The standard weekly titration schedule, explained step by step — plus a dosage chart converting each dose to mL and syringe units across common vial strengths.
Medically reviewed content · Educational use only
This guide is for general education, not medical advice. Semaglutide is prescription-only. Your actual starting dose, titration pace, and maintenance dose are determined by a licensed provider based on your health history — not by this page. iSTRYVE members get an individualized schedule from their care team.
Semaglutide is injected once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day — with or without food. Nearly every provider starts patients low and increases gradually, since this is what keeps nausea and other GI side effects manageable as your body adjusts.
| Timeline | Weekly dose | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | 0.25 mg | Starting dose — lets your body adjust with minimal side effects. |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5 mg | First increase, once your provider confirms you're tolerating 0.25 mg. |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1 mg | Most patients begin noticing steadier appetite control around this dose. |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7 mg | A larger step up — some providers hold here longer if side effects appear. |
| Week 17+ | 2.4 mg | Typical maintenance dose. Some patients stay at a lower effective dose long-term. |
This is the standard schedule most providers reference. Your iSTRYVE provider may slow it down, hold a dose longer, or adjust it based on how you respond.
Compounding pharmacies mix semaglutide at different concentrations, so the same dose can mean a very different draw volume depending on your specific vial. Use this chart alongside the label on your vial — never guess the concentration.
| Vial strength | 0.25 mg | 0.5 mg | 1 mg | 1.7 mg | 2.4 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/mL | 0.125 mL (12.5 units) | 0.25 mL (25 units) | 0.5 mL (50 units) | 0.85 mL (85 units) | 1.2 mL (120 units)* |
| 2.5 mg/mL | 0.1 mL (10 units) | 0.2 mL (20 units) | 0.4 mL (40 units) | 0.68 mL (68 units) | 0.96 mL (96 units) |
| 5 mg/mL | 0.05 mL (5 units) | 0.1 mL (10 units) | 0.2 mL (20 units) | 0.34 mL (34 units) | 0.48 mL (48 units) |
| 10 mg/mL | 0.025 mL (2.5 units) | 0.05 mL (5 units) | 0.1 mL (10 units) | 0.17 mL (17 units) | 0.24 mL (24 units) |
*A standard U-100 insulin syringe only measures up to 100 units (1 mL). At lower concentrations, higher doses like 2.4 mg may require a larger syringe or a more concentrated vial — your pharmacy accounts for this when filling your prescription.
Wash your hands and let the vial come to room temperature if it's been refrigerated.
Draw the dose your provider prescribed, double-checking the mL/unit marking against your vial's concentration.
Pinch a fold of skin on your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm and inject subcutaneously at a 90° angle.
Rotate injection sites each week to reduce irritation, and dispose of the needle in a sharps container.
Nausea, mild constipation, and fatigue are most common in the first few weeks after a dose increase and typically ease within days. Eating smaller, lower-fat meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding lying down right after eating all help. Tell your provider if side effects are severe or don't improve — your titration pace can always be adjusted.
Take the 2-minute quiz and a licensed provider will build a titration schedule around you.
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