Key takeaways
- Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medication used for weight management and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). It comes as a once-weekly injection or once-daily pill.
- Wegovy dosage starts low and gradually increases over several weeks. Injectable Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg weekly and may increase to a maximum of 2.4 mg weekly, while oral Wegovy starts at 1.5 mg daily and may increase to 25 mg daily.
- If you miss a dose and your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose. If it’s less than 2 days away, skip it and resume your regular schedule.
Overview
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medication commonly used for weight management. It’s also used to manage noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). It comes as an injection and an oral pill.
Let’s take a look at Wegovy’s dosages, strengths, and how to use it or take it. If you want to know more about Wegovy, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
| Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer Wegovy has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). |
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Wegovy dosage overview
Wegovy dosage depends on several factors, including:
- the condition it’s prescribed for
- the form of Wegovy prescribed
- how long you’ve been taking Wegovy
- how you respond to treatment
Your doctor will usually start you on a low dosage of Wegovy and increase it over time to find the right dosing for you — the dosage that is the most effective with the fewest side effects.
If your doctor prescribes Wegovy, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Do not change your dosage of Wegovy without your doctor’s recommendation.
Forms and strengths
Wegovy comes in two forms: An injection that’s given under your skin and a tablet that you swallow. The injectable form of Wegovy comes in prefilled injector pens for self-use.
The following table displays the available strengths of the two forms of Wegovy.
Note: Strengths of Wegovy pills are listed in milligrams (mg). Strengths of Wegovy injections are in milligrams per milliliter of solution (mg/mL) within prefilled injector pens.
| Wegovy injection | Wegovy pill | |
|---|---|---|
| Available strengths | • 0.25 mg / 0.5 mL • 0.5 mg / 0.5 mL • 1.0 mg / 0.5 mL • 1.7 mg / 0.75 mL • 2.4 mg / 0.75 mL | • 1.5 mg • 4 mg • 9 mg • 25 mg |
Wegovy dosage charts
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Wegovy called a starting dose. Then, they’ll adjust it roughly every 4 weeks until the preferred dosage is reached. This is known as titration. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Wegovy that gives the desired outcome.
The following charts show typical dosages of Wegovy injections and pills. These dosages apply to all of Wegovy’s FDA-approved indications. Note that your dosage escalation may stop earlier than the maximum dosage.
Injection dosages
| Time frame | Wegovy injection dosage |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 through 4 | 0.25 mg, once per week |
| Weeks 5 through 8 | 0.5 mg, once per week |
| Weeks 9 through 12 | 1.0 mg, once per week |
| Weeks 13 through 16 | 1.7 mg, once per week |
| Weeks 17 and onward | 1.7 or 2.4 mg, once per week |
Pill dosages
| Time frame | Wegovy pill dosage |
|---|---|
| Days 1 through 30 | 1.5 mg, once per day |
| Days 31 through 60 | 4 mg, once per day |
| Days 61 through 90 | 9 mg, once per day |
| Days 91 and onward | 25 mg, once per day |
How to take Wegovy
How Wegovy is taken depends on its form.
Injection
You’ll inject Wegovy subcutaneously (under your skin) once per week. The areas that work well for these injections include the skin around your stomach area (abdomen), thighs, or upper arms. Try to rotate the injection area each time so you don’t use the same area too often. Do not inject Wegovy into a muscle or vein.
It’s best to inject Wegovy on the same day each week, at any time of the day. You can use it with or without food.
Before you start using Wegovy, your doctor will show you or a caregiver how to give injections. If you choose to inject into your arm, you’ll need a caregiver to give the injection. Your doctor will also be able to answer any questions you have about how to inject the medication yourself.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty using your medication. They can offer recommendations about using it.
Pill
The Wegovy pill is taken once per day, on an empty stomach, and you need to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This can help reduce side effects and improve the absorption of the medication.
Medical perspective
What lifestyle considerations should I think about when choosing between an injectable or oral GLP-1?
“You should think about which option best fits your daily routine and which one you are most likely to stick with long term. A once-weekly injection may be easier for some people because it does not require the strict fasting instructions that come with a daily oral medication, while others may prefer a pill over giving themselves injections.”
Note: Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose. If it’s less than 2 days (48 hours) before your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. In both cases, take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
If you miss two or more doses of Wegovy in a row, call your doctor for instructions. They may tell you to take your current dose or take a lower dose.
If you forget to take a daily Wegovy pill, skip the missed dose and take the next pill the following day. Do not “double up” (take two pills) on any given day to make up for a missed dose.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Wegovy and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Wegovy and its dosage.
Can I start at a dose of Wegovy 1.7 mg?
No, you should not start Wegovy at a dosage of 1.7 mg. The recommended starting dosage is 0.25 mg once per week. Then your doctor will slowly raise your dosage over several weeks.
Slowly increasing your dosage helps lower the risk of side effects. It’s important not to use more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes.
If you have questions about the starting dose of Wegovy and how it will increase, talk with your doctor.
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Get free cardIs Wegovy used in children?
The injectable form of Wegovy is FDA-approved for use to help with weight loss and weight management in children ages 12 and older with obesity.
The Wegovy dosage for these children is the same as that for adults who are prescribed Wegovy injections for this indication.
Why are Wegovy pill dosages higher than the injection?
Oral Wegovy tends to have a higher dosage than the injectable form because of the way oral drugs are absorbed. Oral drugs are broken down more when you swallow them, so less of the active ingredient reaches your bloodstream.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the oral form is stronger or will have a greater effect than injectable.
Is Wegovy used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Wegovy as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should use Wegovy, talk with your doctor.
Overdose of Wegovy
It’s important that you do not use more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- severe nausea
- severe vomiting
- severe low blood sugar
If you think you’ve used too much Wegovy, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Online care for Wegovy
If a doctor has prescribed a GLP-1, it’s important to take the medication as directed for as long as your doctor recommends. However, some people might face barriers to accessing GLP-1s, including high costs and access to healthcare appointments.
With Optum Perks Online Care, you can request a new weight loss prescription, get a refill, or get help with an existing prescription. There’s no monthly membership needed — all you’ll pay is $39 for the appointment plus the cost of the medication.
With this service, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your condition, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after, without the need to make an in-person appointment.
Next steps
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Wegovy. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Wegovy without your doctor’s recommendation. You should use Wegovy exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will it take to increase my Wegovy dosage to the maintenance dosage?
- Would there be a reason to lower my Wegovy dosage?
- How long will I need to use Wegovy?
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Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.