your health information before any prescription, and a prescription is not guaranteed. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved or FDA-reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality.
Who may be eligible for Wegovy or semaglutide treatment?
Wegovy injection is labeled with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Eligibility often considers body mass index, or BMI, plus conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, or other risks 1.
Medical history also matters. A clinician will review pregnancy status, diabetes medicines, pancreatitis history, gallbladder disease, kidney issues related to dehydration, severe gastrointestinal disease, medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN 2, and other GLP-1 medicines before deciding whether semaglutide is appropriate 1.
Medication is usually paired with nutrition and activity changes because the pivotal semaglutide trials studied the medicine as an adjunct to lifestyle support, not as a stand-alone plan 4. Some Chia patients also ask about broader support, such as Weight + Energy or Weight + Muscle, when those protocols fit their goals and provider review.
What safety information should patients know before changing a dose?
Semaglutide has important safety warnings, so dose changes should be made only with a licensed clinician. The Wegovy label includes a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents and contraindicates use in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2 1.
- Pancreatitis: the label warns to watch for severe, persistent abdominal pain, with or without vomiting 1.
- Gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cholecystitis have been reported with semaglutide treatment 1.
- Hypoglycemia: risk can rise when semaglutide is used with insulin or insulin secretagogues, such as sulfonylureas 1.
- Delayed gastric emptying: semaglutide may affect absorption of oral medicines, which matters more for some drugs than others 1.
- Drug duplication: Wegovy should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonists unless directed by a clinician 1.
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus all contain semaglutide, but they have different labeled indications, forms, and dosing schedules 3. This is one reason switching between products should be clinician-guided rather than self-directed.
How should you read this Wegovy dose chart?
This chart shows labeled reference schedules, not instructions for what you should personally use. The most important number is not only the final dose; it is the 4-week stepwise pattern that gives your body time to adjust 1.
If side effects are mild and improving, a clinician may continue the planned schedule. If side effects are strong, persistent, or unsafe, the right next step may be to pause escalation, reassess hydration and food intake, change other medicines, or stop treatment. That decision needs a prescriber who knows your history.
3-min quiz
Start a clinician-reviewed online visit
If you want to discuss compounded semaglutide with Chia, start with the online eligibility quiz. Our licensed providers review your health history and prescribe only when clinically appropriate. Chia offers compounded semaglutide injection, not brand-name Wegovy, and a prescription is not guaranteed.
FAQ
For Wegovy injection, the first month is usually 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. This is a labeled reference schedule, not personal instructions 1.
Starting at 1 mg is not the usual labeled starting schedule for Wegovy injection. The label starts at 0.25 mg once weekly to help reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Ask your prescriber before any dose change 1.
Sometimes a clinician may delay dose escalation if side effects are bothersome or safety concerns appear. Do not decide this on your own; your prescriber should guide the plan.
No. The usual Wegovy injection maintenance dose for chronic weight management is labeled as 2.4 mg, not 2.5 mg. Do not round, combine, or change doses unless your prescriber tells you to 1.
With the standard injection schedule, it often takes about 16 weeks of escalation before reaching 2.4 mg once weekly at week 17. It may take longer if a clinician delays escalation for tolerability or safety 1.
Wegovy injection can be taken with or without food 1. There is no FDA-approved Wegovy tablet dosing schedule in the cited prescribing information.
A switch should be reviewed by a licensed clinician because product form, timing, side effects, medical history, and other medicines all matter. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, and outcomes for compounded formulations are not established by FDA-reviewed trials.
No. Chia does not offer brand-name Wegovy. Chia offers compounded semaglutide injection through state-licensed 503A pharmacies when a licensed provider determines it is clinically appropriate.
References
- 1.DailyMed. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use: Prescribing Information, 2025.
- 2.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Semaglutide (Wegovy): CADTH Reimbursement Review: Therapeutic area: Weight management, 2022.
- 3.Collins L, Costello RA. Semaglutide. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2026.
- 4.Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 2021.
- 5.Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2021.
- 6.Davies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes: The STEP 2 randomized clinical trial. The Lancet, 2021.
- 7.Wadden TA, Bailey TS, Billings LK, et al. Effect of Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo as an Adjunct to Intensive Behavioral Therapy on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2021.
- 8.Novo Nordisk. Wegovy prescribing and dosing information, 2026.
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.
Get a personalized plan
See if semaglutide is right for your body.
Our 3-minute clinical quiz is reviewed by a US-licensed clinician. Treatment delivered to your door.
