What is the difference between dose and units?
Milligrams are brand-name pens. Units are compounded liquid measured with a syringe. Same medicine, different rulers.
Dose, in mg, is what you see on brand-name pens like Wegovy or Zepbound. Units, like 25 or 50, usually refer to compounded liquid you measure with a syringe.
It is the same medicine with a different measuring system. When somebody online says “I'm on 50 units” they are probably on compounded; “I'm on 5mg” is probably a pen.
Your provider will tell you how many units equal each mg dose. Do not stress about converting it yourself. It is not on you to do the maths.
None of this is medical advice. It is educational material drawn from FAT BITCH: Killing the Willpower Myth by Cat Clark, and it does not replace your prescriber, your pharmacist, or your actual doctor. If something here does not match what your care team told you, go with your care team and bring this along to the conversation.