Key takeaways
- Wegovy’s starting dosage is a 0.25-milligram (mg) injection once per week. You’ll typically increase your dose every 4 weeks, up to 1.7 mg per week or 2.4 mg per week.
- Your doctor may adjust your dosage increase based on how you respond to Wegovy, such as any side effects you may have.
As part of a treatment plan that includes a low calorie diet and exercise, Wegovy may be prescribed to:
- lower the risk of cardiovascular problems and death in adults who have cardiovascular disease and are overweight or have obesity
- help with weight loss and long-term weight management in certain adults and children
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Wegovy belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
This article describes the dosages of Wegovy, as well as its strengths and how to use it. To learn more about Wegovy, including its limitations of use, see this Wegovy overview.
The information about the usual dosages of Wegovy is as follows.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Wegovy’s dosage in milligrams (mg). You can then read on for more details.
Wegovy dosage chart
| Dose | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | weeks 1 to 4 (starting dose) |
| 0.5 mg | weeks 5 to 8 |
| 1 mg | weeks 9 to 12 |
| 1.7 mg | weeks 13 to 16 |
| 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg | week 17 and beyond |
What is Wegovy’s form?
Wegovy comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled injection pen. You’ll receive your dose as an injection under your skin. You’ll use each pen only once.
What strengths does Wegovy come in?
Wegovy is available in multiple strengths. These include:
- 0.25 mg per 0.5 milliliters (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
What are the usual dosages of Wegovy?
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Your doctor will likely start you on the lowest dosage of Wegovy, which is 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. If you do well with this treatment, they’ll likely increase your dose gradually every 4 weeks. This will continue until you reach the maintenance dosage of 1.7 mg once per week or 2.4 mg once per week. (See the “Wegovy dosage chart” for the usual dosing routine.)
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels before you begin Wegovy and throughout your treatment.
Do you have to increase your Wegovy dose?
Wegovy’s starting dosage is gradually increased up to a maintenance dosage. But if you experience certain side effects, your doctor may delay increasing your dose for 4 weeks. Then, they’ll slowly increase your dose until you reach the maintenance dosage of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once weekly.
Which maintenance dose your doctor prescribes may depend on how your body responds to Wegovy and any side effects you have. If you experience serious side effects at the 2.4 mg dose, your doctor may lower your dosage to 1.7 mg.
You should not increase or change your Wegovy dosage unless your doctor recommends this.
What’s the dosage of Wegovy for children?
Wegovy’s dosage for children ages 12 years and older is the same as the dosage for adults. To learn more, see the “What are the usual dosages of Wegovy?” section.
For more information about Wegovy’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Wegovy used long term?
Yes, Wegovy is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
No, Wegovy is usually started at a dosage of 0.25 mg per week. This allows your body to get used to Wegovy, lowering the risk of side effects.
After 4 weeks, your doctor will typically raise your dose to 0.5 mg per week. They’ll continue to increase your dose, up to 1.7 mg per week or 2.4 mg per week. See the “What are the usual dosages of Wegovy?” section for details.
If you miss your weekly injection of Wegovy and your next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away, give yourself the missed dose. But if the next scheduled dose is less than 48 hours away, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose at the usual time. Then, continue with the usual weekly schedule.
If you miss your weekly Wegovy injections 2 weeks in a row, contact your doctor. They can discuss options to get you back on track with the dosing schedule.
For help remembering Wegovy injections, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
The price you’ll pay for Wegovy can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, the pharmacy you use, and any insurance coverage you have.
To save money on your Wegovy treatment, explore the following coupon options.
This section contains dosage and administration information for Wegovy.
Wegovy comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled injection pen. You’ll give yourself your dose as an injection under your skin. You should keep Wegovy in the refrigerator until you’re ready to inject your dose.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself Wegovy injections. You’ll then do this once per week as directed by your doctor. You should inject your dose on the same day and at the same time each week. This will help keep a consistent level of the drug in your body.
If your child is prescribed Wegovy, you may administer the drug for them. Or, depending how old your child is, their doctor could teach them how to give themselves injections.
Always dispose of Wegovy injection pens in a sharps container or some other sturdy container, such as one made of thick plastic with a tight-fitting lid.
To learn more about how to inject, store, and dispose of Wegovy, see these instructions from the manufacturer.
The dosage of Wegovy you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include how you respond to Wegovy treatment, such as whether you have side effects that are bothersome or severe.
Do not inject more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- severe nausea
- severe vomiting
- severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause
What to do in case you inject too much Wegovy
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Wegovy. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
