Semaglutide is a popular medication used for managing weight and controlling blood sugar in people with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. If you’re thinking of starting on it, microdosing, or planning to use it for the long haul, it’s important to know how the dosing works so you can get the most benefit while keeping side effects to a minimum.

Semaglutide acts like a natural hormone in your body that helps control appetite and improve how your body handles insulin. It also slows down the emptying of your stomach. This combination can help reduce hunger, support better blood sugar levels, and, when used alongside healthy habits, can lead to ongoing weight loss.

When you start semaglutide, the dose is increased slowly to help your body adjust and to lower the risk of side effects like nausea. Most people begin with a low dose for the first month, then slowly increase to a higher dose—usually aiming for a weekly shot that might range from 1.0 mg up to 2.4 mg, depending on whether you’re using it for diabetes or weight loss. Your doctor will help decide if your dose needs to go up or stay where it is based on how you’re feeling and your results.

Microdosing means starting with even smaller doses and taking longer to reach the usual dose. This can be especially helpful if you tend to experience side effects easily, are new to this kind of medication, or have a lower body weight and may not need as much medicine. The dose is increased very gradually—usually every month or so—meaning fewer side-effects but it can take longer to see the full benefits.

Semaglutide is available in several forms: pre-filled injection pens (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) and, in some compounded formulations, as a multi-dose vial intended for use with syringes.

When semaglutide is provided in a vial (often from compounding pharmacies), patients or caregivers must draw up the medication using an insulin syringe before injection. The dosage of semaglutide is prescribed in milligrams (mg) or milliliters (mL), depending on the concentration of the compounded product.

Common starting doses for weight loss are typically 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg once weekly, and these can be gradually increased as tolerated, up to a maximum maintenance dose (often 2.4 mg weekly for weight management).

The health care provider will specify the precise dose, and it is critical to follow their instructions carefully, measuring the dose precisely with the correct type of syringe.

For most people, starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing helps minimize uncomfortable side effects.

The syringe should be used to withdraw the prescribed dose from the vial and administered as a subcutaneous injection, typically into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Rotating injection sites is important to reduce the risk of local inflammation or lipoatrophy. Patients should be educated about proper storage (usually in the refrigerator), drawing technique, and safe syringe disposal.

Because compounding practices and concentrations can differ, patients must not substitute vials or instructions from one source to another without consulting their provider. Dose errors—particularly when converting between mg and mL—can have serious health consequences. Therefore, regular follow-up and careful adherence to instructions are essential for safety and efficacy.

Semaglutide syringe dosage requires precision, attention to the specific formulation, and ongoing communication with healthcare professionals. While administration by syringe offers flexibility, it also demands education and careful handling to avoid dosing errors.

Anyone prescribed a compounded semaglutide vial and syringe combination should be thoroughly trained in injection technique and dose measurement to ensure optimal health outcomes.

Once you reach a dose where you’ve lost the weight you wanted or have your blood sugars under control, you’ll likely stay at that dose. Some people might be able to use a lower dose just to maintain their results, while others might try spreading out the doses or reducing the dose over time, but this needs to be carefully watched to avoid setbacks like regaining weight or losing blood sugar control.

Sticking to your medication schedule is key for lasting success, but remember that semaglutide works best with healthy eating and regular exercise. While side effects often get better as your body adapts, let your doctor know if you have any continuing or new symptoms.

Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider are important to make sure you’re staying on track with your weight, blood sugar, and overall health. If you ever need to stop taking semaglutide, it’s best to do so gradually, since suddenly stopping can lead to unwanted problems like weight gain or higher blood sugar.

Semaglutide isn’t safe for everyone. You should not use this medication if you or anyone in your family has ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have a rare condition known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

It’s also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, if you have an allergy to semaglutide, you should stay away from this medication. Before starting semaglutide, always talk to your doctor to make sure it is a safe choice for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns about your health or medications, please consult your physician or healthcare provider. They are best equipped to provide guidance specific to your medical needs.

If you are curious about medical weight loss, you might have heard of a medication called tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro). Tirzepatide has shown impressive results in helping people lose significant weight when combined with a healthy lifestyle. However, understanding the correct dosage is important to ensure safety and effectiveness. In this article, we will explain tirzepatide dosages in plain language, provide charts for reference, and discuss the concepts of dosing in “units” and microdosing.

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable medication originally developed for controlling blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Doctors have since discovered that it can also help people lose weight, making it increasingly popular at medical spas and weight loss clinics.

Tirzepatide comes in pre-filled injection pens at different strengths. The doses are measured in milligrams (mg), not units like insulin. However, some people refer to their injection in “units” based on the markings on their injection pens or syringes—more on that later.

Here is a standard dosing schedule for tirzepatide when used for weight loss:

Important: Your provider will help you find the right dose for your body and goals. Most people start at a low dose and increase slowly to minimize potential side effects (like nausea or stomach upset).

Unlike insulin, which is usually measured in “units,” tirzepatide’s dose is based in milligrams. However, if your clinic gives you tirzepatide in a multi-dose vial, you may be drawing it up with an insulin syringe, which is marked in units. This can get confusing!

• 1 milligram (mg) does not always equal 1 unit on a syringe.
• The number of “units” you draw will depend on how concentrated your tirzepatide is.

Example: If your tirzepatide vial is labeled as “10mg/mL” (meaning there are 10 milligrams in every 1 milliliter of liquid), and you are prescribed 2.5 mg:

• Dose needed: 2.5 mg
• Strength: 10 mg/mL
• Volume to inject: 2.5 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.25 mL

If you are using a standard insulin syringe (where the “100” line = 1 mL):
0.25 mL is the same as “25 units” on your syringe.

Your clinic should always tell you exactly how many “units” to draw based on the concentration of your medication. Never guess—always double-check with your healthcare provider.

To make things clearer, here’s a hypothetical chart. Always follow your clinic’s instructions since compounding pharmacies might use different concentrations!

Example concentration: 10 mg/mL

If your vial is a different strength (such as 5 mg/mL), the number of units you need will change. Always ask your provider for your specific dosing instructions!

“Microdosing” means taking much smaller doses than typically recommended, especially at the start of treatment. Some clinics use ultra-low starting doses to minimize side effects and let your body gradually adjust to the medication.

Why microdose?

What does microdosing look like?

Some people experience more serious but less common side effects, such as:

Who should microdose?

Microdosing is not necessary for everyone, but it can be a useful option for some.

Always rely on your medical provider’s instructions and never hesitate to ask questions about dosing. Your safety and success are the top priority! Do you have more questions about tirzepatide or weight loss injections?

Contact our MedSpa—our experts are happy to help!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns about your health or medications, please consult your physician or healthcare provider. They are best equipped to provide guidance specific to your medical needs.

If you’re exploring medical weight loss options, you’ve probably heard about new medications making headlines for their effectiveness. Two of the most talked-about medicines are Retatrutide and Tirzepatide. But what exactly are they, how do they work, and which is right for you? Let’s break it down in clear, simple terms.

Retatrutide and Tirzepatide are weekly injectable medications being developed to help people lose weight and manage type 2 diabetes. They belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, but there are important differences in how each works.

Let’s look at what that means for you.

Both medications work by mimicking hormones naturally made by your body that affect appetite, digestion, and blood sugar.

1. Slowing Down Digestion: They slow the rate at which your stomach empties, helping you feel full longer after meals.

2. Suppressing Appetite: They target areas of your brain involved in hunger and satiety, so you feel less hungry and are satisfied with smaller portions.

3. Improving Blood Sugar: Originally developed for diabetes, these drugs improve how your body handles blood sugar after eating, making them helpful for people with or without diabetes.
Retatrutide goes a step further. In addition to GLP-1 and GIP, it also targets the glucagon receptor, which may help the body burn more calories (increase energy expenditure). This triple-action could contribute to even greater weight loss.

Tirzepatide

• In clinical studies, people taking Tirzepatide lost 15-22% of their body weight, depending on the dose and duration.
• This means if you weigh 250 lbs, you could lose 37-55 lbs over time.

Retatrutide

• Early clinical trials are very exciting: Some people lost up to 24% of their body weight over 48 weeks.
• Using the same example (250 lbs), that’s up to 60 lbs lost!
• It’s important to remember: Not everyone will have the same results. Individual weight loss varies based on lifestyle, medical history, and adherence to the treatment.

Both medications have similar side effects, most of which are mild and decrease over time.

Most common include:

Some people experience more serious but less common side effects, such as:

For most people, starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing helps minimize uncomfortable side effects.

While the combination appears promising, there are several considerations and potential precautions to bear in mind:

These medications are intended for adults who:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity)
• Or a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related health problems (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes).

Not everyone is a candidate. They are not suitable for:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with a history of certain cancers or pancreatic conditions
• People with a personal or family history of certain rare endocrine tumors
• A medical professional will review your medical history and help decide if these are safe for you.

Right now, Tirzepatide is available by prescription and has an established safety record. Retatrutide is still in clinical trials. Early results show that Retatrutide may offer even more weight loss, but it’s not yet FDA-approved or available to the public.
Comparison Table:

Both Retatrutide and Tirzepatide represent exciting advancements in medical weight loss. While Tirzepatide is currently available, Retatrutide may offer even more powerful results in the future.

If you want to explore medical weight loss, talk to a medical spa professional or your healthcare provider. They can review your options and recommend a plan tailored to your needs.
The most important step? Just getting started on your journey to a healthier you!

Interested in medical weight loss? Contact our clinic today to schedule your personalized consultation.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns about your health or medications, please consult your physician or healthcare provider. They are best equipped to provide guidance specific to your medical needs.