Semaglutide Dosage Chart for a 5 mg/mL Compounded Vial

When your compounded semaglutide vial is labeled 5 mg/mL, every milliliter of liquid contains 5 milligrams of medication. Using a standard U-100 insulin syringe (where 100 units equals 1 mL), the conversion for each dose level is straightforward:

0.25 mg = 5 units 0.5 mg = 10 units 1.0 mg = 20 units 1.5 mg = 30 units 1.7 mg = 34 units 2.0 mg = 40 units 2.4 mg = 48 units

All values are derived from the universal formula: units = (dose in mg / concentration in mg per mL) x 100. At 5 mg/mL, every 0.25 mg increment equals 5 additional units on the syringe.

The semaglutide dose escalation typically starts at the lowest level and increases every four weeks. Here is the clinical context for each dose on the chart.

0.25 mg (5 units) is the standard initiation dose. It is not intended for therapeutic weight loss but allows your body to adjust to the medication and minimize gastrointestinal side effects during the first four weeks.

0.5 mg (10 units) is the first escalation step. Many patients begin to notice appetite suppression at this level. It is also a common maintenance dose for patients using semaglutide primarily for type 2 diabetes management.

1.0 mg (20 units) is a standard maintenance dose for diabetes and an intermediate step for weight management. Patients often report significant reductions in hunger and cravings at this level.

1.5 mg (30 units) is a transitional dose between the 1.0 mg and 1.7 mg escalation steps. Some providers use it to smooth the escalation for patients who experience side effects at higher jumps.

1.7 mg (34 units) is the fourth step in the Wegovy-style weight management escalation. This dose level is typically held for four weeks before moving to the maintenance dose.

2.0 mg (40 units) is the maximum approved dose for Ozempic (diabetes indication) and an alternative maintenance level for some weight management protocols.

2.4 mg (48 units) is the full maintenance dose for chronic weight management, as used in the Wegovy clinical trials that demonstrated average weight loss of nearly 15% of body weight.

The conversion formula is the same for every concentration: units = (dose in mg / concentration in mg per mL) x 100. For a 5 mg/mL vial, the math simplifies because dividing by 5 and multiplying by 100 is the same as multiplying your milligram dose by 20.

For example, 1.0 mg x 20 = 20 units. Or 2.4 mg x 20 = 48 units. This shortcut only works for the 5 mg/mL concentration. If your vial has a different concentration, you must use the full formula or a dosage calculator to get the correct unit count.

U-100 insulin syringes come in three common sizes: 0.3 mL (30 units), 0.5 mL (50 units), and 1.0 mL (100 units). For a 5 mg/mL vial, most semaglutide doses fall within the 0.5 mL syringe range.

At the starting dose of 0.25 mg (5 units), a 0.3 mL syringe provides the most precise reading because the markings are closer together. At the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg (48 units), a 0.5 mL syringe is ideal since the dose nearly fills it. No standard semaglutide dose from a 5 mg/mL vial exceeds 50 units, so you should never need a 1.0 mL syringe for this concentration.

This dosage chart applies only to compounded semaglutide vials labeled exactly 5 mg/mL. If your vial has a different concentration, such as 2 mg/mL or 2.5 mg/mL, the unit counts above will be incorrect for your medication.

Always verify the concentration printed on your vial label before drawing any dose. If the label is unclear or damaged, contact your compounding pharmacy before injecting. Do not adjust your prescribed dose without consulting your healthcare provider, and use a new sterile syringe for every injection.