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One size doesn’t fit all—this statement holds true for bodies in general, pant sizes and weight loss journeys. It is also the case for the maximum dose of Ozempic for weight loss. Sure, seeing numbers go down (as in, on the scale) may be at the top of your mind when starting Ozempic for weight loss and diabetes management. However, the Ozempic you take each week will go up at first.
Grasping these numbers and the reasoning behind them is essential.
“Understanding the dosing of any medication is important as most medications need to be adjusted to the appropriate dose,” says Dr. Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center. “Ozempic dosing is designed to minimize side effects.”
But this dosing doesn’t mean you won’t get the benefits. For starters, weight loss is technically a side effect of Ozempic, which is FDA-approved for blood sugar management in people with Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy uses the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and can be prescribed for weight loss for people with obesity or who are overweight with specific conditions. Its dosing is slightly different (and can go higher). What is the Ozempic dosing for weight loss and diabetes management, and how does it differ from Wegovy’s? Experts weighed in, and we provided an Ozempic dosing chart to keep handy.
Related: If You’re Not Losing Weight on Ozempic, Here’s What Might Be Going On
What Is the Maximum Dose of Ozempic for Weight Loss?
The maximum dose of Ozempic is 2.0 mg, to be taken once weekly. It is an injectable medication approved for diabetes management, though people on it may lose weight. Wegovy is also made by Novo Nordisk and is approved for weight loss. Like Ozempic, Wegovy counts semaglutide as an active ingredient. Its maximum once-weekly dose is 2.4 mg.
However, the Ozempic dosing for weight loss and diabetes management will vary from person to person. If you’re starting on the medication, you may achieve results without needing the maximum dose of Ozempic—and you won’t be alone.
“The typical dosage of Ozempic is between 0.5 mg and 2 mg once weekly,” says Dr. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, a clinical consultant at BuzzRx. “The key is determining the dosage that effectively manages your blood glucose with the fewest side effects.”
A clinical trial showed that people taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide saw an average of nearly 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks (the Wegovy dose). However, doctors stress it’s important to follow the dosing for the drug you’re taking.
“Once a drug is FDA-approved, the approved indications and dosing schedules are deemed safe and effected by the agency,” Dr. Ngo-Hamilton says. “Following these dosing schedules as provided also helps to minimize the risk of adverse or potentially dangerous side effects.”
Related: Thinking About Trying Ozempic? Here’s What You Can Expect Week by Week
Ozempic Dosing Chart and Schedule
If you’re taking Ozempic, you won’t immediately start on the maximum 2.0 mg weekly dose. Instead, your healthcare provider will begin with 0.25 mg once-weekly doses. This amount is the same starting dose as Wegovy’s.
“Doses are increased approximately every four weeks,” says Dr. Akhil Shenoy, MD, an endocrinologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Diabetes.
To help you understand the schedule, we created an Ozempic dosage chart based on expert insights and the dosing guide on Ozempic.com. We added columns for Wegovy, too, so you can see the distinctions.
| Weeks 1-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Weeks 16 and beyond | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ozempic |
0.25 mg |
0.5 mg |
1 mg |
2 mg |
n/a |
|
Wegovy |
0.25 mg |
0.5 mg |
1 mg |
1.7 mg |
2.4 mg |
While the process can feel slow, doctors share it’s to your benefit to follow it.
“If a person goes right to the highest dose, they may have severe side effects—mostly gastrointestinal in nature, like vomiting and diarrhea—which can be significant enough to cause dehydration and put themselves at serious risk of other health complications,” says Dr. Beverly Tchang, MD, a Ro obesity medicine advisor and endocrinologist.
On that note, Dr. Tchang recommends increasing dosing as needed, and people might choose to take a more gradual approach with their provider.
“Providers and patients should use their best judgment and avoid increasing the dose unnecessarily since higher doses can cause more side effects,” Dr. Tchang says. “Increasing more slowly, such as every two months instead of every month, may be helpful to reduce the risk of side effects.”
Related: What’s the Difference Between Ozempic and Metformin, and Which One Is Right for You?
Figuring Out the Right Ozempic Dosing For You
TL;DR: “The ‘right’ dose is the dose that is both maximally tolerated and achieves individualized patient’s goals for good sugar and weight control,” Dr. Shenoy says. “The right dose also helps minimize the need for other medications needed for sugar control or other obesity-related comorbidities, such as blood pressure.”
You should watch for signs that you’re taking too high a dose of Ozempic or increasing weekly amounts too quickly.
“If you are using Ozempic for the management of type 2 diabetes, your dose may be too high or may have been increased too rapidly if you are experiencing low blood sugar, dizziness, headaches…and gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, and vomiting,” Dr. Ngo-Hamilton says.
People will experience similar signs if their Wegovy dose is too high. Your appetite will likely decrease when taking a semaglutide. However, even that can go too far.
“We want to avoid over-suppressing a person’s appetite,” Dr. Tchang says. “If a person never feels hungry, regardless of whether or not they have side effects, then the dose is likely too high.”
While the dosing may be gradual (and experts generally advise patience), there will be signs that you’ll need to increase your Ozempic dosing. It’s also not a set-it-and-forget-it deal—it may change over time.
“The most common complaint when the patient is on a too-low dose is they are not feeling the effects of the medication and are not losing weight,” Dr. Ali says.
With Ozempic, that will include not seeing blood sugar trend toward recommended levels. “You may need to talk to your healthcare provider about increasing your dose if you are still struggling to control your blood glucose levels after a few weeks on your current dose, especially if you are able to tolerate the side effects,” Dr. Ngo-Hamilton says.
Next up: Cardiologists Say This Fatty Food Is Actually Great for Heart Health
Sources
- Dr. Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center
- Ozempic (semaglutide) injection. FDA.
- FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014. FDA.
- Dr. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, a clinical consultant at BuzzRx
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. NEJM.
- Dr. Akhil Shenoy, MD, an endocrinologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Diabetes
- Dosing for Ozempic. Ozempic.com
- Wegovy Dosing Schedule. Wegovy.com
-
Dr. Beverly Tchang, MD, a Ro obesity medicine advisor and endocrinologist.
