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Ozempic · Dosage

Ozempic dosage

The label titration for Ozempic, step by step: increase after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, only if more blood sugar control is needed.

Clinician review pending Updated
Start
0.25 mg
4 weeks
Steps
4
on the label
Maintenance
0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly
Max
2 mg once weekly

Dosage chart

DoseFastest label timingLabel note
0.25 mgWeeks 1 to 4Starting dose. Not meant to control blood sugar on its own.
0.5 mgWeeks 5 to 8First maintenance dose.
1 mgWeeks 9 to 12If more blood sugar control is needed after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg.
2 mgWeek 13 onwardIf more control is needed after at least 4 weeks on 1 mg. Highest dose on the label.

The fastest timing assumes every increase happens as soon as the label allows. Prescribers often hold a dose longer; that's common and on-label.

Changing your dose day

You can change your weekly day as long as there are at least 2 days (48 hours) between doses.

Explainer · 0:22

START LOW 2.5 mg weeks 1 to 4 Not a maintenance dose it's there to let your stomach adjust STEP UP SLOWLY 2.557.51012.515 mg each step: 4+ weeks SIDE EFFECTS FOLLOW THE STEPS +2.5 mg+2.5 mg+2.5 mg+2.5 mg flare, then settle how often nausea is reported IT'S OK TO HOLD 7.5 mg · held on-label, common 0:22 · voiced · captions on
GLP-1 doses start low. Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg, a starter dose that gives your gut time to adjust.
0:00 / 0:22
Why GLP-1 doses go up slowly
Read the transcript
  1. GLP-1 doses start low. Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg, a starter dose that gives your gut time to adjust.
  2. After at least 4 weeks, your prescriber may step it up by 2.5 mg, up to a maintenance dose of 5, 10 or 15 mg.
  3. Stomach side effects like nausea often flare for a few days after each increase, then settle on the same dose.
  4. Staying on a dose longer is common and allowed by the label. Never increase faster than your prescription says.

Common questions

What dose does Ozempic start at?

0.25 mg, 4 weeks. It's a starter dose; the label doesn't use it as a maintenance dose.

How fast does the Ozempic dose go up?

Increase after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, only if more blood sugar control is needed.

What is the maximum Ozempic dose?

2 mg once weekly.

Can I stay on a lower dose of Ozempic?

Yes, if your prescriber agrees. The label allows maintenance at 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly.

Sources

  1. Ozempic prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error