Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved once-weekly injection for chronic weight management. Whether you're new to GLP-1 medications or switching from another treatment, understanding the dosing schedule helps you know what to expect and when you'll reach the dose where appetite suppression becomes most noticeable.
This guide walks you through the exact titration schedule, what each dose means in practice, how to handle the injection, and tips for managing side effects as your dose increases.
Wegovy starts at a low dose and increases gradually over five months. Everyone begins at 0.25 mg regardless of weight, prior medication history, or health status. The dose increases every four weeks until reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
| Month | Weeks | Weekly Dose | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 1-4 | 0.25 mg | Mild appetite decrease, nausea common |
| Month 2 | 5-8 | 0.5 mg | Appetite suppression increases, side effects may peak |
| Month 3 | 9-12 | 1 mg | Noticeable weight loss, side effects often improve |
| Month 4 | 13-16 | 1.7 mg | Strong appetite suppression, approaching full effect |
| Month 5+ | 17+ | 2.4 mg | Maintenance dose, maximum appetite suppression |
Your first injection is 0.25 mg. This low starting dose allows your body to adjust and helps reduce the severity of side effects, which are most noticeable when beginning the medication.
At this dose, you'll likely feel a mild decrease in appetite and may experience some nausea. Many people report not feeling hungry during normal mealtimes, which can be surprising at first. Eating smaller portions or switching to foods that sit easier on your stomach helps during this week.
Side effect management: Eat slowly and in small amounts. Ginger tea or sucking on ginger candy may help with nausea. Stay hydrated and avoid greasy or heavy foods. If nausea is severe, talk to your doctor; they may suggest an anti-nausea medication.
At week 5, your dose doubles to 0.5 mg. This is where appetite suppression becomes more pronounced. Many people notice they can go entire days without thinking about food, which marks the beginning of real weight loss for many.
This is also where side effects often peak. Nausea, mild stomach discomfort, or diarrhea may intensify in the first week at this new dose, then gradually improve.
Side effect management: Focus on protein-rich foods that absorb slowly (eggs, yogurt, lean meat, fish). Avoid dairy if it triggers nausea. Keep electrolytes steady with broths or coconut water. Most people find side effects settle by week 6 or 7.
Week 9 brings the dose to 1 mg. At this point, many people experience noticeable weight loss. The appetite suppression is now quite strong, and for some, this dose feels like "the dose where it works."
The good news: side effects often improve at this stage. Your body has adjusted to the medication itself, and the rate of increase slows, so the adjustment period is usually gentler than month 2.
Side effect management: Continue eating smaller, frequent meals. If diarrhea or constipation has been an issue, focus on fiber-rich foods (if digestion allows) and water intake. Some people find that hunger has dropped so much they need reminders to eat. This is normal, but make sure you're getting enough nutrition.
Week 13 marks the increase to 1.7 mg. This is where the full appetite-suppressing power of Wegovy becomes apparent for most people. Weight loss typically accelerates at this dose, and the medication reaches what researchers call the "therapeutic plateau" for many users.
Some people feel satisfied here and don't need to increase further (this is something to discuss with your doctor). Others continue to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
Side effect management: By this point, most side effects have become manageable or disappeared. Continue eating small meals focused on protein and vegetables. The appetite suppression may be so strong that you need to set phone reminders to eat on schedule.
Week 17 is when you reach the full maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. This is the maximum dose, where appetite suppression is strongest. Most weight loss happens at doses above 1 mg, with 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg showing the most dramatic results in clinical trials.
Once at maintenance, you stay at 2.4 mg indefinitely as long as the medication is working well and you tolerate it. This isn't a dose you eventually "stop taking." Wegovy is a long-term treatment, and stopping it typically leads to return of appetite and weight gain over weeks to months.
Side effect management: Side effects are usually minimal by this stage. Some people report occasional nausea or constipation, but it's typically manageable with dietary adjustments.
Not everyone tolerates the standard escalation schedule. If a dose makes you too sick to function or causes severe side effects, your doctor can pause the increase and keep you at the current dose for an additional four weeks. This gives your body more time to adjust before trying the next step.
If you truly cannot move forward, staying at 1.7 mg or even 1 mg is a valid option. These doses still produce meaningful weight loss for many people.
Wegovy comes as a pre-filled pen that you inject once per week, always on the same day of the week.
Injection sites: You can inject into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites to prevent skin irritation. If you've been injecting into your abdomen on Monday, try your thigh the following Monday, then your upper arm the week after, then rotate back. Never inject into areas that are scarred, bruised, or tender.
Timing: You can take your injection with or without food. Most people inject in the morning or evening, whichever fits their schedule. Pick a specific day and time each week (for example, every Thursday at 8 am) to make it easier to remember.
Storage: Unopened pens go in the refrigerator. Once you start using a pen, it can stay at room temperature for up to 28 days. Don't freeze Wegovy, and keep it away from direct sunlight.
If you miss your weekly injection, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it's within five days of your scheduled date. After five days, skip that dose and resume your regular schedule the following week. Never take two doses close together to make up for a missed one.
The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg) was FDA-approved in December 2025 and is now available. It works similarly to the injection and produces comparable weight loss. If you prefer taking a daily pill over weekly injections, ask your doctor whether the oral form might be right for you.
Weight loss from Wegovy doesn't happen overnight. Most people notice mild appetite suppression within the first week or two, but meaningful weight loss typically becomes visible over weeks 4-8. The biggest weight loss usually happens during months 3, 4, and 5 as the dose increases.
Clinical data shows that full appetite-suppression effects are usually achieved at doses of 1.7 mg or higher, so don't be discouraged if month 1 or 2 feels underwhelming. The trajectory of weight loss often follows the dose increase curve: slow at first, then accelerating.
Use our free calculator to generate your personalized Wegovy titration schedule with exact dates for each dose increase.
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