Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a brand-name drug prescribed to help with weight management in certain adults. Zepbound comes as a solution for injection under the skin (subcutaneous). It’s typically used once per week.
Zepbound is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage weight in:
- adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- adults with a BMI of 27 or more and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
Zepbound belongs to a drug class called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Zepbound is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Zepbound, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Zepbound, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Zepbound provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Zepbound, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
If you have thoughts of suicide during Zepbound treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also refer to this article for ways to seek support.
Zepbound dosage
Below is information about Zepbound’s form, strengths, and dosages.
Zepbound form
Zepbound comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to inject your dose of Zepbound before your first dose. Then, you can inject your dose of Zepbound at home.
Zepbound comes as a solution in a single-dose prefilled pen.
Zepbound strengths
Zepbound comes in six strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg) per 0.5 milliliters (mL)
- 5 mg/0.5 mL
- 7.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 10 mg/0.5 mL
- 12.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 15 mg/0.5 mL
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for weight loss and weight management
Doctors may prescribe Zepbound to help with weight management. The drug should be used along with changes in diet and exercise to help manage your weight.
If your doctor prescribes Zepbound to help manage your weight, your starting dosage will likely be 2.5 mg injected under the skin once per week. Typically, you’ll take this dose for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, your doctor may recommend increasing your dose to 5 mg once per week. They can continue to increase your dose by 2.5 mg once every 4 weeks. The typical recommended dosage of Zepbound to help manage weight is 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once per week. A dose of 15 mg once per week is the maximum recommended dose of Zepbound.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Zepbound is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Zepbound is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Before you start using Zepbound, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Factors that can affect your dosage
The Zepbound dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how your body responds to Zepbound
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Zepbound
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Zepbound dosage.
How Zepbound is given
Zepbound comes as a solution in a single-dose prefilled pen. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.
With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin. You’ll use the single-dose prefilled pens to give yourself Zepbound. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you (or a caregiver) how to administer Zepbound. Make sure to inject Zepbound according to your prescribed instructions.
You can inject Zepbound under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm once per week. If you inject Zepbound into your abdomen, do not inject it within 2 inches of your belly button.
Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Zepbound. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.
You can inject your dose of Zepbound with or without food.
You’ll store Zepbound pens in the refrigerator.
If you have questions about how to use Zepbound, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Zepbound, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s within 4 days (96 hours) of your missed dose. If it’s been more than 4 days since your missed dose, the manufacturer of Zepbound recommends skipping your missed dose and taking your next dose on your regular schedule. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Zepbound and overdose
It’s important that you do not use more Zepbound than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Zepbound
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Zepbound. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about Zepbound.
Is the dosage of Zepbound similar to the dosage of Mounjaro?
Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Zepbound and Mounjaro are both subcutaneous injections taken once per week.
These drugs both contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide. The difference between Zepbound and Mounjaro is their uses. Zepbound is used to help certain adults manage body weight, but Mounjaro is used for adults with type 2 diabetes.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Zepbound to start working?
Zepbound starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to help manage your weight. It may take weeks or even months to notice a change in your weight.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Zepbound treatment.
Takeaway and helpful resources
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zepbound for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Zepbound without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Zepbound that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want more information about Zepbound. This additional article might be helpful:
- More about Zepbound: For information about other aspects of Zepbound, refer to this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.