Mounjaro Dosage Chart
This chart shows the standard Mounjaro dosing schedule exactly as published in the FDA approved prescribing information for Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the once weekly injection used for type 2 diabetes. It is the schedule prescribers start from, presented here for education only. Your own dose is decided by your prescriber.
On this page: the dosing schedule, what if you miss a dose.
The published Mounjaro schedule, step by step
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week.
| Week range | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg once weekly | Starting dose, for initiation only. The label states this dose is not intended for blood sugar control. |
| Week 5 onward | 5 mg once weekly | First increase. |
| After at least 4 weeks at the current dose | 7.5 mg, then 10 mg, then 12.5 mg once weekly | Optional increases of 2.5 mg at a time, only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed. |
| Maximum | 15 mg once weekly | The highest dose in the published schedule. |
Mounjaro and Zepbound contain the same drug, tirzepatide, and use the same escalation steps. The tirzepatide dosage chart puts both schedules side by side.
How dose increases work
The schedule is built around slow, step by step increases. A dose is only increased after at least 4 weeks at the current dose, and each step is 2.5 mg. Some people stay on a dose for longer than the fastest version of the chart. The 2.5 mg starting dose is there to let your body get used to the medicine. It is not expected to do the full job on its own.
Whether and when to increase is your prescriber's decision. They weigh how well the medicine is working against how well you are tolerating it. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are most common while doses are going up, and side effects are the usual reason a prescriber keeps someone on the same dose for longer.
One reason the steps are spaced out is that tirzepatide leaves the body slowly, so the level in your system builds up gradually over the first weeks on a new dose. If you want to see how long a dose stays in your system, our GLP-1 half-life calculator shows the fall week by week.
What if you miss a dose
The Mounjaro label says a missed dose can be taken within 4 days (96 hours) of when it was due. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose completely and take your next dose on your regular scheduled day. Never take two doses within 72 hours (3 days) of each other. If you are ever unsure, your pharmacist can walk you through it.
When prescribers pause or lower a dose
A prescriber may pause treatment, keep the dose the same for longer, or stop the medicine. Common reasons include side effects that are severe or not settling, such as ongoing vomiting or diarrhea that risks dehydration. Treatment is also commonly paused before planned surgery, because these medicines slow stomach emptying, so tell any surgical team that you take this medication. People who are planning a pregnancy are generally advised to stop treatment ahead of time. The exact decision and timing belong to your prescriber, so raise any of these situations with your care team early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting dose of Mounjaro?
The published starting dose is 2.5 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. The label states that this dose is for initiation only and is not intended for blood sugar control. From week 5 the schedule moves to 5 mg.
What is the maximum dose of Mounjaro?
The maximum dose in the published schedule is 15 mg once a week. Increases happen in 2.5 mg steps, and only after at least 4 weeks at the current dose, so reaching the top of the chart takes months and only happens if the prescriber decides it is needed.
What do I do if I miss a Mounjaro dose?
The label says a missed dose can be taken within 4 days (96 hours) of when it was due. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next one on your regular day. Never take two doses within 72 hours of each other.
How quickly can the Mounjaro dose go up?
No faster than one 2.5 mg step every 4 weeks, and only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed. The prescriber may also keep the dose unchanged for longer if side effects are a problem.
Related: Tirzepatide dosage chart (Mounjaro and Zepbound side by side)