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GLP-1 Microdosing: Schedules, Chart & Calculator

A complete guide to microdosing semaglutide and tirzepatide — schedules, benefits, autoimmune applications, and an interactive calculator to plan your titration.

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What Is GLP-1 Microdosing?

Microdosing is using GLP-1 medication at doses below the standard FDA-approved schedule. The standard semaglutide titration starts at 0.25 mg/week and escalates to 2.4 mg (Wegovy maintenance). Microdosing typically operates at 0.05-0.25 mg/week — 10-50% of the lowest standard dose.

The same applies to tirzepatide: standard schedule starts at 2.5 mg and escalates to 15 mg. Microdose schedules use 0.5-2.5 mg/week — sub-starter doses that the official labels never include.

Microdosing Schedule Calculator

Microdosing Schedule Calculator

Generate a slow-titration microdosing schedule. Educational reference — confirm with your prescriber.

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Why People Microdose GLP-1

  1. Side effect minimization. The most common reason. Nausea, fatigue, and GI distress at standard doses can be debilitating. Microdosing produces gentler effects.
  2. Maintenance after weight loss. Once goal weight is reached, many patients drop to microdoses (e.g., 0.25-0.5 mg semaglutide weekly) to maintain rather than continue losing.
  3. Off-label / investigational use. Anti-inflammatory effects, neurological applications (Alzheimer\'s, Parkinson\'s research), and longevity protocols use sub-standard doses.
  4. Cost stretching. A vial of compounded semaglutide that lasts 4 weeks at 1 mg/week lasts 8-16 weeks at microdoses — lowering effective monthly cost.
  5. Slow titration for sensitive patients. Some patients cannot tolerate the standard 4-week dose-doubling schedule and benefit from extended ramps.

Microdosing Schedule for Semaglutide

A typical 20-week microdose protocol targeting 1 mg/week semaglutide maintenance:

StageWeekly DoseNotes
Weeks 1-20.10 mgInitiation; tolerability check
Weeks 3-40.15 mgIf tolerated
Weeks 5-60.25 mgEquivalent to standard starter
Weeks 7-80.35 mg
Weeks 9-100.50 mgMid-point; approaching therapeutic
Weeks 11-120.65 mg
Weeks 13-140.80 mg
Weeks 15-160.90 mg
Weeks 17-201.00 mgMaintenance

Adjust based on side-effect tolerance. Holding at lower stages for additional weeks is fine. Pause titration and ride out symptoms before escalating.

Microdosing Schedule for Tirzepatide

A 20-week microdose protocol targeting 7.5 mg/week tirzepatide maintenance:

StageWeekly Dose
Weeks 1-20.75 mg
Weeks 3-41.50 mg
Weeks 5-62.25 mg
Weeks 7-83.00 mg
Weeks 9-103.75 mg
Weeks 11-124.50 mg
Weeks 13-145.25 mg
Weeks 15-166.00 mg
Weeks 17-186.75 mg
Weeks 19-207.50 mg (maintenance)

Microdosing GLP-1 for Autoimmune & Neurological Use

An emerging area of investigational use: low-dose GLP-1 for chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. The basis is preclinical evidence that GLP-1 has direct anti-inflammatory effects and crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Conditions where microdosing GLP-1 has been explored (always investigational, not FDA-approved):

Important: These are off-label uses without FDA approval. Discuss with a knowledgeable prescriber before pursuing.

Microdosing-Friendly Providers

Risks of Microdosing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is microdosing GLP-1?
Microdosing GLP-1 means using doses below the standard FDA-approved schedule — typically 25-50% of standard. The goal: minimize side effects (especially nausea) while still producing modest appetite suppression and metabolic benefit. Common in patients who tolerated standard doses poorly or who want gentler titration.
How do you microdose GLP-1?
Microdosing typically draws sub-standard doses from a multi-dose vial using insulin syringes. For semaglutide: 0.05-0.25 mg/week instead of standard 0.5-2.4 mg. For tirzepatide: 0.5-2.5 mg/week instead of standard 5-15 mg. Doses are titrated very slowly over months.
GLP-1 microdosing chart?
A typical 20-week microdose chart for semaglutide targeting 1 mg/week maintenance: weeks 1-2 at 0.10 mg, weeks 3-4 at 0.15 mg, weeks 5-6 at 0.25 mg, escalating in 0.10-0.15 mg increments to reach 1.0 mg by week 19-20. Use our calculator above to generate a personalized schedule.
Why microdose GLP-1?
Common reasons: (1) avoiding strong GI side effects, (2) maintenance after weight loss, (3) chronic disease applications (autoimmune, longevity), (4) cost reduction (a vial lasts longer at sub-standard doses), (5) personal preference for gentler titration.
Microdosing GLP-1 for autoimmune disease?
Some clinicians prescribe low-dose GLP-1 off-label for autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's) based on early evidence that GLP-1 has anti-inflammatory effects. This is investigational use — discuss with your prescriber.
Is microdosing GLP-1 safe?
Sub-therapeutic dosing is generally safer for side effects (less nausea, less GI distress) but may produce less weight loss. The biggest risk is using compounded products with inconsistent concentration — making accurate microdosing impossible. Use only verified-potency sources.
Does microdosing GLP-1 work for weight loss?
Yes, but less than full doses. Realistic expectations: 5-10% body weight reduction at microdoses, vs. 15-22% at standard doses. Some users achieve their goals at lower doses; many need to escalate to standard ranges.
Which providers offer GLP-1 microdosing?
Noom Med has a dedicated microdose program. Many compounded GLP-1 telehealth providers (Hers, Hims, Mochi, Fridays) accommodate low-dose protocols on request. Branded GLP-1s come in fixed doses and are not amenable to microdosing.