Wegovy dosing guide: how much semaglutide should you take?

Prescription weight loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) continue to make headlines, especially given the launch of the Wegovy pill (available through Ro, BTW). If you’re considering starting this medication, you may have questions. What is a typical Wegovy dosing schedule?  How much weight can you lose on the medication? And what side effects should you expect? 

Answers to all of those questions and more, ahead in this guide to Wegovy dosing. 

According to the prescribing information, both forms of Wegovy follow a step-up dosing schedule that starts low and increases gradually. Your healthcare provider may adjust this schedule based on how well you tolerate the medication, side effects you experience, or how your body responds over time.

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Wegovy dosing is designed to be gradual and predictable. 

Whether you’re taking the injection or the pill, the goal is the same: start low, increase slowly, and give your body time to adjust while your provider guides you toward the dose that works best for you.

Wegovy pill dosing and dosage schedule

The Wegovy pill is taken once daily and comes in multiple strengths, including: 

• 1.5 mg

• 4 mg

• 9 mg

• 25 mg

Typically, you’ll slowly ramp up your dosage over time. In practice, that may look like: 

Your exact dose and timing may vary based on your response, side effects, and clinical goals. So always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions rather than adjusting doses on your own. (In fact, you should never do that.) 

Wegovy injection dosing and dosage schedule

In addition to a daily oral tablet, Wegovy is also available as a weekly subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection in a range of dosage strengths: 

• 0.25 mg of semaglutide per 0.5 mL of solution (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)

• 0.5 mg/0.5 mL 

• 1 mg/0.5 mL

• 1.7 mg/0.75 mL 

• 2.4 mg/0.75 mL 

When you first start Wegovy, you’ll begin by taking the lowest dose for at least four weeks. From there, you’ll likely work your way up over the course of months. This may look like: 

*The target maintenance dose for adults is 2.4 mg once weekly. For children ages 12 and older who cannot tolerate this dosage, a maintenance dose of 1.7 mg once weekly may be used.

Just like with the Wegovy pill, you should never increase or adjust your injectable Wegovy dose on your own. While there is a general recommended schedule, your exact dose and titration timing may vary depending on how you respond to the medication. Other factors, such as your health and weight loss goals, may also play a role.   

Taking Wegovy correctly helps you get the full benefit of the medication while lowering the risk of side effects. The steps (as outlined in the drug’s prescribing information) are straightforward, but it’s important to follow them closely and stick to the routine your provider recommends.

How to take Wegovy pill  

1. Take it first thing in the morning: Take the Wegovy pill as soon as you wake up, before eating or drinking anything else. This helps your body absorb the medication properly.

2. Drink it with plain water only: Swallow the pill with a small amount of plain water — no more than about 4 ounces. Avoid coffee, juice, or sparkling water at this time, as they can interfere with how well your body absorbs the medication.

3. Wait before eating or taking other meds: After taking the pill, wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than water, or taking other oral medications. This waiting period is important for the pill to work as intended.

4. Take it at the same time every day: Consistency matters with daily dosing. Taking the pill at the same time each morning helps keep medication levels steady and makes it easier to build the habit into your routine.

How to take Wegovy injection 

1. Prepare the injection site: Choose the front of your thigh, upper arm, or lower abdomen, staying at least 2 inches from your belly button. Avoid areas with scars, bruises, stretch marks, or irritation, and rotate sites each week to protect your skin. Wash your hands, clean the area with an alcohol swab or soap and water, and let it dry.

2. Position the pen and inject: Remove the cap and press the pen firmly against your skin. You may feel a small pinch and hear clicks, but the needle stays hidden. Keep the pen in place until the yellow bar stops moving, which means the full dose has been delivered.

3. Remove and discard the pen: Once the injection is complete, lift the pen straight off your skin. The needle cover will lock automatically, so the pen can’t be reused. Dispose of it right away in a sharps or needle-safe container.

Because the pen locks after use, the dose must be given all at once. You can’t stop midway and finish the injection later, so make sure you’re ready before you begin.

Where to store Wegovy

Proper storage helps Wegovy stay safe and effective. Storage instructions differ slightly depending on whether you’re using the pill or the injection. Here’s what to keep in mind for each. 

Wegovy injection storage:

• Store Wegovy injection pens in the refrigerator (36°F–46°F) until first use or labeled expiration date. Do not freeze them.

• Once removed from the fridge, injection pens can be kept at room temperature (46°F–86°F) for up to 28 days.

• Keep pens in their original packaging to protect them from light, spills, or crumbs.

• Place pens on an open shelf in your refrigerator away from food, liquids, and any cooling elements.

• Avoid storing Wegovy in the refrigerator door or crisper drawers, where the temperature and humidity can change. 

• Do not use Wegovy if it has been frozen, exposed to high heat (such as a hot car), or left at room temperature longer than 28 days. Dispose of unused pens in a sharps container and contact your pharmacy for a replacement. 

Wegovy pill storage

• Store Wegovy pills at room temperature (68°F–77°F), away from extreme heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.

• Keep the pills in their original container until use to protect them from moisture. 

• Avoid storing Wegovy pills in bathrooms or other humid areas, which can affect the medication.

Both forms of Wegovy should be kept out of reach of children and pets. If you’re ever unsure whether your medication was stored correctly, check with your pharmacist or prescriber before using it.

Life happens, you’re only human, and you may miss a dose of Wegovy, particularly when starting a new routine or treatment. What to do next depends on whether you’re taking the Wegovy pill or the weekly injection, since each follows a different schedule.   

What to do if you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill 

Because the Wegovy pill is taken daily, missed doses are usually handled by simply getting back on your normal schedule without doubling up or trying to catch up. 

Here’s what to do if you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill:

• If you miss a dose and remember later the same day: Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time the following morning. Do not take two doses in one day.

• If you miss a dose and don’t remember until the next day: Just take your regularly scheduled dose that morning. There’s no need to “make up” for the missed pill.

• If you miss several days in a row: Restart your usual daily dose unless your provider tells you otherwise. If you’ve missed multiple days and are experiencing side effects or aren’t sure how to restart, check in with your healthcare provider for guidance.

• If missed doses are happening often: Talk with your provider. They can help troubleshoot timing, side effects, or decide whether a slower titration schedule would be a better fit.

What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy injection 

Because Wegovy injections are taken once weekly, the timing of a missed dose matters. 

Use the guidance below to decide what to do next:

• If your next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then continue with your regular weekly schedule.

• If your next scheduled dose is less than 48 hours away: Skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your usual day. Don’t take two doses close together.

• If you’ve missed Wegovy for more than two weeks: Contact your healthcare provider. You may need to restart at a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects.

If you want to change the day of the week you take Wegovy, you can do so as long as your last dose was given at least 48 hours earlier. When in doubt, check in with your provider for guidance.

Wegovy generally uses the same starting dose for most adults, regardless of age or kidney or liver function. Typically, there aren’t any routine dose adjustments based on these factors. 

Instead, dosing follows a standard step-up schedule that gradually increases to the target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly (for the injection) or 25 mg daily (for the pill).

That said, individual tolerance matters. Some people are more sensitive to side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, and may need to stay at a lower dose for longer before moving up. Your provider may slow the escalation schedule or pause increases to help your body adjust.

If you don’t tolerate the maximum dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg weekly or 25 mg daily), your provider may recommend staying at a lower maintenance dose, such as 1.7 mg weekly (for the injection) or 9 mg daily (for the pill). 

If side effects continue at that level, they may discuss other weight loss medications or methods with you.

The key takeaway: Wegovy dosing is structured, but not rigid. Following your provider’s guidance — and not rushing dose increases — helps balance effectiveness with tolerability and safety.

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As with any new treatment, Wegovy dosing may feel complicated at first. But it follows a clear, step-by-step plan designed to help your body adjust safely. Understanding the schedule — and why it’s structured this way — can make the process feel more manageable and predictable. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Wegovy dosing starts low and increases gradually to reduce side effects and improve long-term tolerance. In general, the goal is to find a maintenance dose that helps you meet your goals without too many side effects. 

• The typical maintenance dose is 2.4 mg weekly for the injection and 25 mg daily for the Wegovy pill. But some people may stay at lower doses, such as 1.7 mg for the injection, based on their tolerance and goals. 

• If you miss a dose of Wegovy, your next step depends on the version you’re taking (pen vs. pill) and how close you are to your next scheduled dose. 

• Following your provider’s dosing instructions is key to getting the most benefit of Wegovy while staying safe.