What are the doses of Wegovy?

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How do Wegovy doses work? Learn how weekly semaglutide doses increase steadily to support weight loss.

If you're considering using Wegovy for weight loss, it's normal to have questions about the doses. How much do you take? When does it start working? What if your body reacts differently?

Knowing how the doses of Wegovy build over time can make the whole thing feel a bit less daunting. We take you through the entire process here.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication that supports weight loss by mimicking natural hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar. It's taken as a once-weekly injection.

On average, Wegovy patients lose 15% of their body weight over a year (52 weeks).

What is the Wegovy starting dose?

The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25mg once a week. This is the standard starting point for almost all patients. You'll stay on this low dose for the first month of treatment to allow your body to adjust and reduce the likelihood of side effects like nausea or bloating.

It's important that you take it on the same day every week. However, you can take it at any time of the day, with or without meals.

What is the next dose of Wegovy?

After four weeks at 0.25mg, you'll usually increase to 0.5mg once a week. Again, this step-up gives your body time to get used to the medication.

Most patients won't see major weight loss in the first month – these doses are too low to suppress appetite fully. However, they play a crucial role in building tolerance.

What is the highest dose of Wegovy for weight loss?

Most people taking Wegovy for weight loss will gradually work up to 2.4mg once a week from month five onwards.

This is the highest dose of Wegovy, as well as the most commonly prescribed maintenance dose once the step-up is complete. A maintenance dose is the dose you take to make sure the drug remains at a steady level in your body.

H3: Wegovy dose increases: what to expect each month

Month 1: 0.25mg once a week
Month 2: 0.5mg once a week
Month 3: 1.0mg once a week
Month 4: 1.7mg once a week
Month 5 and beyond: 2.4mg once a week

Each dose builds upon the last, with the goal of reaching 2.4mg as your maintenance dose.

H3: Do I have to increase my Wegovy dose every month?

Not necessarily. With SemaPen, you can choose to repeat your current dose or move down a dose through your account. This can be helpful if you're experiencing side effects or want to stay at a lower dose for longer.

Our experts will also be on hand to help you decide what's right for your body and your goals.

H3: Looking for weight loss support that fits around your life?

At SemaPen, our expert-designed Wegovy and Mounjaro weight loss programmes are built to help you feel in control at every stage. That's why they include flexible dose options, a direct line to our obesity specialists and smart tools to track your progress.

Start your plan with expert support. Contact us today to speak with our weight loss specialists – or take our simple online consultation to learn which treatment is right for you.

Sources

1. Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2021) "Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

This article was reviewed and approved by Lujain Alhassan, Bariatric Nutritionist, and Alice Fletcher, Lead Bariatric Dietitian, on 7 July 2025.

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