Tirzepatide Dosage Guide: Chart and Schedule, 2.5 to 15 mg
Tirzepatide dosage on the FDA label for Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg once a week for 4 weeks. The label then raises it in 2.5 mg steps, at least 4 weeks apart, up to a maximum of 15 mg once a week. Tirzepatide is the medicine in both Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
This page sets out what the labels say, in plain words. It does not tell anyone what to take. Every figure comes from the FDA labels or the main obesity trial, and each section names its sources at the end.
What is the tirzepatide dose on the label?
The Zepbound label starts at 2.5 mg once weekly and lists 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly as maintenance doses for weight. Here is the full label schedule in one place.
The FDA label for Zepbound lists:
Start: 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
Then: 5 mg once weekly
Steps: up by 2.5 mg, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose
Maintenance for weight reduction: 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly
Maintenance for sleep apnea (OSA): 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly
Maximum: 15 mg once weekly, for all uses
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
Tirzepatide dosage chart: what each strength is for
The Zepbound label has six strengths, from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. Only three of them are listed as maintenance doses for weight. The other three are the start dose and the steps in between.
| Weekly dose | Role on the Zepbound label | Listed as a maintenance dose? |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | Starting dose, once weekly for 4 weeks | No. The label says it is not approved as a maintenance dose |
| 5 mg | First step up, after 4 weeks | Yes, for weight reduction |
| 7.5 mg | Step on the way up | Not listed as a maintenance dose |
| 10 mg | Step on the way up | Yes, for weight reduction and for sleep apnea |
| 12.5 mg | Step on the way up | Not listed as a maintenance dose |
| 15 mg | Highest step | Yes, for weight reduction and for sleep apnea. Also the label maximum |
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What is the tirzepatide titration schedule, week by week?
Under the Zepbound label, each step up comes after at least 4 weeks, so 15 mg can be reached no earlier than week 21. The table below shows the earliest week each dose could start. It is not a plan to follow. Many people stay on a dose longer, and the label lets the dose stop rising at any maintenance level.
None of the other pages we checked laid the label rule out week by week. We added the timing used in the 15 mg group of the SURMOUNT-1 trial, which rose by one step every 4 weeks.
| Earliest timing | Weekly dose | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg | Label starting dose |
| From week 5 | 5 mg | Label says to increase to this after 4 weeks |
| From week 9 at the earliest | 7.5 mg | Only if raised after at least 4 weeks on 5 mg |
| From week 13 at the earliest | 10 mg | Only if raised after at least 4 weeks on 7.5 mg |
| From week 17 at the earliest | 12.5 mg | Only if raised after at least 4 weeks on 10 mg |
| From week 21 at the earliest | 15 mg | Label maximum. SURMOUNT-1 reached it on this timing |
The week numbers are our own arithmetic from the label rule. They are not printed in the label.
Disclaimer: this is label and trial information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label; SURMOUNT-1 on ClinicalTrials.gov
Is 2.5 mg of tirzepatide enough for weight loss?
The Zepbound label does not treat 2.5 mg as a long term dose. It calls it a starting dose and says it is not approved as a maintenance dose.
It is also the lowest dose of tirzepatide on the label. No strength on the label is smaller.
The FDA label for Zepbound lists:
2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, for starting treatment only
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Some people ask about taking less than this, often called microdosing. The label has no schedule for that. Our microdosing tirzepatide guide covers what has and has not been studied.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What is the Zepbound maintenance dose after goal weight?
The Zepbound label lists the same three maintenance doses for losing weight and for keeping it off: 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly. It does not name a different dose for after a goal weight is reached.
Zepbound is labeled for use with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Its stated aim is to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related health problem.
The FDA label for Zepbound lists, for weight reduction and long-term maintenance:
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What pens and vials does tirzepatide come in?
The Zepbound label lists four forms: single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials and single-patient-use KwikPens. The single-dose pens and vials come in six strengths, each in 0.5 mL. Nothing is mixed for the brand pens or single-dose vials.
- Single-dose pen or single-dose vial: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg, each in 0.5 mL.
- Multi-dose vial: holds 4 doses, one taken each week. The label says to inject 0.6 mL in a single weekly shot under the skin.
- Single-patient-use KwikPen: holds 4 doses, one taken each week.
How to keep these pens and vials cold, and how long they last out of the fridge, is covered in does tirzepatide need to be refrigerated.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
How many units is 2.5 mg of tirzepatide?
The Zepbound label does not say. It gives doses in milligrams and volumes in millilitres, not tirzepatide doses in units.
The answer depends on how strong the liquid in the vial is.
The same goes for other common questions, like how many units is 10 mg, or how many milligrams are in a set number of units. Two vials with different strengths give two different answers. That is why we do not print a single tirzepatide reconstitution chart here: a chart made for one vial is wrong for another.
Our tirzepatide reconstitution calculator does the math from the amount in the vial and the water added. Our guide to insulin syringe sizes explains how the marks on a syringe work.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What about compounded tirzepatide dosage?
There is no FDA-approved compounded dose chart. The doses on this page are for the brand products only.
The FDA says it has received adverse event reports that may be related to patients prescribed compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide in doses beyond what is in the FDA-approved label.
Questions about compounded tirzepatide dosing, including the starting dose of a compounded product, sit outside the label. They belong with the prescriber who knows the product.
How deep do you need to inject tirzepatide?
The Zepbound label says to inject it under the skin (subcutaneously), but it does not give a needle depth or angle. It also says the weekly shot can be given at any time of day, with or without meals.
- Sites: the belly (abdomen) or the thigh. Another person should give it if it goes in the back of the upper arm.
- The label says to rotate injection sites with each dose.
For general steps on giving a shot under the skin, see how to inject peptides.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What if a dose is missed, early or split?
The Zepbound label says to take a missed dose within 4 days (96 hours), and to skip it if more than 4 days have passed.
- Within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose: the label says to take it as soon as possible.
- More than 4 days later: the label says to skip it and take the next dose on the usual day.
Can I split my tirzepatide dose to twice a week? The label does not describe that. Every dose on it is given once weekly.
Can I take Zepbound a day early? The Zepbound label says the day of the weekly dose can be changed if needed, as long as at least 3 days (72 hours) separate the two doses.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
Is there a semaglutide to tirzepatide dose conversion?
Not on the label. Our sources found no Ozempic to Mounjaro conversion chart, or any other conversion table, in the Zepbound or Mounjaro label.
Two lines in the Zepbound label do apply to anyone coming from semaglutide:
- The starting dose is the same for all uses. The label calls it the recommended starting dose for all indications.
- Using Zepbound together with other tirzepatide products, or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist, is not recommended. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The FDA label for Zepbound lists, as the starting dose for all indications:
2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
How the two drugs compare is covered in tirzepatide vs semaglutide.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What should you avoid while taking tirzepatide?
The Zepbound label says using it together with other tirzepatide products, or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist, is not recommended. Our sources for this page give no list of foods or drinks to avoid.
The FDA adds a warning about going above the label. It says it has received adverse event reports that may be related to compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide prescribed in doses beyond the FDA-approved label.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label; FDA, concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs
What are the recommended doses of Ozempic for weight loss?
This page does not answer that, because its sources cover tirzepatide only. Ozempic is semaglutide, a different drug. Our tirzepatide vs semaglutide guide covers how the two compare.
What are the differences between Zepbound and Mounjaro for weight loss?
Both contain tirzepatide, and both FDA labels go up in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on a dose. The difference is the approved use: the Zepbound label is for weight, and the US Mounjaro label is for type 2 diabetes.
- Zepbound: for weight reduction and long term maintenance, and for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, in adults with obesity.
- Mounjaro: as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. The label raises the dose if more blood sugar control is needed.
The FDA label for Mounjaro lists, as the maximum dose:
Adults: 15 mg once weekly
Children: 10 mg once weekly
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
For the full answer, see is Zepbound the same as Mounjaro.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label; Mounjaro FDA label
How does Zepbound work, and what is the mechanism of action of tirzepatide?
The Zepbound label says tirzepatide switches on two hormone receptors, called GIP and GLP-1. These are the same targets the body's own GIP and GLP-1 hormones use. The label says GLP-1 is a natural regulator of appetite and how many calories a person eats. For more on the compound, see our tirzepatide profile.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What are the common side effects of taking Zepbound?
The Zepbound label lists nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation first among its most common side effects. Each was reported in at least 5% of people treated with Zepbound.
This list is also the best guide to what to expect after the first dose of Zepbound. The full list is: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, belly pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, tiredness, allergic reactions, burping, hair loss and acid reflux.
We look at three of these in detail: tirzepatide diarrhea, does tirzepatide make you tired and does tirzepatide cause hair loss. Our GLP-1 side effects guide covers the group as a whole.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label
What doses did the main obesity trial use?
The SURMOUNT-1 trial paper says it tested 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg of tirzepatide once weekly against placebo for 72 weeks. That included a 20-week period of stepping the dose up.
In the 15 mg group, the weekly dose started at 2.5 mg. It went up by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until it reached 15 mg, then stayed there up to week 72.
The SURMOUNT-1 trial tested, once weekly:
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg, or placebo
Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Do you lose more weight on a higher dose of Mounjaro? The sources on this page cover how the trial was dosed, not the result for each dose. For reported results over time, see tirzepatide before and after.
Sources: SURMOUNT-1, N Engl J Med 2022; SURMOUNT-1 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What the tirzepatide label does not say
Six common dosing questions have no answer in the Zepbound label. Here they are, so a chart from somewhere else is not mistaken for label text.
A dose in syringe units
The label gives doses in milligrams and volumes in millilitres. It does not give insulin syringe units.
A microdosing or below-start schedule
The lowest strength on the label is the 2.5 mg starting dose. The label has no schedule below it.
A twice a week split
Every dose on the label is given once weekly.
A semaglutide to tirzepatide conversion chart
Our sources found no conversion table in the Zepbound or Mounjaro label.
Doses for compounded vials
The FDA does not approve compounded drugs, and the label figures are for the brand products only.
A needle depth or angle
The label says to inject under the skin. It does not give a depth in millimetres.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label; FDA, concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs
Common questions
What is the starting dose of tirzepatide?+
The FDA label for Zepbound lists: 2.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. The label says this dose is for starting treatment and is not approved as a maintenance dose. Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
What is the highest dose of tirzepatide?+
The FDA label for Zepbound lists: a maximum of 15 mg injected once weekly for all uses. The Mounjaro label lists the same 15 mg weekly maximum for adults and 10 mg weekly for children. Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
How often can the dose go up?+
The FDA label for Zepbound lists: increases in 2.5 mg steps, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. That means each step lasts 4 weeks or longer. Disclaimer: this is label information, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
How many units is 2.5 mg or 10 mg of tirzepatide?+
The label does not answer this. It gives doses in milligrams and the volume of each pen or vial in millilitres, not in syringe units. The number of units depends on how concentrated the liquid is, so the same milligram dose can be a different number of units in different vials. Our tirzepatide reconstitution calculator shows the math for a given vial.
What happens if I miss a dose of tirzepatide?+
The Zepbound label says to take a missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, the label says to skip the missed dose and take the next dose on the usual day.
Can I split my tirzepatide dose to twice a week?+
The label does not describe this. Every dose on the Zepbound and Mounjaro labels is given once weekly, and the label has no twice a week schedule.
Is there a semaglutide to tirzepatide dose conversion?+
Not on the label. Our sources found no conversion chart in the Zepbound or Mounjaro label. The Zepbound label gives one starting dose for all uses, and it says using Zepbound together with any GLP-1 receptor agonist, the drug group that includes semaglutide, is not recommended.
Do you lose more weight on a higher dose?+
This page does not report results by dose. The SURMOUNT-1 trial tested 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg once weekly against placebo for 72 weeks, but the sources used here cover how it was dosed, not the weight result for each dose. Disclaimer: these are trial doses, not a recommendation. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.
Sources: Zepbound FDA label; Mounjaro FDA label; SURMOUNT-1, N Engl J Med 2022
Related reading
Tirzepatide Reconstitution Calculator
Milligrams to syringe units for a given vial
Microdosing Tirzepatide
What has and has not been studied below the label start
Tirzepatide Profile
Mechanism, trials and reported effects
Is Zepbound the Same as Mounjaro?
Same medicine, two labels
Does Tirzepatide Need to Be Refrigerated?
Storage rules from the labels
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide
How the two compare
Tirzepatide Pills vs Injection
What exists in 2026, and what does not
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It describes what the FDA labels and a published clinical trial report about tirzepatide. It is not a recommendation or an instruction to use any medicine or dose. Dose decisions belong with a licensed clinician.