Tirzepatide dosage guide

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the prescription medications Mounjaro and Zepbound, which may be prescribed for type 2 diabetes or weight loss, respectively. Zepbound can also be prescribed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The medication comes in six dosage strengths ranging from 2.5 to 15 mg.

And while your healthcare provider will be there to help guide you through the dosages, it can be a little confusing at first.  In this tirzepatide dosage guide, you’ll find everything you want to know about tirzepatide dosing, including the typical dosing schedule for weight loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes, and what to do if you miss a dose.

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Tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Both forms of tirzepatide, Zepbound and Mounjaro, come in six dosage strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. 

Whether you take tirzepatide to manage your type 2 diabetes, lose weight, or both, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a starting dose of 2.5 mg weekly. From there, you’ll gradually increase your current dose under their supervision until you reach a maintenance dose that is effective for you. For example, if the 5 mg dose of Mounjaro doesn’t adequately improve your glycemic control, your provider will keep increasing the dose until you reach a dose that does. The technical word for this kind of ramp-up dosing schedule is “titration.”

Typically, dose escalation occurs every four weeks on tirzepatide, although your healthcare provider may recommend longer intervals, depending on how well you tolerate the gastrointestinal side effects of tirzepatide. This allows your body time to adjust to the medication until you reach your maintenance dose. The maintenance doses of tirzepatide are 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg. That said, your doctor may decide to keep you on the intermediate doses of 7.5 mg or 12. 5 mg as well. 

Tirzepatide is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It comes in two dosage forms: injectible pens (Mounjaro, Zepbound) or vials (Zepbound only). Each pen or vial contains a single dose of the medication.

Zepbound is the form of tirzepatide approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss and weight management, when used in combination with diet and exercise. It is also approved for the treatment of sleep apnea. The typical maintenance tirzepatide dosage for weight loss is 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg. 

Healthcare providers typically prescribe a starting dose of 2.5 mg. Then, they’ll increase your dose by 2.5 mg every four weeks (or longer) until you reach one of the maintenance doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg that produces weight loss, while keeping side effects manageable. The maximum dose of tirzepatide for weight loss is 15 mg. If you’re prescribed Zepbound for the treatment of sleep apnea, the typical maintenance doses are 10 and 15 mg. 

The doses above are for Zepbound pens. Zepbound is also available in a vial, but as of today only two dosage strengths are available in vial form: the 2.5 mg starting dose and the 5 mg maintenance dose through Ro, but vials up to 10 mg are available through Lilly Direct. 

Mounjaro is the form of tirzepatide that’s FDA-approved for controlling blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, when used in combination with diet and exercise. The typical tirzepatide dosage for diabetes is 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg. Healthcare providers typically prescribe a starting dose of 2.5 mg. Then, they’ll increase your dose by 2.5 mg every four weeks (or longer) until you reach one of the maintenance doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg that adequately controls your blood sugar levels, while keeping side effects manageable. The maximum dose of tirzepatide for diabetes is 15 mg.

It can take several weeks to months to reach your maintenance dosage of tirzepatide. The tirzepatide dosage chart below offers an overview of the typical weekly dosing schedule for tirzepatide.

* The dose adjustments for tirzepatide typically occur every 4 weeks, but your healthcare provider may titrate you more slowly, or more quickly, depending on your response to the medication. If you titrate up to a higher dose and experience side effects that become too much, they may take you back down to a lower dose.

Tirzepatide is injected subcutaneously, or under the skin. There are three recommended spots for injecting tirzepatide: the upper arm, the thigh, and the abdomen. You may want to rotate through the injection sites each week to give your skin time to heal. 

When you’re not using tirzepatide, the pens or vials should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze tirzepatide. If you need to, you can store a pen or the vial at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 21 days. Once you store tirzepatide at room temperature, don’t return it to the refrigerator, and safely dispose of any medication that’s not used within those 21 days. 

To take tirzepatide, you’ll need to give yourself a shot. We’ll walk through how to do that in the next section. 

How to inject tirzepatide depends on whether you’re using the single-dose pens or vials. Below, we share step-by-step instructions for injecting Mounjaro and Zepbound, noting any differences between the vials and pens where applicable. Always review the injection instructions included with your package of tirzepatide.

1. Clean your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.

2. Gather your supplies. This includes:

   1. Your Mounjaro or Zepbound pen or your Zepbound vial

   2. Gauze pad, cotton ball, or alcohol swabs to clean the injection site

   3. A new sterile needle (Zepbound vial only)

   4. A sterile syringe (Zepbound vial only)

   5. Your sharps disposal container

3. Confirm you have the correct medication and that it looks safe to use. Double-check the label on the pen or vial to confirm you have the correct dosage and that the medication has not expired. (If you’re using a pen, the lock symbol should be aligned with the green line.) The liquid solution should be clear, colorless (or slightly yellow), and free of particles. If it is cloudy or contains particles, do not use it and contact your pharmacist. If you’re injecting a tirzepatide pen, skip ahead to step 6 after you’ve performed this step.

4. Prepare the needle (Zepbound vials only). Always use a new needle for each injection to prevent contamination. Remove the plastic cap from the vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Remove the outer wrapping from the needle and the syringe and attach the needle to the syringe. Remove the cap from the needle.

5. Draw your dose of tirzepatide (Zepbound vials only). With the needle pointing up, pull down on the plunger until the plunger tip reaches the 0.5-mL line. Push the needle through the rubber stopper of the vial, then push the plunger all the way in. With the needle still inside, turn the vial and syringe upside down. Slowly pull the plunger until the tip goes just past the 0.5-mL line. Tap the syringe gently to clear any air bubbles. Slowly push the plunger to the 0.5-mL line, and then pull the syringe out of the vial’s rubber stopper.

6. Choose an injection site. It can be your abdomen, thigh, or the back of your upper arm. The skin should look healthy and be clear of lumps, bumps, or scars. Clean the area with soap and water or an alcohol swab. Let it dry.

7. Inject your dose of tirzepatide firmly into the skin at a 90-degree angle. 

   1. If you’re using a Mounjaro or Zepbound pen, pull off the gray base cap and place the clear base flat against the skin of your injection site. Unlock the pen by turning the lock ring, and press and hold the purple injection button for up to 10 seconds. You’ll hear two clicks: the first tells you the injection started, and the second tells you the injection is complete. 

   2. If you’re injecting Zepbound from a vial, pinch an inch of skin and fatty tissue between your fingers. Insert the needle into your skin, release the pinch, and push down on the plunger to inject your dose. Hold it there for at least 5 seconds to ensure you deliver a full dose of the medicine.

8. Remove the needle or pen from your skin. If you see any blood, lightly press with a gauze pad or cotton ball. Don’t rub it.

9. Safely dispose of the tirzepatide pen or any used needles or syringes. Each vial or pen of tirzepatide contains a single dose of the medication, and should be disposed of safely in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Do not put pens or needles in your regular household trash.

If you miss a dose of tirzepatide, what you do next will depend on how many days have passed since your missed dose. If it’s been less than 4 days (96 hours) since your missed dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s been longer than that, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual on your regularly scheduled day.  

These guidelines apply if you miss 1 or 2 doses of tirzepatide in a row. If you miss 3 or more doses of tirzepatide in a row, your healthcare provider may recommend lowering your dosage or restarting the dose escalation process with the 5-mg dose. 

Never double up your dose of tirzepatide to make up for a missed dose, or take two doses within 3 days (72 hours) of each other. Taking more tirzepatide than prescribed, or taking two doses too close to each other, can lead to an overdose and increase your risk of experiencing side effects on tirzepatide. 

To avoid missing a dose of tirzepatide, schedule it on your calendar or add it to a reminders app on your phone. You can also pair it with another activity that you never miss, such as laundry day.

In the following sections, we share examples of what to do if you miss a dose of tirzepatide, using different days of the week as our hypothetical dosing schedule. Hopefully, one of these aligns with your tirzepatide dosing schedule. 

Missed tirzepatide dosage chart

Here’s an example of what to do if you miss a dose of tirzepatide. The guidance is the same whether you are taking Mounjaro or Zepbound.

Missed Zepbound dosage chart

Here’s an example of what to do if you miss a dose of Zepbound.

Missed Mounjaro dosage chart

Here’s an example of what to do if you miss a dose of Mounjaro.

Tirzepatide works best when you take it as directed, on the same day each week. But if needed, you can change your tirzepatide injection day. You just need to make sure that at least 72 hours have passed between the two doses. 

So, for example, if your current tirzepatide injection day is Sunday afternoon, and you want to change it to Monday, you’ll skip that Sunday and take it on Monday moving forward. If you want to change it to Friday, you can take your injection as usual on Sunday, and then again that Friday to start the new schedule. 

If you accidentally take too much tirzepatide, contact the National Capital Poison Center at (800) 222-1222 or visit their website at poison.org for next steps. You can also contact your healthcare provider or visit a local Urgent Care or Emergency Department if you are concerned about your health and want immediate attention from a healthcare professional.

If you notice any of the following, they could be signs of serious side effects, such as diabetic retinopathy, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or acute pancreatitis. Stop taking Mounjaro or Zepbound and seek emergency medical care.

• Persistent abdominal pain, which may or may not feel severe

• Pain that radiates from the abdomen to the back, with or without vomiting

• Fever

• Jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)

• Clay-colored stool

• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

• Feeling faint or dizzy

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Rapid heartbeat

• Severe rash or itching

• Sweating

• Confusion

• Blurred vision

• Slurred speech

• Shakiness

• Mood changes

• Weakness

• Feeling jittery

• Vision changes

• Suicidal thoughts

As a prescription medication, you’ll need to meet with a licensed healthcare provider online or in-person to get tirzepatide. During your appointment, they’ll ask about your medical history and any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. If you want to get Mounjaro to manage your type 2 diabetes, they’ll want to know how you’re currently managing your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and other medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. If you’re there to get Zepbound for weight loss, they’ll ask about your current body weight and experiences trying to lose weight in the past. 

Your healthcare provider may order additional tests before prescribing the medication. If the healthcare provider determines that tirzepatide is a good option for you, they’ll write you a prescription or send it to your preferred pharmacy. 

Getting tirzepatide online follows a similar process, except that you’ll meet with the provider virtually as opposed to in-person. If you get Mounjaro or Zepbound through Ro, you’ll complete an online visit prior to meeting with the provider. Then the provider will connect with you and prescribe tirzepatide if appropriate. 

Whether you take tirzepatide for weight loss or diabetes, it’s good to know the typical tirzepatide dosage, what to do if you miss a dose, and how to inject your dose of tirzepatide. Understanding how tirzepatide dosing works ensures your safety while also helping you get the most out of the medication. Here are the key points we discussed in this article:

• Tirzepatide is available in six dosage strengths ranging from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. The pens come in all six dosage strengths, while Zepbound vials are available up to 10 mg. Healthcare providers typically prescribe a low starting dose and gradually increase it based on your body's response and tolerance for side effects.

• The typical tirzepatide dosing schedule involves weekly injections with dose increases every four weeks. It can take up to 21 weeks (around five months) to reach your maintenance dose of tirzepatide.

• Tirzepatide is administered via a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate through the injection sites each week to allow the skin to heal.

• If you miss a dose of tirzepatide, take it within four days (96 hours) if possible. If more than 4 days (96 hours) have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose. Never take two doses within 72 hours of each other.

• You can change your injection day of tirzepatide, provided there is at least a 72-hour gap between doses. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about adjusting your tirzepatide dosing schedule.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

March 28, 2025

Written by

Amelia Willson

Fact checked by

Tzvi Doron, DO, DABOM, DABFM

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About the medical reviewer

Tzvi Doron, DO, DABOM, DABFM

Tzvi Doron, DO, DABOM, DABFM is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and board-certified in Family Medicine.