Tirzepatide Dosage Chart
Tirzepatide is sold under two brand names: Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management. Unlike some drugs sold under two names, these two share the same published escalation schedule, and this page shows both FDA label schedules side by side so you can see where they match and where the labels differ. It is presented for education only. Your own dose is decided by your prescriber.
On this page: the Mounjaro schedule, the Zepbound schedule, what if you miss a dose.
Tirzepatide schedule for Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes)
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week. See the Mounjaro dosage chart for this schedule on its own page.
| 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. |
Tirzepatide schedule for Zepbound (weight management)
Every dose below is one injection, once a week, on the same day each week. See the Zepbound dosage chart for this schedule on its own page.
| Week range | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg once weekly | Starting dose. |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | 5 mg once weekly | First increase. Also one of the recommended maintenance doses. |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | 7.5 mg once weekly | Increase only after at least 4 weeks on 5 mg. |
| Weeks 13 to 16 | 10 mg once weekly | Also one of the recommended maintenance doses. |
| Weeks 17 to 20 | 12.5 mg once weekly | Increase only after at least 4 weeks on 10 mg. |
| Week 21 onward | 15 mg once weekly | Maximum dose. Also one of the recommended maintenance doses. |
The step pattern is identical for the two brands. The main label difference is that the Zepbound label names 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg as the recommended maintenance doses for weight management, while the Mounjaro label frames each increase as a decision based on blood sugar response.
How dose increases work
Both schedules are built around slow, step by step increases of 2.5 mg, with at least 4 weeks at a dose before the next step. 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 than the fastest version of the chart.
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 missed dose rule is the same in both labels. 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, lower it back to a dose that was tolerated, 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 difference between the Mounjaro and Zepbound dosage charts?
Both brands contain tirzepatide and use the same escalation steps, starting at 2.5 mg and rising by 2.5 mg at a time to a maximum of 15 mg once a week. The difference is the approved purpose: Mounjaro is for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound is for weight management, where the label names 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg as the recommended maintenance doses.
What is the starting dose of tirzepatide?
Both brands start at 2.5 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks, then move to 5 mg. For Mounjaro, the label states the 2.5 mg dose is for initiation only and is not intended for blood sugar control.
What if I miss a tirzepatide dose?
The rule is the same for Mounjaro and Zepbound. A missed dose can be taken within 4 days (96 hours) of when it was due. If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day. Never take two doses within 72 hours of each other.
What is the maximum dose of tirzepatide?
The maximum published dose is 15 mg once a week for both brands. Increases happen in 2.5 mg steps with at least 4 weeks at each dose, and only if the prescriber decides more effect is needed.
Related: Mounjaro dosage chart and Zepbound dosage chart