A guide to Mounjaro (tirzepatide) dosages

Key Points

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly shot that comes in six doses: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg.
• Doses start at a 2.5 mg dose for four weeks to help your body adjust, then move up to 5 mg. After that, your doctor might increase it by 2.5 mg every four weeks if needed.
• Studies show that higher doses tend to bring bigger results for weight loss and blood sugar, but the best dose is always the one that feels right and works for your body.

If you’ve seen the buzz around Mounjaro and tirzepatide, you may have seen some incredible success stories of people notably improving their blood sugar control and even losing a significant amount of weight. It’s an exciting new drug with very promising results.

But if you're starting Mounjaro or just thinking about it, you're probably trying to make sense of the dosage chart and how your doctor will pick a dose for you. It's normal to feel a little lost in all the numbers and schedules.

Let's walk through the Mounjaro dosage schedule, talk about why it's set up this way, and see what the science says about how different doses work for managing blood sugar and helping with weight loss.

How does Mounjaro dosing work?

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a medication you inject once a week. It works by copying two hormones your body naturally makes, GIP and GLP-1. These hormones are superstars when it comes to managing blood sugar, making you feel full, and slowing down digestion.

To help you avoid side effects like nausea or an upset stomach, Mounjaro is started with a "start low, go slow" approach. This slow ramp-up is called "titration," and it’s all about finding that sweet spot where the medicine yields good results without excessive side effects.

No matter the dose, all Mounjaro pens have the same amount of liquid (0.5 mL). The available strengths are:

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

What is the standard Mounjaro dosage chart?

Your doctor will start you on the lowest dose and slowly increase it over a few months. The idea is to give your body plenty of time to get used to the medication.

Here’s what a typical Mounjaro schedule looks like:

Sticking to this four-week schedule between increases is really important. The official prescribing information highlights this timeline to make sure the medication is as tolerable as possible.

Why does Mounjaro dosing start so low?

You might be thinking, "Why can't I just start on a higher dose and get faster results?" That's a fair question. The simple answer is that a higher dose isn’t always better. But let’s get into why that’s the case.

Stomach-related side effects are the most common complaint with medications like Mounjaro. A huge review of studies found that nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are the most common, especially when you first start or increase your dose.

By starting at just 2.5 mg for a full month, you’re giving your digestive system a chance to adapt. This slow-and-steady method makes it much more likely you'll be able to stick with the treatment and get to a dose that truly helps you.

Think of it as a gentle on-ramp for your body, making the whole experience much smoother.

Finding your maintenance dose: Is higher always better?

After you've settled in at the 5 mg dose, you'll work with your doctor to find your long-term maintenance dose. This could be 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg, depending on your goals and how you're feeling.

So, what does the research say about how well the different doses work?

Mounjaro doses for type 2 diabetes

Mounjaro was first approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. The big clinical trials, called the SURPASS studies, looked at how it stacked up against other diabetes medicines.

In one of those studies, people taking Mounjaro had significant drops in their A1c levels (your average blood sugar over three months). The results showed that higher doses do give slightly stronger results:

• 5 mg dose: 2.01% average A1c drop
• 10 mg dose: 2.24% average A1c drop
• 15 mg dose: 2.30% average A1c drop

While all the working doses are effective, the numbers show that higher doses can give a little extra boost to blood sugar control. But if you hit your A1c goal on the 5 mg dose and feel great, there's no need to go higher.

Mounjaro doses for weight loss

While Mounjaro is for diabetes, its main ingredient (tirzepatide) is also approved for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound. The weight loss effects were studied in the SURMOUNT trials.

In a landmark study of tirzepatide, people with obesity (but not diabetes) saw some incredible results. After about a year and a half, the average weight loss was also tied to the dose:

• 5 mg dose: 15.0% of their starting weight (that's 35 pounds for someone starting at 230)
• 10 mg dose: 19.5% of their starting weight (about 45 pounds)
• 15 mg dose: 20.9% of their starting weight (about 48 pounds)

This study makes it clear: even the lowest working dose of 5 mg helps people lose a significant amount of weight, but going higher can lead to even more.

Can I stay on a lower dose of Mounjaro?

Yes, absolutely! The monthly increase is a guideline, not a strict rule.

If you're dealing with side effects that just won't quit, your doctor might suggest staying on your current dose for a bit longer to see if things settle down.

And if you hit your health goals on a lower dose like 5 mg or 7.5 mg, there's often no reason to keep increasing it. The main reason people stop these kinds of medications is because of side effects. So, if staying on the lowest dose is the best way to stay on the medication long-term, then that’s the best solution for you.

The real goal is to find the dose that gives you the best results with side effects you can easily manage. This is an ongoing conversation you’ll have with your doctor. For extra support with your diet and handling side effects, chatting with a registered dietitian can make a world of difference.

What if I miss a dose of Mounjaro?

Life can get busy, and you may miss your weekly shot. The advice from the manufacturer is pretty straightforward: if you miss a dose, just take it as soon as you remember, as long as it's been 4 days (96 hours) or less. Then just get back on your normal weekly schedule.

If it's been more than 4 days, just skip that missed dose completely and take your next one on your regularly scheduled day. Just don't take two doses close together to "catch up."

Final thoughts

The Mounjaro dosage chart is really designed with you in mind. That slow, steady ramp-up from the 2.5 mg starting dose is there to ease your body into the medication, making side effects much less likely.

And while higher doses can lead to bigger results, the "best" dose is the one that works for you and feels sustainable. This isn't a race to the 15 mg finish line; it's about finding what feels right for your body and your goals.

It can feel like a lot to figure out, but you’re not in it alone. Keep the conversation going with your doctor. And if you want some help with the food and lifestyle habits that will make Mounjaro work even better, think about connecting with a nutritionist who specializes in weight loss.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay on 2.5 mg of Mounjaro?

The 2.5 mg dose is really just a four-week "welcome dose" to get your body used to the medicine. It isn't considered strong enough for long-term results. The first real maintenance dose is 5 mg. Your doctor will help you figure out the best long-term plan for you.

What is the best dose of Mounjaro for weight loss?

Studies show that people tend to lose the most weight on the 10 mg and 15 mg doses. But the 5 mg dose still leads to significant weight loss. The best dose is simply the one that helps you reach your goals with side effects that don't bother you.

How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro in a month?

Everyone is different. In the first month on the 2.5 mg starting dose, you might not see a big change on the scale, since that dose is just for getting your body ready. Most people start to see more noticeable weight loss after they move up to the 5 mg dose.

How long do you stay on each dose of Mounjaro?

The usual plan is to stay on each dose for at least four weeks before moving up. This

gives your body time to adjust

and keeps side effects in check. You might stay on a certain dose for longer if you're feeling some side effects or if you're already meeting your health goals at that level.

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.