Wegovy Dosages: Chart, Schedule And Titration

Available Wegovy doses

For weight management, injectable Wegovy is a prescription weight loss treatment containing the active ingredient semaglutide. The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg once weekly, followed by step-up doses before the standard maintenance dose is reached. For weight management in adults with obesity, a 7.2 mg maintenance dose can also be prescribed if needed after at least four weeks on the standard maintenance dose, as set out in the current UK Wegovy product information. [1]

Wegovy is also licensed in the UK as a once-daily tablet, but this guide specifically covers the once-weekly injectable form of Wegovy and its dosing schedule. [2] These Wegovy dosages are designed for gradual titration, not for choosing a dose according to how quickly someone wants to lose weight. Titration starts low so the body adjusts to the active ingredient before exposure is gradually increased.

For people considering whether to buy Wegovy as a weight loss treatment, the dose strengths explain why treatment builds up gradually. The prescribed dose of Wegovy follows the licensed dosing schedule and individual treatment plan rather than being calculated directly from starting body weight.

Standard Wegovy dosing schedule

The standard Wegovy injection schedule begins with a low weekly dose and increases in stages over 16 weeks to reach the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. Wegovy dosages should be increased according to this prescribed sequence rather than accelerated independently. This dose escalation reduces the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects while the body adjusts to semaglutide. [1]

Treatment period	Weekly dose	Place in the dosing schedule
Weeks 1–4	0.25 mg	Starting dose
Weeks 5–8	0.5 mg	Step-up dose
Weeks 9–12	1 mg	Step-up dose
Weeks 13–16	1.7 mg	Step-up dose
From week 17	2.4 mg	Standard maintenance dose
From week 21, if appropriate for an adult with obesity	7.2 mg	Higher maintenance dose

This Wegovy doses chart shows the usual progression rather than a target that should be reached as quickly as possible. The dose usually increases every four weeks, moving from 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 1.7 mg before reaching the standard 2.4 mg maintenance dose from week 17. If significant gastrointestinal symptoms develop, the dose increase can be delayed or the dose can be reduced to the previous lower dose until symptoms improve. [1]

Starting dose 0.25 mg

The starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first four weeks. The starting dose of Wegovy is deliberately the lowest dosage in the injection schedule and is not a maintenance dose. Its purpose is to begin treatment while helping the body adjust before the dose is increased. [1]

Some people may begin to lose weight during this starting-dose period, although early weight loss varies from person to person. In the landmark STEP 1 trial, weight loss was already observable at the first assessment at week 4, although individual results vary and early weight change does not determine whether a person should increase the dose early. [3]

If you take Wegovy, use it on the same day each week where possible. The injection is given under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. The injection site can be changed between doses. [1]

Wegovy dosing: step-up doses 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 1.7 mg

After four weeks at the starting dose, Wegovy dosing usually moves to 0.5 mg weekly. The dose of Wegovy then rises to 1 mg from week 9 and reaches the final step-up stage from week 13. Each stage normally lasts four weeks. [1]

Wegovy 1.7 mg is a higher step-up dose and the fourth stage of the titration schedule, but it is not the standard maintenance dose or highest weekly dose.

Going directly from 0.25 mg to 1 mg would skip the 0.5 mg step and is not the standard dosing schedule. A higher dose should not be used simply to try to lose weight faster or to force quicker weight loss. If side effects become difficult, the prescriber may keep the current dose for longer or return to a lower dose rather than continuing dose escalation immediately. [1]

Wegovy dosing: maintenance doses 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg

The standard maintenance dose for injectable Wegovy is 2.4 mg once weekly. For weight management in adults with obesity, the dose may be increased to a 7.2 mg maintenance dose if needed after at least four weeks on the standard maintenance dose. The maximum dose for this group is 7.2 mg once weekly. [1]

In clinical trials, the 7.2 mg dose produced greater average weight loss than the 2.4 mg dose, but the higher dose may not be appropriate for every individual. In the 72-week STEP UP trial in adults with obesity without diabetes, mean weight loss was 18.7% with semaglutide 7.2 mg and 15.6% with 2.4 mg when analysed using the treatment-policy estimand, which included the effects of treatment discontinuation and rescue intervention. Gastrointestinal adverse events were also more common with the higher dose. [4]

Wegovy is intended for ongoing weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It may be continued as a long-term treatment when ongoing use remains clinically appropriate, effective and well tolerated, rather than being taken only “as needed”. 

If an adult has been unable to lose at least 5% of their initial body weight after six months on treatment, the UK product information says a decision is required on whether to continue, taking the individual benefit-risk profile into account. [1]

Wegovy dosing: how many doses are in a Wegovy pen

   

Standard Wegovy FlexTouch pens contain four weekly doses. This means a 2.4 mg Wegovy FlexTouch maintenance pen, used once weekly as prescribed, provides four weeks of treatment. After the fourth dose, there may still appear to be some liquid in the pen, but the remaining amount is not enough for another full dose, and the pen should be discarded. You can check these instructions in the current Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet. [5]

The dedicated 7.2 mg single-dose pre-filled pen is different: one pen delivers the full 7.2 mg weekly dose in one injection. [6] Depending on the prescribed device, a 7.2 mg dose may instead be given as three consecutive injections of the standard 2.4 mg maintenance strength on the same day. When three injections are used, they can be given in the same body area but should be at least 5 cm apart, with a new needle for each injection. [1]

If you are wondering how many doses are in a Wegovy pen, always check the exact device and dose strength you have been prescribed. With FlexTouch, use a new needle each time and replace the pen cap after use. Do not try to extract an additional dose after the fourth dose. [5]

Wegovy dosing: how to adjust the Wegovy dose if side effects appear

If side effects become troublesome during Wegovy dosing, a prescriber may delay the next increase or reduce treatment to the previous lower dose until symptoms improve. [1] This is particularly relevant to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal discomfort, which are most common during dose escalation.

Milder gastrointestinal effects can often be managed while treatment continues, but repeated vomiting or diarrhoea can cause dehydration and should be discussed with a healthcare professional if persistent or severe. A significant symptom burden is a reason to review the current dose rather than automatically move to a new dose.

Seek immediate medical attention for persistent, severe abdominal pain, especially if it may be pancreatitis. Severe abdominal pain can occur with or without nausea or vomiting and should not simply be treated as an expected titration effect. [1]

What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy or take it twice

When you take Wegovy, try to keep to the weekly schedule. If you miss a dose of injectable Wegovy, take the missed dose as soon as possible if it is within five days of the scheduled dose. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. [1]

If more than one weekly dose has been missed, speak to the prescribing clinician because restarting at a lower dose may need to be considered. If you accidentally take too much Wegovy or take more than the prescribed dose, contact a doctor because side effects such as nausea may be more likely. [1]

The weekly injection day can be changed if necessary as long as more than 72 hours have passed since the previous dose. After changing the day, continue once-weekly treatment on the new scheduled dose day. [1]

Wegovy vs Mounjaro doses

The dose numbers for Wegovy and Mounjaro cannot be compared simply by looking at the number of milligrams. Wegovy contains semaglutide, whereas Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

According to the current UK Mounjaro product information, Mounjaro starts at 2.5 mg once weekly. After four weeks, it is increased to 5 mg. If needed, further dose increases can be made in 2.5 mg steps after at least four weeks on the current dose. Recommended adult maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg, with a maximum dose of 15 mg once weekly. [7]

A 5 mg Mounjaro dose is therefore not directly “stronger” or “weaker” than a particular dose of Wegovy for weight loss. They are different medicines with different dosing schedules. People considering Mounjaro online can compare it with other weight loss treatments, but medicine choice and dose should be based on clinical suitability rather than milligrams alone.

Wegovy vs Ozempic doses

Wegovy and Ozempic both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, but their licensed uses and dosing schedules differ. Ozempic is licensed for adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has separate licensed indications including weight management. [1, 8]

The current UK Ozempic product information states that Ozempic starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and increases after four weeks to 0.5 mg. If further blood-glucose control is needed, the dose can later increase to 1 mg and then 2 mg after at least four weeks at each stage. Doses above 2 mg weekly are not recommended for Ozempic. [8]

The two brands are not interchangeable simply because they contain semaglutide; their dose strengths, licensed uses and treatment goals differ. See Wegovy vs Ozempic for a broader comparison.

Safety points when changing to a higher dose

   

Moving to a higher dose should follow the prescribed Wegovy treatment plan rather than being used as a way to accelerate weight loss. Standard dose increases are separated by four weeks, giving the body time to tolerate each stage before the next dose. [1]

Important points include:

• Do not take a dose early simply to progress through the dosing schedule faster.
• Do not jump from the starting dose of Wegovy straight to 1 mg; the standard schedule includes 0.5 mg first.
• If gastrointestinal symptoms are significant, dose escalation can be delayed or the previous lower dose considered.
• Check the Wegovy pen label and dose strength before each injection.
• Use an appropriate injection site in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm; you may use the same body area each week, but avoid injecting into exactly the same spot used previously.
• Seek immediate medical attention for persistent, severe abdominal pain because this can be a symptom of acute pancreatitis. [1]

A weight loss plateau does not automatically mean that more Wegovy is required or that weight loss treatment has stopped working. The prescriber can review weight loss response, tolerability and the treatment plan to decide whether the current dose should continue or whether a higher dose is appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

These common questions about the dosages of Wegovy and Wegovy dosages for weight loss focus on the starting dose, pen contents and maintenance treatment. The answers summarise the licensed injectable dosing schedule and should not be used to change a prescribed dose without professional advice.

What are the doses of Wegovy?

The dosages of Wegovy used during injection titration are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 1.7 mg once weekly, followed by the standard maintenance dose. For weight management in adults with obesity, a 7.2 mg maintenance dose may be prescribed if needed after at least four weeks on the standard 2.4 mg maintenance dose. [1]

The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg once weekly, and the dose then gradually increases at four-week intervals. If you take Wegovy for weight loss, follow the prescribed schedule rather than changing the dose according to short-term results.

How many doses are in a Wegovy pen?

A standard Wegovy FlexTouch pen contains four weekly doses. The dedicated 7.2 mg single-dose Wegovy pen contains one full weekly dose per pen. [5, 6]

Which presentation is prescribed determines whether the 7.2 mg weekly dose is delivered as one injection or as three consecutive injections using the standard 2.4 mg FlexTouch maintenance strength. [1]

Can the dose be increased early?

No. You should not increase the dose early on your own. Standard Wegovy dosing uses four weeks at each titration step, and significant gastrointestinal side effects may be a reason to delay rather than accelerate the next increase. [1]

Going from 0.25 mg directly to 1 mg skips a step in the licensed dosing schedule.

What is the maintenance dose of Wegovy?

The standard maintenance dose of injectable Wegovy is 2.4 mg once weekly. For weight management in adults with obesity, 7.2 mg is an additional maintenance dose that may be prescribed if needed after at least four weeks at the standard maintenance dose. These Wegovy dosages are selected according to the licensed treatment pathway, response and tolerability. [1]

The appropriate maintenance dose depends on the licensed indication, response and tolerability rather than an assumption that everyone should reach the highest available dose.

Can I stay on a lower Wegovy dose long term?

A lower dose may sometimes be continued for longer during titration when side effects make dose escalation difficult, but the licensed dosing schedule generally progresses towards a maintenance dose. [1]

Whether someone should remain on a lower dose, increase to a maintenance dose or stop treatment should be decided with the prescribing clinician. Long term weight management should balance weight loss response, tolerability and safety rather than treating the full dose as a goal in itself.