Semaglutide Dosage in Units: Complete Conversion Chart (2026)
You have your semaglutide vial. Your provider prescribed a dose in milligrams. Here is how to convert that to units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
The conversation can feel confusing at first. Your prescription says 0.25mg or 1mg or 2.4mg. Your syringe is marked in units. The bridge between these two is the concentration of your vial, which is the amount of medication dissolved in each milliliter of liquid. This page shows you exactly how to find that concentration and draw the correct dose.
Understanding your vial concentration
The concentration on your vial label is everything. Compounded semaglutide is most commonly prepared at either 2.5mg/mL or 5mg/mL. Some compounding pharmacies use other concentrations. You must know your exact concentration before drawing any dose.
Look at your vial label. You will see something like “Semaglutide 2.5mg/mL” or “Semaglutide 5mg/mL.” That number tells you how many milligrams of semaglutide are dissolved in each milliliter of solution.
If you cannot find the concentration on your label, or if the label is unclear, contact your pharmacy or care team right away. Do not guess. Do not draw a dose based on an assumption.
Unit conversion tables for semaglutide
Below are complete conversion tables for the two most common concentrations. Find your vial concentration, then locate your prescribed dose in milligrams. The row shows you the milliliters to draw and the units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Semaglutide at 2.5mg/mL
This is the most common compounding concentration.
| Dose (mg) | Volume (mL) | Units (U-100 syringe) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.1 | 10 units |
| 0.5 | 0.2 | 20 units |
| 1 | 0.4 | 40 units |
| 1.7 | 0.68 | 68 units |
| 2.4 | 0.96 | 96 units |
Semaglutide at 5mg/mL
This concentration delivers higher doses in smaller volumes.
| Dose (mg) | Volume (mL) | Units (U-100 syringe) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.05 | 5 units |
| 0.5 | 0.1 | 10 units |
| 1 | 0.2 | 20 units |
| 1.7 | 0.34 | 34 units |
| 2.4 | 0.48 | 48 units |
The standard semaglutide escalation schedule
Compounded semaglutide for weight management typically follows an escalation pattern that mirrors the FDA-approved branded semaglutide protocol for weight management[1]. Your provider may adjust timing based on your individual response and any side effects.
This schedule shows the dose in milligrams and the corresponding units for each concentration.
Weeks 1-4: Starting dose
0.25mg once weekly
- At 2.5mg/mL: Draw to 10 units
- At 5mg/mL: Draw to 5 units
Weeks 5-8: First increase
0.5mg once weekly
- At 2.5mg/mL: Draw to 20 units
- At 5mg/mL: Draw to 10 units
Weeks 9-12: Second increase
1mg once weekly
- At 2.5mg/mL: Draw to 40 units
- At 5mg/mL: Draw to 20 units
Weeks 13-16: Third increase
1.7mg once weekly
- At 2.5mg/mL: Draw to 68 units
- At 5mg/mL: Draw to 34 units
Week 17 and beyond: Maintenance
2.4mg once weekly (maximum labeled dose)
- At 2.5mg/mL: Draw to 96 units
- At 5mg/mL: Draw to 48 units
Some patients tolerate and continue at lower doses. Your provider will determine your optimal dose based on your labs, tolerance, and goals. Never increase your dose on your own.
How to read a U-100 insulin syringe
A U-100 syringe holds up to 100 units of insulin in 1mL of volume. Each unit equals 0.01mL.
The syringe barrel is marked with numbers at intervals (10, 20, 30, etc.). Between each number are smaller hash marks representing single units. When you draw your dose, the top of the plunger should line up with the unit marking that matches your prescribed dose.
For example, if you are drawing 40 units, pull the plunger back until the top of the plunger is at the 40-unit line. If you are drawing 68 units, pull back to between the 60 and 70 mark, closer to 70.
If your prescribed dose does not fall exactly on a major line, it is okay. Do your best to be as accurate as possible. For doses like 68 units, the plunger will be 8 tenths of the way between the 60 and 70 marks.
The larger the volume you need to draw, the easier it is to be precise. At 96 units, for example, the plunger is close to full, and it is easier to see where you are. At 5 units, the needle is barely pulled back, so it is harder to be exact. If you struggle with small doses, mention it to your provider.
Three critical safety checks before injecting
Before you inject, verify three things. This takes 30 seconds and prevents mistakes.
Check 1: Verify the concentration. Look at your vial label right now. What concentration does it say? Write it down if it helps. Match it to the conversion table on this page. Do not trust memory. Do not guess.
Check 2: Verify your prescribed milligram dose. Check your prescription paperwork or app. What did your provider tell you to inject this week? Write it down. Match it to the correct row in the table for your vial concentration.
Check 3: Verify the unit volume. Cross-reference your mg dose with your vial concentration. Look at the table. How many units should you draw? That number should match what your syringe shows after you draw the dose. If any of these three do not line up, stop. Do not inject. Contact your care team.
Injectable vs. oral semaglutide: They are measured differently
Oral semaglutide (a tablet or sublingual preparation) is not measured in units and does not use a syringe. If you are taking oral semaglutide, your prescription will specify a tablet strength like 7mg or 14mg, or a sublingual dosing instruction. The dosing information on this page does not apply to oral forms.
If you are unsure whether you are taking injectable or oral semaglutide, check your prescription label or packaging. If it is a vial and a syringe, it is injectable. If it is a tablet, capsule, or strip, it is oral. Contact your care team if the form is unclear.
Transformation Health semaglutide programs
Transformation Health offers two compounded semaglutide programs:
Injectable semaglutide: $249 per month. You receive a compounded semaglutide vial, a U-100 insulin syringe, injection instructions, and specific dosing guidelines tailored to your vial concentration. Your provider monitors your progress with regular check-ins and labs.
Oral semaglutide: $279 per month. You receive a tablet or sublingual preparation dosed by strength, not units. Dosing is simpler because you do not need to draw from a vial.
Both programs include medication, lab work (Quest or Labcorp), and medical weight loss coaching. All prescriptions are reviewed and written by independent, licensed providers. If your health history makes semaglutide appropriate, your provider will send your prescription to a licensed US compounding pharmacy, and the medication will be shipped directly to you.
Residents of Arkansas, DC, Delaware, Mississippi, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and West Virginia are required by state law to complete a live video consultation before a prescription can be written.
Citations
[1] Wilding JPH, et al. “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/
Important: Compounded medications are not FDA-approved products. They are prepared by US-based, state-licensed compounding pharmacies and have not been independently evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Dosing charts on this page are for reference only. Always follow the specific dosing instructions provided by your prescribing provider. All prescriptions require evaluation by an independent, licensed healthcare provider. Not all patients will qualify. Results vary by individual.