Zepbound Dosage Chart
This chart shows the standard Zepbound dosing schedule exactly as published in the FDA approved prescribing information for Zepbound (tirzepatide), the once weekly injection used for weight management. 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 Zepbound schedule, week by week
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. |
| 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 recommended maintenance doses in the label are 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg once weekly. Many people stay on one of those doses rather than continuing to the top of the chart. Zepbound and Mounjaro 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 of 2.5 mg, with a full 4 weeks at each dose before the next step. The starting dose is there to let your body get used to the medicine. The chart shows the fastest standard path; staying on a dose for longer is common.
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 extra weeks.
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 Zepbound 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, 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 starting dose of Zepbound?
The published starting dose is 2.5 mg once a week for weeks 1 to 4. The dose then increases in 2.5 mg steps, with at least 4 weeks at each step.
What are the maintenance doses of Zepbound?
The label lists 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg once a week as the recommended maintenance doses. The maximum dose is 15 mg. Which maintenance dose a person stays on is the prescriber's decision, based on response and tolerability.
What do I do if I miss a Zepbound 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 it and take the next dose on your regular day. Never take two doses within 72 hours of each other.
Do I have to reach 15 mg on Zepbound?
No. The chart shows every dose the label allows, not a target everyone must reach. The recommended maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg, and the prescriber chooses the dose that fits your response and how well you tolerate the medicine.
Related: Tirzepatide dosage chart (Mounjaro and Zepbound side by side)