Weight Loss
Wegovy Dosage: The Dose Schedule Explained
In one sentence: Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that starts at a low 0.25 mg dose and steps up about every four weeks (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, then 2.4 mg) to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg by around week 17, so your body has time to adjust and side effects are kept to a minimum.
At a glance
Step-up schedule: Wegovy is titrated, not started at full strength. The dose rises in stages.
The steps: 0.25 mg, then 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, each for about four weeks.
Maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly, usually reached around week 17.
Why gradual: increasing slowly reduces side effects such as nausea while your body adjusts.
Optional higher dose: 7.2 mg once weekly may be used after at least four weeks on 2.4 mg for some adults with obesity.
If a step is hard: a prescriber may delay the increase or step back to the previous dose for a while.
Wegovy is not a one-size dose that you take from the start. It uses a step-up schedule, called titration, where the dose is increased gradually. This guide explains each step, the maintenance dose, the newer higher dose, and what happens if a dose increase does not suit you. For how to give each injection, see how to use the Wegovy pen.
"The slow build-up is the whole point, not an inconvenience. Starting low and going up in stages is what makes the treatment tolerable for most people. If you rush it, you are far more likely to feel sick, so it is worth being patient through the first few months."
Key takeaways
What is the Wegovy dose schedule?
It steps up from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg over about 16 weeks, increasing roughly every four weeks.
What is the maintenance dose of Wegovy?
2.4 mg once weekly, usually reached at around week 17 and continued long term.
Why does the dose start low?
To reduce side effects such as nausea, giving your body time to get used to the medicine.
What if a dose increase is too much?
Your prescriber can delay the increase or step back to the previous dose until symptoms settle.
What is the Wegovy dose schedule?
The Wegovy dose is increased in five steps over about 16 weeks, then held at the maintenance dose. According to the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics, treatment starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and steps up roughly every four weeks to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose.1
Weeks | Weekly dose | Stage |
Weeks 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose |
Weeks 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg | Step up |
Weeks 9 to 12 | 1 mg | Step up |
Weeks 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg | Step up |
Week 17 onwards | 2.4 mg | Maintenance (target) dose |
Each pen strength is a different pen, so you move to a new pen as your dose increases. The timings above are the standard plan, but a prescriber can adjust them for you.
Why does the Wegovy dose start low and increase?
The dose starts low and rises slowly so your body can get used to the medicine, which keeps side effects to a minimum. The most common side effects, such as nausea, are most likely when the dose changes, so a gradual increase makes treatment far more comfortable. The starting 0.25 mg dose is not intended to cause weight loss on its own: it is there to help you tolerate the medicine before you reach the effective maintenance dose.
What is the maintenance dose of Wegovy?
The usual maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly, reached at around week 17 and then continued long term.1 This is the dose most people stay on. If you cannot tolerate 2.4 mg, your prescriber will advise on the best approach for you rather than you stopping or changing the dose yourself.
What is the 7.2 mg Wegovy dose?
7.2 mg is an optional higher weekly dose for weight management in some adults with obesity. The Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics states it may be used only after a minimum of four weeks on the 2.4 mg dose.1 It is delivered by a separate single-use pen with a needle already attached, so it is used differently from the 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg pens. Whether it is suitable for you is a decision for your prescriber.
What if you cannot tolerate a dose increase?
It is common to find one of the step-ups harder than the others. The product information advises that "in case of significant gastrointestinal symptoms, consider delaying dose escalation or lowering to the previous dose until symptoms have improved".1 In practice, this means the plan is flexible: you can stay on a dose longer, or drop back a step for a while, before trying to move up again.
Important: Do not change your dose or the timing yourself without advice. If side effects are difficult, contact your prescriber or pharmacist so your dose plan can be adjusted safely.
How and when do you take each dose?
Whatever your current dose, Wegovy is injected once a week on the same day, at any time of day, with or without food, using the FlexTouch pen.2 You can change your regular day if needed, as long as your injections stay at least three days apart. The full technique, including changing your day and what to do about a missed dose, is in how to use the Wegovy pen.
Does a higher dose mean more weight loss?
Not necessarily. The step-up schedule is about tolerability, not a case of higher always being better for everyone. Response varies from person to person, and the right dose for you is the one your prescriber judges to be effective and well tolerated, alongside diet and activity. For what to expect over time, see how long Wegovy takes to work, and for the unwanted effects to watch for, see Wegovy side effects.
"There is no prize for reaching the top dose fastest. Some people do well and settle at 2.4 mg, others need to take the steps more slowly, and a few stay comfortable on a lower dose for longer. The aim is steady progress you can actually live with, not the biggest number on the pen."
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of Wegovy?
Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for the first four weeks. This starting dose is designed to help your body get used to the medicine and is not intended to produce weight loss on its own. The dose then increases in steps.
How long does it take to reach the full Wegovy dose?
The standard schedule reaches the 2.4 mg maintenance dose at around week 17, after stepping up through 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 1.7 mg, each for about four weeks. Your prescriber may adjust the timing if you need longer at a step.
What is the maintenance dose of Wegovy?
The usual maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly, reached at around week 17 and continued long term. It is the dose most people stay on. If 2.4 mg is not tolerated, your prescriber will advise on the best approach.
What is the 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy?
7.2 mg is an optional higher weekly dose for weight management in some adults with obesity. It may be used only after at least four weeks on the 2.4 mg dose, and it comes as a separate single-use pen. Suitability is decided by your prescriber.
Can you stay on a lower dose of Wegovy?
Sometimes, yes. If a dose increase causes significant side effects, the product information supports delaying the increase or stepping back to the previous dose until symptoms improve. Any change to your dose should be made with your prescriber, not on your own.
Does a higher Wegovy dose work better?
Not necessarily. The dose is increased for tolerability rather than because higher is always better for everyone. Response varies between individuals, and the best dose is the one your prescriber finds effective and well tolerated alongside diet and activity.
Related Wegovy guides
Sources and references
Wegovy FlexTouch Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), emc. Section 4.2: dose escalation from 0.25 mg to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose over 16 weeks; optional 7.2 mg dose after a minimum of 4 weeks on 2.4 mg; and guidance to delay escalation or lower to the previous dose if significant gastrointestinal symptoms occur.
Novo Nordisk. How to take Wegovy (semaglutide injection). Once-weekly administration using the FlexTouch pen, at any time of day, with or without food.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine and should be used only under the guidance of a prescriber. Do not change your dose without advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and speak to your clinician or pharmacist about your individual circumstances.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page was written using the electronic medicines compendium (emc) and the manufacturer's patient instructions, and is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist. We review our weight-management content regularly and update it as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
