Semaglutide Dosage Guide
Written by Alejandro Reyes
Founder & Lead Researcher
Reviewed by Peptide Nerds Editorial · Updated April 2026
Dosage overview
| Typical dose | 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly (injection) |
| Frequency | Once weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cycle length | Ongoing — weight regain common after discontinuation |
Dosing notes
Dose is titrated up gradually over 16-20 weeks to minimize GI side effects. Standard titration: 0.25 mg/week for weeks 1-4, then 0.5 mg for weeks 5-8, then 1.0 mg for weeks 9-12, then 1.7 mg for weeks 13-16, then 2.4 mg maintenance. The FDA-approved weight loss dose is 2.4 mg/week (Wegovy). Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites. Can be administered at any time of day, with or without food.
FDA-approved indications
Semaglutide is FDA-approved for: Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic), chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12+ (Wegovy).
Off-label use should only be pursued under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider.
Important safety information
Dosage ranges listed above are based on published clinical trial protocols. Individual dosing should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider based on your specific health profile, goals, and response to treatment.
- Start at the lowest effective dose and titrate up gradually
- Monitor for side effects, especially during dose increases
- Do not exceed researched dose ranges without medical supervision
Interactive protocol guide
Step-by-step: your dosing schedule with exact syringe units, what supplies to buy, how to mix, and how to inject.
Semaglutide Protocol Overview
Goal
Weight loss
Duration
20 weeks
Route
subcutaneous
Important before you start:
- Do not use if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
- Report persistent severe abdominal pain immediately (possible pancreatitis).
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common during dose escalation and usually subside.
Your dosing schedule
Based on a 5 mg vial mixed with 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water (2.00 mg/mL concentration). Using a U-100 insulin syringe.
Draw to here
12.5 units
on 100-unit syringe
1-4: 0.25 mg
Click a row to update
| When | Dose | Syringe units | Frequency | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 0.25 mg | 12.5 units | Once weekly | Starting dose. Expect mild nausea the first 1-2 weeks. |
| 5-8 | 0.5 mg | 25 units | Once weekly | First escalation. If nausea is severe, stay at 0.25 mg an extra 2 weeks. |
| 9-12 | 1.0 mg | 50 units | Once weekly | Most users see meaningful appetite suppression here. |
| 13-16 | 1.7 mg | 85 units | Once weekly | Continue only if tolerated. Monitor for GI side effects. |
| 17-20 | 2.4 mg | 120 units | Once weekly | Full therapeutic dose. Do not exceed. |
1-4: 0.25 mg
Starting dose. Expect mild nausea the first 1-2 weeks.
5-8: 0.5 mg
First escalation. If nausea is severe, stay at 0.25 mg an extra 2 weeks.
9-12: 1.0 mg
Most users see meaningful appetite suppression here.
13-16: 1.7 mg
Continue only if tolerated. Monitor for GI side effects.
17-20: 2.4 mg
Full therapeutic dose. Do not exceed.
What you need for a 20-week Semaglutide protocol
Semaglutide vials (5 mg each)
Quantity: 5
Bacteriostatic water (30 mL vial)
Quantity: 1
Insulin syringes (U-100, 29ga)
Quantity: 20+ (one per injection, never reuse)
Alcohol prep pads
Quantity: 40+ (one for vial, one for skin)
Sharps container
Quantity: 1
Quantities based on 20-week protocol using 5 mg vials reconstituted with 2.5 mL BAC water each.
How to mix your Semaglutide
Your concentration:
5 mg peptide + 2.5 mL water = 2.00 mg/mL (2000 mcg/mL)
- 1
Wash your hands
Wash with soap and water for 30 seconds. Dry completely.
- 2
Clean the vial tops
Wipe the rubber stopper on your Semaglutide vial AND your bacteriostatic water vial with an alcohol swab. Let air dry for 10 seconds.
- 3
Draw 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water
Using an insulin syringe, draw 2.5 mL (250 units on a U-100 syringe) of bacteriostatic water.
- 4
Inject water into the Semaglutide vial
Hold the peptide vial at a 45-degree angle. Point the needle at the WALL of the vial, NOT directly onto the powder. Push the plunger slowly over 10-15 seconds. Let the water run down the inside wall.
- 5
Swirl gently to dissolve
Swirl the vial in a slow circular motion for 30-60 seconds. NEVER shake. If not fully dissolved, let it sit for 2-5 minutes and swirl again.
- 6
Refrigerate immediately
Store reconstituted peptide at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Good for 4-6 weeks refrigerated. Label the vial with the date you mixed it.
Common mistakes that ruin your peptide:
- Shaking the vial (breaks peptide bonds, reduces potency 30-50%)
- Spraying water directly on the powder (damages the peptide)
- Using sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water (no preservative, short shelf life)
- Leaving mixed peptide at room temperature (loses 10-20% potency per day)
How to inject Semaglutide
Timing: Same day each week, any time of day
- 1Choose your injection site and rotate each time (at least 1 inch from the last site).
- 2Wipe the injection site with an alcohol prep pad. Let air dry completely.
- 3Draw your dose (check the dosing schedule above for exact syringe units).
- 4Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site.
- 5Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle into the pinched skin fold.
- 6Push the plunger slowly and steadily.
- 7Release the skin fold, then withdraw the needle.
- 8Do NOT rub the injection site. Light pressure with a cotton ball is fine if there is any blood.
- 9Dispose of the syringe immediately in your sharps container. Never recap or reuse.
Site rotation tip
Divide your preferred injection area into a mental grid. Move to a new spot each injection. For Abdomen and Thigh and Upper arm injections, alternate between sides (left/right) each time.
Research references
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1) — New England Journal of Medicine (2021) [PubMed]
- Two-Year Effects of Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 5) — Nature Medicine (2022) [PubMed]
- Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Overweight or Obesity (SELECT) — New England Journal of Medicine (2023) [PubMed]
- Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo (STEP 4) — JAMA (2021) [PubMed]
- Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (STEP 2) — Lancet (2021) [PubMed]
- Semaglutide Once Weekly in Adolescents with Obesity (STEP TEENS) — New England Journal of Medicine (2022) [PubMed]
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight and Cardiovascular Comorbidities (STEP 3) — JAMA (2021) [PubMed]
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