Key takeaways
- Wegovy is a GLP-1 medication that is prescribed to help with weight loss and weight management, to reduce cardiovascular risks, and to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
- Wegovy comes in two forms: a liquid for injection under your skin via a prefilled Wegovy pen, and an oral tablet that you swallow.
- The optimum dose of Wegovy depends on the reason it’s prescribed, the form of the drug, how long you’ve been taking it, and how you respond to Wegovy.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (also called a GLP-1 medication) that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following indications:
- to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in certain adults and children who are overweight or have obesity
- to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (heart attack, stroke, or CV death) in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity
- to treat metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis
Wegovy is typically prescribed as part of a treatment plan that includes a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.
Wegovy dosage depends on several factors, including:
- the indication it’s prescribed for
- the form of Wegovy prescribed
- how long you’ve been taking Wegovy
- how you respond to the drug
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Wegovy and adjust it over time to reach the optimal dosing for you.
Wegovy forms and strengths
Wegovy comes in two forms: a liquid for injection under your skin and an oral tablet that you swallow.
The injectable form of Wegovy comes in prefilled injector pens for self use.
The following table gives a quick overview of Wegovy injections vs. Wegovy tablets (pills).
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved uses | • to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in adults and children ages 12 and older with obesity, and in overweight adults who have at least one weight-related comorbidity • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (heart attack, stroke, or CV death) in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity • for treatment of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis | • to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in adults with obesity, or in overweight adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity. • to reduce the risk of major adverse CV events (heart attack, stroke, or CV death) in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity |
| Dose frequency | weekly | daily |
| 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 |
| How to take | • Inject once per week under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. • Inject on the same day of the week each week (any time of the day). • Change (rotate) your injection site with each injection. Do not use the same site every week. | • Take 1 tablet by mouth on an empty stomach in the morning. • Take with water (no more than 4 ounces). Do not take with any liquids other than water. • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not split, chew, or dissolve it. • Wait 30 minutes to eat, drink, or take other oral medicines. |
The following charts show typical dosages of Wegovy injections and pills. These dosages apply to all of Wegovy’s FDA-approved indications.
But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Note: The dose in the initial time frame of treatment is called the starting dose. The dose in the final time frame is called the maintenance dose. The doses between starting dose and maintenance dose are called the “dosage escalation” doses.
Wegovy 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 |
Wegovy 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 |
Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about Wegovy dosage.
Yes, Wegovy is usually used 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.
The typical starting dose of Wegovy injections is 0.25 milligrams (mg) in 0.5 milliliters (mL) of solution, given once weekly. This low dosage is to help your body get used to the medication.
Starting Wegovy injections at higher available doses (0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg) increases the risk of Wegovy side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Talk with your doctor about the specifics of your Wegovy treatment plan. Following their guidance will help you get the best results with Wegovy at the least risk of complications or adverse effects. Do not increase your Wegovy dosage without your doctor’s consent.
Typically, the optimal dose of a prescribed medication is the lowest dosage that achieves the best therapeutic effect with few or no side effects. People differ in how they respond to medications.
Discuss your Wegovy treatment plan and your results and experiences with your doctor during treatment. If a low dose of Wegovy is effective for you and you prefer to stay at that dosage, mention this to your doctor.
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. See the “Wegovy dosing charts” section for details.
Yes, you typically can take Wegovy if you have type 2 diabetes. In such cases, your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels before you begin Wegovy and throughout your treatment.
Wegovy injection
If you miss your weekly injection of Wegovy and your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, give yourself the missed dose as soon as possible.
If your next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and administer the next injection at the usual time. Then, continue with the usual weekly schedule.
If you miss your weekly Wegovy injections 2 weeks in a row, contact your doctor. They can discuss options to get you back on track with the dosing schedule.
Wegovy pills
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 give day to make up for a missed dose.
Do not take more Wegovy than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Wegovy overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- severe nausea
- severe vomiting
- severe low blood sugar
What to do in case you take too much Wegovy
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Wegovy. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight loss and other purposes. It comes in both an injectable form and in pill form. Wegovy treatment typically involves a low starting dosage for a number of weeks, followed by additional weeks of dosage escalations until the maintenance dosage is reached.
Be sure to follow the treatment plan your doctor recommends. Do not change or increase your dosage without your doctor’s consent.
What to read next
- Learn more about Wegovy.
- Read about FDA approval of the Wegovy weight loss pill.
- Learn more about GLP-1 medications and how they work.
Note: This is a summary article. For more details about Wegovy, refer to its official prescribing information.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
