Question 1

What is the standard semaglutide dose escalation?

Accepted Answer

Semaglutide (Wegovy) starts at 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then increases to 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and finally 2.4 mg weekly. Each escalation lasts 4 weeks. Ozempic follows the same initial steps but maxes at 1 mg (or 2 mg for some patients).

Question 2

What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Accepted Answer

Both contain semaglutide. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes (max 2 mg/week), while Wegovy is approved for weight management (max 2.4 mg/week). The dose escalation schedules differ at higher doses.

Question 3

How does tirzepatide (Mounjaro) compare to semaglutide?

Accepted Answer

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, while semaglutide targets only GLP-1. Tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg weekly and escalates to a maximum of 15 mg. Clinical trials show comparable or greater weight loss with tirzepatide.

Question 4

How do I calculate units for compounded semaglutide?

Accepted Answer

For compounded semaglutide vials, divide your desired dose (in mg) by the concentration (mg/mL), then multiply by 100 to get units on a U-100 syringe. Use our unit converter below for exact calculations.

Question 5

What are common side effects during dose escalation?

Accepted Answer

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These are typically worst during dose increases and improve as your body adjusts. The gradual escalation schedule is designed to minimize these effects.

Semaglutide Dosage Chart & Calculator

Semaglutide Dose Escalation

Semaglutide Dose Escalation