Wegovy Dosage Schedule: Semaglutide Titration Explained

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable prescription medication used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help with weight management. It works by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that helps you feel full sooner and reduces appetite.

How to Take Wegovy

• Inject Wegovy once a week, on the same day each week.
• You can take it at any time of day, with or without meals.
• Inject under the skin (subcutaneously) in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
• Rotate your injection site each week.

Your Dose Escalation Schedule

Your dose will be increased gradually over 16 weeks to help your body adjust and reduce side effects. Do not increase your dose faster than this schedule. The schedule below follows the FDA-approved prescribing information:[1]

Weeks	Weekly dose	Notes
Weeks 1–4	0.25 mg	Starting dose — for treatment initiation, not effective for weight management on its own
Weeks 5–8	0.5 mg	First step up
Weeks 9–12	1 mg	Second step
Weeks 13–16	1.7 mg	Third step
Week 17 onward	2.4 mg	Full maintenance dose

Your healthcare provider will determine the right dose plan for you. If the 2.4 mg dose isn't tolerated, your provider may adjust your plan — including a temporary step back to 1.7 mg — and decide with you whether and when to try 2.4 mg again.[1][3]

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects are stomach and digestive issues, especially during the first few weeks and after each dose increase. These usually improve over time. They include:

• Nausea (most common — affects roughly 1 in 3 patients)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain or indigestion

The good news: clinical studies show that these side effects are usually mild to moderate, peak during the dose-escalation period, and then decline over time. Individual episodes are typically short-lived — nausea lasts a median of about 8 days, and vomiting and diarrhea often resolve within 2–4 days.[5]

Tips to Reduce Side Effects

• Eat smaller meals and eat slowly.
• Avoid high-fat and greasy foods.
• Stop eating when you feel full — Wegovy increases the feeling of fullness, so eating past that point can cause nausea or vomiting.
• Stay well hydrated with water throughout the day.
• Limit alcohol and carbonated drinks.
• Eat more fiber and drink plenty of fluids to help with constipation.
• Talk to your provider about short-term anti-nausea medication (such as ondansetron) if nausea is severe.[4]

When Your Dose Increase May Be Delayed

If you are having significant side effects (such as persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) at your current dose, tell your healthcare provider before your next scheduled dose increase. Your provider may:

• Delay your dose increase by 4 weeks to give your body more time to adjust.[1]
• Keep you at your current dose longer if side effects continue.
• Lower your dose temporarily if side effects are severe.
• In some cases, step you back to 1.7 mg temporarily if 2.4 mg isn't tolerated, and decide with you whether and when to try 2.4 mg again.

Do not skip doses or change your dose on your own without talking to your provider.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

• If your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away: take the missed dose as soon as possible.
• If your next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away: skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regular day.
• If you miss 2 or more doses in a row: contact your healthcare provider. You may need to restart at a lower dose and work your way back up to reduce the risk of side effects.[1]

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Contact your provider right away if you experience:

• Severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Signs of dehydration (dizziness, dark urine, feeling faint)
• Severe stomach pain that does not go away (could be a sign of pancreatitis)
• Signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, or throat; difficulty breathing; severe rash)
• Symptoms of gallbladder problems (pain in the upper right stomach area, fever, yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Changes in vision

Important Reminders

• Wegovy is meant to be used along with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
• Weight loss results vary from person to person. It may take several weeks to months to see significant changes.
• This medication is intended for long-term use. Stopping Wegovy may lead to weight regain.
• Store unused Wegovy pens in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F / 2°C to 8°C). After first use, a pen can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F / 30°C) or refrigerated for up to 28 days.