There are a few different doses of Wegovy available: in this article, we’ll explain why and how they are used.
What is a dose of Wegovy?
Wegovy is a weight loss injection containing a GLP-1 medication called semaglutide. Semaglutide can support weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, reducing hunger and reducing cravings.
Wegovy is injected once per week; the amount of semaglutide in that injection is the weekly dose.
Wegovy is available in weekly doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg of semaglutide.
What are each of the Wegovy doses used for?
Wegovy is available in a range of doses to allow the gradual increase of the weekly dose of semaglutide, from a starting dose of 0.25 mg to a maintenance dose (the dose that you will stay on longer-term).
The starting dose of Wegovy is always 0.25 mg, taken weekly for four weeks. After four weeks, the dose can be increased to the next dose, and this can be repeated until a maintenance dose is reached.
This approach is used to allow your body to get used to small increases in medication each time and to help manage any side effects of the digestive system experienced.
These side effects – such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea – can happen more often when the dose is increased, and then they usually settle down, before the dose is increased again.
But at Genwell, we know that not everyone will need to keep increasing the dose of their medication to achieve their goals. We follow a structured, doctor-led dosing plan that is designed to support effective, sustainable weight loss while minimising side effects, and this means we don’t always recommend dose increases every four weeks. You can see details of the Genwell dosing plan for Wegovy here.
For example, someone who needs to progress to the 2.4 mg dose level and does not have any unmanageable side effects would have a schedule like this:
- Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg (starting dose)
- Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg
- Weeks 9–12: 1 mg
- Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg
- Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg
If you are following the Genwell dosing plan, you won’t need to reassess every four weeks unless something needs to change. At the same time, your care remains flexible - your doctor can review and adjust your dose based on how you’re responding, and you can request changes whenever you need to.
Does everyone reach the highest maintenance dose?
The maximum weekly dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg (or 7.2 mg for people with obesity). However, not everyone will need to take these dose levels to achieve their goals.
At Genwell, we expect that most people will likely rise to a weekly dose of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg to achieve their weight loss goals. You can see details of the Genwell dosing plan for Wegovy here.
What our clinical experts say
At Genwell, treatment is always person-centred. Finding the right dose is a collaborative decision between you and your doctor. There is never any pressure to increase beyond what feels safe and comfortable for you.
Dr Caroline Butler
Does a higher dose of Wegovy mean greater weight loss?
Typically, yes.
An early clinical study of Wegovy found that as the dose of semaglutide is increased, the weight loss increases. This information was used to help decide on the first maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
Another clinical study showed that people with obesity receiving either a 2.4 mg or 7.2 mg dose, on average, lost more weight on the 7.2 mg dose.
However, it is worth noting that everyone does not respond to medications in the same way. Some people will see more progress towards their weight loss goals with lower doses than other people. Also, some people will have more side effects than others and may not be able to tolerate higher doses of medication.
At Genwell, we aim to find the right dose for you – it's not about focusing on increasing to the highest dose, it’s about finding the dose that meets your needs and goals.
How long do I stay on the maintenance dose?
The maintenance dose – the long-term dose that supports weight loss goals and is well tolerated – may be used for several months, or more.
However, if there are any changes to weight loss progress or any unmanageable side effects, it can be changed at any time after discussion with a healthcare professional.
Wegovy is used for both weight loss and weight maintenance, so you do not need to stop taking it when you achieve your weight loss goals.
Once you have reached your weight loss goals, you will then decide together with your healthcare professional what weight maintenance looks like for you. This may involve staying at the same dose, gradually reducing the dose slowly over time or, for some, coming off Wegovy treatment whilst maintaining nutrition and lifestyle changes.
If you want to stop taking Wegovy or reduce the dose, you should speak to your doctor and agree and plan to do so.
What happens if I stop taking the weekly dose?
A clinical study has shown that people who stop taking Wegovy put on around two-thirds of the weight they had lost over a year.
It is worth noting that in this study, people were taking 2.4 mg of Wegovy for 68 weeks, then stopped treatment – both medication and lifestyle support – abruptly.
This would probably be different in a real-world situation – you would likely wean off treatment more slowly, and your focus on nutrition and lifestyle changes would continue.
When using a GLP-1 medication like Wegovy, it is important to take a long-term view of your weight and your health. Making lifestyle changes and creating healthy habits can help support a sustainable approach to weight management, as well as benefit overall health and wellbeing.
Key messages
- Wegovy contains the GLP-1 medication, semaglutide, and is available in a range of doses
- The starting dose is 0.25 mg of semaglutide, given weekly
- As needed, the dose can be built up gradually to a maintenance dose – that is right for the individual – for longer-term use
- Changes to dosing should always be discussed with a healthcare professional
Genwell reflections
At Genwell, we always put the person at the centre of all treatment decisions.
We follow a structured, doctor-led dosing plan designed to support effective, sustainable weight loss while minimising side effects.
But your care remains flexible; your doctor can review and adjust your dose based on how you’re responding, and you can request changes whenever you need to.
We will never increase medication doses when it is not needed – we encourage a healthy approach to weight management that focuses on sustainable changes for long-term benefits in health and wellbeing.