In this Article:
01: How Wegovy dosing works02: Why Wegovy uses a gradual dose increase03: What to expect at each dose04: How long does it take to reach your Wegovy maintenance dose?05: What affects your Wegovy dose?06: What to expect when your dose increases07: What if you miss a dose?08: When to speak to a clinician about your dose09: FAQs10: Advice and information to support weight lossHow Wegovy dosing works
Wegovy doses differ depending on the form of the medicine, though it follows a structured schedule whether you’re taking Wegovy as a tablet or as an injection. If prescribed, Wegovy injections are taken once a week, compared to Wegovy tablets which are taken daily.
The available strengths for each treatment are:
Wegovy injections: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg, 7.2 mg
Wegovy tablets: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, 25 mg
The 7.2 mg dose is only a potential maintenance dose for adult patients with obesity, where clinically needed, after at least four weeks on 2.4 mg. It is not a routine step for every patient.
Treatment starts at a low dose, which is gradually increased according to the recommended dosing schedule and how well you tolerate it. Your prescriber will assess your progress, appetite response and any side effects to determine whether further dose increases are appropriate.
Why Wegovy uses a gradual dose increase
Wegovy doses increase gradually to help your body adjust to semaglutide and reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects.
What to expect at each dose
Your healthcare provider will assess your treatment on a regular basis, as well as how well you tolerate the treatment
| Wegovy injections | Wegovy tablets | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg | 1.5 mg |
| Usual time between dose escalation* | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Maintenance dose | 2.4 mg / 7.2 mg (for adult patients with obesity, if needed) | 25 mg |
*According to patient information leaflet: Wegovy injections, Wegovy tablets.
Dose escalation and maintenance doses may vary between patients depending on individual tolerability and clinical assessment. Your prescriber will determine the most appropriate dosing schedule for you.
How long does it take to reach your Wegovy maintenance dose?
The time taken to reach a maintenance dose varies between patients - for Wegovy injections the maintenance dose can be 2.4 mg, though if considered appropriate by a clinician this may be considered to be increased to 7.2 mg. For Wegovy tablets the maintenance dose can be up to the highest available dose (25 mg).
How long this takes can depend on how well your body tolerates each titration and your clinician’s guidance. While doses can escalate once per month / four weeks, a slower progression is normal and can help to reduce side effects.
Depending on your response and any side effects, your clinician may delay an increase or keep you at the previous dose where clinically appropriate.
Your clinician will review your progress and adjust the schedule when necessary.
What affects your Wegovy dose?
Whether you move up a dose or stay at your current titration can depend on several factors:
Clinician’s assessment - Your healthcare provider will consider your medical history to help determine if a dose change is clinically appropriate
Whether you are starting Wegovy or are switching weight loss treatments
How well you tolerate treatment, including any side effects
Your response to the current dose
You should always follow the dosing schedule set by your prescriber.
What to expect when your dose increases
Dose increases may temporarily heighten the likelihood of side effects such as:
Nausea
Bloating, burping and wind
Digestive discomfort
These are examples, rather than a complete list of side effects. For a full list of side effects, read the Wegovy patient information leaflet for Wegovy injections and Wegovy tablets.
However, these side effects may lessen over time as your body gets used to the new dose. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience any new side effects, or if any existing side effects get worse. If the side effects are severe, contact 111 or 999 if it’s an emergency.
What if you miss a dose?
Wegovy injections
If you miss a dose, your next steps will depend on how long it has been since you last used Wegovy.
If it is five days or less since the day you should have used Wegovy, use the missed dose as soon as possible and then resume your usual weekly schedule. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and use your next dose on its regularly scheduled day. Do not use a double dose. If you have missed more than one dose, contact your clinician because your restart dose may need to be reviewed.
Wegovy tablets
If you forget or miss a dose, skip that missed dose and take your regular dose the next day.
Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
For more information, consult the patient information leaflet for Wegovy injections and Wegovy tablets.
When to speak to a clinician about your dose
It can help to speak to your clinician about your dose if:
You are finding it hard to tolerate your current dose
Are experiencing persistent side effects
You have any questions about your treatment after reading the patient information leaflet
Your prescriber may adjust your dosing schedule, where clinically appropriate, to help manage side effects and improve treatment tolerability. This may include delaying a dose increase.
FAQs
How many doses are in a Wegovy pen?
There are four weekly doses in a Wegovy pen. Patients should dispose of their pen once all four doses have been used.
What is the highest dose of Wegovy?
The highest available dose of Wegovy will vary depending on the form of treatment.
The highest available dose for the Wegovy injection is 7.2 mg
The highest available dose for Wegovy tablets is 25 mg
Only use the dose prescribed to you by your healthcare provider.
How should I store my Wegovy pens?
When you receive your Wegovy pen it is recommended you store it in the refrigerator before opening.
Keep away from the cooling element and do not freeze. Do not use your Wegovy pen if it has been frozen.
How long does a Wegovy pen last in storage?
Before opening, a Wegovy pen will last in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, until its expiry date which is stated on the pen label and carton, after ‘EXP’.
After opening, a Wegovy 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg pen may be kept for six weeks during use when stored below 30°C or refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Keep the pen cap on in order to protect from light.
During use, the 7.2 mg single-use pen may be stored unrefrigerated for up to 28 days at no more than 30°C and must be kept in its original carton to protect it from light.
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