Ozempic Dosage Chart
This chart shows the standard Ozempic dosing schedule exactly as published in the FDA approved prescribing information for Ozempic (semaglutide), the once weekly injection used for type 2 diabetes. It is the schedule prescribers start from, presented here for education only. Your own dose is decided by your prescriber.
On this page: the dosing schedule, what if you miss a dose.
The published Ozempic schedule, week by week
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week.
| Week range | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg once weekly | Starting dose, for initiation only. The label states this dose is not intended for blood sugar control. |
| Week 5 onward | 0.5 mg once weekly | The first dose intended for blood sugar control. |
| After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg | 1 mg once weekly | Optional increase, only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed. |
| After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg | 2 mg once weekly | Maximum dose, only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed. |
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same drug, semaglutide, but their published schedules are different. The semaglutide dosage chart puts both schedules side by side.
How dose increases work
The schedule is built around slow, step by step increases. A dose is only increased after at least 4 weeks at the current dose, and some people stay on a dose for longer than the chart shows. The 0.25 mg starting dose is there to let your body get used to the medicine. It is not expected to do the full job on its own.
Whether and when to increase is your prescriber's decision. They weigh how well the medicine is working against how well you are tolerating it. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are most common while doses are going up, and side effects are the usual reason a prescriber keeps someone on the same dose for longer instead of following the fastest version of the schedule.
One reason the steps are spaced out is that semaglutide leaves the body slowly, so the level in your system builds up gradually over the first weeks on a new dose. If you want to see how long a dose stays in your system, our GLP-1 half-life calculator shows the fall week by week.
What if you miss a dose
The Ozempic label says that if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have gone by, skip the missed dose completely and take your next dose on your regular scheduled day. Never take two doses within 3 days of each other. If you are ever unsure, your pharmacist can walk you through it.
When prescribers pause or lower a dose
A prescriber may pause treatment, keep the dose the same for longer, or stop the medicine. Common reasons include side effects that are severe or not settling, such as ongoing vomiting or diarrhea that risks dehydration. Treatment is also commonly paused before planned surgery, because these medicines slow stomach emptying, so tell any surgical team that you take this medication. People who are planning a pregnancy are generally advised to stop treatment ahead of time. The exact decision and timing belong to your prescriber, so raise any of these situations with your care team early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of Ozempic?
The published starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. The label is clear that this dose is only for getting started, and is not intended for blood sugar control. From week 5, the schedule moves up to 0.5 mg.
What is the maximum dose of Ozempic?
The maximum dose in the published schedule is 2 mg once a week. Reaching it is optional and gradual: the dose can go to 1 mg after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg, and to 2 mg after at least 4 weeks on 1 mg, only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed.
What do I do if I miss an Ozempic dose?
The label says to take the missed dose as soon as possible if you are within 5 days of when it was due. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day. Never take two doses within 3 days of each other.
How often is Ozempic taken?
Ozempic is taken once a week, on the same day each week. The weekly gap works because semaglutide stays in the body for a long time, which is also why dose increases are spaced weeks apart.
Related: Semaglutide dosage chart (Ozempic and Wegovy side by side)