Introduction
Starting a GLP-1 medication without a clear GLP-1 dosing chart is one of the fastest ways to end up sidelined by nausea, skipped injections, or a stalled treatment plan. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both dosed on a slow, step-by-step ladder, and the two ladders don’t match — mixing them up is a common, avoidable mistake. This guide breaks down the semaglutide dosing chart, the tirzepatide dosing chart, and the semaglutide vs tirzepatide dose equivalent question in one place, so you always know where you are and what’s next.
What a GLP-1 Dosing Chart Actually Shows You
A GLP-1 dosing chart maps three things: the starting dose, the step-up interval, and the maintenance dose your prescriber is working toward. Every FDA-approved GLP-1 for diabetes or weight management — semaglutide and tirzepatide included — follows a “start low, go slow” titration model. The first dose is never the therapeutic dose. It exists to let your gut adjust to slower gastric emptying before the dose climbs high enough to meaningfully affect blood sugar or appetite.
This matters clinically. Jumping a step, or restarting at a higher dose after a break, is the single biggest driver of severe nausea and vomiting on GLP-1 therapy. A dose comparison chart is not just a reference — it is a safety tool.
It also matters because semaglutide and tirzepatide each ship under two brand names depending on the goal — diabetes management versus weight management — and it’s easy to confuse one ladder for the other. Knowing exactly which chart applies to your prescription, and where you sit on it, is the first step toward avoiding an unnecessary side-effect flare-up.
Semaglutide Dosing Chart (Ozempic vs Wegovy)
Semaglutide is sold under two brand names with two different maintenance targets, even though the titration shape is nearly identical for the first three steps.
Ozempic (type 2 diabetes) dosing schedule:
| Step | Dose | Duration |
| 1 | 0.25 mg once weekly | 4 weeks (tolerability dose, not therapeutic) |
| 2 | 0.5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum |
| 3 | 1 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum |
| 4 | 2 mg once weekly (if needed) | Maximum maintenance dose |
Wegovy (chronic weight management) dosing schedule:
| Step | Dose | Duration |
| 1 | 0.25 mg once weekly | 4 weeks |
| 2 | 0.5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks |
| 3 | 1 mg once weekly | 4 weeks |
| 4 | 1.7 mg once weekly | 4 weeks |
| 5 | 2.4 mg once weekly | Standard maintenance dose |
Wegovy’s five-step ladder takes roughly 16–20 weeks to reach full maintenance dose, compared to about 9 weeks for Ozempic’s shorter four-step path. An extended 7.2 mg high-dose option was added to the Wegovy label in 2026 for patients who tolerate 2.4 mg but need additional support — that step is prescriber-directed and not part of the standard chart.
If a dose is missed and the next scheduled injection is more than 48 hours away, the standard guidance is to take the missed dose as soon as possible; if less than 48 hours remain, skip it and resume the regular schedule. Always confirm this with your own prescriber, since individual instructions can vary.
Tirzepatide Dosing Chart (Mounjaro vs Zepbound)
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management and, more recently, obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike semaglutide, Mounjaro and Zepbound use the same dosing ladder regardless of indication — only the maintenance target differs by patient response, not by brand.
Tirzepatide titration schedule:
| Step | Dose | Duration |
| 1 | 2.5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks (tolerability dose) |
| 2 | 5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum — first therapeutic dose |
| 3 | 7.5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum |
| 4 | 10 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum |
| 5 | 12.5 mg once weekly | 4 weeks minimum |
| 6 | 15 mg once weekly | Maximum studied and approved dose |
Not every patient needs to reach 15 mg. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, average weight loss was approximately 15% at 5 mg, 19% at 10 mg, and 21% at 15 mg — meaning a meaningful share of patients see strong results well below the ceiling dose. Many people maintain long-term results at 5 mg or 10 mg rather than titrating all the way up.
The 2.5 mg starting dose is explicitly a tolerability step, not a therapeutic one, mirroring semaglutide’s approach — the dose is there to prepare the digestive system, not to move the needle on weight or blood sugar.
Real-World Results by Dose Level
Clinical trial data helps put each step of the ladder in context, rather than treating every dose as interchangeable.
In the STEP-1 trial of Wegovy, participants reached an average weight change of about −14.9% at 68 weeks on the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, compared to −2.4% on placebo, with the large majority of treated patients losing at least 5% of body weight. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial of tirzepatide, average weight loss scaled with dose — roughly 15% at the 5 mg maintenance dose, 19% at 10 mg, and 21% at 15 mg — which is part of why some patients and prescribers choose to titrate further up the ladder rather than stopping at the first therapeutic dose.
The pattern is consistent: results build as the dose increases, side effects peak right after a step-up, and the maximum dose isn’t required for meaningful benefit. This is why a dosing chart matters more than a single target number — the “right” dose is the one you and your prescriber land on after seeing how each step is tolerated.
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide Dosage: Key Differences
Comparing a semaglutide dosing chart against a tirzepatide dosing chart side by side highlights three structural differences:
- Step size. Semaglutide increases in uneven increments (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2 or 2.4 mg). Tirzepatide increases in even 2.5 mg increments across its whole ladder.
- Number of steps to maintenance. Semaglutide for weight loss takes five steps; tirzepatide takes six.
- Mechanism. Semaglutide is a single-hormone (GLP-1) agonist. Tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which is one reason its trials have shown somewhat larger average weight loss at comparable treatment durations.
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide Dose Equivalent Comparison
Because the two drugs act on different receptor combinations, there is no exact milligram-for-milligram conversion between them — a “semaglutide vs tirzepatide dose equivalent” isn’t a fixed ratio the way, say, converting between two forms of the same drug would be. That said, prescribers commonly think about the two ladders in terms of relative treatment stage:
| Treatment stage | Semaglutide (Wegovy) | Tirzepatide (Zepbound) |
| Starting/tolerability dose | 0.25 mg | 2.5 mg |
| Early therapeutic dose | 0.5–1 mg | 5–7.5 mg |
| Mid-range dose | 1.7 mg | 10 mg |
| Maximum maintenance dose | 2.4 mg (7.2 mg extended option) | 15 mg |
This table is a stage-for-stage reference, not a conversion formula — switching between the two medications should always be managed by a prescriber, who will typically restart titration rather than jump straight to an “equivalent” dose on the new drug.
GLP-1 Dose Comparison: Side Effects by Dose Level
Side effects on both medications follow a predictable pattern: they cluster in the first one to two weeks after any dose increase, then taper as the body adjusts.
- Tolerability doses (0.25 mg semaglutide, 2.5 mg tirzepatide): Mild nausea, occasional bloating; many patients feel little at all.
- Early therapeutic doses (0.5–1 mg semaglutide, 5–7.5 mg tirzepatide): Nausea, mild constipation or diarrhea, reduced appetite become more noticeable.
- Mid-to-high doses (1.7–2.4 mg semaglutide, 10–15 mg tirzepatide): GI symptoms are most pronounced right after a step-up, along with possible fatigue or injection-site irritation, generally easing within days.
Symptoms that are severe or paired with intense abdominal pain warrant a call to your prescriber rather than waiting them out — this chart is educational, not a substitute for that conversation.
How to Stay on Track With Your GLP-1 Dosing Schedule
Following a titration ladder accurately over several months is harder than it sounds. Doses change every four weeks, side effects shift with each step, and it’s easy to lose track of exactly which week you’re in.
This is where dose tracking tools add real value:
- Logging each injection date and dose prevents accidental early step-ups or missed doses.
- Tracking side effects day to day gives you and your provider real data instead of a vague memory of “it was bad for a few days.”
- Setting reminders for your dosing day keeps the weekly rhythm consistent, which matters for absorption and symptom control.
Why Choose YourPep for GLP-1 Dose Tracking
YourPep is built specifically for people navigating a GLP-1 titration schedule — whether that’s a semaglutide dosing chart, a tirzepatide dosing chart, or a switch between the two under a prescriber’s care. GLP-1 injections work with your body’s own GLP-1 hormone to support blood sugar control and weight management, but getting the most out of that process means staying consistent and informed at every step.
With the YourPep app, you can:
- Log daily doses, mood, and side effects in one place instead of scattered notes
- Pick specific symptoms to track, so patterns by dose level become visible over time
- Schedule your dose day and time, with reminders that keep your weekly rhythm on track
- Set personal goals for weight, appetite, and energy, and watch progress against them
- Track progress and share reports with your prescriber to inform dose decisions together
GLP-1 therapy works best as a supportive tool paired with healthy habits and consistent follow-through — not a shortcut. YourPep gives you the structure to follow your exact titration schedule without guesswork, and the data to have better conversations at every dose review. The app is available to download on iOS and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GLP-1 dosing chart?
A GLP-1 dosing chart is a step-by-step schedule showing the starting dose, how long you stay at each dose, and the target maintenance dose for a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide or tirzepatide. It exists because these medications are titrated slowly to reduce GI side effects.
What is the standard semaglutide dosing chart?
Semaglutide starts at 0.25 mg weekly for four weeks, then increases roughly every four weeks: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and then either 2 mg (Ozempic, diabetes) or 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg (Wegovy, weight management).
What is the standard tirzepatide dosing chart?
Tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg weekly for four weeks, then rises in 2.5 mg increments every four weeks — 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly for both Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Is there a direct semaglutide vs tirzepatide dose equivalent?
No fixed milligram conversion exists between the two drugs, since tirzepatide acts on GLP-1 and GIP receptors while semaglutide acts on GLP-1 alone. Comparisons are best made by treatment stage, not by exact dose matching.
Can I speed up my GLP-1 titration schedule?
Titration timing should only be adjusted by your prescriber. Moving faster than the standard four-week steps significantly increases the risk of severe nausea and vomiting.
What happens if I miss a GLP-1 dose?
General guidance across both drugs is to take a missed dose as soon as possible if your next scheduled dose is more than 48 hours away, and to skip it and resume your normal schedule if less than 48 hours remain — but always confirm this with your prescriber’s specific instructions.
Key Takeaways
A GLP-1 dosing chart is only useful if you actually follow it week to week — and that’s easiest with a system built for it. Whether you’re comparing a semaglutide dosing chart against a tirzepatide dosing chart, working out where you sit on the GLP-1 dose comparison scale, or just trying to remember which week you’re on, consistency is what turns a titration schedule into real results. Download the YourPep app to log your doses, track side effects by symptom, and stay aligned with your prescriber’s exact schedule from your first tolerability dose through maintenance.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the specific dosing schedule and instructions provided by your own healthcare provider.