Semaglutide (SEMA) 5 mg Vial Dosage Protocol
#dosing-schedule .dr-container > header { margin-bottom: 0 !important; padding-bottom: 0 !important; }
#dosing-schedule .dr-container > header * { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }
#dosing-schedule .dr-container > header::before, #dosing-schedule .dr-container > header::after { content: none !important; display: none !important; }
#dosing-schedule .dr-container > section:first-of-type { margin-top: 0 !important; display: flow-root; }
#dosing-schedule .dr-container > section:first-of-type h2:first-child { margin-top: 0 !important; }
#dosing-schedule .dr-container .wp-block-spacer, #dosing-schedule .dr-container hr { display: none !important; height: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; border: 0 !important; }
Quickstart Highlights
Semaglutide is a synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist that suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves glucose regulation, achieving a mean 14.9% body-weight reduction over 68 weeks in the STEP 1 trial.[1] Research-grade semaglutide is used as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection following a slow titration schedule to minimise gastrointestinal side effects.
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 2.5 mg/mL concentration.
- Starting dose: 0.25 mg once weekly (10 units / 0.10 mL) for the first 4 weeks.
- Easy measuring: At 2.5 mg/mL on a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 25 mcg.
- Storage: Lyophilised: freeze at −20 °C; reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C; use within 4 weeks; never freeze reconstituted solution.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Educational titration protocol for once-weekly subcutaneous injection
Titration Schedule (2.0 mL → 2.5 mg/mL)
| Weeks | Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 (initiation) | 0.25 mg | 10 units | 0.10 mL |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5 mg | 20 units | 0.20 mL |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1.0 mg | 40 units | 0.40 mL |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7 mg | 68 units | 0.68 mL |
| Weeks 17+ (maintenance) | 2.4 mg | 96 units | 0.96 mL |
Frequency: Inject once weekly on the same day each week. Slow titration minimises nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea — the most common adverse effects.[1] At 2.5 mg/mL, the 5 mg vial provides approximately 2 doses at the 2.4 mg maintenance level or 20 doses at the 0.25 mg initiation level. Plan to purchase additional vials for the full titration course.
Reconstitution Steps
- Allow frozen lyophilised vial to reach room temperature (10–15 minutes).
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the inner vial wall; do not inject directly onto the powder cake.
- Gently swirl or roll until fully dissolved — do not shake. Solution should be clear and colourless.
- Label with reconstitution date; refrigerate at 2–8 °C, protected from light. Use within 4 weeks.
Supplies Needed
Plan based on a 16-week titration to maintenance (Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg; 5–8: 0.5 mg; 9–12: 1.0 mg; 13–16: 1.7 mg). Total dose = 14.0 mg.
- Semaglutide Vials (5 mg each): 14 mg cumulative → 3 vials.
- Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL): 16 weekly injections → 16 syringes.
- Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): 2.0 mL per vial → 1 × 10 mL bottle per vial (3 bottles).
- Alcohol Swabs: 2 per injection → 32 swabs per 16-week course.
Protocol Overview
- Goal: Progressive weight loss via GLP-1 receptor agonism — appetite suppression, reduced caloric intake, and improved glycaemic control.[1]
- Schedule: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection; dose escalated every 4 weeks.
- Dose range: 0.25 mg (initiation) → 2.4 mg (maintenance target).
- Reconstitution: 2.0 mL BAC water per 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.
- Storage: Lyophilised at −20 °C; reconstituted at 2–8 °C; use within 4 weeks.
Dosing Protocol
- Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg (10 units / 0.10 mL) once weekly — initiation and tolerability assessment.
- Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg (20 units / 0.20 mL) once weekly.
- Weeks 9–12: 1.0 mg (40 units / 0.40 mL) once weekly.
- Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg (68 units / 0.68 mL) once weekly.
- Weeks 17+: 2.4 mg (96 units / 0.96 mL) once weekly — maintenance.[2]
Storage Instructions
- Lyophilised: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below; protect from moisture and light.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Do not freeze. Use within 4 weeks.
- Appearance: Clear and colourless. Discard if cloudy, coloured, or particulate.
Important Notes
- Inject on the same day each week to maintain consistent plasma levels (half-life ≈ 7 days).
- If a dose is missed by ≤5 days, administer as soon as possible; otherwise skip and resume the next scheduled day.
- Do not advance to the next dose tier if GI side effects are poorly tolerated — hold at the current dose for an additional 4 weeks.
- Monitor blood glucose when used alongside other glucose-lowering agents.
- Use a 1 mL (100-unit) syringe for doses above 0.50 mL (weeks 9+) for accurate measurement.
How This Works
Semaglutide is a synthetic analogue of native GLP-1 with a C18 fatty-diacid side chain that promotes albumin binding, extending its half-life to approximately 7 days and enabling once-weekly dosing.[3]
Binding to GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus and brainstem reduces appetite and energy intake. In the pancreas, semaglutide augments glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon. Delayed gastric emptying prolongs satiety. Collectively these effects produce the sustained caloric deficit that drives the clinical weight-loss outcomes observed in the STEP trials.[1]
Potential Benefits & Considerations
- Weight reduction: STEP 1 (n=1961): 14.9% mean weight loss vs. 2.4% placebo at 68 weeks with 2.4 mg/week semaglutide.[1]
- Cardiovascular protection: SELECT trial: 20% relative reduction in MACE in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease.[2]
- Glycaemic improvement: Significant HbA1c reductions across STEP and SUSTAIN trial series.
- GI side effects: Nausea (44%), diarrhoea (30%), vomiting (24%) — dose-dependent and typically transient; slow titration mitigates severity.
- Contraindications: History of medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN2, or pancreatitis warrants particular caution.
Lifestyle Factors
- Pair with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity to maximise and sustain weight-loss outcomes.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals to minimise nausea — particularly during early titration phases.
- Stay well hydrated; GI side effects can increase dehydration risk.
- Track weekly body weight, waist circumference, and fasting glucose to assess response.
Injection Technique
- Clean vial stopper and injection site with separate alcohol swabs; allow both to air-dry fully.
- Using a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe (5/16″ to 1/2″ needle), draw the calculated dose.
- Pinch a skin fold; insert needle at 45° into subcutaneous tissue (90° acceptable with short needles into a pinched fold)[CDC].
- Inject slowly over 2–3 seconds; do not aspirate. Withdraw and apply gentle pressure.
- Rotate sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms); dispose of syringe in sharps container immediately.
Recommended Source
We recommend White Market Peptides for high-purity research-grade semaglutide (5 mg vials).
Why White Market Peptides?
- Third-party tested with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (HPLC + mass spec).
- Lyophilised powder with verified ≥99% purity and correct amino acid sequence.
- Reliable cold-chain shipping and transparent documentation.
Important Note
This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This peptide is not approved for human therapeutic use. For research use only.
References
-
Wilding JPH et al. — NEJM (2021) STEP 1 Trial
— Once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity: 14.9% mean weight loss vs. 2.4% placebo -
Lincoff AM et al. — NEJM (2023) SELECT Trial
— Semaglutide 2.4 mg/week: 20% relative MACE reduction in adults with obesity and CVD -
FDA — Wegovy (semaglutide injection) Prescribing Information
— Official US labelling including pharmacokinetics, dosing schedule, and safety data -
CDC — General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization
— Subcutaneous injection technique, angle, and site rotation guidance
pep-dose.com 