Semaglutide dosage — injection and pill explained

Starting low and stepping up safely

Quick read · 4 min

Last reviewed: April 2026Every claim linked to source

Semaglutide comes in two forms. The injection (Wegovy) starts at 0.25mg and steps up every 4 weeks, reaching the maximum dose of 2.4mg by around week 17. The daily pill (Wegovy) starts at 1.5mg and reaches the maximum dose of 25mg by around week 13.

Your step-up schedule

You start at the lowest dose and increase every 4 weeks. This is the standard schedule — your doctor can slow it down if side effects are tough.

Injection (Wegovy) — weekly
  1. Weeks 1–40.25mg

    Your starter dose. Too low to produce real weight loss — the goal is to let your body get used to the drug.

  2. Weeks 5–80.5mg

    First real step up. Side effects (nausea, burps) often peak here for a few days, then settle.

  3. Weeks 9–121.0mg

    Weight loss usually becomes noticeable. Some people stay here long-term if tolerating well.

  4. Weeks 13–161.7mg

    Near-maximum dose. Hunger reduction is strong for most people at this level.

  5. Week 17 onwards2.4mg

    Maximum approved dose. Many people stay here long-term, but your personal maintenance dose is wherever you have good results with tolerable side effects — 1.0mg or 1.7mg work well for some people.

    Maximum dose

This is the standard schedule. Your doctor may slow it down if side effects are tough.

The rule that applies to every pill dose
  1. 1Empty stomach — no food, no coffee, no juice. Plain water only.
  2. 2Small sip of water — no more than 4 oz (120ml) to swallow the pill.
  3. 3Wait 30 minutes — before any food, drink, or other medication. Longer is better.

This applies at every dose — 1.5mg on day one right through to 25mg maintenance. Skipping it can cut absorption by up to half, meaning you get far less medication than prescribed.

Pill (Wegovy 25mg) — daily
  1. Weeks 1–41.5mg

    Starter dose. Teaches your body to handle the drug. Little weight loss expected.

  2. Weeks 5–84mg

    First real step up. Nausea may return briefly, then fade.

  3. Weeks 9–129mg

    Weight loss usually becomes visible. Some people stay at this dose.

  4. Week 13 onwards25mg

    Maximum approved dose for the pill. Consistency with the empty-stomach rule matters most here — missing it can cut absorption significantly.

    Maximum dose

Pill titration usually takes about 12 weeks total to reach the maintenance dose.

See the full titration schedule with week-by-week expectations →

Starting dose vs maximum dose

The maximum dose is the highest approved dose — it is not the same as your maintenance dose.

Injection (Wegovy) — weekly
Starting dose
0.25mg
Your first dose — the lowest to let your body adjust
Maximum dose
2.4mg
The highest approved dose — not everyone needs to reach it

Maintenance dose is different from maximum dose. Your maintenance dose is wherever you stay long-term — this could be any dose where you have good weight loss with tolerable side effects. Many people maintain on doses lower than the maximum.

Pill (Wegovy 25mg) — daily
Starting dose
1.5mg
Your first dose — the lowest to let your body adjust
Maximum dose
25mg
The highest approved dose — not everyone needs to reach it

Maintenance dose is different from maximum dose. Your maintenance dose is wherever you stay long-term — this could be any dose where you have good weight loss with tolerable side effects. Many people maintain on doses lower than the maximum.

Weight loss at each dose

Average weight loss from clinical trials. Bars scale with the percentage — higher doses produce more weight loss, but returns get smaller toward the top.

Injection (Wegovy) — 68 weeks
0.25mg~3%
0.5mg~5%
1.0mg~9%
1.7mg~12–13%
2.4mg14.9%

Lower doses are starter doses you pass through during titration — not long-term maintenance doses.

Source: STEP 1 trial (n=1,961, 68 weeks)

Pill (Wegovy 25mg) — 52 weeks
1.5mg~3%
4mg~7%
9mg~10%
25mg~13.6–16.6%

The highest figure (16.6%) reflects people with perfect empty-stomach adherence.

Source: OASIS-4 trial (n=667, 52 weeks)

What this means
In STEP 1 (injection, 68 weeks): weight loss was about 5% at 0.25–0.5mg, 8–10% at 1.0mg, 12–13% at 1.7mg, and 14.9% at 2.4mg. In OASIS-4 (pill, 52 weeks): weight loss was about 3% at 1.5mg, 7% at 4mg, 10% at 9mg, and 13.6–16.6% at 25mg (highest in people with perfect adherence).

When your doctor might change your dose

Your dosing is flexible and tailored to your needs.

Side effects manageable

Increase to the next dose as scheduled every 4 weeks.

Side effects tough

Stay at current dose for 2–4 extra weeks before increasing, or pause increases.

Reached your goal

You can stay at your current dose indefinitely — no need to reach the maximum.

Keep reading

Full Semaglutide overview →How to take it →Titration schedule →Side effects →

Next step most people take

Learn how to take it
Injection technique or daily pill routine
See the titration schedule
Week-by-week expectations and timeline

Backed by evidence · Every claim linked to its source

Last reviewed: April 2026

Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.