Semaglutide Dosage Chart
"Semaglutide" is three different products at three different dose ranges. Here is the full FDA-labeled titration schedule for each — Wegovy for weight loss, Ozempic for diabetes, and Rybelsus, the oral tablet — in one place, with what each step means and missed-dose rules.
The short answer
The semaglutide schedule depends on the product: Wegovy (weight loss) climbs 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg weekly; Ozempic (diabetes) goes 0.25 → 0.5 → 1 → up to 2 mg weekly; Rybelsus (oral) goes 3 → 7 → 14 mg daily. Each steps up no faster than every 4 weeks (30 days for Rybelsus) to limit nausea.
Key takeaways
- Wegovy (weight loss): 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg once weekly — maximum 2.4 mg.
- Ozempic (type 2 diabetes): 0.25 → 0.5 → 1 → 2 mg once weekly — maximum 2 mg.
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide): 3 mg → 7 mg → 14 mg once daily — maximum 14 mg.
- Step up no sooner than every 4 weeks (30 days for Rybelsus); the 0.25 mg / 3 mg start is a lead-in, not a treatment dose.
- Compounded semaglutide concentration varies by pharmacy, so its "units" are not universal — dose by your pharmacy label, not a brand pen.
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg — weight management) dosing chart
FDA-labeled titration schedule — the standard step-up most prescribers follow to limit nausea. Your prescriber may adjust the pace to your tolerance.
| Phase | Dose | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose — body adjusts |
| Week 5–8 | 0.5 mg | Step up |
| Week 9–12 | 1.0 mg | Step up |
| Week 13+ | 1.7–2.4 mg | Titrate every 4 weeks to 2.4 mg (Wegovy) or 1.0–2.0 mg (Ozempic) |
Maximum approved Wegovy dose: 1.7–2.4 mg. Source: FDA prescribing information. Doses above the maximum add side effects without added benefit.
Ozempic (semaglutide — type 2 diabetes) dosing chart
FDA-labeled titration schedule — the standard step-up most prescribers follow to limit nausea. Your prescriber may adjust the pace to your tolerance.
| Phase | Dose | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–4 | 0.25 mg | Start-up dose — the label says it is not for glycemic control |
| Week 5–8 | 0.5 mg | First therapeutic dose |
| Week 9+ | 1 mg | Prescriber may increase after ≥4 weeks |
| If needed | 2 mg | Maximum diabetes dose, after ≥4 weeks at 1 mg |
Maximum approved Ozempic dose: 2 mg. Source: FDA prescribing information. Doses above the maximum add side effects without added benefit.
Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) dosing chart
FDA-labeled titration schedule — the standard step-up most prescribers follow to limit nausea. Your prescriber may adjust the pace to your tolerance.
| Phase | Dose | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–30 | 3 mg | Start-up dose — not for glycemic control |
| Month 2 | 7 mg | First therapeutic dose |
| If needed | 14 mg | Maximum dose, after ≥30 days at 7 mg |
Maximum approved Rybelsus dose: 14 mg. Source: FDA prescribing information. Doses above the maximum add side effects without added benefit.
Why the maximum dose differs between Wegovy and Ozempic
Both are semaglutide, but they were studied and approved as separate products. Wegovy's weight-management trials took the dose up to 2.4 mg once weekly; Ozempic's diabetes program approved a maximum of 2 mg once weekly. That is why the weight-loss brand goes one step higher. Rybelsus is the same molecule in a daily oral tablet, dosed in entirely different numbers (3, 7, 14 mg) because oral semaglutide is absorbed far less efficiently than the injection.
Why the step-up is slow
Semaglutide is active from the first dose — the ladder is not about the drug "kicking in." The low 0.25 mg (or 3 mg oral) start and the 4-week steps exist to give your gut time to adapt so nausea, diarrhea, and constipation stay manageable. Each increase can bring a fresh, usually temporary wave of those effects. There is no benefit to climbing faster, and going above the labeled maximum adds side effects without added benefit.
Compounded semaglutide dosing — read the label, not the pen chart
Compounded semaglutide is not an FDA-approved finished product, and its concentration (mg per mL) is set by the compounding pharmacy — it is not standardized like the brand pens. The number of syringe "units" for a given mg dose is therefore not universal and can differ from Wegovy or Ozempic. Dose only by the mg amount and concentration on your pharmacy's label and your prescriber's written instructions; never assume a compounded vial matches a brand pen's schedule.
Common questions about this medication
What is the semaglutide dosage chart?
It depends on which semaglutide product you take. Wegovy (weight loss) titrates 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg once weekly, one step every 4 weeks. Ozempic (diabetes) goes 0.25 → 0.5 → 1 → up to 2 mg once weekly. Rybelsus (oral) goes 3 mg → 7 mg → up to 14 mg once daily. Each starts low on purpose to limit nausea.
What is the maximum dose of semaglutide?
It differs by product: Wegovy’s maximum is 2.4 mg once weekly, Ozempic’s is 2 mg once weekly, and Rybelsus’s is 14 mg once daily. The injectable weight-loss dose (2.4 mg) is higher than the diabetes dose (2 mg) because they were studied and approved separately.
How long do you stay on each semaglutide dose?
For the injectables (Wegovy, Ozempic), at least 4 weeks per step before increasing. For oral Rybelsus, at least 30 days at each dose. The slow schedule lets gastrointestinal side effects settle; your prescriber can hold you longer at a dose or step back down if side effects are hard to tolerate.
Is Wegovy the same dose as Ozempic?
No. Both are semaglutide, but Wegovy (weight management) titrates up to 2.4 mg once weekly, while Ozempic (type 2 diabetes) maxes out at 2 mg once weekly. The early steps look similar, but the top of the ladder and the labeled use differ, so they are not interchangeable dose-for-dose without a prescriber’s direction.
What if I miss a dose of semaglutide?
For weekly Wegovy or Ozempic, if the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember; if it is sooner than that, skip it and resume your schedule — do not double up. For daily Rybelsus, skip the missed dose and take the next one the following morning. After a long gap, your prescriber may restart you at a lower dose.
How is compounded semaglutide dosing different?
Compounded semaglutide is not an FDA-approved finished product, and its concentration (mg per mL) varies by pharmacy, so the number of syringe "units" for a given mg dose is not universal and can differ from Wegovy or Ozempic pens. Dose only by the mg amount and concentration on your compounding pharmacy’s label and your prescriber’s written instructions — never assume it matches a brand pen.
Doses reflect current FDA prescribing information for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. This is an editorial reference, not medical advice or a prescription — your prescriber sets your dose and titration pace. Reviewed 2026-07-15.