Why Is Semaglutide Given in a Gradual Dosing Schedule?
Semaglutide, like any type of prescription medication, can cause potential side effects, including intestinal conditions like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. To lessen the severity of these common side effects, patients do not start at the strongest dose right away, but instead, their dose is increased gradually.
Doctors use a careful dosing schedule called semaglutide titration, which allows the body time to get used to the medication.
Starting Dose for Semaglutide
Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone that is naturally produced by your body to help regulate your appetite and blood sugar levels. When a patient first begins the medication, they are normally prescribed the lowest dose, which is incrementally increased around every four to five weeks. This helps minimize stomach-related side effects and allows the body to adapt.
The starting dose for semaglutide is typically 0.25 mg once a week. This dose is not meant for weight loss but rather for helping the patient adjust to the medication.
Semaglutide Dosage Chart
The starting dose is administered once a week for four weeks and then is increased to 0.5 mg for the next four weeks, and so on. The goal is to increase the strength of the dose gradually until weight loss begins to occur.
If the patient begins losing weight while using a low dose, their doctor may keep them at the lower dose for a bit longer. Below is a standard semaglutide weight loss dosage chart.
to see the entire table
| Month | Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 0.25 mg | Once a week |
| Month 2 | 0.5 mg | Once a week |
| Month 3 | 1 mg | Once a week |
| Month 4 | 1.7 mg | Once a week |
| Month 5+ | 2.4 mg | Once a week |
Note: the patient may receive prefilled sterile syringes that contain this pre-measured dosage or a multi-dose vial.
What Is the Highest Dose of Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide is prescribed in higher doses when it is being used for weight loss than when it is only meant to control blood sugar for an individual with type 2 diabetes. The highest dose of semaglutide is 2.4 mg per week and can take patients five months or longer to reach the maximum dose.
In some cases, doctors may adjust the dose slightly depending on your needs and how well you are tolerating the current dose.
Semaglutide Dosage in Milliliters (ml)
Some patients may receive semaglutide in a multi-dose vial rather than in pre-filled syringes. In such cases, it’s essential to convert the dosage from ml, following the doctor’s instructions to ensure the correct dose.
Your Individual Semaglutide Dosing Schedule
For the best weight loss results and to mitigate the severity of side effects, it is important for you to work closely with your doctor so they can adjust your schedule if needed. Increasing the dose before your body is ready can result in severe side effects, and if you remain on a dose too long, you may not experience the full benefits of the medication.
The semaglutide dosing schedule is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all but more of a guideline, so do not take matters into your own hands and work together with your doctor to find the schedule that works best for you.
If you are ready to get the help you need to lose weight and improve your health, contact us or join us today to start your semaglutide injections.
