Semaglutide dosage chart
The units to draw on a U-100 insulin syringe for each Semaglutide dose, by vial size and the water added.
- vial sizes sold
- 5, 10 mg
- approval status
- FDA-approved
- in each unit of a U-100 syringe
- 0.01 mL
This semaglutide dosage chart shows how the FDA labels for Wegovy and Ozempic step up the weekly dose, with both starting at 0.25 mg once a week.
- Starting dose: 0.25 mg each week for the first 4 weeks
- Wegovy label: top dose 2.4 mg once a week
- Ozempic label: top dose 2 mg once a week
- Vial sizes: some sellers offer vials holding 5 mg or 10 mg in total, which is the whole vial, not a weekly dose
Semaglutide dosing chart in units
| Your dose | 5 mg vial + 2 mL | 10 mg vial + 2 mL |
|---|---|---|
| 250 mcg | 10 units | 5 units |
| 500 mcg | 20 units | 10 units |
| 1 mg | 40 units | 20 units |
| 1.7 mg | 68 units | 34 units |
| 2 mg | 80 units | 40 units |
| 2.4 mg | 96 units | 48 units |
Dose rows are the steps on the FDA label.
Weekly doses from the Wegovy label
Your dose goes up every 4 weeks until you reach the maintenance dose, which is the amount you keep taking after the step-up is finished. According to the Wegovy label, you take 2.4 mg once a week under the skin once you reach that level.
| Label stage | Weekly dose |
|---|---|
| First 4 weeks | 0.25 mg |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5 mg |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1 mg |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7 mg |
| From week 17 | 2.4 mg |
Which stage applies to you, and when to move up, is up to your prescriber.
Weekly doses from the Ozempic label
Using the Ozempic label schedule, you start at the same 0.25 mg but stop at 2 mg once a week. A rise only happens when it is needed, and never sooner than 4 weeks on the dose you are already taking.
| Label stage | Weekly dose |
|---|---|
| First 4 weeks | 0.25 mg |
| Week 5 and after | 0.5 mg |
| If needed, after 4 weeks or more on 0.5 mg | 1 mg |
| If needed, after 4 weeks or more on 1 mg | 2 mg |
Using a vial
How much water goes into a vial, and how many units to draw, should come from your prescriber or pharmacist. Mixing errors are easy to make and can lead to the wrong dose.
FDA approval status
Only Ozempic and Wegovy, the ready-to-use pens from Novo Nordisk, are FDA-approved. Compounded vials (made up by a pharmacy) and research vials aren't, so before using one, ask your prescriber or pharmacist to confirm the mixing steps and your exact dose.
Semaglutide reconstitution chart
| Vial | Water added | Strength | Units for a sample dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 5 units for 250 mcg |
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 10 units for 250 mcg |
| 5 mg | 3 mL | 1.667 mg/mL | 15 units for 250 mcg |
| 10 mg | 1 mL | 10 mg/mL | 2.5 units for 250 mcg |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 5 units for 250 mcg |
| 10 mg | 3 mL | 3.333 mg/mL | 7.5 units for 250 mcg |
Common questions
Does the mg chart change with the vial size?
It stays the same. The label sets the weekly amounts in mg, and they do not change. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist how much to draw from your vial.