How long does it take to reach the maximum semaglutide dose?

Following the standard titration schedule, it takes approximately 16-17 weeks (about 4 months) to reach the maximum 2.4mg dose. The schedule starts at 0.25mg for 4 weeks, then increases to 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, and finally 2.4mg, spending 4 weeks at each dose level.

Can I skip doses or speed up the semaglutide schedule?

Never adjust your dosing schedule without provider approval. Skipping doses or advancing too quickly significantly increases side effects like nausea and vomiting, often leading to treatment discontinuation. The gradual schedule allows your GLP-1 receptors to adapt properly.

Do I have to reach 2.4mg or can I stay at a lower dose?

Many patients achieve excellent results at lower doses. About 30% of patients in clinical trials found their optimal maintenance dose at 1.0mg. If you're losing weight steadily and tolerating the medication well at any dose level, staying there rather than increasing further is perfectly appropriate.

What should I do if I miss a semaglutide dose?

If fewer than 5 days have passed since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 5 days have passed, skip that dose entirely and resume your regular schedule with the next injection. Never take two doses within 48 hours of each other.

When should I stay longer at my current semaglutide dose?

Extend your time at the current dose if you experience persistent side effects beyond the first week after increasing, if you're achieving excellent weight loss results (1-2 lbs weekly), or if life circumstances make managing potential side effects difficult. Additional time at each dose level is safe and often beneficial.

What's the best day of the week to take semaglutide?

Choose a day that fits your schedule consistently. Many patients prefer Fridays or Saturdays to manage any side effects over the weekend. The most important factor is maintaining the same day each week for consistent medication levels.

Semaglutide Dosing Chart & Schedule: Complete Week-by-Week Guide 2025

Understanding the Dosing Chart

The semaglutide dosing chart isn't arbitrary—it represents years of clinical research determining the safest path to effective weight loss. Think of it as a roadmap where each stop lets your body catch up before moving forward. Rushing this process doesn't get you better results; it just increases the chances you'll feel miserable and quit.

Here's what makes this schedule work: your GLP-1 receptors need time to adjust to the medication's presence. When you introduce semaglutide gradually, these receptors adapt smoothly. Jump the dose too quickly, and those same receptors get overwhelmed, triggering intense nausea and digestive upset that can derail your entire treatment.

Clinical trials tested multiple titration schedules before landing on this one. Patients who followed this specific timeline had significantly better adherence rates—meaning they actually stuck with the medication long enough to see real results. The people who tried to speed things up? Most quit within the first two months.

The Standard Semaglutide Titration Schedule

Complete Dosing Timeline

Weeks 1-4

0.25 mg

Starting dose for body adaptation. Most patients experience minimal side effects. Weight loss: 2-4 lbs average during this phase.

Weeks 5-8

0.5 mg

First therapeutic increase. Noticeable appetite suppression begins. Weight loss: 1-2 lbs per week typical.

Weeks 9-12

1.0 mg

Significant therapeutic effect. Strong appetite control. Weight loss often accelerates to 2-3 lbs weekly.

Weeks 13-16

1.7 mg

Higher therapeutic dose. Many patients find their optimal maintenance level here. Consistent weight loss continues.

Week 17+

2.4 mg

Maximum maintenance dose. Clinical trials show average 15-20% total body weight loss at this level over 68 weeks.

Important Schedule Notes

• This schedule represents the standard protocol—your provider may adjust based on your response
• Not everyone needs to reach 2.4mg; many achieve goals at lower doses
• Side effects are most common in the 2-3 days after dose increases
• You can stay longer at any dose level if needed before increasing

Week-by-Week: What to Expect

Month 1: The Foundation (Weeks 1-4 at 0.25mg)

Your first month on semaglutide establishes the groundwork. At 0.25mg, you're essentially teaching your body to recognize semaglutide. Don't expect dramatic changes yet—this dose is intentionally low to minimize side effects while your system adjusts.

Week 1: Most people notice very little except perhaps mild fullness after meals. Some experience slight nausea 24-48 hours after the first injection, but it typically fades quickly. Your eating patterns might not change much—that's completely normal.

Week 2: Your body starts recognizing the medication's presence. You might find yourself naturally eating slightly smaller portions or feeling satisfied sooner during meals. Any initial nausea usually diminishes significantly.

Weeks 3-4: Subtle appetite changes become more consistent. You're not fighting intense hunger, but you might notice snacking less frequently or losing interest in certain foods. Weight loss during this month typically ranges from 2-5 pounds—modest but meaningful.

Month 2: First Real Changes (Weeks 5-8 at 0.5mg)

This is when most patients truly feel the medication working. The jump to 0.5mg marks your entry into therapeutic dosing territory.

Week 5: The dose increase might bring back some nausea—usually mild and manageable with dietary adjustments. Your appetite suppression becomes noticeably stronger. Food portions that satisfied you before now seem too large.

Weeks 6-8: Weight loss typically picks up pace to 1-2 pounds weekly. You'll likely notice your relationship with food shifting—it becomes more about nutrition than cravings. Many patients report food simply sounds less appealing, especially rich or heavy meals.

Month 3: Accelerated Progress (Weeks 9-12 at 1.0mg)

Welcome to what many consider the "sweet spot" of semaglutide treatment. At 1.0mg, the medication's full effects become apparent.

Week 9: Another dose increase means monitoring for side effects again, but your body has had two months to adapt to semaglutide's mechanism. Most patients tolerate this jump well.

Weeks 10-12: This is when people start noticing physical changes beyond the scale. Clothes fit differently, energy improves, and confidence builds. Weight loss often accelerates to 2-3 pounds weekly. About 30% of patients in clinical trials found their optimal maintenance dose right here at 1.0mg.

Month 4: Higher Therapeutic Level (Weeks 13-16 at 1.7mg)

By now, you've been on semaglutide for three months. Your body has adapted significantly, making this dose increase usually smooth.

What changes: Appetite suppression remains strong but feels more natural—less like medication and more like your new normal. Many patients stabilize here, finding 1.7mg provides excellent results without needing the maximum dose.

Decision point: If you're losing weight steadily, tolerating the medication well, and approaching your goals, your provider might recommend staying at 1.7mg rather than increasing further. There's no prize for reaching 2.4mg if a lower dose works perfectly for you.

Week 17+: Maximum Maintenance (2.4mg)

The final step to maximum dosing happens around week 17. This dose produced the impressive results in clinical trials—an average 15-20% body weight loss over 68 weeks.

Long-term expectations: Weight loss continues but typically slows from the rapid pace of earlier months. You're now in maintenance mode—the focus shifts to sustaining your progress while continuing gradual weight reduction toward your ultimate goal. Most patients report feeling completely adapted to the medication at this stage.

Planning Your Personal Timeline

Knowing when you'll reach each dose milestone helps with planning and managing expectations. Here's how to calculate your personalized schedule:

Your Semaglutide Calendar

Starting Date:Week 0 (0.25mg)

1 Month Later:Week 4 - Increase to 0.5mg

2 Months Later:Week 8 - Increase to 1.0mg

3 Months Later:Week 12 - Increase to 1.7mg

4 Months Later:Week 16 - Reach 2.4mg maximum

Example: If you start your first injection on January 1st, you'll reach 0.5mg on February 1st, 1.0mg on March 1st, 1.7mg on April 1st, and the maximum 2.4mg dose around May 1st. That means it takes about 16-17 weeks (roughly 4 months) to reach the full maintenance dose if you follow the standard schedule without delays.

When to Adjust Your Dosing Schedule

The standard schedule serves most patients well, but individual responses vary. Here's when modifications make sense:

Reasons to Stay Longer at Current Dose

•Persistent side effects: If nausea, constipation, or other issues continue beyond the first week after a dose increase, stay at your current level for an additional 2-4 weeks before advancing.
•Excellent results at current dose: Losing 1-2 pounds weekly with minimal side effects? There's no rush to increase. Many patients achieve their goals without reaching maximum dosing.
•Life circumstances: Starting a new job, traveling, or dealing with stress? It's fine to delay dose increases until you're in a better position to manage potential side effects.

When Faster Titration Might Work

In rare cases, providers may approve slightly faster dose escalation:

•Zero side effects: Some patients tolerate semaglutide exceptionally well. If you've experienced absolutely no nausea, fatigue, or GI issues, your provider might consider shortening a phase to 3 weeks instead of 4.
•Previous GLP-1 experience: If you've successfully used another GLP-1 medication before, your body may adapt more quickly to semaglutide.

Note: Never adjust your dosing schedule without provider approval. This isn't a race—sustainable results matter more than speed.

When to Decrease or Pause

Sometimes stepping back is the right move:

•Severe side effects: Persistent vomiting, inability to eat or drink, or extreme fatigue warrants dropping back to the previous dose.
•Medical concerns: New health issues, upcoming surgery, or medication interactions may require temporary discontinuation. Always consult your provider.
•Pregnancy planning: Semaglutide must be stopped 2 months before attempting pregnancy. Discuss timing with your healthcare team.

Tracking Progress Through the Schedule

Monitoring your journey helps you and your provider make informed dosing decisions. Here's what to track at each stage:

Essential Metrics to Record

Weekly Measurements

• Weight: Same day, same time, same conditions (morning, after bathroom, before eating)
• Current dose and injection date: Track which dose you're on and when you took it
• Side effects intensity (1-10 scale): Note what you experienced and how severe

Monthly Check-ins

• Body measurements: Waist, hips, chest to track changes beyond the scale
• Progress photos: Front, side, and back views in similar lighting
• Energy levels: Rate your overall energy and stamina
• Appetite control: How strong is hunger suppression?

Dose Increase Checklist

Before each dose increase, ask yourself:

□ Have I completed at least 4 weeks at current dose?
□ Are side effects minimal or resolved?
□ Am I maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration?
□ Is my weight loss steady (at least 1 lb per week)?
□ Have I discussed the increase with my provider?

Digital Tracking Tools

Many patients find apps helpful for monitoring their semaglutide journey. Look for features like:

• Medication reminders for weekly injections
• Weight and measurement logging with progress charts
• Side effect journaling with severity ratings
• Photo timeline for visual progress
• Dose schedule calendar with automatic reminders for increases

Special Dosing Situations

Restarting After a Break

Life happens, and sometimes semaglutide gets interrupted. How you restart depends on how long you've been off:

Missed 1-2 weeks: You can usually resume at your previous dose. Monitor for side effects—your tolerance may have decreased slightly.
Missed 3-4 weeks: Consider stepping back one dose level for 1-2 weeks before returning to where you left off. For example, if you were at 1.0mg, restart at 0.5mg.
Missed 5+ weeks: Your body has largely cleared the medication. Most providers recommend restarting the full titration from 0.25mg, though you may advance through the early doses faster if you tolerated them well initially.

Always consult your healthcare provider before restarting to determine the safest approach for your situation.

Switching from Other GLP-1 Medications

If you're transitioning from medications like Ozempic, Rybelsus, or liraglutide, your starting dose depends on your previous medication and dose:

From weekly Ozempic 0.5mg or 1mg: Can often start semaglutide at 0.5mg or 1.0mg respectively, skipping the 0.25mg phase since you're already adapted to the medication.
From daily liraglutide (Saxenda): Despite being a GLP-1 agonist, it's chemically different enough that starting at 0.25mg semaglutide is recommended, though you may progress through doses faster.
From daily oral semaglutide (Rybelsus): Switching to injectable semaglutide typically allows starting at 0.5mg or 1.0mg depending on your oral dose.

Compounded Semaglutide Dosing

Compounded semaglutide uses different measurements (mg/ml concentration instead of fixed-dose pens), but follows the same titration schedule:

Standard Compounded Conversions

0.25mg dose0.05ml of 5mg/ml solution

0.5mg dose0.10ml of 5mg/ml solution

1.0mg dose0.20ml of 5mg/ml solution

1.7mg dose0.34ml of 5mg/ml solution

2.4mg dose0.48ml of 5mg/ml solution

Note: Compounding pharmacies may use different concentrations. Always verify your specific dosing calculations with your provider before injecting.

Adjusting Injection Day

Need to change your weekly injection day? You can, with one important rule: maintain at least 72 hours (3 days) between doses.

Example: If you normally inject Mondays but want to switch to Fridays, wait until Thursday (3 days after Monday) at the earliest. It's actually safer to wait the full week and start the new Friday schedule, then continue Fridays from there.

Final Thoughts on Your Dosing Journey

This dosing chart represents a proven path to successful weight loss, but remember—it's a guide, not a rigid set of rules. Your body's response matters more than hitting exact timeline marks. Some patients thrive advancing quickly through doses while others need extra time at each level. Both approaches work perfectly fine when they're right for the individual.

The patients who succeed long-term share one trait: they work closely with their healthcare providers, communicate openly about side effects, and adjust the schedule when needed rather than pushing through misery. This medication works—the clinical trial data proves it—but only if you can actually stick with it.

Keep this dosing chart handy as your roadmap, track your progress honestly, and trust the process. In 4-6 months, you'll look back at these early weeks and appreciate why the slow, steady approach made all the difference in achieving sustainable weight loss.