GLP-1 Dosage for Weight Loss: Schedules for Every Approved Drug (2026)

Every GLP-1 used for weight loss is dosed the same way conceptually: start low, escalate slowly. The reason is gastrointestinal — most nausea and vomiting happens during dose increases, so titration spreads the burden over weeks.

This is the dosing reference for every FDA-approved weight-loss GLP-1 in 2026: the starter dose, escalation schedule, target dose, what to do if you miss a dose, and the trial dose that produced the headline weight-loss numbers.

The schedules below are from FDA-approved prescribing information. They are reference values for educational purposes — not dosing recommendations. Your prescriber determines what's right for you.

Wegovy (semaglutide, injection) — FDA dose schedule

Once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Same molecule as Ozempic, higher target dose.

| Week | Dose | | --- | --- | | 1–4 | 0.25 mg/week | | 5–8 | 0.5 mg/week | | 9–12 | 1.0 mg/week | | 13–16 | 1.7 mg/week | | 17+ | 2.4 mg/week (target maintenance) |

Wegovy HD adds a higher 7.2 mg/week dose tier, used in patients who tolerate the 2.4 mg dose well and need additional weight loss.

Trial average weight loss at 2.4 mg: ~15% body weight at 68 weeks (STEP-1).

Missed dose: If less than 48 hours from the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. If more than 48 hours, take it as soon as remembered and resume the weekly schedule.

Zepbound (tirzepatide, injection) — FDA dose schedule

Once-weekly subcutaneous injection.

| Week | Dose | | --- | --- | | 1–4 | 2.5 mg/week | | 5–8 | 5 mg/week | | 9–12 | 7.5 mg/week | | 13–16 | 10 mg/week (often a target maintenance dose) | | 17–20 | 12.5 mg/week | | 21+ | 15 mg/week (maximum) |

Most patients stop escalating at the dose that produces tolerable side effects and adequate weight loss. 5, 10, and 15 mg are the most common maintenance doses.

Trial average weight loss at 15 mg: ~21% body weight at 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1).

Missed dose: If within 4 days of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise take it as soon as remembered.

Saxenda (liraglutide, injection) — FDA dose schedule

Daily subcutaneous injection. Older agent, daily dosing.

| Week | Dose | | --- | --- | | 1 | 0.6 mg/day | | 2 | 1.2 mg/day | | 3 | 1.8 mg/day | | 4 | 2.4 mg/day | | 5+ | 3.0 mg/day (target) |

Trial average weight loss at 3.0 mg: ~8% body weight at 56 weeks (SCALE).

Missed dose: Take the next regularly scheduled dose at the usual time. Do not double dose.

Wegovy oral (semaglutide tablet) — FDA dose schedule

Once-daily oral tablet. Approved December 2025.

| Week | Dose | | --- | --- | | 1–4 | 1.5 mg/day | | 5–8 | 4 mg/day | | 9–12 | 9 mg/day | | 13–16 | 14 mg/day | | 17+ | 25 mg/day (target maintenance) |

Critical: Must be taken on a completely empty stomach, first thing in the morning, with no more than 4 oz of water, and at least 30 minutes before any food, other liquids, or other medications.

The empty-stomach window matters because food triggers stomach acid that degrades the semaglutide before it can be absorbed.

Trial average weight loss at 25 mg: ~13% body weight at 64 weeks.

Missed dose: Skip and resume on the next day.

Foundayo (orforglipron, oral small molecule) — FDA dose schedule

Once-daily oral tablet. Approved 2026. The first oral small-molecule GLP-1.

| Week | Dose | | --- | --- | | 1–4 | 0.8 mg/day | | 5–8 | 2.4 mg/day | | 9–12 | 4.8 mg/day | | 13–16 | 7.2 mg/day | | 17–20 | 10.4 mg/day | | 21–24 | 13.8 mg/day | | 25+ | 17.2 mg/day (target maintenance) |

Notable: Can be taken any time of day, with or without food. Far more flexible than oral Wegovy.

Trial average weight loss at top dose: ~12% body weight at 72 weeks (ATTAIN program).

Interaction note: Foundayo can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives during the first weeks and dose changes — a backup contraceptive method is recommended during those windows.

Off-label diabetes GLP-1s used for weight loss

These are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and have different dose schedules than their weight-management siblings. Doctors prescribe them off-label for weight loss, but the doses don't go as high.

Ozempic (semaglutide, T2D dose)

• Starter: 0.25 mg/week × 4 weeks
• Then: 0.5 mg/week × 4 weeks
• Maintenance: 1.0 or 2.0 mg/week (max)

The 2.4 mg/week Wegovy dose is not available in Ozempic.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide, T2D dose)

Same dose range as Zepbound (2.5–15 mg/week). Same titration.

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide, T2D dose)

• 3 mg/day × 30 days (initiation, not effective by itself)
• 7 mg/day × 30 days
• Maintenance: 7 or 14 mg/day (max)

Same empty-stomach administration rules as oral Wegovy.

What if you don't tolerate the target dose?

Most weight loss happens before patients reach the highest dose. Many people maintain at a sub-maximum dose:

• For Wegovy: 1.0 or 1.7 mg/week is a common maintenance for patients who can't tolerate 2.4 mg
• For Zepbound: 5 or 7.5 mg/week is common
• For Saxenda: holding at 2.4 mg/day instead of 3.0 is sometimes used
• For Wegovy oral: 14 mg may be the practical ceiling for some patients
• For Foundayo: 7.2 or 10.4 mg may be the tolerated maintenance dose

Sub-maximum doses still produce meaningful weight loss for many patients — just less than the trial-average maxima.

Microdosing — what it is, what it isn't

"Microdosing" GLP-1s refers to maintaining sub-therapeutic doses long- term, often well below the lowest FDA dose. It's used most often in:

• Maintenance after target weight is reached — to preserve loss with fewer side effects
• Patients who get major effect at sub-therapeutic doses — about 10–15% of patients

Microdosing is generally not recommended for active weight loss because the data behind the approved doses is what supports the weight-loss claims. For maintenance, anecdotal practice and emerging research suggest sub-therapeutic doses can preserve weight loss for some patients. See GLP-1 microdosing.

Side effects and titration

The reason for slow titration: gastrointestinal side effects are worst during dose increases. Easing strategies:

• Increase only after a stable week with no severe symptoms
• Take the injection at bedtime if nausea hits during the day
• Smaller, lower-fat meals
• Hydrate consistently (electrolytes)
• Hold a dose increase if symptoms haven't settled

See GLP-1 side effects.

FAQ

What's the highest dose of Wegovy? The standard target is 2.4 mg/week. Wegovy HD adds 7.2 mg/week for patients who tolerate the standard dose and need additional weight loss.

What's the highest dose of Zepbound? 15 mg/week. Most patients maintain at 5, 10, or 15 mg.

Do I always have to escalate to the highest dose? No. Many patients maintain on a sub-maximum dose that controls weight without significant side effects.

Can I start at a higher dose to skip titration? No. Skipping titration steps causes severe nausea and vomiting for most patients and isn't on-label for any approved GLP-1.

What if I miss a dose by several days? Specific rules vary by drug (see each drug above). When in doubt, contact your prescriber rather than self-adjusting.

Can a doctor change me to a different GLP-1 mid-course? Yes. Switching is common for insurance, supply or tolerability reasons. Dose conversion is non-trivial and managed by the prescriber.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. The dose schedules above are reference values from each drug's prescribing information; your prescriber determines what's appropriate for you.