From the Guidelines
The regular dose of Wegovy (semaglutide) follows a gradual titration schedule, starting at 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by doses of 0.5 mg, 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. This gradual increase helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that are common with this medication, as noted in the study by 1. Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, and should be taken on the same day each week. The slow titration is important because it allows the body to adjust to the medication's effects on slowing gastric emptying and reducing appetite through its action as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Some key points to consider when prescribing Wegovy include:
- The medication should be started at a low dose and gradually increased to minimize side effects, as recommended by 1
- Patients should be monitored for gastrointestinal side effects and other potential adverse effects, such as those listed in the study by 1
- If a dose is missed, patients should take it as soon as possible within 5 days of the missed dose; if more than 5 days have passed, they should skip that dose and resume their regular schedule the following week, although this specific guidance is not provided in the referenced studies, clinical judgment is advised. It's also important to note that the study by 1 provides information on the potential side effects of semaglutide, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the study by 1 provides guidance on the gradual dose titration schedule for semaglutide. However, the most recent and highest quality study, 1, is the primary basis for the recommended dosing schedule.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Dosage Information
- The regular dose of Wegovy (semaglutide) is 2.4 mg, administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection 2, 3, 4.
- This dosage has been shown to achieve significant and sustained weight loss, as well as improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, in adults with overweight or obesity 3, 4.
- In clinical trials, the 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide was found to be well-tolerated, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal events such as nausea and diarrhea 3, 4, 5.
Clinical Trial Findings
- The STEP clinical trial program, which included the STEP 1-5 trials, demonstrated the efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity 3, 4.
- The trials showed that semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved significant weight loss, with a mean change in body weight of -14.9% compared to -2.4% with placebo 3.
- The 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide has also been compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide, and has been found to achieve greater weight loss 5, 6.