⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: This semaglutide dosage calculator is for EDUCATIONAL purposes only. Semaglutide is a prescription medication. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or changing therapy. If you suspect overdose, call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
⚠️ FDA/EMA guidelines | Always confirm with your prescriber
📌 Quick Answer: The semaglutide starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for both Ozempic and Wegovy. Wegovy escalates to 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg maintenance over 16 weeks. Ozempic escalates to 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 2 mg max for diabetes. Use the calculator above to see your exact dose by week.
📋 Key Takeaways — Semaglutide Dosing at a Glance
Starting dose: 0.25 mg once weekly (both Ozempic and Wegovy)
Wegovy maintenance: 2.4 mg weekly (standard maximum for weight loss)
📐 Ozempic Dosing: 0.25 mg weekly × 4 weeks → 0.5 mg weekly × 4+ weeks → 1 mg weekly → may increase to 2 mg for diabetes. Not a maintenance dose: 0.25 mg.
📊 Semaglutide Dosing Chart by Week (Wegovy & Ozempic)
Week
Wegovy (Weight Loss)
Ozempic (Diabetes)
Pen Color
Weeks 1-4
0.25 mg
0.25 mg
Green / Grey
Weeks 5-8
0.5 mg
0.5 mg
Red
Weeks 9-12
1 mg
1 mg
Brown / Yellow
Weeks 13-16
1.7 mg
—
Blue
Week 17+ (maintenance)
2.4 mg
2 mg (diabetes max)
Black / Red
Obesity only (UK 2026)
7.2 mg (3 × 2.4 mg)
Not applicable
Multiple pens
👩 Sarah, 42 — Weight Loss Journey
Medication: Wegovy | Week 5 | Tolerating well
Result: 0.5 mg weekly | Next: 1 mg at Week 9
✅ "The calculator showed me exactly where I was in my titration. My doctor confirmed it was spot on!"
👨 Michael, 55 — Diabetes Management
Medication: Ozempic | Week 12 | Mild nausea
Result: 1 mg weekly | May stay at this dose
✅ "Helped me understand I don't have to rush to 2 mg. Staying at 1 mg works for my A1C."
What is a Semaglutide Dosage Calculator and How Does It Work?
A semaglutide dosage calculator is an essential tool for patients and healthcare providers to determine the correct dose at each stage of treatment. Our semaglutide dosage calculator 2026 uses FDA and EMA guidelines to provide accurate dosing for both Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight loss). The semaglutide dosing chart shows the exact titration schedule, from the starting 0.25 mg dose through the maintenance dose.
How does the Wegovy dose calculator work? Enter your medication type, current week of treatment, and tolerability. The Ozempic dose calculator instantly shows your current dose, next dose increase, weeks until next step, and maintenance dose. The semaglutide titration schedule follows the standard 16-week escalation protocol established by the manufacturer.
Semaglutide Starting Dose: 0.25 mg Once Weekly
The semaglutide starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for both Ozempic and Wegovy. This is a titration dose, not a maintenance dose. It allows your body to adjust to the medication gradually and minimizes gastrointestinal side effects. You should not expect significant weight loss or blood sugar improvement during the first 4 weeks. The starting dose is the same for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older.
Wegovy Dosing Schedule for Weight Loss
Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg weekly (starter dose). Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg weekly. Weeks 9-12: 1 mg weekly. Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg weekly. Week 17 and beyond: 2.4 mg weekly (standard maintenance dose). In January 2026, the UK MHRA approved a higher 7.2 mg Wegovy dose for patients with obesity, administered as three 2.4 mg injections on the same day. This is not yet available in all countries.
Ozempic Dosing Schedule for Diabetes
The Ozempic dose calculator follows a different titration schedule than Wegovy. Starting dose: 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks. Then 0.5 mg weekly for at least 4 weeks. Then may increase to 1 mg weekly. If additional glycemic control is needed, the dose may be increased to 2 mg weekly after at least 4 weeks on 1 mg. The maximum recommended dose for Ozempic is 2 mg weekly. The 0.25 mg dose is not a maintenance dose.
What If You Miss a Semaglutide Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day. Then resume your regular once-weekly schedule. If you miss more than one dose, talk to your prescriber about reducing your starting dose for re-initiation.
Can You Change Your Dosing Day?
Yes, you can change your weekly dosing day as long as the time between two doses is at least 3 days (72 hours). After selecting a new dosing day, continue with once-weekly dosing on that new day. The injection site can also be changed without any dose adjustment — you can inject in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Semaglutide Dose Adjustments for Special Populations
Elderly (65+): No dose adjustment required based on age. Experience in patients 75+ is limited. Kidney impairment: No adjustment for mild to moderate. Not recommended for severe impairment (eGFR under 30). Liver impairment: No adjustment for mild to moderate. Not recommended for severe impairment. Adolescents (12+): Same titration schedule as adults for Wegovy. Safety and efficacy in children under 12 have not been established.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting dose of semaglutide?
The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for both Ozempic and Wegovy. This is a titration dose, not a maintenance dose. It allows your body to adjust to the medication gradually.
Ozempic dose escalation: 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg weekly for at least 4 weeks, then may increase to 1 mg weekly. Maximum dose is 2 mg weekly for diabetes.
What is the maximum dose of semaglutide for weight loss?
The standard maximum dose of Wegovy for weight loss is 2.4 mg once weekly. In 2026, the UK approved a higher 7.2 mg dose (3 injections of 2.4 mg) for patients with obesity.
What happens if I miss a semaglutide dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and resume your regular weekly schedule the next scheduled day.
Do I need to adjust semaglutide dose for kidney or liver problems?
No dose adjustment is required for mild to moderate kidney or liver impairment. Semaglutide is not recommended for patients with severe kidney impairment (eGFR under 30) or severe liver impairment.
💡 Expert Tips for Semaglutide Dosing
Tip #1: Never rush dose escalation. If you have significant nausea, stay at your current dose longer. Your prescriber may delay the increase by 4 weeks.
Tip #2: Wegovy and Ozempic are not interchangeable at the same mg dose. Wegovy reaches 2.4 mg for weight loss; Ozempic maxes at 2 mg for diabetes.
Tip #3: The 0.25 mg starting dose is not a maintenance dose. Do not expect significant weight loss during the first 4 weeks.
Tip #4: Inject in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites. The pen should be pressed firmly against the skin until the yellow bar stops moving.
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🛡️ CDCalculators proprietary semaglutide dosage calculator 2026 — data sources: FDA prescribing information, EMA product information, MHRA 2026 approval. Last updated October 15, 2026. Disclaimer: Estimates only. Always consult your healthcare provider.