October 12, 2026 · By the ShopMedRx team
Semaglutide Weight Loss Dosage Chart: Doses, Units, Safety
A semaglutide weight loss dosage chart explained: label titration steps, maximum dose, how mg convert to syringe units, and safety. Adults 18+.
By the ShopMedRx team. Last updated October 12, 2026. For adults 18 and older.
A semaglutide weight loss dosage chart usually starts at 0.25 mg once a week and steps up every 4 weeks. On the FDA label for semaglutide 2.4 mg injection, the steps are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and then a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg or 1.7 mg.[1] A prescribing clinician decides your actual dose, and compounded products can be dosed differently from that label.
This post goes deep on one question: what do the numbers in a dosing chart mean, and how do you read them safely? It covers the label schedule, the maximum dose, how milligrams turn into syringe units, and what to ask your clinician.
Semaglutide weight loss dosage chart: the standard label schedule
The FDA label for semaglutide 2.4 mg injection for weight management uses a stepwise plan. The dose starts low at 0.25 mg and is raised every 4 weeks.[3][5] This is the most common semaglutide dosing chart you will see online, and it is a useful reference for how titration works.
| Weeks | Once-weekly dose | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose |
| 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg | First step up |
| 9 to 12 | 1 mg | Second step up |
| 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg | Third step up |
| 17 and later | 2.4 mg, or 1.7 mg | Maintenance, chosen by response and tolerability |
Source for the schedule: the FDA label.[1][3] The label says treatment response and how well you tolerate the medicine should guide which maintenance dose is chosen.[1]
Important: this table describes an FDA-approved product's label. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality.[4] Your own schedule may differ, and only your clinician and pharmacy label can tell you what applies to you.
What is the maximum dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
On the earlier 2023 version of the label, the top weekly dose for weight management was 2.4 mg.[3] The current label now lets the dose go up to a maximum of 7.2 mg once a week, but only for adults who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and for whom additional weight reduction is clinically indicated.[1][2] The maximum dose of semaglutide for weight loss on that label is therefore 7.2 mg weekly, while 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg is the recommended maintenance dose.[2]
Higher is not automatically better. A higher dose may bring more side effects, and a lower maintenance dose is a label option. A clinician weighs your response, side effects and health history before changing a dose. Never raise your dose on your own.
Semaglutide dosing chart units: how mg, mL and syringe units connect
Most confusion with a semaglutide dosing chart comes from units. Your prescription is written in milligrams (mg), which measure the amount of medicine. The marks on an insulin syringe are units, which measure volume. On a U-100 syringe, 1 unit is 0.01 mL, so 10 units is 0.1 mL.
How many milligrams are in that volume depends on the strength (concentration) of the vial. The math is: units = (dose in mg ÷ concentration in mg/mL) × 100. For example, 1.7 mg from a 5 mg/mL vial is 0.34 mL, or 34 units.
Compound semaglutide dosage chart: an illustration of the math
Pharmacies can prepare compounded semaglutide in more than one strength. The table below shows why the same dose needs a different number of units on each strength. It is an illustration of arithmetic only, not dosing advice, and it does not mean your prescription follows these steps.
| Dose | 2.5 mg/mL vial | 5 mg/mL vial | 10 mg/mL vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | 10 units | 5 units | 2.5 units |
| 0.5 mg | 20 units | 10 units | 5 units |
| 1 mg | 40 units | 20 units | 10 units |
| 1.7 mg | 68 units | 34 units | 17 units |
| 2.4 mg | 96 units | 48 units | 24 units |
Look at one row. A 1 mg dose is 40 units on a 2.5 mg/mL vial but only 10 units on a 10 mg/mL vial. Because of this, a semaglutide dose chart copied from the internet can be wrong for your vial by a wide margin.
Why the vial label matters more than any chart
The FDA has said it received multiple reports of adverse events, some requiring hospitalization, that may be related to dosing errors with compounded injectable semaglutide products.[4] The same number of units means a different amount of medicine at a different concentration. For example, 40 units is 0.4 mg at 1 mg/mL but 2 mg at 5 mg/mL.
Practical habits that help:
- Read the concentration (mg/mL) on the label every time you start a new vial, and again if the pharmacy or strength changes.
- Use the syringe type your pharmacy tells you to use, and follow the instructions written for your vial.
- Ask your clinician or pharmacist to write the dose in both mg and the exact number of units or mL.
- If a new vial looks different, or the amount to draw looks very different from last time, stop and call the pharmacy before injecting.
- Ask your pharmacist how long your vial can be used once opened, and follow the storage and discard directions on your label.
Why a compounded dose chart is not one-size-fits-all
With a compounded vial, the clinician and pharmacy choose the strength, and the amount you draw depends on it. That is one reason compounded dosing can differ from the label schedule, and why the label's dose steps should not be assumed to apply to you.
Some clinicians also prescribe lower starting doses or slower step-ups off-label, for example when side effects are a concern. These are clinical decisions, and there is no standard chart for them. If you are curious, you can read about our semaglutide microdose injection program, and talk with a clinician about whether any lower-dose plan is appropriate.
Our semaglutide injection program is prescription-only. A licensed clinician reviews your health assessment and decides whether a prescription is appropriate. Compounded medications are filled by licensed U.S. partner pharmacies.
Dose steps and what if a step is hard to tolerate
Stomach side effects such as nausea are among the most common effects listed on the label.[1] The 4-week step schedule is part of how the label manages the start of treatment. The label also allows 1.7 mg as a maintenance dose, chosen by response and tolerability.[2]
If a step feels rough, tell your clinician rather than skipping ahead, doubling up or stopping on your own. They may hold you at the current dose longer, or change the plan. Our post on the GLP-1 diet and what to eat covers everyday food questions to bring to your clinician.
Missed doses and keeping a weekly routine
Semaglutide for weight management is injected once a week. The FDA label has specific rules for a missed dose. In summary, if the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, the missed dose is given as soon as possible. If the next dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and go back to the usual day. If 2 or more doses in a row are missed, the label says to resume the schedule or, if needed, restart the dose steps.[3]
Those rules are for the label product. If you use a compounded product, ask your clinician what to do, because your plan and vial strength may differ. Do not take extra medicine to catch up.[5]
Safety: who should not take semaglutide
The label for semaglutide 2.4 mg carries a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. It should not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or by anyone with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).[1] It also should not be used by people with a serious allergy to semaglutide or any ingredient in the product.[1]
Other risks listed on the label include:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gallbladder problems.
- Low blood sugar, especially in people who also take insulin or a sulfonylurea.
- Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea, which can lead to kidney injury.
The most common side effects are stomach-related, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain.[1] Severe or lasting stomach pain, repeated vomiting, or signs of an allergic reaction need prompt medical care. This list is not complete, so read the full label and review your history with a clinician.
What the trials found, and what to keep in mind
In the STEP 1 trial, adults with overweight or obesity who took semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly for 68 weeks, along with lifestyle support, lost an average of 14.9% of body weight, compared with 2.4% with placebo.[6] Individual results vary, and these numbers describe the FDA-approved product in a trial setting. They do not predict what any one person will experience or what a compounded product will do.
The trial's extension followed people after treatment stopped. On average, they regained a large share of the weight they had lost, which is why long-term planning with a clinician matters.[7] Muscle is also part of the conversation. Our post on creatine and muscle on a GLP-1 explains what to ask about it.
Questions to ask a clinician about your dose
- Is semaglutide appropriate for me, given my health history and medicines?
- What is my starting dose, and how long will I stay on each step?
- What is the concentration of my vial, and how many units or mL equal each dose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose or feel sick after an increase?
- How will we decide whether to stop increasing, lower the dose or stop treatment?
- Which symptoms mean I should call you or seek urgent care?
Quick summary
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Usual starting dose on the label | 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks |
| How often do steps happen? | Every 4 weeks on the label schedule |
| Recommended maintenance dose on the label | 2.4 mg weekly, or 1.7 mg if needed |
| Highest label dose | 7.2 mg weekly, for selected adults who tolerate 2.4 mg |
| Units on a syringe | Depend on vial concentration; follow your pharmacy label |
| Who sets your dose? | Your licensed prescribing clinician |
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
On the FDA label for semaglutide 2.4 mg injection, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks. This is a starting dose, not a target dose. Your clinician sets your own plan.
What is the maximum dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
The current FDA label lists 7.2 mg once weekly as the maximum, for adults who tolerate 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and for whom additional weight reduction is clinically indicated. The recommended maintenance dose is 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg. A clinician decides whether any increase is appropriate.
How many units is a semaglutide dose?
It depends on the vial strength. The formula is units = (mg dose ÷ mg/mL) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Always follow the units your pharmacy label and clinician give you rather than a chart from the internet.
Can I use a compound semaglutide dosage chart from the internet?
It is not safe to rely on one. Charts assume a particular concentration, and your vial may be different. The FDA has received reports of adverse events, some requiring hospitalization, that may be related to dosing errors with compounded injectable semaglutide, so check with your clinician or pharmacist.
What if I miss a dose?
The label for the FDA-approved product says to give it as soon as possible if the next dose is more than 2 days away, and otherwise to skip it. Do not double up. For compounded products, ask your clinician what applies to your plan.
Is compounded semaglutide FDA-approved?
No. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. They are prescribed only if a licensed clinician decides they are appropriate.
Talk to a licensed clinician
A dosing chart is a starting point for a conversation, not a prescription. If you are an adult considering semaglutide, you can complete an online health assessment. An independent, licensed clinician will review it and decide whether a prescription is appropriate. Do not start, stop or change any medicine without talking to a clinician.
Important information
- This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
- All medications available through ShopMedRx are prescription only and are prescribed only if appropriate after a licensed clinician's review.
- Some medications we offer are compounded. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed.
- Individual results vary. Nothing in this article promises a specific result.
- Prescriptions are written by independent, licensed clinicians through OpenLoop Health and filled by licensed U.S. partner pharmacies.
Sources
- Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide injection and tablets for weight management: prescribing information (current label). U.S. FDA, 2026. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/215256s033lbl.pdf
- Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide injection and tablets for weight management: prescribing information, dosage and administration (current label). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b
- Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide 2.4 mg injection for weight management: prescribing information (2023 version). U.S. FDA, 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
- U.S. FDA. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. U.S. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss
- Mayo Clinic. Semaglutide (subcutaneous route): proper use. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406730
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2021. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- Wilding JPH, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9542252/