Whether you're starting tirzepatide for the first time or adjusting your dose, having a clear dosing chart makes everything easier. This page covers the standard FDA-approved titration schedule for Mounjaro and Zepbound, as well as the slower and microdosing approaches commonly used with compounded tirzepatide. Looking for Zepbound doses? It's the same molecule — same chart, same schedule.
Important: This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always follow your prescriber's instructions for dosing.
This is the official titration schedule from the Mounjaro and Zepbound prescribing information. Each dose level lasts a minimum of 4 weeks before increasing.
| Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | 2.5 mg | Starting dose only (not a maintenance dose) |
| 5–8 | 5 mg | First approved maintenance dose |
| 9–12 | 7.5 mg | Titration dose (transitional) |
| 13–16 | 10 mg | Maintenance dose |
| 17–20 | 12.5 mg | Titration dose (transitional) |
| 21+ | 15 mg | Maximum approved dose |
Key guidelines:
At the fastest pace, you'd reach 15 mg in about 20 weeks (5 months). Many people stay at 5 mg or 10 mg long-term if they're seeing good results and tolerating it well.
Some prescribers recommend a slower titration, staying at each dose for 6–8 weeks instead of 4. This is especially common with compounded tirzepatide and for people who are sensitive to GI side effects.
| Weeks | Dose | Time at Dose |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 | 2.5 mg | 8 weeks |
| 9–16 | 5 mg | 8 weeks |
| 17–24 | 7.5 mg | 8 weeks |
| 25–32 | 10 mg | 8 weeks |
| 33–40 | 12.5 mg | 8 weeks |
| 41+ | 15 mg | Ongoing |
At this pace, reaching 15 mg takes about 40 weeks (10 months). The tradeoff is fewer side effects for most people, with results that are more gradual but often more sustainable.
When to consider slow titration:
Microdosing uses sub-standard doses (below 2.5 mg) during the initial weeks, then gradually works up to the standard titration. This requires a compounded formulation — branded pens can't deliver doses this small.
| Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 0.25–0.5 mg | Getting your body used to the medication |
| 3–4 | 0.5–1.0 mg | Still below standard starting dose |
| 5–8 | 1.0–1.5 mg | Gradual increase |
| 9–12 | 1.5–2.5 mg | Approaching standard starting dose |
| 13+ | 2.5 mg | Transition to standard or slow titration |
After the microdosing phase, most people continue with either the standard or slow titration schedule above, starting at 2.5 mg.
Who tends to microdose:
Important context: Microdosing is not clinically studied. There are no published trials testing tirzepatide at doses below 2.5 mg. The schedules above come from prescriber protocols and community experience, not clinical data.
With compounded tirzepatide, your vial will have a specific concentration (mg/mL). The concentration determines how many units you draw in your syringe to get your target dose. This is where mistakes happen most often — always double-check your math, or use our Tirzepatide Dose Calculator to be sure.
Common concentrations and the units needed for each dose:
| Dose | Units to Draw |
|---|---|
| 0.5 mg | 10 units |
| 1.0 mg | 20 units |
| 2.5 mg | 50 units |
| 5.0 mg | 100 units |
| 7.5 mg | 150 units* |
| 10 mg | 200 units* |
*Requires a larger than normal syringe or multiple injections
| Dose | Units to Draw |
|---|---|
| 0.5 mg | 5 units |
| 1.0 mg | 10 units |
| 2.5 mg | 25 units |
| 5.0 mg | 50 units |
| 7.5 mg | 75 units |
| 10 mg | 100 units |
| 12.5 mg | 125 units* |
| 15 mg | 150 units* |
*Requires a larger than normal syringe or multiple injections
| Dose | Units to Draw |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 13 units |
| 5.0 mg | 25 units |
| 7.5 mg | 38 units |
| 10 mg | 50 units |
| 12.5 mg | 63 units |
| 15 mg | 75 units |
Not sure about your concentration? Check our guide on finding your medication concentration.
Want to calculate your exact dose? Use the Tirzepatide Dose Calculator — enter your concentration and target dose, and it tells you exactly how many units to draw.
The active ingredient is the same (tirzepatide), and the titration schedule is identical. The difference is what they're approved for:
| Mounjaro | Zepbound | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved for | Type 2 diabetes | Weight management; obstructive sleep apnea |
| Starting dose | 2.5 mg weekly | 2.5 mg weekly |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 15 mg weekly |
| Maintenance doses | Any dose based on A1C response | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg (weight); 10 mg or 15 mg (sleep apnea) |
| Titration schedule | Same | Same |
There's no single right answer, and at the risk of repeating myself, your medical provider is the best-positioned to work with you to determine your titration schedule. But here are some general guidelines:
Consider moving up when:
You can probably stay where you are when:
Consider dropping back when:
If you miss your weekly injection:
Don't double up to make up for a missed dose, and if you are at all unsure, check in with your medical provider.
Some people split their weekly dose into two or more smaller injections throughout the week. This can help with side effects by keeping medication levels more stable. If you're interested, check out our Split Dose Calculator.
This page was last updated in February 2026. Dosing information is based on FDA prescribing information for Mounjaro and Zepbound. Compounded dosing protocols are based on common prescriber practices and are not FDA-approved. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.