From the Guidelines
The highest dose of Ozempic (semaglutide) is 2.4 mg once weekly. Patients typically start at a lower dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, then increase to 0.5 mg once weekly for at least 4 weeks, followed by doses of 1.0 mg, and 1.7 mg weekly every 4 weeks at each dose, until the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg is reached after 16 weeks 1. This gradual dose escalation helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are common with GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic.
Key Points to Consider
- The dose of Ozempic should be adjusted based on clinical judgment, taking into account the patient's response, tolerance, and adverse effects 1.
- If more than 2 consecutive doses are missed, clinical judgment is required to decide on subsequent dosing, and restarting the titration schedule should be considered if 3 or more consecutive doses are missed 1.
- Some patients may achieve a strong response at a submaximal dose and could continue that given dose long term 1.
- The medication works by mimicking the incretin hormone GLP-1, which stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite, making it effective for both blood sugar control and weight management in type 2 diabetes.
Administration and Injection
- Ozempic is administered as a subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled pen device.
- It's essential to inject Ozempic on the same day each week, though the time of day can vary.
- Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- The recommended dosing for glycemic control and weight management is outlined in the evidence, with the highest dose of 2.4 mg weekly for semaglutide 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosage ... The maximum recommended dosage is 1 mg once weekly.
The highest dose of Ozempic (semaglutide) is 1 mg once weekly 2.
From the Research
Highest Dose of Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- The highest dose of Ozempic (semaglutide) is 2.4 mg once weekly, as indicated in studies 3, 4, 5, 6.
- This dose is approved for chronic weight management in adults with overweight or obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes 4, 5, 6.
- The 2.4 mg dose has been shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss, with mean weight losses of 14.9%-17.4% in individuals with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes, and -9.6% in individuals with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes 5, 6.
- The safety profile of semaglutide 2.4 mg is consistent across trials, with primarily gastrointestinal adverse events 4, 5, 6.
- A lower dose of 1.0 mg once weekly is also available, which is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes 7, 5.
- A dose of 0.5 mg once weekly is also mentioned in the literature as being used in clinical trials 7.