Best tirzepatide dosage for weight loss: Zepbound dosage guide

Key Points

• Tirzepatide leads to an average of 15-21% weight loss in clinical trials
• In general, higher doses produce greater weight loss results
• Tirzepatide treatment typically begins with a 2.5 mg starter dose with a gradual increase to maintenance doses of 10-15 mg
• Weight loss on tirzepatide is linked to a balanced diet and regular physical activity

Tirzepatide has been shown to deliver impressive weight loss results. In clinical trials, people lost between 15-21% of their body weight, which is about 30-42 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds.

This once-weekly injection leads to weight loss by reducing hunger, helping to quiet those persistent food thoughts, and making you feel full faster. But the amount of weight you lose on tirzepatide typically depends on your dosage.

Understanding what weight loss to expect at each dose can help set realistic expectations for your journey.

Tirzepatide doses

Tirzepatide is FDA-approved as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. Zepbound comes in the following doses:

• 2.5 mg
• 5 mg
• 7.5 mg
• 10 mg
• 12.5 mg
• 15 mg

It’s available as an injector pen for once-weekly shots under the skin. The 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials are also available as single-dose vials.

Zepbound (tirzepatide) dosage guide for weight loss

If you’re going to start taking Zepbound, here’s a typical tirzepatide dosage chart. Please note: this is just a sample. Your doctor will adjust your dose after evaluating how your body responds to the medication.

Sample Zepbound dosage chart

• Weeks 1-4 (Month 1): 2.5 mg
• Weeks 5-8 (Month 2): 5 mg
• Weeks 9-12 (Month 3): 7.5 mg
• Weeks 13+ (Month 4+): 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg maintenance dose

In most cases, your doctor will start you off on the 2.5 mg starter dose for 4 weeks. It’s actually essential to do so to give your body time to adjust to the medication, learn about how you react to it, minimize the risk of strong side effects, and make sure that you can tolerate the medication.

Normally, people do not stay on this dose for a long time and the dose is increased after four weeks to a higher one.

Gia Eapen, MD, says. “It’s extremely important not to skip the starter dose step or adjust your dose to a higher dose without staying on a dose for a minimum of 4 weeks. Please talk to your healthcare provider and only adjust dosage under medical supervision.”

Weight loss on tirzepatide: What to expect

If you’ve been trying to lose weight for a long time, tried every diet out there but can’t seem to shut out the “food noise” and hunger pangs, you may be relieved to finally get a Zepbound prescription and excited to start shedding those pounds.

The good news is that research shows that the majority of people on tirzepatide lost weight.

On average, tirzepatide weight loss results in just over a year (72 weeks) are:

• 15% weight loss on 5 mg
• 19.5% weight loss on 10 mg
• 20.9% weight loss on 15 mg

So, for a 200-pound person, this works out to:

• 30 pounds on 5 mg
• 40 pounds on 10 mg
• 42 pounds on 15 mg

In comparison, people who did not take tirzepatide lost only 3.1% of their body weight (about 6 pounds for a 200-pound person). Since the tirzepatide clinical trial included diet and exercise for all participants, the slight weight loss in the placebo group could be due to these lifestyle changes.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the weight loss results on tirzepatide by dose.

Weight loss on 2.5 mg Zepbound

Tirzepatide begins working immediately, so you may see some initial weight loss on the 2.5 mg dose. You may also notice feeling less hungry, and those persistent food thoughts may start to subside.

However, it’s hard to tell exactly how much to expect since clinical trials do not measure weight loss on the 2.5 mg dose. Also, individual weight loss results vary.

According to Eapen, MD, “If you do not see immediate results, you may just need a higher dose before you begin to do so. Remember, it’s essential to stay on the starter dose for at least four weeks before moving on to a higher dose.”

Weight loss on 5 mg Zepbound

People on a 5 mg tirzepatide dose lost an average of about 15% of their body weight over a year, according to a tirzepatide study. This amounts to about 30 pounds for a 200-pound person.

What’s interesting is that 7 out of 10 people on 5 mg tirzepatide experienced a weight loss of 10% or more. For a 200-pound person, that’s 20 pounds or more over a year.

Weight loss on 10 mg Zepbound

People in clinical trials lost more weight on higher doses of tirzepatide. Incredibly, 9 in 10 people lost more than 5% of their body weight on 10 mg of tirzepatide. So, a 200-pound person may lose 10 pounds or more on the 10 mg dose in 72 weeks (just over a year).

More than half lost 20% of their body weight or more. For a 200-pound person, that’s about 40 pounds.

Weight loss on 15 mg Zepbound

In trials, people lost the most weight on the 15 mg dose over a year. Over 90% lost 5% of their body weight or more (10 pounds for a starting weight of 200 pounds).

Over half of the participants on a 15 mg tirzepatide dose lost 20% of their body weight or more—a 40-pound weight loss for someone weighing 200 pounds in over a year.

Not losing weight on Zepbound (tirzepatide)

While a majority of people on tirzepatide lost weight in clinical trials, a small group of people failed to lose much weight on the medication. This category of people, “non-responders,” lost less than 5% of their body weight.

If you’re on Zepbound and not losing weight, do not lose hope. Weight loss is incredibly complex and involves many factors.

1. Diet and exercise

Reasons for not losing weight on Zepbound may include a different diet and physical activity.

Even people in clinical trials had to follow a nutritious, balanced diet and maintain a 500-calorie deficit. They also had to get at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise a day.

2. Need a different dose

If you’re not losing weight on a particular dose of Zepbound, you may need a different one. Consider talking to your healthcare provider if your current tirzepatide dosage is right for you. Please do not adjust your dosage without medical supervision.

3. Underlying hormone imbalances

Zepbound (tirzepatide) targets specific organs and hormones that play a role in weight loss and blood sugar management. However, our bodies are incredibly complex, and many other factors may impact weight loss.

So, if you’re not losing weight on Zepbound, it could be due to other underlying issues.

Tirzepatide works by mimicking two hormones in the body, GLP-1 and GIP. These two help you feel full faster and signal your pancreas to release insulin and lower blood glucose levels. It also tells your liver to reduce the production of glucagon, which prevents it from releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream.

You could talk to your doctor about your concerns, and they may evaluate your thyroid hormones. In females, perimenopause and menopause can lead to weight gain.

Losing weight on Zepbound

Losing weight and keeping it off can be very hard when you’re juggling a hectic schedule, several responsibilities, low energy levels, and one or more health issues.

Consider getting expert advice on your side to help you lose weight on tirzepatide.

Find a weight loss dietitian who accepts your insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much weight can you lose on tirzepatide?

In clinical trials, people achieved an average of 15-21% weight loss on tirzepatide. The weight loss was dependent on the dosage. People on 5 mg tirzepatide lost an average of 15% of their body weight, 19.5% on 10 mg, and 20.9% on 15 mg.

2. How long does it take to lose weight on tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide begins to work immediately after being injected. However, research shows that people began to see significant weight loss by about 5 months. In clinical trials, peak weight loss on tirzepatide occurred by 9 months.

3. What’s the best diet to lose weight on tirzepatide?

There is no specific Zepbound or Mounjaro diet, but in clinical trials, people on tirzepatide lost weight by eating balanced meals and maintaining a 500-calorie deficit a day. Consider adding lean protein to each meal and getting enough dietary fiber, together with small amounts of healthy fats. Avoid ultraprocessed foods, those rich in added sugars, and consider limiting your alcohol intake.

4. Is tirzepatide or semaglutide better for weight loss?

A direct comparison of tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy) showed that people on tirzepatide lost an average of 20% of their body weight while those on semaglutide lost about 14% in just over a year (SURMOUNT-5 trial).

5. What are the most common side effects of tirzepatide?

The most common side effects of tirzepatide are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, stomach pain, gas, tiredness, and hair loss. This list is not exhaustive. To learn more, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the FDA product labels for Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Start losing weight on tirzepatide. Find a registered dietitian covered by insurance.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.