GLP-1 Dosage for Weight Loss: What the FDA Labels Say
In this guide
- How to read these tables
- Wegovy (semaglutide) injection
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection
- Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection
- What "low dose" means on a label
- Maintenance doses after weight loss
- When to call a clinician
- Frequently asked questions
- Keep your step dates in one place
- Sources
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or a qualified professional.
GLP-1 pens are started at a small dose and stepped up over weeks, and the exact schedule is written in each medicine’s FDA prescribing information. Wegovy and Ozempic start at 0.25 mg once a week. Zepbound and Mounjaro start at 2.5 mg once a week. The tables below restate what each current label says. They are not a plan for you. Your prescriber sets your dose and your schedule, and your pharmacist can explain your pen.
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How to read these tables
Each product has its own label, and the labels are written for prescribers. The wording below stays close to theirs. Three points apply to all of them:
- Doses are once weekly, injected under the skin. For where to inject, see how to inject a GLP-1 in the stomach and our guide to injection site rotation.
- The label for your exact product and pen is the authority. Ozempic is labeled for adults with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is labeled for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy and Zepbound are labeled for weight reduction and long-term weight maintenance, among other uses.
- The step-up schedule exists for a stated reason. The labels say to follow it to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea.
Do not assume a dose carries over from one product or pen to another. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure what your pen delivers.
Wegovy (semaglutide) injection
According to the Wegovy prescribing information, the starting dosage is 0.25 mg once weekly, and the schedule in its Table 1 applies to all approved uses in adults and in children aged 12 and older.
| Weeks | Once-weekly dose | Label category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 through 4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dosage |
| 5 through 8 | 0.5 mg | Dosage escalation |
| 9 through 12 | 1 mg | Dosage escalation |
| 13 through 16 | 1.7 mg | Dosage escalation |
| 17 and onward | Maintenance dosage | See below |
For weight reduction in adults, the label gives the maintenance dosage as either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg once weekly, with 2.4 mg listed as recommended. It also says that for patients who tolerate 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks and for whom more weight reduction is clinically indicated, the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 7.2 mg once weekly. The label says to consider treatment response and tolerability when choosing a maintenance dosage. It describes a 2.4 mg or 1.7 mg maintenance choice for children aged 12 and older with obesity.
The label also tells prescribers that if a patient does not tolerate a dose during escalation, they can consider delaying escalation for 4 weeks. That is a decision for the prescriber, not something to do on your own.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection
The Zepbound prescribing information says the starting dosage is 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. The label then describes the step-up in words rather than a table.
| Step | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Starting dosage | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks |
| First increase | After 4 weeks, 5 mg once weekly |
| Further increases | In 2.5 mg increments, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose |
| Maintenance, weight reduction and long-term maintenance | 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly |
| Maintenance, obstructive sleep apnea | 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly |
| Maximum, all uses | 15 mg once weekly |
The label states that the 2.5 mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not approved as a maintenance dosage. It also says to consider treatment response and tolerability when choosing a maintenance dosage, and that if a maintenance dosage is not tolerated, a lower maintenance dosage can be considered. Again, those are prescriber decisions.
Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
The Ozempic prescribing information starts treatment at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg once weekly.
| Step | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Starting dosage | 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks |
| After 4 weeks | 0.5 mg once weekly |
| If more glycemic control is needed | 1 mg once weekly, after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg |
| If more glycemic control is needed again | 2 mg once weekly, after at least 4 weeks on 1 mg |
| Maximum | 2 mg once weekly |
For adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the label lists a maintenance dosage of 1 mg once weekly, reached after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg. The label describes 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg as maintenance dosages for glycemic control, chosen based on glycemic control. The Ozempic label is for diabetes care, so this table is not a weight-loss schedule.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection
The Mounjaro prescribing information gives the starting dosage as 2.5 mg once weekly. If additional glycemic control is needed, the dosage increases in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
| Step | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Starting dosage | 2.5 mg once weekly |
| Increases | 2.5 mg increments, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if more glycemic control is needed |
| Maximum, adults | 15 mg once weekly |
| Maximum, pediatric patients | 10 mg once weekly |
What “low dose” means on a label
People often search for a “low dose GLP-1.” On the labels, the lowest doses are simply the starting doses above: 0.25 mg for Wegovy and Ozempic, and 2.5 mg for Zepbound and Mounjaro. The labels present them as the first steps of a schedule, intended to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, and not as a separate plan. Zepbound’s label says outright that 2.5 mg is not a maintenance dosage. How long you stay at any step is for your prescriber to decide, based on your own situation.
Maintenance doses after weight loss
Searches for a “maintenance dose after weight loss” are answered by the maintenance rows above. Wegovy lists 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg, with higher doses described for some adults. Zepbound lists 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg. Which one applies to you depends on your response, your tolerability and your prescriber’s judgment. The label does not give a way for you to choose.
When to call a clinician
Call your prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure which dose is on your pen, if the pen or the label looks different from your last one, or if you have symptoms that worry you.
The Medication Guides for Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound say to stop using the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away for severe stomach pain that will not go away, with or without vomiting. Zepbound’s guide says to get medical help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing. The Wegovy and Zepbound guides also warn that vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration that leads to kidney problems.
If you missed a dose, read missed a GLP-1 dose? what to read first. The label timing windows differ by product.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of semaglutide?
According to the labels, both Wegovy and Ozempic start at 0.25 mg once weekly, for the first 4 weeks. Your prescriber decides which product and schedule fit you.
Why does the dose go up in steps?
The labels say the step-up schedule is meant to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Your prescriber decides how your own schedule runs.
What is the highest dose on the labels?
The Zepbound and Mounjaro labels list 15 mg once weekly as the maximum for adults. The Ozempic label lists 2 mg once weekly. The Wegovy label describes a maximum of 7.2 mg once weekly for adults who meet the conditions in the label.
Can I change my dose myself?
No. Dose changes are a prescriber decision, and the labels are written that way. If something about your dose is confusing, call your prescriber or pharmacist before your next injection.
Keep your step dates in one place
Dosinha lets you record each titration step with its date, so when you talk to your prescriber you can show exactly what you took and when. The app never recommends a dose. It helps you keep a record. The shot log, reminders and titration steps with dates are free. Try the free tools.
Sources
- DailyMed. Wegovy prescribing information, sections 1, 2.2 and Medication Guide. Novo Nordisk, label posted 2026.
- DailyMed. Zepbound prescribing information, sections 1, 2.1, 2.2 and Medication Guide. Eli Lilly, label posted 2026.
- DailyMed. Ozempic prescribing information, sections 1, 2.2 and Medication Guide. Novo Nordisk, label posted 2026.
- DailyMed. Mounjaro prescribing information, sections 1 and 2.1. Eli Lilly, label posted 2026.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or a qualified professional.