Tirzepatide Dosage Chart: Zepbound and Mounjaro Doses, Schedules, and Vial Volumes
Tirzepatide dosage chart from the 08/2026 FDA labels for Zepbound and Mounjaro: start at 2.5 mg, then the dose may rise in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on each dose, up to 15 mg. Includes maintenance doses, vial mL and syringe marks, KwikPen doses, and missed-dose rules.
The official tirzepatide dosage chart is short. Both Zepbound and Mounjaro start at 2.5 mg once a week. Zepbound moves to 5 mg after 4 weeks, then may rise in 2.5 mg steps with at least 4 weeks on each dose. Mounjaro rises in the same steps only if more blood sugar control is needed. The maximum for both is 15 mg once weekly (10 mg for children taking Mounjaro).
This guide turns the current FDA labels, both revised in August 2026, into one set of tables. Fewer stomach side effects is the reason the labels give for raising tirzepatide doses slowly, so read our page on Zepbound side effects for what to expect at each step. Your prescriber sets your dose; the charts below show what the labels allow.
In this guide you will learn:
- Every Zepbound and Mounjaro strength, with the fastest schedule the labels allow
- Which doses are maintenance doses and which are only steps
- The highest approved dose and what the trials showed at each dose
- Dose volumes in mL and syringe marks for FDA-approved vials
- What to do after a missed dose, and the label rules that apply when a dose changes
Table of Contents
- Tirzepatide dosage chart at a glance
- Zepbound dose schedule for weight loss and sleep apnea
- Mounjaro dose schedule for type 2 diabetes
- How long you stay on each tirzepatide dose
- What is the highest dose of tirzepatide?
- Which tirzepatide dose works best? What the trials show
- Eating well through each tirzepatide dose step
- Tirzepatide doses in mL and syringe units (FDA products only)
- Missed a tirzepatide dose or need to change your day?
- Label rules when you start or change a tirzepatide dose
- Frequently asked questions
Tirzepatide Dosage Chart at a Glance
This tirzepatide dosage chart covers all six strengths of Zepbound and Mounjaro: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg, each injected once a week. The week column shows the fastest pace the labels allow, with exactly 4 weeks on each dose.
| Weekly dose | Earliest start (fastest pace) | Zepbound (adults) | Mounjaro (adults) | Mounjaro (children 10 and older) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | Week 1 | Starting dose for 4 weeks; not a maintenance dose | Starting dose | Starting dose |
| 5 mg | Week 5 | Second step for everyone; maintenance option for weight | Next step if more blood sugar control is needed | Next step if needed |
| 7.5 mg | Week 9 | Escalation step | Next step if needed | Next step if needed |
| 10 mg | Week 13 | Maintenance option for weight and sleep apnea | Next step if needed | Maximum dose |
| 12.5 mg | Week 17 | Escalation step | Next step if needed | Above the maximum |
| 15 mg | Week 21 | Maintenance option; maximum dose | Maximum dose | Above the maximum |
Sources: Zepbound Prescribing Information sections 2.1 and 2.2; Mounjaro Prescribing Information section 2.1. The week numbers are our arithmetic from the 4-week minimum; the labels do not print a week-by-week table.
Four points explain how to read the chart:
- The weeks are a floor, not a deadline, after the first step. For Zepbound, the label moves 2.5 mg to 5 mg after 4 weeks; after that, the dose "may be increased" after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. You may stay on a dose longer, and not everyone moves up to 15 mg.
- The active ingredient is the same. Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide in the same six strengths. They are separate brands with different approved uses. For other options, see our GLP-1 medications list.
- Each dose is one weekly shot. The labels describe one injection once a week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
- Children: Mounjaro only. Mounjaro is approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes; the Zepbound label says its safety and effectiveness have not been established in children.
Zepbound Dose Schedule for Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea
The Zepbound dose schedule starts at 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then moves to 5 mg. After that, the dose may rise in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, up to 15 mg (Zepbound label, section 2.1).
The label is clear about the first dose: "The 2.5 mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not approved as a maintenance dosage." Lilly's page for health care providers repeats that 2.5 mg is a starting dose only.
Where you stay depends on why you take Zepbound. The label lists different maintenance doses for each approved use.
| Approved use | Start | Recommended maintenance doses | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight reduction and long-term weight maintenance in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition | 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg | 15 mg |
| Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity | 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg | 10 mg or 15 mg | 15 mg |
A few details matter here:
- 7.5 mg and 12.5 mg are steps. They are not on the label's list of recommended maintenance doses. Our page on the Zepbound maintenance dose covers what the label and trials say after you reach your goal.
- Lower is allowed. The label says to consider response and tolerability, and "If patients do not tolerate a maintenance dosage, consider a lower maintenance dosage." For what the evidence says about doses below the label, read our page on microdosing tirzepatide.
- The trials took up to 20 weeks to escalate. In the two main weight trials, people moved through "an escalation period of up to 20 weeks" before the maintenance period (label section 14.1). That matches the tirzepatide dosage chart above, which reaches 15 mg in week 21 at the fastest pace.
Mounjaro Dose Schedule for Type 2 Diabetes
The Mounjaro dose schedule starts at 2.5 mg once weekly. If more blood sugar control is needed, the dose goes up in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, to a maximum of 15 mg for adults and 10 mg for children 10 years and older (Mounjaro label, section 2.1).
Mounjaro is approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. Since August 2026 it is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk. It uses the same six strengths as Zepbound, so the strengths in the tirzepatide dosage chart above apply to both brands; only the rule for moving up differs.
What changed in the August 2026 Mounjaro label
The August 2026 update rewrote the Mounjaro starting instructions. The January 2026 label said "The 2.5 mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not intended for glycemic control" and "After 4 weeks, increase the dosage to 5 mg". Neither sentence appears in the current label.
The current text simply says to start at 2.5 mg and increase "If additional glycemic control is needed." The pediatric dosing, with its 10 mg maximum, was already in the label from December 2025.
Other Mounjaro dosing rules
- Insulin stays separate. "When using MOUNJARO with insulin, administer as separate injections and never mix."
- Who should not self-inject with the KwikPen. The Mounjaro label says its KwikPen is not recommended for self-injection by children, and both the Zepbound and Mounjaro labels say the KwikPen is not recommended for self-injection by people who are visually impaired.
- One tirzepatide product at a time. Zepbound and Mounjaro are separate prescriptions for different approved uses. Our Zepbound vs Mounjaro comparison covers the differences. The Zepbound label says combining it with other tirzepatide products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended.
How Long You Stay on Each Tirzepatide Dose
You stay on each tirzepatide dose for at least 4 weeks before any increase. Both labels say the dose may go up after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, so 4 weeks is a minimum, not a schedule you must keep (the one fixed step is Zepbound's move from 2.5 mg to 5 mg after 4 weeks). Every week number in a tirzepatide dosage chart assumes exactly 4 weeks per step.
The slow climb has one stated purpose. The Zepbound label says to follow the escalation "to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal adverse reactions." In the weight trials, "The majority of nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea events occurred during dose escalation and decreased over time" (label section 6.1).
Can you increase your dose after 2 weeks?
No, not according to either label. Both require at least 4 weeks on the current dose before the next step.
Why does the dose go up at all?
For Zepbound, 2.5 mg is not approved as a maintenance dose, so everyone moves to at least 5 mg. Higher maintenance doses also produced more weight loss on average in the main trial, as the results section below shows. For Mounjaro, the label ties each increase to the need for more blood sugar control.
If a dose is hard to tolerate
Tell your prescriber. The Zepbound label allows a lower maintenance dose when a higher one is not tolerated. The Medication Guide says to drink fluids to help lower the chance of dehydration, and to tell your provider right away about nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away.
What Is the Highest Dose of Tirzepatide?
The highest dose of tirzepatide is 15 mg once weekly for both Zepbound and adult Mounjaro. Children 10 and older taking Mounjaro have a lower maximum of 10 mg once weekly.
No dose above 15 mg is FDA approved for either brand, so any tirzepatide dosage chart that lists a higher dose is not showing an approved dose. The lowest dose is the 2.5 mg starting dose.
In Zepbound Study 3, where each person climbed to the highest dose they tolerated (10 or 15 mg), "Eighty-six percent (86%) of ZEPBOUND-treated patients had a maximum tolerated dosage of 15 mg weekly" (label section 14.1). In the sleep apnea trials, people were also escalated to their highest tolerated dose of 10 or 15 mg.
Which Tirzepatide Dose Works Best? What the Trials Show
No single tirzepatide dose works best for everyone. In the main Zepbound weight trial, average weight loss at 72 weeks rose from 15.0% on 5 mg to 19.5% on 10 mg and 20.9% on 15 mg, compared with 3.1% on placebo (Zepbound label, Table 2).
| Group | Study 1 (adults without diabetes) | Study 2 (adults with type 2 diabetes) |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | -3.1% | -3.2% |
| 5 mg | -15.0% | Not studied |
| 10 mg | -19.5% | -12.8% |
| 15 mg | -20.9% | -14.7% |
These were fixed-dose trials: each person was assigned one maintenance dose, with at least 52 weeks planned at that dose. The 15 mg group lost 1.4 percentage points more than the 10 mg group on average, a smaller gap than between the 5 mg and 10 mg groups (4.5 points). The label does not test the doses against each other. For the timeline of results, read how long it takes Zepbound to start working.
Side effects also shift with dose, but not all in the same direction.
| Side effect | Placebo | 5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 8% | 25% | 29% | 28% |
| Diarrhea | 8% | 19% | 21% | 23% |
| Vomiting | 2% | 8% | 11% | 13% |
| Constipation | 5% | 17% | 14% | 11% |
Source: Zepbound Prescribing Information, Table 1, Studies 1 and 2 pooled (the 5 mg arm is from Study 1 only).
What the numbers show:
- Nausea did not rise from 10 mg to 15 mg (29% vs 28%). Vomiting and diarrhea did rise, and constipation fell.
- Stopping for stomach side effects rose with dose: 1.9% on 5 mg, 3.3% on 10 mg, and 4.3% on 15 mg, compared with 0.5% on placebo (label section 6.1).
- These are averages. They do not predict your result. The label asks prescribers to weigh treatment response and tolerability when choosing a maintenance dose.
For the full picture at each dose, see our Zepbound side effects guide.
Eating Well Through Each Tirzepatide Dose Step
Eating well on tirzepatide means planning for a smaller appetite, especially after each dose step. In the Zepbound weight trials, every participant also received instruction on a reduced-calorie diet of about 500 calories a day below their needs, plus counseling to be active for at least 150 minutes a week (label section 14.1).
The label itself gives no meal plan. The tips below are general nutrition advice, not label instructions:
- Put protein first. A 2025 joint advisory from four obesity and nutrition societies notes that targets of 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day have been proposed during active weight loss, while the right body weight to use is still unsettled.
- Keep portions small. Smaller, simpler meals are easier to finish when appetite drops.
- Plan ahead for step-up weeks. Stock easy, high-protein foods before a dose increase so you are not cooking on a low-appetite day.
- Pair food with strength training. The same advisory says resistance exercise is also needed to protect muscle during weight loss.
If you want high-protein recipes and meal ideas sized for a smaller appetite, see our GLP-1 meal plan and protein guide.
Tirzepatide Doses in mL and Syringe Units (FDA Products Only)
Every FDA-approved tirzepatide dose is a fixed volume: 0.5 mL from a single-dose pen or vial, and 0.6 mL from a multi-dose vial or KwikPen, whatever the strength. The labels measure vial doses in mL, not units; on a 1 mL U-100 syringe, 0.5 mL is the 50 mark and 0.6 mL is the 60 mark.
| Presentation (Zepbound or Mounjaro) | Doses per device | Volume per dose | Mark on a 1 mL U-100 syringe | What you measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-dose pen | 1 | 0.5 mL | Not applicable | Nothing; the pen gives the full dose |
| Single-dose vial | 1 | 0.5 mL | 50 | Draw to the 0.5 mL line |
| Multi-dose vial | 4 | 0.6 mL | 60 | Draw 0.6 mL each week |
| KwikPen | 4 | 0.6 mL | Not applicable | Nothing to measure; prime the pen, then turn the dose knob until it stops |
Sources: Zepbound and Mounjaro Prescribing Information sections 2, 3, and 11, and the Zepbound and Mounjaro Instructions for Use. The unit marks are our arithmetic (U-100 means 100 units per mL, per the FDA insulin label); the tirzepatide labels do not use units.
The volume stays the same because the concentration changes with the strength. A 2.5 mg single-dose vial and a 15 mg single-dose vial both hold 0.5 mL. The 4-dose devices work the same way.
| Dose per 0.6 mL injection | Total in the device | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 10 mg in 2.4 mL | 4.17 mg/mL |
| 5 mg | 20 mg in 2.4 mL | 8.33 mg/mL |
| 7.5 mg | 30 mg in 2.4 mL | 12.5 mg/mL |
| 10 mg | 40 mg in 2.4 mL | 16.7 mg/mL |
| 12.5 mg | 50 mg in 2.4 mL | 20.8 mg/mL |
| 15 mg | 60 mg in 2.4 mL | 25 mg/mL |
Before your first vial dose
- Use the right syringe. The labels call for "a 1 mL syringe capable of measuring a 0.5 mL or 0.6 mL dose" and a new syringe and needle for every injection. Syringes and needles are supplied separately.
- Confirm the line. Check the exact mark with your pharmacist or prescriber before your first vial dose, and again if your strength or device changes. The label calls for new training whenever the presentation changes.
- One use per single-dose vial. Throw away an opened single-dose vial after use, even if medicine is left.
- Multi-dose vial limits. Throw away an opened multi-dose vial after 4 weekly doses, 30 days after first use, or a total of 30 days at room temperature, whichever comes first, even if medicine is left. Our page on how long Zepbound can be out of the fridge has the room-temperature rules for every form.
KwikPen doses
The KwikPen gives a fixed dose. The Zepbound and Mounjaro KwikPen instructions say to prime the pen before each weekly injection, then turn the dose knob all the way until it stops, and "Do not count clicks as you select the dose." Throw the pen away after 4 weekly doses or 30 days after first use, whichever comes first, even if medicine is left, and never transfer medicine from the pen into a syringe. Our Zepbound KwikPen guide walks through each step.
Why unit numbers do not transfer
A tirzepatide dosage chart in units is only valid for the product it was made for. The 50 and 60 marks apply only to FDA-approved Zepbound and Mounjaro vials, because unit numbers for any other product depend on its concentration. In 2024 the FDA warned that some patients gave themselves five to 20 times more than the intended dose of compounded semaglutide, with confusion between milliliters, milligrams, and "units" among the causes. Our page on compounded tirzepatide explains its legal status and safety risks.
Where you inject does not change the dose. Use your stomach or thigh, or have someone else use the back of your upper arm, as our page on Zepbound injection sites explains.
Missed a Tirzepatide Dose or Need to Change Your Day?
If you miss a dose of Zepbound or Mounjaro, take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day; both labels use the same rule.
| Situation | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Missed dose, 4 days or less have passed | Take it as soon as possible, then go back to your usual weekly day |
| Missed dose, more than 4 days have passed | Skip it and take the next dose on your regular day |
| You want a new injection day | Allowed if at least 3 days (72 hours) pass between the two doses |
| Two doses close together | Do not take 2 doses within 3 days (72 hours) of each other |
Here is how that works if your usual day is Monday:
- You remember on Wednesday. Take the dose Wednesday, then your next dose the following Monday.
- You remember on Saturday. More than 4 days have passed, so skip it and take your next dose on Monday.
- You want to switch to Friday. Take your Monday dose, then move to Friday, which is 4 days later.
If you take too much, the Medication Guide says to call your healthcare provider or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What about restarting after several missed weeks? The labels do not give a restart rule, so ask your prescriber which dose to restart on before your next injection.
Label Rules When You Start or Change a Tirzepatide Dose
Starting tirzepatide or raising the dose triggers a few label rules beyond the dose itself. The most practical: if you use birth control pills, the labels advise switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for 4 weeks after you start and for 4 weeks after each dose increase (label section 8.3), so ask your provider which method fits you.
- Thyroid cancer history. Both labels say not to use tirzepatide if you or anyone in your family has had a thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) (Boxed Warning and section 4).
- Birth control pills. The 4-week rule appears in both the Zepbound and Mounjaro labels.
- Insulin or sulfonylureas. When tirzepatide is started, both labels say prescribers should consider lowering these medicines to reduce the risk of low blood sugar (section 7.1).
- New device, new training. If your presentation changes, for example from pen to vial, you should be trained on the new one (section 2.4).
- Kidneys and liver. No dose change is recommended for kidney or liver impairment (sections 8.6 and 8.7); the labels still call for kidney checks if side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea could lead to dehydration.
- Pregnancy. The Zepbound label says to stop Zepbound when a pregnancy is recognized (section 8.1). The Mounjaro label instead says it should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. With either brand, tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant (Medication Guides).
- Severe stomach pain. Stop Zepbound or Mounjaro and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting (Zepbound and Mounjaro Medication Guides).
- Serious allergic reaction. Stop Zepbound or Mounjaro and get medical help right away if you have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or dizziness, or a very rapid heartbeat (Zepbound and Mounjaro Medication Guides).
Key Takeaways
- Start low. Zepbound and Mounjaro both start at 2.5 mg once weekly; for Zepbound it is a starting dose only.
- Go slow. Each step is 2.5 mg, with at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
- Know the ceiling. The maximum is 15 mg once weekly, or 10 mg for children on Mounjaro.
- Maintenance differs by use. Zepbound maintenance is 5, 10, or 15 mg for weight and 10 or 15 mg for sleep apnea.
- Volumes are fixed. Vials are 0.5 mL (single-dose) or 0.6 mL (multi-dose); confirm the syringe mark with your pharmacist.
- Missed dose. Take it within 4 days or skip it, and never take 2 doses within 3 days.
Use this tirzepatide dosage chart to understand your plan, and take the dose your prescriber sets. Bring any question about a step, a missed dose, or a device change to your prescriber or pharmacist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting dose of tirzepatide?
Both Zepbound and Mounjaro start at 2.5 mg injected once a week. For Zepbound, the label says to stay on 2.5 mg for 4 weeks and then move to 5 mg, since 2.5 mg is not a maintenance dose. For Mounjaro, the dose rises in 2.5 mg steps only if more blood sugar control is needed, after at least 4 weeks.
What dose of Zepbound is most effective?
No single dose is best for everyone. In the main weight trial, average weight loss at 72 weeks was 15.0% on 5 mg, 19.5% on 10 mg, and 20.9% on 15 mg, versus 3.1% on placebo, and your prescriber weighs response and tolerability.
Is 7.5 mg a maintenance dose of Zepbound?
It is an escalation step. The label lists 5, 10, or 15 mg as maintenance doses for weight and 10 or 15 mg for sleep apnea, and your prescriber decides where you stay.
Can you increase your tirzepatide dose after 2 weeks?
Not according to the labels. Both Zepbound and Mounjaro say a dose increase comes after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
How many units is 2.5 mg of tirzepatide?
It depends on the product. For FDA-approved Zepbound or Mounjaro vials only, every dose is 0.5 mL from a single-dose vial (the 50 mark on a 1 mL U-100 syringe) or 0.6 mL from a multi-dose vial (the 60 mark), and pens need no measuring. These numbers do not apply to any other product, so confirm the exact mark with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Can you split a tirzepatide dose into two shots a week?
The labels describe one injection once a week and give no split-dose schedule. Ask your prescriber before changing how you take your dose.
What if I missed 2 weeks of Zepbound?
The label only covers a single missed dose: take it within 4 days or skip it. It gives no rule for restarting after a longer break, so ask your prescriber which dose to restart on.
References
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information, revised 08/2026: Eli Lilly
- Zepbound Medication Guide, revised 08/2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Zepbound KwikPen, January 2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Zepbound single-dose vial, April 2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Zepbound multi-dose vial, January 2026: Eli Lilly
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information, revised 08/2026: Eli Lilly
- Mounjaro Medication Guide, revised August 2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Mounjaro KwikPen, January 2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Mounjaro single-dose vial, April 2026: Eli Lilly
- Instructions for Use, Mounjaro multi-dose vial, January 2026: Eli Lilly
- Mounjaro Prescribing Information, revised 01/2026: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Zepbound label on DailyMed: U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Mounjaro label on DailyMed: U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Zepbound dosage options, schedules and missed doses (for health care providers): Eli Lilly
- FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and patients of dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products, 2024: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Humulin R U-100 Prescribing Information (U-100 definition): U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: joint advisory from ACLM, ASN, OMA, and TOS, 2025
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. It summarizes the FDA labels and published research and gives no personalized dosing advice. Talk to your prescriber about your dose and any change to it. Read our full medical disclaimer.