GLP-1 Dosage Chart 2026: Every Titration Schedule for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound & Compounded (Full Reference)

Every GLP-1 medication follows the same core principle: start at a low dose and step up every 4 weeks to build GI tolerance before reaching a treatment dose. The starter dose is never the dose that drives your results — it exists so your gut adapts. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) have different dose ladders because they're different molecules, but the titration logic is identical. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide use the same milligram doses as their brand equivalents — a 1:1 conversion. This is the complete reference: the full titration chart for every molecule and brand, missed-dose rules, dose-conversion math for switching molecules, injection how-to, and the cost trap where brand pricing scales with your dose while compounded programs stay flat-priced at any dose — $99/mo via Embody, $125/mo tirzepatide via Trimi, or $199/mo flat via TrimRx (Editor's Choice). Here's every GLP-1 dosage schedule in one place.

Master dosage chart: starter and max doses at a glance

The one rule that applies to all of them: the 4-week interval is a minimum, not a deadline. If you're losing weight and tolerating a dose, there's no requirement to escalate. If side effects flare after a step-up, dropping back a dose for 4-6 weeks and retrying is standard practice.

Semaglutide dosage charts

Semaglutide is the molecule in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus (and compounded semaglutide). The injectable dose ladder is the same across brands up to each brand's ceiling — the difference is just how high they go.

Wegovy dosage chart (semaglutide for obesity — the fullest ladder)

Ozempic dosage chart (semaglutide for Type 2 diabetes)

Note the ceiling difference: Ozempic tops out at 2.0 mg/week; Wegovy goes to 2.4 mg/week. Same molecule, same steps — Wegovy just adds one more rung. This is why many prescribers move a plateaued Ozempic patient to Wegovy for the extra 0.4 mg. See our Ozempic vs Wegovy comparison.

Rybelsus dosage chart (oral semaglutide)

Rybelsus requires strict fasting (30 minutes, ≤4 oz water) for absorption, which is why adherence is harder than injectable. For an oral option without the fasting requirement, see Foundayo (orforglipron — a different molecule).

Tirzepatide dosage charts

Tirzepatide is the molecule in Mounjaro and Zepbound (and compounded tirzepatide). The dose ladder is identical between the two brands — the only difference is the FDA label (Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for obesity).

Mounjaro / Zepbound dosage chart (tirzepatide — same for both)

The 10 mg question: in SURMOUNT-1, the 10 mg tirzepatide group lost 21.4% body weight vs 22.5% at 15 mg — a small gap for a meaningful tolerability difference. Many prescribers treat 10 mg as the default maintenance ceiling. Full detail in our Zepbound dosage guide.

Semaglutide vs tirzepatide dosing side-by-side

The two molecules aren't dosed on the same scale — a common source of confusion when switching.

Do not convert mg-for-mg between them — 2.4 mg of semaglutide is a max dose; 2.5 mg of tirzepatide is a starter dose. They are entirely different scales. See tirzepatide vs semaglutide for the molecule-level comparison.

Compounded dosing: same milligrams as brand

Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide use the identical milligram doses and titration schedules as their brand equivalents — the active molecule is the same. A compounded semaglutide program titrates 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg exactly like Wegovy. Compounded tirzepatide steps 2.5 → 5 → 7.5 → 10 → 12.5 → 15 mg exactly like Zepbound.

The one practical difference: compounded medications usually ship as vials (draw your dose with a syringe) rather than pre-filled pens, so your provider will give you a units-to-mg conversion for your specific vial concentration. Always follow the dosing instructions your prescriber provides with your vial — concentrations vary between pharmacies.

For the cheapest compounded programs at any dose, see our cheapest compounded semaglutide ranking and cheapest compounded tirzepatide ranking.

Missed dose rules (all weekly GLP-1s)

The rules are the same for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and compounded versions:

• ≤4 days late (within 96 hours): take it as soon as you remember, then resume your normal weekly schedule.
• >4 days late: skip the missed dose entirely and take the next one on your regular day. Do NOT double up.
• Missed 2+ consecutive weeks: call your prescriber. Tolerance fades within 2-4 weeks off the drug, and restarting at your old dose after a long gap is the classic trigger for severe nausea and vomiting — you may need to restart lower.
• Changing injection day: allowed, as long as at least 72 hours separate the two doses.

Rybelsus (oral, daily) is different: if you miss a day, skip it and take the next day's dose — never double up.

Dose conversion when switching molecules

Semaglutide → tirzepatide: start tirzepatide at 2.5 mg/week regardless of your semaglutide dose. Do not try to match milligrams. Titrate by response, typically reaching 5-10 mg.

Tirzepatide → semaglutide: start semaglutide at 0.25 mg/week regardless of your tirzepatide dose. The receptors and tolerance reset.

Brand → compounded (same molecule): 1:1 mg conversion, no titration restart. If you were on Wegovy 1.7 mg, you continue compounded semaglutide at 1.7 mg. See our brand-to-compounded switching guide.

Ozempic → Wegovy (same molecule, higher ceiling): continue at your current dose (or the nearest Wegovy dose) and escalate toward 2.4 mg — no restart needed.

How to inject a GLP-1 (pens and vials)

The mechanics are similar across brands. General steps — always follow your specific device's instructions:

1. Wash hands and gather supplies (pen or vial + syringe, alcohol swab, sharps container). 2. Choose an injection site: abdomen (2 inches from the navel), front of thigh, or back of upper arm. Rotate sites each week to avoid lumps. 3. Clean the site with an alcohol swab and let it dry. 4. Pens: dial your dose, press the pen flat against the skin, and hold the button until the counter returns to zero (usually ~6 seconds). Vials: draw your prescribed units into the syringe, pinch the skin, insert at 90 degrees, and push the plunger steadily. 5. Dispose of the needle/syringe in a sharps container — never the trash.

Timing: weekly GLP-1s can be taken any time of day, with or without food, on the same day each week. Many patients pick a low-appetite day. If nausea is worse right after injecting, injecting before bed can help you sleep through the peak.

The cost trap: brand pricing scales with dose, compounded doesn't

This is the part of GLP-1 dosing nobody explains. As you titrate up, brand cash-pay pricing often increases — LillyDirect Zepbound vials run $349/mo at 2.5 mg but $499/mo at 7.5 mg and above. Compounded programs charge the same price at every dose.

Practical takeaway: if you're insured, dose is cost-irrelevant — the Savings Card is $25/mo at any dose, so titrate purely on clinical response. If you're cash-pay and expect to reach a therapeutic dose (5-15 mg tirzepatide, 1.0-2.4 mg semaglutide), flat-priced compounded programs are structurally cheaper than brand vials that step up in price. See our Zepbound coupon breakdown and how to get Wegovy cheaper.

FAQ

What is the starting dose of every GLP-1? Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, compounded): 0.25 mg/week. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound, compounded): 2.5 mg/week. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus): 3 mg/day. All are tolerance-building doses, not treatment doses.

How long do you stay on each dose? Minimum 4 weeks per step (30 days for Rybelsus). Longer is fine and often smarter — escalate only if weight loss is inadequate and you're tolerating the current dose well.

What is the maximum dose of each GLP-1? Ozempic 2.0 mg/wk; Wegovy 2.4 mg/wk; Rybelsus 14 mg/day; Mounjaro and Zepbound 15 mg/wk. Compounded versions follow the same maximums as their brand equivalent.

Is compounded semaglutide dosed the same as Wegovy? Yes — identical milligram doses and titration schedule. The only difference is compounded ships in vials (manual draw) rather than pens, so follow the units-to-mg conversion your prescriber provides.

Do I have to reach the max dose? No. Many patients get strong results at mid doses — 1.0-1.7 mg semaglutide or 7.5-10 mg tirzepatide. The right dose is the lowest one that gets you losing 0.5-1% body weight per week. Chasing the max buys marginal extra loss at real tolerability cost.

What happens if I miss a weekly dose? Within 4 days: take it when you remember. Past 4 days: skip and resume your schedule. Never take two doses within 72 hours. After 2+ missed weeks, call your prescriber — you may need to restart at a lower dose.

How do I convert my dose when switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide? You don't convert milligrams — you restart. Begin tirzepatide at 2.5 mg/week regardless of your semaglutide dose, then titrate by response. The molecules are on completely different scales.

Where should I inject? Abdomen (2+ inches from the navel), front of thigh, or back of upper arm. Rotate sites weekly to prevent lumps. Weekly GLP-1s can be injected any time of day, with or without food.

For our full provider grid see the cheapest GLP-1 programs page. For the deeper single-drug dosing guides, see our Zepbound dosage guide. For what to expect week by week, see our Wegovy weight loss timeline, Ozempic side effects guide, and Mounjaro side effects guide. For the molecule comparison, see tirzepatide vs semaglutide.