What is the highest dose of Wegovy (semaglutide)?
The highest dose of Wegovy® is 7.2 mg, and there are a total of six doses. Typically, a Wegovy prescription will start at a dose of 0.25 mg once per week for the first 4 weeks, then increase the weekly dose to 0.5 mg for the following 4 weeks, followed by an increase to 1 mg for the next 4 weeks, then 1.7 mg for 4 weeks, then increase to 2.4 mg weekly, and in some cases up to the highest does 7.2 mg weekly.
It is not recommended to skip doses (e.g. go from 0.25 to 1 mg) as you may experience severe side effects from the medication as a result. In some cases, as the dose is increased people experience more side effects and need to stay at a lower dose for a longer period of time to allow the body to adjust. Once you reach your goal weight, you will continue with a maintenance dosage of Wegovy.
While 7.2 mg is the maximum possible dose of Wegovy, your provider could decide that a lower dose like 1.7mg should be your Wegovy maintenance dose – depending on your results and/or your medical history. Taking more than 7.2 mg of Wegovy in a week is not considered safe.
It is important to check in with your prescribing medical provider with each step up in dose to track your weight loss progress and monitor for any side effects.
Escalation beyond 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg will be considered on an individual basis by you clinician, weighing potential benefits against risk of increased side effects.
Nathaniel Pedley, MD
Dr. Nathaniel Pedley is an internist and obesity medicine specialist who is passionate about supporting patients in achieving their health goals. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts for undergrad, and completed a post-baccalaureate in pre-medical studies at Columbia University. He continued at Columbia University for medical school and went on to complete his residency in internal medicine at UCLA where he served as a Project Lead for the UCLA Department of Medicine Quality Team and a peer mentor to junior residents.
