Semaglutide weight loss dosage chart: FDA schedule
This semaglutide weight loss dosage chart follows the FDA titration schedule for weight management, plus missed-dose rules and when to call your clinician.
Key facts
- Semaglutide + B12 is $157/month (billed $157 every 4 weeks), charged only after a clinician approves it.
- Answer a few health questions online. A licensed clinician reviews them. If approved, it ships to your door.
- Adults 18 or older. A licensed clinician reviews your health history and decides whether treatment is appropriate for you. Availability depends on the state you live in.
A semaglutide weight loss dosage chart is a titration schedule that gradually increases your weekly dose so your body can adjust. The chart below reflects FDA labeled dosing for semaglutide used for chronic weight management (Wegovy), for education only. If you are using compounded semaglutide, your exact dosing plan can differ because compounded medications are not FDA approved and may come in different concentrations. Vitals Vault can help you understand the label schedule and what questions to ask your prescribing clinician.
- A semaglutide weight loss dosage chart starts low and increases every 4 weeks to a maintenance dose.
- For FDA labeled weight management, the target maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly (Wegovy label).
- If you miss 2 or more doses, the label advises contacting your prescriber about restarting.
- Dose changes are usually slowed or paused if side effects are hard to tolerate.
Semaglutide weight loss dosage chart (FDA labeled)
| Treatment weeks | Once-weekly dose |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | 1 mg |
| Weeks 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg |
| Week 17 and onward (maintenance) | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg if not tolerated |
How to use the chart safely (label details)
Maintenance dose options
On the Wegovy label, the recommended maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly. If you cannot tolerate 2.4 mg, the label allows a maintenance dose of 1.7 mg once weekly; your prescriber decides what is appropriate.
Missed dose rules
If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, the label says to take the missed dose as soon as possible. If the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away, the label says to skip the missed dose and take the next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
If you miss 2 or more doses
The label advises contacting your healthcare provider if you miss 2 or more doses. Your prescriber may recommend restarting and following the dose escalation schedule again to reduce side effects.
Injection sites (where)
For Wegovy, the label states it is given as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. A clinician or pharmacist should show you how to inject, and the Instructions for Use describe the steps.
Compounded semaglutide note
Compounded semaglutide does not have an FDA approved label, and dosing can vary by prescription and pharmacy concentration. Your prescribing clinician and dispensing pharmacy provide the specific instructions for your product.
When to talk to a clinician urgently
Severe stomach pain
Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain that may spread to your back, with or without vomiting. This can be a sign of pancreatitis, which is a warning on the semaglutide label.
Gallbladder symptoms
Contact a clinician promptly for right upper belly pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools. Semaglutide is associated with gallbladder problems, including gallstones, in the prescribing information.
Dehydration or kidney concerns
Call your clinician if vomiting or diarrhea is persistent, you cannot keep fluids down, or you notice much less urination. The label warns that dehydration from gastrointestinal side effects can worsen kidney function in some people.
Low blood sugar symptoms
If you use insulin or a sulfonylurea, ask your prescriber about hypoglycemia risk and what to do if you feel shaky, sweaty, confused, or faint. The label notes higher hypoglycemia risk when semaglutide is used with certain diabetes medicines.
Neck lump or hoarseness
Report a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or persistent hoarseness. Semaglutide has a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, and the label lists thyroid tumor symptoms to watch for.
Pro tips for getting through titration
Expect appetite changes first
Many people notice reduced appetite before the scale changes. Use the early weeks to build meal and hydration routines.
Plan for nausea days
Smaller meals and avoiding very fatty foods can help some people. Tell your clinician if nausea limits eating or drinking.
Do not rush dose increases
If side effects are hard to tolerate, ask whether it is safer to stay longer at a lower dose.
Track symptoms and timing
Write down dose day, symptoms, and triggers. This helps your prescriber decide whether to adjust the schedule.
Ask about other medicines
If you take diabetes medicines, ask how semaglutide affects hypoglycemia risk and monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the semaglutide weight loss dosage chart?
For FDA labeled chronic weight management, semaglutide (Wegovy) starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and increases every 4 weeks to a maintenance dose. The recommended maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly, or 1.7 mg if 2.4 mg is not tolerated.
Is there a semaglutide dosing chart that increases every 4 weeks?
Yes. The Wegovy prescribing information uses 4-week dose steps (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg) before maintenance. This gradual titration is intended to improve tolerability.
What is the semaglutide titration schedule for weight loss on the FDA label?
The Wegovy label titrates weekly dosing over 16 weeks, then continues at a maintenance dose starting at week 17. Your prescriber may delay increases if side effects are difficult.
What happens if I miss a semaglutide dose during titration?
The Wegovy label gives different instructions depending on how close you are to the next scheduled dose. If you miss 2 or more doses, the label advises contacting your healthcare provider because you may need to restart the escalation schedule.
Why do some people stay at 1.7 mg instead of 2.4 mg?
The Wegovy label lists 2.4 mg once weekly as the recommended maintenance dose, but it allows 1.7 mg once weekly if 2.4 mg is not tolerated. Your clinician weighs side effects, benefits, and your overall health when choosing a maintenance dose.