Key takeaways:
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight-loss medication that comes as an injection and a pill.
The starting Wegovy injection dosage is 0.25 mg once weekly, with gradual increases every 4 weeks until reaching a maintenance dose of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly. The maximum Wegovy injection dosage is 2.4 mg weekly.
The starting Wegovy pill dosage is 1.5 mg daily, which is gradually increased every 30 days until reaching 25 mg daily. The maximum Wegovy pill dosage is 25 mg daily.
If you're new to using GoodRx for Wegovy savings, pay an introductory price for the first two fills of $199 per month for the injection and $149 per month for the pill (only available for certain doses). For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, pay $349 per month for the injection and $299 per month for the pill. Subscribers to GoodRx for Weight Loss can access FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 medications.
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Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight-loss medication that comes in both injectable and oral forms. It works by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that plays a role in regulating appetite and food intake. Wegovy, though, can cause unpleasant digestive side effects. So you’ll typically start at a low dose that’s gradually increased over time to help your body adjust.
Understanding Wegovy’s dosage schedule can help ensure you get the most from treatment — while minimizing side effects. It can also help you stick with Wegovy long term, since rebound weight gain is possible if you stop taking it.
So, how much semaglutide should you take? We break down the typical Wegovy dosage schedule below.
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Wegovy dosage forms
Wegovy is available as an injection and an oral pill. Which form you’re prescribed can depend on your health history, preferences, and other factors. Here’s how they compare.
| Wegovy injection | Wegovy pill | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved uses |
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| Dosage form | Prefilled injection pen | Oral tablet |
| Dose frequency | Weekly | Daily |
| Available doses |
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| How to take |
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| Storage |
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Keep tablets in their original container. |
With both Wegovy dosage forms, you’ll start with a low dose that’s increased slowly over several months. Following this dosage schedule can help lessen side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Your healthcare team may have you follow a different dosage schedule, depending on how you respond to treatment. Be sure to follow their instructions when taking Wegovy.
What’s the typical Wegovy injection dosage?
For adults and adolescents ages 12 and older, the starting Wegovy injection dosage is 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. After that, your dosage will typically be increased every 4 weeks as long as you’re tolerating the medication. The maximum Wegovy injection dosage is 2.4 mg.
Your Wegovy injection dosing schedule may look like this:
Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg once a week (starting dose)
Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg once a week
Weeks 9-12: 1 mg once a week
Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg once a week
Weeks 17 and beyond: 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once a week (maintenance dose)
In general, the recommended maintenance dosage is 2.4 mg weekly for all uses. But if you can’t tolerate that dose, your prescriber may have you stay at 1.7 mg weekly.
What’s the typical Wegovy pill dosage?
For adults, the starting Wegovy pill dosage is 1.5 mg by mouth daily for 30 days. After that, your dosage is increased every 30 days until reaching your maintenance dosage. The maximum Wegovy pill dosage is 25 mg daily.
Your Wegovy pill dosing schedule may look like this:
Days 1-30: 1.5 mg daily (starting dose)
Days 31-60: 4 mg daily
Days 61-90: 9 mg daily
Days 91 and onward: 25 mg daily (maintenance dose)
How to save: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like Wegovy don’t need to break the bank. Explore ways to save on your prescription with this GLP-1 savings guide.
Wegovy injection tips: How should you inject Wegovy? Here are some pharmacist-backed tips for navigating Wegovy injections.
Wegovy side effects: Do you feel nauseated after injecting Wegovy? Learn about potential Wegovy side effects and ways to manage them.
If you’re not able to tolerate the 25 mg Wegovy pill dose, your prescriber may consider switching you to the 1.7 mg Wegovy injection dose.
Wegovy dosage chart at a glance
Here’s a quick snapshot of the typical Wegovy dosage schedule for the injection and pill.
Wegovy injection dosage | Wegovy pill dosage |
|---|---|
Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg once a week (starting dose) | Days 1-30: 1.5 mg daily (starting dose) |
Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg once a week | Days 31-60: 4 mg daily |
Weeks 9-12: 1 mg once a week | Days 61-90: 9 mg daily |
Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg once a week | Days 91 and onward: 25 mg daily (maintenance dose) |
Weeks 17 and beyond: 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once a week (maintenance dose) |
What happens if you miss a dose of Wegovy?
It’s always best to take your medication as prescribed. But it’s normal to occasionally forget a dose. If you miss a dose of Wegovy, the form you’re taking and when your next dose is due will determine the steps you take.
| Missed Wegovy injection dose | Missed Wegovy pill dose |
|---|---|
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If you’re frequently forgetting your Wegovy dose, there are tools that can help you stay on track. Medication reminder apps, alarms, and visual reminders are a few things you can try. Your pharmacist can also provide useful tips on how to remember to take your medication.
What should you do if you take too much Wegovy?
If you accidentally take too much Wegovy, it’s possible that you’ll experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You may also feel bloated and have a loss of appetite.
Wegovy doesn’t regularly cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, low blood sugar may be more likely if you’re taking Wegovy with diabetes medications. And if you take too much Wegovy, you’ll need to watch for low blood sugar symptoms. These can include shaking, nausea, and a fast heartbeat.
If you experience low blood sugar symptoms, check your blood glucose levels (if possible) and consume fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., a half cup fruit juice) to help bring them back up. Repeat this every 15 minutes until your levels are above 70 mg/dl. Glucose levels below 55 mg/dl are considered severe and may require emergency care.
If you think you’ve taken too much Wegovy, contact your healthcare team or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If any side effects feel severe or life-threatening, go to the nearest ER.
How to save on Wegovy
There are ways to save on Wegovy, which is available as a brand-name medication.
Save with GoodRx. If you're new to using GoodRx for Wegovy savings, pay an introductory price for the first two fills of $199 per month for the injection and $149 per month for the pill (only available for certain doses). For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, pay $349 per month for the injection and $299 per month for the pill.
If your commercial insurance plan covers Wegovy: You could pay as little as $25 per month for Wegovy with a copay savings card.
Subscribers to GoodRx for Weight Loss can also access FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 medications like Wegovy.
Frequently asked questions
Generally, yes. If you can’t tolerate the recommended maintenance dose of Wegovy, your prescriber may have you stay on a lower dose if it’s working for you. But keep in mind that much smaller doses of semaglutide, sometimes called “microdoses,” haven’t been studied and may not provide the same results.
Yes, Wegovy side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, tend to be more common or noticeable at higher doses. That’s why Wegoy is started at a low dose that’s gradually increased over several months. This helps your body get used to the medication and reduce the risk of side effects.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which works differently than Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide. Because these medications have different mechanisms of action and potency, their doses aren’t directly comparable.
Generally, yes. If you can’t tolerate the recommended maintenance dose of Wegovy, your prescriber may have you stay on a lower dose if it’s working for you. But keep in mind that much smaller doses of semaglutide, sometimes called “microdoses,” haven’t been studied and may not provide the same results.
Yes, Wegovy side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, tend to be more common or noticeable at higher doses. That’s why Wegoy is started at a low dose that’s gradually increased over several months. This helps your body get used to the medication and reduce the risk of side effects.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which works differently than Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide. Because these medications have different mechanisms of action and potency, their doses aren’t directly comparable.
The bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight-loss medication that comes in both injectable and oral forms. With both forms, you’ll start at a low dose that increased over several months. But the injection is administered weekly, while the pill is taken daily.
The starting Wegovy injection dosage is 0.25 mg weekly, which is increased every 4 weeks. The maximum Wegovy injection dosage is 2.4 mg weekly. The starting Wegovy pill dosage is 1.5 mg daily, which is increased every 30 days. The maximum Wegovy pill dosage is 25 mg daily.
The right Wegovy dosage for you can depend on how you respond to the medication and tolerate side effects. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any questions about your Wegovy dosage.
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References
Novo Nordisk. (2025). Wegovy - semaglutide injection, solution [package insert].
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). FDA approves treatment for serious liver disease known as ‘MASH’.
