Short answer: In the standard schedule of the US prescribing information, Wegovy (semaglutide) starts at 0.25 mg once a week and the steps move at 4-week intervals: 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg. The usual maintenance dose is 2.4 mg. The prescriber decides the steps, the timing and whether to step up at all.

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy's dose steps: 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg, all once a week.
  • In the standard schedule each step lasts 4 weeks, so 2.4 mg falls in week 17 at the earliest.
  • If 2.4 mg is not tolerated, the prescriber may decide to stay on 1.7 mg.
  • The US missed-dose rule for Wegovy works on a 2-day (48-hour) window before your next dose.
  • Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but they are different products with different dose steps.

Wegovy is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, approved for weight management and injected once a week. As with other GLP-1 medicines, treatment starts low and the dose goes up gradually. The aim of this slow increase is to reduce digestive side effects such as nausea.

This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Your dose and when it goes up are decisions for your doctor alone.

Wegovy dose schedule

The dosing decision is your doctor's. The table below reproduces the standard dose schedule in the US prescribing information; it is not a personal treatment plan. Which step to stay on, when to move and whether to step up at all is decided by the prescriber.

Weeks Weekly dose Role in the prescribing information
1–4 0.25 mg Starting dose
5–8 0.5 mg Step-up dose
9–12 1 mg Step-up dose
13–16 1.7 mg Step-up dose
17 onward 2.4 mg Usual maintenance dose

When a step is not well tolerated, the prescriber may delay the next increase or decide to stay on a lower dose. What tends to happen after an increase is covered in what happens when your GLP-1 dose goes up.

Wegovy vs Ozempic

Both contain semaglutide. The differences:

  • Approved use: Wegovy is approved for weight management; Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes.
  • Dose steps: Wegovy goes up to 2.4 mg; Ozempic's steps are 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg.

For Ozempic, see how to use the Ozempic pen.

Injection day and missed doses

Wegovy is injected under the skin once a week, on the same day each week, at any time of day. According to the US prescribing information:

  • If the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, the missed dose is taken as soon as possible.
  • If the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away, the missed dose is skipped and the next one is taken on the usual day.
  • If doses have been missed for more than 2 weeks, the prescriber decides how to restart.
  • The injection day can be changed as long as there are at least 2 days (48 hours) between two doses.

If you are unsure in a specific situation, ask your doctor or pharmacist. How the pen works depends on the product; the Instructions for Use in the carton are what count. For general tips, see how to use a GLP-1 pen.

Keeping track of your dose

Writing down how many weeks you have been on each step and how you felt after each increase makes it easier to answer your doctor's questions at a check-up. Haftra keeps your dose, injection day and symptoms together and reminds you on your dose day. It does not suggest doses or work out dose steps. It is free.

iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Free.

Frequently asked questions

What is the starting dose of Wegovy?

According to the prescribing information, 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks.

What is the Wegovy maintenance dose?

In the prescribing information, the usual maintenance dose is 2.4 mg. If 2.4 mg is not tolerated, the prescriber may decide to stay on 1.7 mg.

How often does the Wegovy dose go up?

In the standard schedule of the prescribing information, each step lasts 4 weeks. Whether and when to move up is the prescriber's decision, and an increase may be delayed.

Are Wegovy and Ozempic the same?

They contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but Wegovy is approved for weight management and has different dose steps.

What happens if I miss a Wegovy dose?

According to the US prescribing information, if the next dose is more than 2 days away, the missed dose is taken as soon as possible. If it is less than 2 days away, the missed dose is skipped and treatment continues on the usual day. After more than 2 weeks of missed doses, the prescriber decides how to restart. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026