Can I Stay on a Low Dose of Wegovy?

Wegovy is an effective weight loss solution that can lead to a 17% reduction in body weight when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. Real-world reviews and impressive before-and-after stories have shown that the treatment can have a positive impact if taken as prescribed.

Much like other injections such as Mounjaro and Nevolat, Wegovy follows a recommended dosage schedule that gradually increases in strength until it reaches the maximum maintenance dose. However, there may be circumstances in which you ask yourself, “Can I stay on a low dose of Wegovy?”

In this article, we’ll explore whether continuing on a low Wegovy dose is safe and appropriate, and delve into potential reasons you may not want to follow the recommended schedule. Read on to find out more. 

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What is the Wegovy Dosage Schedule?

Wegovy is a weekly injection that comes in five dose strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Each pre-filled injection pen contains four doses containing the prescribed quantity of medicine.

Users start Wegovy with an initiation dose of 0.25 mg. This increases every four weeks until they reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. The official Wegovy dosing schedule recommended by clinicians is as follows:

• Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg per week
• Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg per week
• Weeks 9 to 12: 1 mg per week
• Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg per week
• Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg per week

At What Dose Does Wegovy Start Working?

The body absorbs Wegovy easily, and the drug reaches peak blood concentration 1-3 days after treatment initiation. Many people notice the effects within a week and report decreased appetite and cravings, better control of their eating, and a reduced preference for energy-dense foods.

Many users reduce their calorie intake soon after starting the injections and begin losing weight by week four. Wegovy weight loss starts slowly but quickly gains momentum as users increase their dose, with the greatest weight reduction typically occurring in the first 6 months of treatment. 

Can You Stay on a Low Dose of Wegovy?

You can stay on a low dose of Wegovy, but you may not get the maximum weight loss benefits of the medication. The standard treatment plan for Wegovy involves a series of gradual dose increases. Users often start with an initiation dose of 0.25 mg, then scale up in four-weekly increments until they reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg per week.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, produces dose-dependent weight loss. Therefore, people on the higher doses usually experience the greatest reductions in body weight. However, not everyone needs the highest dose to achieve their desired results, and many choose to stay on a lower dose of Wegovy. 

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• Weekly injection
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• Discreet delivery next working day
• Online prescription - No doctor visit

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Reasons for Staying on a Low Dose of Wegovy

Each Wegovy user has an individual weight loss goal, and this number varies significantly from person to person. Wegovy starts working quickly, and many people lose weight in the first month of treatment. Some people reach their desired weight on a lower dose of Wegovy and see no reason to increase their dose.

Even people who reach the 1.7 or 2.4 mg maintenance dose may choose to reduce this once they achieve their goal weight. Lower doses still have appetite suppressant effects, and some people may find this helps them maintain their lower weight.

Another reason for staying on a lower dose of Wegovy is to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea are all common on Wegovy and can be more severe at higher doses, though they typically decrease with time. However, some people are more sensitive to these side effects, and factors such as age and weight may influence the severity of reactions. Therefore, they may choose to maintain a lower dose if it causes fewer gastrointestinal symptoms.

Drawbacks of Staying on a Low Dose of Wegovy

The main drawback of staying on a lower dose of Wegovy is that it doesn’t allow you to access the drug’s maximum weight loss benefits. The lowest Wegovy dose of 0.25 mg is meant to initiate treatment and help your body adjust to the medication, and doesn’t produce significant weight loss.

Clinical trials show that the weight loss effects of Wegovy are dose-dependent, with the most significant reductions occurring at higher doses. Therefore, people hoping to lose a large percentage of their body weight may need 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly to achieve their goal. 

What Low Wegovy Doses are Safe to Stay On?

Low doses of Wegovy, like 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg, are not known to be harmful. However, these doses are only intended to initiate treatment and have not been studied for long-term use. Doctors recommend using these doses only for short periods (i.e., 4 weeks) before increasing the dose, though dose escalation may be delayed for people with severe side effects.

If you would like to continue using a lower dose of Wegovy beyond the recommended four-week window, discuss your plans with a licensed clinician first.

Can You Lose Weight on a Low Dose of Wegovy?

You can lose weight on a low dose of Wegovy, as many people feel the medication’s appetite-suppressing effects soon after treatment initiation. However, Wegovy’s weight loss benefits are dose-dependent, with the most significant reductions observed at higher doses.

Research on the efficacy of semaglutide has shown how weight loss progresses over the course of treatment. In one study, the average body weight reduction at each dose was approximately:

• 0.25 mg (weeks 1 - 4): 2%
• 0.5 mg (weeks 5 - 8): 4%
• 1 mg (weeks 9 - 12): 6%
• 1.7 mg (weeks 13 - 16): 8% 
• 2.4 mg (week 17 onwards): 10%

The mean percentage weight change after sustained treatment with the maximum maintenance dose (2.4 mg) was 15%. Your personal Wegovy treatment plan should reflect your goals, and if you intend to lose a lot of weight, you may need to use higher doses.

Wegovy Low Dose Side Effects

Wegovy commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These symptoms can occur with any dose, though they are more frequent during treatment initiation and dose escalations. Therefore, you will probably experience Wegovy side effects with any dose you take, though they may be more severe at higher doses.

Fortunately, gastrointestinal side effects of weight loss injections usually improve as your body adapts to the medication. Gradually increasing your dose in line with the standard Wegovy treatment plan can also reduce symptom severity.

Can You Resume the Wegovy Dosage Schedule After Staying on a Lower Dose?

You can increase your Wegovy dose at any time you choose. If you are dissatisfied with your rate of weight loss, increasing your dose is a reliable way further to reduce appetite and, therefore, calorie intake. Switching to a higher dose may increase side effects, but in most cases, they are moderate to mild and improve over time.

If you would like to increase your Wegovy dose, consult a licensed clinician first. They can provide medically informed advice on structuring your treatment plan to achieve the best possible weight loss results.

Wegovy

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

• Approved Weight Loss treatment
• Weekly injection
• Reduces risk of heart attack & stroke

• Discreet delivery next working day
• Online prescription - No doctor visit

Prices from £129.99 Review More Prices

Start Order More Info

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Frequently Asked Questions

Straying from the traditional Wegovy dosing schedule can work for some people, but staying on a low dose isn’t the right choice for everyone. When making this decision, people often consider whether they will lose weight on a low dose of Wegovy and how long they can maintain their dose. We’ll discuss the answers to these questions and more below. 

What to Do if the Low Dose of Wegovy is Not Working?

People often lose a modest amount of weight on a low dose of Wegovy. However, if you don’t increase your dose, you may not lose more than 2% of your starting body weight. If you would like to accelerate your weight loss, the only way to do so is to increase your dose.

Taking a higher dose of Wegovy doesn’t mean you have to keep going until you reach the maximum 2.4 mg. Instead, you can follow the official schedule until you reach a dose that produces a weight loss rate you are happy with. If you have questions about the best Wegovy dose for you, reach out to a licensed clinician for further advice. More information about why you may not be losing weight with Wegovy can be found in our dedicated article. 

Can You Stay on the Lowest Dose of Wegovy?

The lowest dose of Wegovy, 0.25mg, is an initiation dose intended to get your body used to the medication. Researchers haven’t studied the long-term effects of staying on the initiation dose. However, there is no known safety risk to maintaining the lowest dose of Wegovy.

The main drawback of staying on 0.25 mg is that it will limit your weight loss results. Though you can lose a modest amount of weight on the initiation dose, the greatest results require higher doses.

What is the Best Wegovy Dose for Weight Loss?

The best Wegovy dose for weight loss depends on what you hope to achieve with treatment. If you only want to lose a modest amount of weight, a lower dose may help you reach your goal, and you may not need a higher dose.

However, the most effective doses for significant weight loss are 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg. People using the highest Wegovy maintenance dose can expect to lose up to 15% of their starting body weight over 68 weeks of treatment. Those who stick with the lowest dose may only lose around 2%.

Can You Take Half a Dose of Wegovy?

There is no safe way to take a half dose of Wegovy, as the injection pens are designed to deliver four complete doses. Each dose contains the precise quantity of prescribed medication and should be used according to the dosing schedule recommended by your doctor.

Attempting to split doses or administer microdoses can result in users injecting an unknown quantity of Wegovy. This may mean taking too little medicine, which can hamper weight loss, or too much, which may cause severe gastrointestinal side effects.

Support Throughout Your Wegovy Journey

If you’re thinking about starting Wegovy or are already midway through treatment, Prescription Doctor can help. Since 2003, we’ve supported countless individuals in achieving their goals and are perfectly placed to do the same for you.

We make it our mission to take the hassle out of healthcare, which is why you can access our service anytime, from the comfort of your own home. Our specialist clinicians will review your information to determine whether the treatment is suitable for your circumstances and regularly check in with you to monitor progress. We’ll be by your side every step of the way.

In addition, our website contains a wealth of information regarding semaglutide treatment. As well as answering questions such as “Can I stay on a low dose of Wegovy?”, we also cover topics including how to use the injection pen, resolving potential pen malfunctions, ways to increase Wegovy weight loss, and how much the medication costs.

Ready to get started? Begin your Wegovy consultation with Prescription Doctor today, and let us support you towards a brand-new you. 

Authored By

Kate Latham

Medical Content Writer

Kate has been a scientific content writer since 2017. With a BSc in Biology and a background in cancer research, she is adept at identifying the latest findings in medical research and utilising these

Published on: 07/01/2026

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 07/01/2026