Tirzepatide Dosage Chart: The Labeled Mounjaro and Zepbound Titration Schedule

Educational content for licensed healthcare professionals. Not medical advice; dosing and treatment decisions belong to the prescribing clinician.

This tirzepatide dosage chart summarizes the titration schedule on the FDA labels for Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (chronic weight management, and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity). Both products contain tirzepatide, a once-weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, and both follow the same escalation pattern: start at 2.5 mg, increase in 2.5 mg steps no sooner than every 4 weeks, and stop at a maintenance dose, with 15 mg weekly as the maximum. Always check the current prescribing information for the product being used.

For how tirzepatide works, see the tirzepatide library page.

Tirzepatide Dosage Chart: Standard Titration

Doses are increased in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, so staying longer on a dose is consistent with the label. Not every patient needs to reach 15 mg.

Maintenance Doses by Product and Indication

The Mounjaro label notes that the 2.5 mg starting dose is intended for treatment initiation, not glycemic control.

Administration

How and Where

• Once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food
• Subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm
• Rotate sites with each injection

Branded tirzepatide comes as single-dose pens, and Zepbound is also available as single-dose vials. Each is used for one dose.

Missed Doses and Changing the Injection Day

Clinical Considerations Tied to Dosing

Gastrointestinal Tolerability

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation are the most common side effects. They are dose-related and cluster around initiation and each dose increase. If a step isn't tolerated, a longer stay at the current dose is a label-consistent response.

Oral Contraceptives

Tirzepatide can reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives, an effect attributed to delayed gastric emptying. The label advises patients using oral contraceptives to switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.

Contraindications and Warnings

• Contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2, and with serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide
• Warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia with insulin or sulfonylureas, acute kidney injury from dehydration, and diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with diabetes

The weight-loss peptide safety guide covers monitoring across the class.

Compounded and Off-Label Dosing

This chart reflects the labeled schedule for branded tirzepatide. Compounded tirzepatide has different concentrations and volumes, and its availability has tightened since the shortage ended. See our compounded tirzepatide guide. Using doses below the labeled range is covered in microdosing tirzepatide.

When a dose has to be drawn from a vial, the dose in mg, the concentration in mg/mL and the volume in mL should all be written out. Our peptide calculator shows the conversion to syringe units.

Newtropin does not prescribe, compound, or dispense. We connect licensed providers with a licensed 503A compounding partner. Prescribers can start at For Providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting dose of tirzepatide?

2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, per both the Mounjaro and Zepbound labels. It is an initiation dose to build tolerability, not a treatment dose.

How fast can tirzepatide be increased?

In 2.5 mg steps, after at least 4 weeks at the current dose. Staying longer on a dose is allowed.

What is the maximum dose of tirzepatide?

15 mg once weekly for both Mounjaro and Zepbound.

What are the maintenance doses for Zepbound?

For chronic weight management, the label lists 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg weekly. For obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, it lists 10 mg or 15 mg weekly.

What if a tirzepatide dose is missed?

Take it within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and resume on the usual day.

Does tirzepatide affect birth control pills?

Yes. The label advises a non-oral or added barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase, because tirzepatide can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.