A semaglutide chart maps the step-up doses for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, so you can see how each week's dose increases and when side effects are common.
A semaglutide chart is a table that shows the starting dose, each step-up dose, and the maintenance dose for semaglutide medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Most charts follow the same pattern: begin at a low dose, increase roughly every four weeks, and stay at the lowest dose that controls appetite or blood sugar without hard-to-tolerate side effects. The exact numbers depend on the product and on whether the prescription is for type 2 diabetes or weight management.
What a Semaglutide Chart Actually Shows
A dosing chart is a titration plan, not a menu of options. Your prescriber adjusts the plan based on how your body responds and what side effects you report.
- Starting dose: a low dose meant to help your body adjust, not to produce full effect.
- Titration steps: scheduled increases, usually at four-week intervals.
- Maintenance dose: the dose you stay on once the drug is working.
- Maximum dose: the ceiling set by the manufacturer for that product.
The semaglutide ingredients list is short: the active drug plus inactive carriers that vary slightly by product. Compounded versions can use a different salt form and a different concentration, so a dose listed on one pharmacy's chart does not automatically transfer to another.
Semaglutide Dosing Chart by Product
All injectable doses below are given once weekly. Rybelsus is a once-daily tablet taken on an empty stomach.
| Product | Form | Starting dose | Step-up schedule | Maintenance / max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Weekly injection | 0.25 mg | 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, then 2.4 mg every 4 weeks | 2.4 mg (max 2.4 mg) |
| Ozempic | Weekly injection | 0.25 mg | 0.5 mg after 4 weeks, then 1 mg or 2 mg if needed | 1 to 2 mg (max 2 mg) |
| Rybelsus | Daily tablet | 3 mg | 7 mg after 30 days, 14 mg after another 30 days | 7 to 14 mg (max 14 mg in the US) |
| Compounded semaglutide | Injection, varies | Set by prescriber | Often every 2 to 4 weeks | Varies by pharmacy |
Some people search for a 5mg semaglutide dosing chart, but no FDA-approved semaglutide injection uses a 5 mg weekly dose. In compounded products, 5 mg usually refers to a concentration — 5 mg per milliliter — printed on the vial rather than the amount you inject.
How the Step-Up Schedule Works
Weekly injections
Wegovy and Ozempic both start at 0.25 mg per week for four weeks, a dose that is not expected to drive weight loss or lower blood sugar much. The point of the first month is tolerance. After that, doses rise in fixed steps, and many people stay at a lower maintenance dose than the maximum.
Daily tablets
Oral semaglutide follows a slower calendar. Rybelsus starts at 3 mg daily for 30 days, then 7 mg, then 14 mg if needed. There is currently no FDA-approved semaglutide tablet dose for weight loss in the United States; oral semaglutide is labeled for type 2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk has also filed for an oral Wegovy tablet, so a wegovy pill dosing chart may appear in future labeling. Until an oral weight-management product is approved, any pill chart you see online is unofficial.
Injections vs. Tablets at a Glance
| Feature | Weekly injection | Daily tablet |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Once a week | Once a day |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg | 3 mg |
| Titration pace | Every 4 weeks | Every 30 days |
| Food and water rules | None | Empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating |
| FDA-approved for weight loss | Yes (Wegovy) | No (US labeling) |
Injections tend to titrate faster and reach higher effective doses, while tablets are easier to store and travel with. Neither form works better for everyone.
Side Effects: Does Everyone Get Them?
The honest answer to does everyone have side effects from semaglutide is no. In Wegovy clinical trials, nausea was the most common complaint at roughly 44% of participants, which still leaves more than half who did not report it, and most reactions were mild and temporary.
- Common: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, burping, fatigue.
- Less common: gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, rapid heart rate.
- When to call a clinician: severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of dehydration, vision changes.
Side effects are most likely during the first weeks after each dose increase. Eating smaller meals, avoiding high-fat foods, and staying hydrated help many people stay on schedule. Semaglutide is not recommended during pregnancy, and it should be discussed with a clinician before use in people with a history of pancreatitis or certain thyroid conditions.
Safety, Sources, and Questions Worth Asking
Brand-name semaglutide is a prescription medicine, and compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved. The FDA has warned about counterfeit pens and about compounded products that contain incorrect concentrations, so where the drug comes from matters as much as the number on the chart.
Ask your prescriber these questions before your first dose:
- What is my target maintenance dose, and how long will I stay at each step?
- What should I do if I miss a weekly injection or a daily tablet?
- Which side effects mean I should stop and call you?
A semaglutide chart is a starting point for a conversation with a licensed clinician, not a self-dosing guide. Dose changes should be made with medical supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting dose on a semaglutide chart?
Wegovy and Ozempic both start at 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks, while Rybelsus starts at 3 mg once daily for 30 days. These starting doses are designed for tolerability rather than full effect. Injectable doses typically increase every four weeks, and oral doses increase every 30 days.
How long do you stay at each semaglutide dose?
Most label schedules keep you at each dose for at least four weeks before increasing. Some people stay longer if side effects are still settling, and others never move past a middle dose because it already controls appetite or blood sugar. Your prescriber decides the pace based on your response.
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
No. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, and the concentration can differ from pharmacy to pharmacy, which is why compounded charts often list units instead of milligrams. Brand-name products have fixed, FDA-reviewed strengths and step-up schedules. If you switch between a compounded version and a brand-name product, your prescriber needs to recalculate the dose.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.