GLP-1 dose schedule calculator
Pick your medicine and the date of your first injection to see the standard step-up schedule from the US prescribing information as real dates, and check how long you have to take a missed dose.
Your step-up calendar
| Dose | Weeks | Dates |
|---|
This is the fastest pace the label allows. Your prescriber may keep you on a dose for longer, or decide you don't need a higher one.
This tool shows the standard label schedule for information only. It is not medical advice: follow your prescriber's instructions.
How to use it
- Choose the medicine and, if you know it, the dose your prescriber is aiming for.
- Enter the date of your first injection. Every weekly dose falls on the same weekday.
- Read the dates of each dose step. If you miss a dose, enter its date to see the last day you can still take it.
Label dose schedules
Wegovy (semaglutide)
| Dose | Weeks | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | 1–4 | Starting dose |
| 0.5 mg | 5–8 | Step-up |
| 1 mg | 9–12 | Step-up |
| 1.7 mg | 13–16 | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 2.4 mg | 17+ | Maintenance (recommended) |
Ozempic (semaglutide)
| Dose | Weeks | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | 1–4 | Starting dose |
| 0.5 mg | 5+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 1 mg | 9+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 2 mg | 13+ (earliest) | Maximum |
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
| Dose | Weeks | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 1–4 | Starting dose |
| 5 mg | 5+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 7.5 mg | 9+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 10 mg | 13+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 12.5 mg | 17+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 15 mg | 21+ (earliest) | Maximum |
Zepbound (tirzepatide)
| Dose | Weeks | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 1–4 | Starting dose |
| 5 mg | 5+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 7.5 mg | 9+ (earliest) | Step-up |
| 10 mg | 13+ (earliest) | Step-up; also a maintenance option |
| 12.5 mg | 17+ (earliest) | Step-up |
| 15 mg | 21+ (earliest) | Maximum |
Why the dose goes up slowly
All four medicines start low and go up in steps of at least four weeks. The labels say this is to reduce the risk of stomach and gut side effects such as nausea. The first doses, 0.25 mg of semaglutide or 2.5 mg of tirzepatide, are only for getting started and are not maintenance doses.
Four weeks is a minimum
For Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound the labels say to step up after at least four weeks on the current dose, and your prescriber may keep you on a dose for longer or decide you don't need a higher one. Wegovy's label sets the steps out by week, but suggests delaying an increase by four weeks if a dose isn't tolerated. Never change your dose without talking to your prescriber.
If you miss a dose
- Mounjaro and Zepbound: take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day.
- Ozempic: take it within 5 days of the missed dose; otherwise skip it.
- Wegovy: if your next dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as possible; if it is less than 2 days away, skip it.
- After two or more missed doses in a row, the Wegovy label says you may need to restart the step-up. Ask your prescriber what to do with any of these medicines.
Dose schedules by medicine
Wegovy and Ozempic are trademarks of Novo Nordisk; Mounjaro and Zepbound are trademarks of Eli Lilly. This site is not affiliated with either company. The schedules come from the US prescribing information; labels in other countries can differ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Wegovy dose schedule?
0.25 mg once a week in weeks 1–4, 0.5 mg in weeks 5–8, 1 mg in weeks 9–12 and 1.7 mg in weeks 13–16, then a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg from week 17.
How does the Mounjaro dose go up?
2.5 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 5 mg. After at least 4 weeks on each dose it can go up by 2.5 mg at a time, to 7.5, 10, 12.5 and at most 15 mg.
What is the Ozempic dose schedule?
0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg. If more glucose control is needed after at least 4 weeks, 1 mg, and after at least 4 more weeks, 2 mg, the maximum.
Is Zepbound dosed the same as Mounjaro?
The step-up is the same: 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, rising by 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks on each dose up to 15 mg. For weight reduction the label lists 5, 10 or 15 mg as maintenance doses.
Can I stay on a lower dose?
Yes, if your prescriber agrees. The step-ups are a minimum pace, and the labels say to consider response and tolerability when choosing the maintenance dose. The starting doses are not maintenance doses.
What if I miss a dose?
Mounjaro and Zepbound: within 4 days. Ozempic: within 5 days. Wegovy: only if the next dose is more than 2 days away. Otherwise skip it and keep your usual injection day.
Sources
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