Tirzepatide dosage chart — 6 proven dose steps explained.

A clear tirzepatide dosage chart is one of the most useful tools when you start Mounjaro. Knowing which dose comes next, when it can increase and what results to expect helps you stay on track and avoid unnecessary side effects.

This guide sets out the full tirzepatide dosage chart from 2.5mg to 15mg, explains each step, shows trial results by dose and covers maintenance doses, missed doses, side effects and switching. It is based on the licensed UK schedule for Mounjaro.

Tirzepatide dosage chart at a glance

This tirzepatide dosage chart shows the standard licensed schedule used for Mounjaro in the UK. Each step lasts at least four weeks, and each pen contains four weekly doses.

Step	Weekly dose	Usual timing	Purpose
1	2.5mg	Weeks 1–4	Starting dose to help your body adjust
2	5mg	Weeks 5–8	First treatment and maintenance dose
3	7.5mg	From week 9 if needed	Step up if more effect is needed
4	10mg	From week 13 if needed	Treatment and maintenance dose
5	12.5mg	From week 17 if needed	Step up if more effect is needed
6	15mg	From week 21 if needed	Maximum and maintenance dose

These are the earliest times each dose can be reached. Many people stay longer on a dose, or stop at a lower one. The NHS guidance on tirzepatide sets out the same step-up approach.

How the dose steps work

Every tirzepatide dosage chart starts low and rises slowly because the gut needs time to adapt. Jumping straight to a higher dose would cause far more nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

On the tirzepatide dosage chart, each increase is 2.5mg, and you stay on each dose for at least four weeks. Your prescriber only moves you up if you need more effect and are coping well with side effects.

The 6 dose steps explained

Step 1: 2.5mg

The first row of the tirzepatide dosage chart. It is mainly for tolerance, though many people notice appetite changes. Weight loss is often modest in these first weeks.

Step 2: 5mg

The second row of the tirzepatide dosage chart. It’s the first real treatment dose and a common maintenance dose. Many people lose weight steadily here for months.

Step 3: 7.5mg

Used when weight loss slows on 5mg. Side effects can briefly return after the increase.

Step 4: 10mg

The middle of the tirzepatide dosage chart and a licensed maintenance dose. In trials, it produced close to the results of the highest dose.

Step 5: 12.5mg

A step towards the maximum for people who need more effect.

Step 6: 15mg

The top of the tirzepatide dosage chart and the maximum licensed dose, used when lower doses are not enough and side effects are manageable.

Results by dose

The best evidence behind the tirzepatide dosage chart comes from SURMOUNT-1. Adults with obesity or overweight (without diabetes) were assigned to a fixed maintenance dose. Average weight loss after 72 weeks was:

Maintenance dose	Average weight loss at 72 weeks
5mg	About 15.0%
10mg	About 19.5%
15mg	About 20.9%
Placebo	About 3.1%

The jump from 5mg to 10mg added more benefit than the jump from 10mg to 15mg. That is why many people do well without reaching the top of the tirzepatide dosage chart. See our Mounjaro weight loss results guide for more.

When to increase your dose

The tirzepatide dosage chart doesn’t mean you must increase every four weeks. Your prescriber will usually consider an increase if:

• Weight loss has slowed or stopped for several weeks
• Appetite has returned to previous levels
• Side effects on the current dose are mild or gone
• You are taking each dose consistently

If you are still losing weight steadily, staying put is often the better choice. Our guide on what to do if Mounjaro stops working explains how dose fits into a plateau.

Maintenance doses

Not every row of the tirzepatide dosage chart is a long-term dose. For weight management, the licensed maintenance doses are 5mg, 10mg and 15mg. The 7.5mg and 12.5mg doses are mainly stepping stones, though some people stay on them if they work well.

Your maintenance dose on the tirzepatide dosage chart is the one that keeps your appetite under control with side effects you can live with. It may change over time as your needs change.

Side effects by dose

Side effects tend to follow the tirzepatide dosage chart: they usually peak in the days after starting a new dose and settle within a few weeks. In trials, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting were more common on higher doses.

• Eat smaller meals and stop when full
• Avoid greasy or very rich food after a dose increase
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Inject on the same day each week

See our Mounjaro side effects guide for practical tips.

Missed doses

Missed doses don’t change your place on the tirzepatide dosage chart. If you miss a dose and it has been four days (96 hours) or less, take it as soon as you remember. If more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next one on your usual day.

Doses should always be at least three days apart. If you miss several weeks, speak to your prescriber, as you may need to restart at a lower dose on the tirzepatide dosage chart.

Dosing for type 2 diabetes

For type 2 diabetes, the tirzepatide dosage chart uses the same 2.5mg starting dose and 2.5mg steps. Doses of 5mg, 10mg and 15mg are used for maintenance.

If you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea, those medicines may need lowering to avoid low blood sugar. See our Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes guide.

Switching from semaglutide

People switching from Wegovy or Ozempic don’t always restart at 2.5mg; prescribers sometimes choose a higher starting point based on current dose and tolerance. Never take both medicines together.

Our Wegovy vs Mounjaro guide compares the two medicines, and our tirzepatide UK guide covers the basics.

Pens and practical tips

Each row of the tirzepatide dosage chart has its own pen. In the UK, Mounjaro comes as a KwikPen in each strength from 2.5mg to 15mg, with four weekly doses in each pen. Each strength has its own colour-coded label, so check it carefully before injecting.

• Inject on the same day each week
• Rotate between stomach, thigh and upper arm
• Keep pens in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C
• Never share pens or needles

Our how to inject Mounjaro guide walks through each step.

How to read a tirzepatide dosage chart

A tirzepatide dosage chart lists each weekly dose in milligrams (mg) and the earliest week you can move to it. Read it from top to bottom: you always start at the first row and only move down one row at a time.

The timing column shows the fastest possible pace. If your prescriber keeps you on a dose for eight or twelve weeks, you simply stay on that row of the tirzepatide dosage chart for longer.

The dose is the same every week until you change pens. A 5mg pen always gives 5mg, so there is no need to measure or calculate anything.

A sample 6-month timeline

Here is how a typical first six months might look for someone moving through the tirzepatide dosage chart at a steady pace. Your own timeline may be slower.

Month	Weekly dose	What many people notice
1	2.5mg	Appetite starts to fall; mild nausea possible
2	5mg	Steadier weight loss; side effects may briefly return
3	5mg or 7.5mg	Continued loss; dose reviewed if progress slows
4	7.5mg or 10mg	Appetite well controlled for most
5	10mg	Steady progress; many stay here
6	10mg to 12.5mg	Review of goals and maintenance dose

For real-world expectations at each stage, see our Mounjaro month by month results guide.

Appetite and energy at each step

Most people feel a clear drop in appetite within the first few weeks. After each increase on the tirzepatide dosage chart, appetite usually dips again for a while.

Energy can fall if you eat too little, especially after a dose increase. Regular small meals with protein help keep energy steady.

Common dosing mistakes

• Increasing faster than every four weeks
• Assuming you must reach 15mg
• Taking two doses close together after a missed dose
• Using the wrong pen strength by mistake
• Stopping suddenly without a plan

Avoiding these mistakes keeps the tirzepatide dosage chart working for you, with fewer side effects and steadier results.

Reducing or stopping tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is intended for long-term use. In SURMOUNT-4, people who switched to placebo after 36 weeks regained about 14% of their weight, while those who continued lost a further 5.5%.

If you want to reduce or stop, talk to your prescriber first. They may suggest moving back down the tirzepatide dosage chart gradually while you build habits to keep weight off.

Questions to ask your prescriber

• Which maintenance dose suits my goals?
• How long should I stay on my current dose?
• What should I do if side effects return after an increase?
• How will we know if I need to move up the tirzepatide dosage chart?
• Do any of my other medicines need adjusting?

A note on research vials

Some websites sell research tirzepatide in vials with their own unit charts. These products are not licensed medicines in the UK, their strength and purity are not guaranteed, and they are not meant for human use.

This tirzepatide dosage chart is based on licensed Mounjaro only. Our research peptides UK legal guide explains the legal position.

How it compares with other GLP-1 schedules

Medicine	Starting dose	Step size	Maximum dose
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)	2.5mg weekly	2.5mg every 4 weeks	15mg
Semaglutide (Wegovy)	0.25mg weekly	Rises every 4 weeks	2.4mg (7.2mg higher dose)
Retatrutide (trials)	2mg weekly	Rises every 4 weeks	12mg studied

See our Wegovy dosing schedule and retatrutide dosing guide for those medicines.

Dosing for different goals

Your ideal place on the tirzepatide dosage chart depends on your goals. Someone aiming to lose a smaller amount of weight may do well on 5mg, while someone with a higher starting weight may need 10mg or 15mg.

Health conditions matter too. Type 2 diabetes, other medicines and how you handle side effects all shape the dose your prescriber recommends.

Time of day and food

Tirzepatide can be injected at any time of day, with or without food. What matters most is using the same day each week.

If you need to change your injection day, keep at least three days between doses. Many people pick a day when side effects won’t disrupt work or plans.

If your dose is out of stock

Occasionally a pharmacy may run short of one strength. Speak to your pharmacy or prescriber, who may suggest waiting briefly, staying on your current dose or another safe option.

Never try to make up a dose by combining pens or skipping ahead on the tirzepatide dosage chart, and never buy from an unregulated source.

Tracking your progress

A simple weekly log of your weight, waist, appetite and side effects makes dose reviews much easier. It helps you and your prescriber decide whether to stay on a dose or move up.

Look at trends over several weeks rather than day-to-day changes, which are often just water.

Key takeaways

• The tirzepatide dosage chart runs from 2.5mg to 15mg in 2.5mg steps
• Stay at least four weeks on each dose before increasing
• Maintenance doses for weight management are 5mg, 10mg and 15mg
• Higher doses give more weight loss on average but more side effects
• Missed doses can be taken within four days; otherwise skip

Bookmark this tirzepatide dosage chart so you can check your next step before each new pen. Used well, it is a guide, not a race. The right dose is the one that keeps working with side effects you can live with.

Getting the most from each dose

• Eat enough protein to protect muscle
• Keep a simple log of weight, appetite and side effects
• Review progress with your prescriber every few months
• Don’t increase faster than every four weeks
• Stay active, including strength training

See our best diet on Mounjaro and Mounjaro week by week results guides.