Standard Dosing Schedule for Wegovy
Wegovy (semaglutide) is recommended for once-weekly subcutaneous injections. Patients typically self-administer it on the same day each week, with or without food, using pre-filled pens available in doses from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg.[1]
How the Dose Escalates Over Time
Treatment starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then increases gradually every 4 weeks (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg) to reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. This titration minimizes side effects like nausea. If tolerability issues arise, doctors may pause escalation or reduce the dose temporarily.[1][2]
What If You Miss a Dose?
Inject the missed dose as soon as possible within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and resume the regular weekly schedule. Do not double up.[1]
Injection Tips and Sites
Inject into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites weekly to avoid irritation. Pens deliver the dose in one step after priming. Store in the refrigerator until first use, then at room temperature for up to 28 days.[1][2]
Why Weekly Instead of Daily?
Semaglutide's long half-life (about 1 week) allows sustained blood levels with weekly dosing, unlike daily GLP-1 agonists such as liraglutide (Saxenda).[2]
Sources:
[1] Novo Nordisk Wegovy Prescribing Information: https://www.wegovy.com/prescribing-information.pdf
[2] FDA Label for Wegovy: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf