Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Dosing Frequency
Mounjaro is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, regardless of the dose (5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg). 1, 2, 3
Administration Schedule
- Inject once weekly on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals 4, 3
- The injection can be given at any consistent time that works for the patient's schedule 4
- No daily dosing is required—this is a key advantage over many other diabetes medications 3, 5
Dose Escalation Timeline
The starting dose is always 2.5 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks (this is a tolerability dose, not a therapeutic dose). 1, 2, 6
After the initial 4-week period on 2.5 mg:
- Increase to 5 mg once weekly 6, 7
- If additional glycemic control or weight loss is needed, escalate by 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks 2, 6
- Maximum dose is 15 mg once weekly 1, 5, 6
The typical maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly, depending on efficacy and tolerability. 1, 2
Key Clinical Considerations
- Tirzepatide demonstrates dose-dependent efficacy—higher doses produce greater HbA1c reduction (up to -2.40%) and more weight loss (up to -12.9 kg) 3, 5, 6
- Evaluate treatment response at 12-16 weeks on the maximum tolerated therapeutic dose (not on the 2.5 mg starting dose) 1, 8
- No dose adjustment is required for any stage of chronic kidney disease, including patients on hemodialysis 2
- The medication has a 5-day elimination half-life, allowing for predictable once-weekly dosing 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not assess efficacy at 1 month on the 2.5 mg starting dose—this dose is solely for gastrointestinal tolerability assessment, not for therapeutic effect. 1 Wait until the patient has been on a therapeutic dose (5 mg or higher) for at least 12-16 weeks before evaluating treatment success. 1, 8