The short answer is when you feel the current dose is no longer working for you. In Australia, we take the medically advised approach of using the lowest dose that is having the desired effect. 

You do not have to increase your dose if the current dose is still effective for you.

Every 4 weeks, ask yourself:

• Am I losing 0.5-1% of my body weight weekly, on a 4 week average? 

• Am I experiencing lack of food noise?

• Do I still get full quickly when eating meals?

If you answered yes to at least 2 of these questions, we suggest remaining at the current dose as long as it is working for you. Increases in dosage obviously mean a higher cost and can also bring on renewed side effects (such as nausea). If you are still experiencing side effects, it's not recommended to increase, because side effects are likely to become stronger. 

It is normal to: 

• to have weeks where your weight stays the same

• to have weeks when you gain weight (yes, really. Weightloss is rarely linear).

• to have stalls in weightloss for a few weeks. After 4 weeks of no weightloss, this would be considered a plateau. 

Will I have to move up a dose?

Most likely, yes. 

Most people (95%) need to move to higher doses to achieve a sustained effect, while others can stay on low doses for months at a time. Unfortunately there's nothing to predict how your body will react. 

Keep in mind that it is not a personal failure to "have to" increase your dose, it is expected. The amazing clinical trial results you read of 15% weightloss (Slim), 20% weight (Trim) and 27% weightloss (Reignite) were all achieved by increasing doses every 4 weeks, regardless of how the people were responding (yes even if they were experiencing side effects). So most of that weightloss was achieved at quite high doses. You should therefore set your expectations that you more than likely will need to increase your dose over time. 

How often can I increase my dose?

You should always aim to stay at a dose for a minimum of 4 weeks, to give your body time to reach a steady state. Before 4 weeks, you're likely not receiving the full benefit of that dose.