Semaglutide Dosage Chart
Semaglutide is sold under two brand names with two different published dosing schedules: Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management. This page puts both FDA label schedules side by side so you can see exactly how they differ. It is presented for education only. Your own dose is decided by your prescriber.
On this page: the Ozempic schedule, the Wegovy schedule, what if you miss a dose.
Semaglutide schedule for Ozempic (type 2 diabetes)
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week. See the Ozempic dosage chart for this schedule on its own page.
| 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 for Ozempic. |
Semaglutide schedule for Wegovy (weight management)
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week. See the Wegovy dosage chart for this schedule on its own page.
| Week range | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg once weekly | Starting dose, the same as Ozempic. |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg once weekly | First increase. |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | 1 mg once weekly | Second increase. |
| Weeks 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg once weekly | Third increase. Ozempic has no step like this one. |
| Week 17 onward | 2.4 mg once weekly | Maintenance dose, higher than the Ozempic maximum. If 2.4 mg is not tolerated, the label gives 1.7 mg once weekly as the maintenance dose instead. |
How dose increases work
Both schedules are built around slow, step by step increases, with at least 4 weeks at a dose before the next step. The 0.25 mg starting dose is shared by both brands and is there to let your body get used to the medicine. The schedules part ways after that: Ozempic increases only when the prescriber decides more blood sugar effect is needed, and stops at 2 mg, while Wegovy follows a set escalation to its 2.4 mg maintenance dose.
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.
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
Ozempic: the 5 day rule
The Ozempic label says to take a missed dose as soon as possible within 5 days after it was due. If more than 5 days have gone by, skip the missed dose and take the next one on your regular scheduled day.
Wegovy: the 2 day rule
The Wegovy label looks at how close the next dose is. If the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If the next dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and carry on with the regular schedule.
For both brands: 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, lower it back to a dose that was tolerated, 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 difference between the Ozempic and Wegovy dosage charts?
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same drug, semaglutide, but they are approved for different purposes and their published schedules differ. Ozempic, for type 2 diabetes, goes up to a maximum of 2 mg a week. Wegovy, for weight management, escalates further to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg a week.
What is the starting dose of semaglutide?
Both brands start at 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. For Ozempic the label states this dose is for initiation only and is not intended for blood sugar control.
What if I miss a semaglutide dose?
The rule depends on the brand. For Ozempic, take the missed dose within 5 days, otherwise skip it. For Wegovy, take it as soon as possible if the next dose is more than 2 days away, otherwise skip it. For both brands, never take two doses within 3 days of each other.
What is the highest dose of semaglutide?
The highest published dose is 2.4 mg once a week, the Wegovy maintenance dose. Ozempic tops out lower, at 2 mg once a week.
Related: Ozempic dosage chart and Wegovy dosage chart