Wegovy is a weight loss treatment that’s making waves for a reason. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which mimics the naturally-occuring GLP1 hormone, making you feel fuller for longer and helping to manage cravings.
Medicines such as Wegovy or Mounjaro are in high demand because they work for lots of people: one study showed those using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight on average, whereas individuals who just made lifestyle changes lost around 2.5%.
When you first start taking Wegovy weight loss injections, your clinician will set you up on a dosage schedule with a low starting dose to ensure safety, effectiveness and long-term results. Here, we’ll take you through the Wegovy dose schedule step by step.
Wegovy doses
The Wegovy dosage schedule is designed for the best weight loss results and for your safety. You inject a dose of Wegovy once a week, on the same day every week, using a pen.
The schedule always starts with the same low starting dose—0.25mg per week for four weeks. Then, your dose will automatically increase every four weeks until your clinician finds the right dose for you. If you experience issues with a particular dose, you can contact your clinician to review your plan.
Why do I need a dosage schedule?
You might be wondering: “why can’t I just jump to the full dose if that’s what works?” It’s a fair question! But think of it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t start by running 26 miles on your first day, right? You’d build up to it gradually.
The same goes for Wegovy. Starting with a lower dose gives your body time to adjust, helping to minimize side effects and ensure the treatment works for you in the long run. This step-by-step approach is key to achieving safe, sustainable weight loss.
Wegovy doses chart
What dose do I start on Wegovy?
Everyone starts Wegovy on 0.25mg per week for four weeks. After this, doses are usually increased bit by bit every four weeks unless you experience side effects or want to remain on the dose you’re on. Here’s what the Wegovy dosage schedule might look like as your treatment progresses:
- Week 1 to 4: 0.25mg (per week)
- Week 5 to 8: 0.5mg (per week)
- Week 9 to 12: 1.0mg (per week)
- Week 13 to 16: 1.7mg (per week)
- From week 17: 2.4mg (per week)
Wegovy maintenance dose
The maintenance dose is the maximum recommended Wegovy dose, meaning you won’t need to increase your dose beyond this. For most people, the maintenance dose is 2.4mg. After week 17, you continue with the maintenance dose once a week as per your treatment plan.
While it might feel tempting to skip ahead to the maintenance dose, it’s best to follow your clinician’s guidance. The gradual increase helps your body adjust and leads to more effective, long-lasting results. Plus, your clinician will monitor your progress and tailor your treatment to what works best for you.
At what dose does Wegovy start working?
Everybody is different, and some people may start to lose weight on lower doses, for others this may happen at higher doses. Your metabolism, lifestyle and how closely you stick to the dosage schedule can influence the amount and rate of weight loss. This is totally normal.
Wegovy is recommended alongside a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity, so you are more likely to reach your goals by eating fruit and vegetables, wholegrain and lean protein. And try to fit in 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week—activities like walking, jogging, or even dancing count! At Voy, our dedicated and compassionate coaches will help you to find the lifestyle changes that work best for you.
What happens if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
Life happens, and it’s okay if you forget a dose. Here’s what to do:
If you forget to take Wegovy on your scheduled day, take it as soon as possible within five days after the missed dose.
If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on your regularly scheduled day.
If you forget to take three or more doses of Wegovy, contact your clinician to review your treatment plan.
Whatever you do, don’t take a double dose to make up for it. If you accidentally take multiple doses in a week, contact your doctor right away. Missing a dose won’t ruin your progress—just get back on schedule as soon as possible.
How to inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is injected using a prefilled pen, which is provided to you. Using a Wegovy pen is straightforward. The injection is subcutaneous, meaning you inject it into the fatty tissue just under your skin—common areas include your upper arms, upper legs, or stomach. Avoid injecting into veins, muscles, or scarred areas. Take a look at our handy video that guides you through the process of injecting Wegovy.
How many doses are in a Wegovy pen?
There are four doses in each Wegovy pen. As Wegovy is injected weekly, one pen will last four weeks.
Are there any Wegovy side effects to look out for?
Like starting any new medicine, you may experience some mild side effects after your first dose of Wegovy while your body gets used to it. These could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fatigue, but research suggests they tend to be mild and ease as your body adapts to the Wegovy doses. Some people notice a bit of discomfort at the injection site too.
There are things you can do that could reduce the risk of side effects when starting Wegovy. Staying hydrated is important, as water helps our bodies to absorb medication more effectively. Because Wegovy slows digestion, eating smaller meals can also help. Like with any sickness, getting some fresh air and avoiding very rich or spicy food can sometimes ease symptoms too.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Getting started on Wegovy
Starting a new weight loss programme can be daunting, especially if you have tried to lose weight before but haven’t seen the results you want. Wegovy works best as a supplement to a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical exercise, so it may be a good option for you if you have made these lifestyle changes but feel you need something else to support you in your journey. Wegovy helped Amy drop three dress sizes and discover her love of cycling and running.
If you are interested in starting Wegovy, Voy is here every step of the way to help you on your weight loss journey. In our weight loss programme, you can get weekly medication plus ongoing support from our team of experts—plus access to an app to help you stay on track. Take our short quiz to find out if you are eligible.
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