Mounjaro injections
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Mounjaro dosages for weight loss
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is available in 6 different doses, starting at 2.5mg and increasing gradually to a maximum dose of 15mg. You usually increase your dose every 4 weeks, although you can stay on a lower maintenance dose if it controls your appetite well or you're getting side effects.
In this guide, we'll explain how the Mounjaro dosing schedule works, why doses increase over time, what maintenance doses are, and what to do if you miss a dose or have questions about your treatment.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Brenda IkejiLast reviewed: 31 Jul 2026
Mounjaro dosage overview
Mounjaro is available in the following strengths (dosages):
- 2.5mg
- 5mg
- 7.5mg
- 10mg
- 12.5mg
- 15mg
Your Mounjaro dose is increased gradually so your body has time to adjust to tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro. The highest dose of Mounjaro is 15mg once a week. You should never take more than your prescribed dose.
Mounjaro dosing schedule
Everyone follows the same dosing schedule when starting Mounjaro. You'll stay on each dose for at least 4 weeks before increasing:
| Mounjaro dose | When to take it |
|---|---|
|
2.5mg |
For the first 4 weeks |
|
5mg |
For at least 4 weeks, or beyond this as your maintenance dose |
|
7.5mg |
For at least 4 weeks |
|
10mg |
For at least 4 weeks, or beyond this as your maintenance dose |
|
12.5mg |
For at least 4 weeks |
|
15mg |
For at least 4 weeks, or as the maximum maintenance dose |
This gradual increase is called dose escalation, or titration. Increasing too quickly makes very common Mounjaro side effects, such as nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea, and constipation, much more likely.
"When starting Mounjaro, it's important to increase your dose gradually unless your doctor advises otherwise. Most people move up every 4 weeks, but staying on a lower dose for longer is sometimes the better option if you're experiencing side effects.
Not everyone needs to reach 15mg, though it's recommended if you want to, and it’s safe to do so, as you’ll see the best results on this dose. However, the right dose is the dose that gives you good appetite control while remaining comfortable and safe for you to take."
Dr Brenda Ikeji
Medical Editor
What is the starting dose for Mounjaro?
The starting dose for Mounjaro is 2.5mg for 4 weeks. Everyone starts on 2.5mg, unless you’re switching from another GLP-1 medication like Wegovy. In this case, you may start at a slightly higher dose, but never the highest dose.
What is the maintenance dose for Mounjaro?
The maintenance dose for Mounjaro is the dose you'll continue taking for the rest of your treatment to keep losing weight, once you've gone through the dosing schedule. Mounjaro has 3 maintenance doses:
- 5mg – causes an average 16% weight loss after 72 weeks.
- 10mg – causes an average 21,4% weight loss after 72 weeks.
- 15mg – causes an average 22.5% weight loss after 72 weeks.
It’s usually recommended to reach the 15mg maintenance dose, as it’s been proven to be the most effective treatment. However, lower maintenance doses like 5mg and 10mg can still cause significant weight loss. Your doctor may also recommend the doses 2.5mg, 7.5mg or 12.5mg for maintenance if this is suitable for you. Lower maintenance doses can be an option if:
- you’d prefer not to take a higher dose
- you have side effects that are not manageable at a higher dose
- you’re still losing weight, and you’re happy with your progress
- you currently do not have the budget for the highest doses – it’s important to bear in mind that although the higher doses cost a bit more per month, they may help you reach your goal weight sooner, so the cost may end up being similar to staying on a lower dose for longer
Weight maintenance
A Mounjaro maintenance dose can also refer to a dose you take to maintain your current weight once you’ve reached your goal weight with Mounjaro. If you do not want to stop weight loss treatment after you lose weight, you can take Mounjaro at a dose that works for you to maintain your current weight. This may be one of the maintenance doses, or could be a different dose, depending on what works for you.
Staying on a maintenance dose can be beneficial to help keep your appetite reduced and make it easier to continue following a calorie deficit for weight maintenance. You can stay on maintenance for as long as you want, as long as it remains safe for you. Speak to your doctor about Mounjaro maintenance if you want to continue treatment and are reaching your goal weight.
Why do you have to increase the doses of Mounjaro?
You have to increase the doses of Mounjaro to get better weight loss results. The lowest doses are mainly there for titration, to reduce side effects before moving up to a higher dose. Studies have shown that people lose the most weight at the highest dose of 15mg.
What if I cannot tolerate my new dose?
Mild side effects are common after starting Mounjaro or increasing your dose. These usually improve within a few days or weeks as your body adjusts. If your side effects are affecting your daily life, speak to your doctor before taking your next injection.
Depending on your symptoms, they may recommend:
- staying on your current dose for longer
- reducing your dose
- delaying your next dose increase
- changing to a different treatment, if side effects are severe
You should never increase your dose if you're still struggling with side effects.
When you use ZAVA’s weight loss service, our doctors are available to make sure that you’re getting the right results from your new weight loss treatment. It’s important that you are comfortable and safe during your treatment, and our doctors can support you every step of the way.
At what dose does Mounjaro start working?
Mounjaro starts working from the 2.5mg starting dose, but higher doses will cause a stronger effect on appetite and fullness.
In the first few days or weeks of treatment, you may notice you:
- feel less hungry
- feel fuller after meals
- snack less often
- think about food less
You may also see a little weight loss at this dose, but significant weight loss will take longer because your body needs time to respond to treatment and the gradual dose increases.
If you have been unable to lose at least 5% of your starting weight 6 months after reaching your maintenance dose, your doctor may suggest stopping or switching treatment.
If I improve my diet and exercise routine, will my Mounjaro dosage be lowered?
No. Improving your diet and exercise routine is prescribed alongside Mounjaro, but it does not mean your dosage will be lowered. You’ll still follow the dosage schedule, but you can stay on a lower dose if you prefer and want to focus on lifestyle changes first. You can always increase your dosage again later if you reach a weight loss plateau. Speak to your doctor if you do not want to increase your Mounjaro dose.
For more general guidance on nutrition and exercise, take a look at the NHS Eat Well guide, Better Health Food Scanner app, or NHS Live Well Exercise guide.
Missed, doubled, or wrong doses of Mounjaro
It’s important to know what to do if you miss a dose of Mounjaro, or inject the wrong dose. You can also find this information in your patient information leaflet, included with your medication.
What if I miss a dose of Mounjaro?
If it's been:
- 4 days or less, take your missed dose as soon as you remember
- more than 4 days, skip the missed dose and take your next injection on your usual day
Never take 2 doses together to make up for a missed injection.
There must always be at least 3 days between Mounjaro injections. If there’s more than a 2-week gap between doses, you’ll need to restart Mounjaro at 2.5mg and work your way up the dosage schedule again. Speak to your doctor if you miss more than 2 doses of your medication in a row. Continuing after the break could cause side effects.
Can I split my Mounjaro dose?
No. Mounjaro pens deliver 1 fixed weekly dose and are not designed to be split. It's not easy to split a fixed dose pen, meaning you could waste medication or cause the pen to malfunction.
Trying to divide a dose means you may not receive the correct amount of medication, which can reduce how well Mounjaro works. Taking doses more than once a week may also increase the chances of side effects.
What should I do if I take too much Mounjaro?
Taking more Mounjaro than prescribed increases your risk of side effects, especially very common ones like nausea and vomiting, or low blood sugar. If you've taken too much Mounjaro, speak to your doctor straight away for advice, even if you feel well.
If you become very unwell or get symptoms of a serious side effect, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department straight away. Make sure to take your medication with you.
Managing your Mounjaro routine
Once you've created a weekly routine, it's best to keep taking Mounjaro on the same day each week. However, there are some situations where you may need to change your injection day, such as if you need to travel with your medication. Here's what you need to know.
What if I want to change the day I take Mounjaro?
You can change the day of your weekly injection, as long as there are at least 3 days between your last dose and your next one. For example, if you normally inject on Monday morning but would rather change to Tuesday, wait until the following Tuesday to take your next dose. After that, continue injecting every Tuesday.
Once you've chosen a new day, try to stick to it. This will keep Mounjaro levels steady in your body, reducing the chance of side effects and making sure you get the most from your treatment. It’s best not to change the day of your injection often, so try to find a schedule that works for you.
You do not need to speak to a doctor to change the day you take Mounjaro. However, if you’re unsure, or you find you need to change your injection day often, speak to your doctor for advice.
How can I manage my Mounjaro dose schedule while travelling?
Travelling does not usually mean you need to interrupt your treatment. With a little planning, you can continue taking Mounjaro while you're away.
Taking Mounjaro abroad
To help manage your Mounjaro doses while you’re abroad, follow these tips:
✓ make sure you have enough medication to last your entire trip – count how many doses you will need, and make sure you’ve ordered your next pen in advance if you need it
✓ if you need to change your dose day – try to do it in advance, so you’re less likely to get any side effects from changing dose days during your trip, then try to stick to this schedule from now on, though it's possible to switch back once you’re home as long as this is not something you do often
✓ if you’re due a dose increase – you might get side effects, so if you want to avoid this while travelling, speak to your doctor about staying on the same dose pen for longer until you’re back
✓ if you're travelling across different time zones, try to keep your injections as close to your usual schedule as possible
➤ For information on travelling and storing Mounjaro correctly while travelling, see our Mounjaro storage guide.
Can I skip my Mounjaro injection on holiday?
You can, but it’s not recommended. Missing a single dose may cause your appetite to increase and could affect your weight loss progress. If you stop taking Mounjaro for 2 weeks or longer, you may need to restart treatment from the 2.5mg starting dose to reduce the risk of side effects.
If you're planning a long trip and think keeping to your dosing schedule may be difficult, speak to your doctor for advice before you travel.
➤ Learn more about eating on Mounjaro, and read our advice on combining Mounjaro and alcohol to prepare for your upcoming trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you take Mounjaro every 10 days?
No. Mounjaro is designed to be taken once every 7 days. Taking your injections every 10 days means tirzepatide levels gradually fall between injections, making the treatment less effective, and may be more likely to cause side effects.
If you're struggling with side effects or finding weekly injections difficult, speak to your doctor rather than changing your schedule yourself.
Is there a 5th dose on Mounjaro?
No. Each Mounjaro KwikPen contains 4 fixed weekly doses. After you've taken your 4th injection, the pen should be safely disposed of. You may notice a small amount of liquid left inside the pen after the final dose. This is expected and is not an additional dose, but is extra liquid for priming the pen, in case you need to do it more than once.
However, people have been trying to inject this dose, and it’s become known as the ‘Mounjaro golden dose’. Due to this being unsafe, the manufacturer is changing the amount of liquid in the pen to prevent this.
How many doses are there in one Mounjaro pen?
Each Mounjaro KwikPen contains 4 weekly doses, meaning a pen lasts 4 weeks when used correctly. You'll need a new pen each month when moving to your next prescribed dose.
How long does one dose of Mounjaro stay in your system?
Mounjaro has a half-life of around 5 days, meaning it takes around 5 days for the amount of medication in your body to reduce by half. After stopping treatment completely, tirzepatide can remain in your system for around 30 days, though the effects will wear off over this time.
Can I lose weight on 2.5mg of Mounjaro?
You might notice some weight loss while taking the 2.5mg dose of Mounjaro, but the best results come with the higher maintenance doses. The 2.5mg dose is designed to get your body used to Mounjaro, not for weight loss. However, it’s common to see a little weight loss in the first 4 weeks, as you follow a new diet and exercise plan, and start to feel the effects of Mounjaro on your appetite and fullness.
An increase to at least 5mg is usually recommended after the first 4 weeks. If you’re experiencing severe side effects, then more time on the starting dose or alternative treatment options may be recommended by your doctor.
Can I go from 5mg to 10mg Mounjaro?
No. It can be dangerous to go straight from 5mg to 10mg, as it does not allow your body time to get used to the lower dose of 7.5mg first. The dosage schedule has been designed with patient safety in mind, and clinical trials show this is the best way to reduce side effects. Your doctor will not prescribe 10mg before 7.5mg.
I've accidentally ordered the wrong dose of Mounjaro, can I still use it?
If you’re due a dose increase but have ordered the same dose, you can still use it to avoid wasting the medication. This does mean you’ll spend an extra 4 weeks going up the dosage schedule, but it’s not likely to significantly delay your weight loss progress, as even lower doses of 5mg can be very effective.
Due to clinical safety guidelines, you cannot return your injection pen and exchange it for a different dose once it has been sent to you. If you have ordered the wrong dose, you will need to use it or safely dispose of it and order the correct dosage. See how our service works for more information.
How should I store my Mounjaro pen?
Mounjaro pens can be stored in the fridge between 2 and 8°C, but they must not be stored in a freezer or be frozen. If your Mounjaro pen has been frozen, do not use it.
You can also store Mounjaro pens unrefrigerated, as long as they are not exposed to temperatures above 30ºC or direct sunlight, for 30 days. After 30 days outside the refrigerator, they must be thrown away.
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Find out how we support you with keeping the weight off with our maintenance service.
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine. Before her medical career, Brenda was a medical scientist in microbiology working in several NHS diagnostic laboratories across England. She has also completed her Masters in Public Health and MSc in Genomic Medicine. She is currently a GP registrar.
Last reviewed: 31 Jul 2026
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions, Mounjaro.Lilly [accessed 09 July 2026]
How to use Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Mounjaro.Lilly [accessed 09 July 2026]
Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen (PIL), emc [accessed 09 July 2026]
Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen (SmPC), emc [accessed 09 July 2026]
Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine [accessed 09 July 2026]
Further reading on Mounjaro
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