Mounjaro Dosing Interval
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 5mg must be administered once weekly, with a minimum interval of 7 days between doses, and should never be given more frequently than this FDA-approved schedule. 1
Standard Dosing Schedule
The FDA-approved dosing regimen for Mounjaro is strictly once weekly administration:
- Initial dose: 2.5 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks 1
- Maintenance dose: 5 mg subcutaneously once weekly after the initial 4-week period 1
- Administration timing: The injection should be given on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals 2, 1
Critical Safety Considerations
There is no evidence supporting or approving administration of Mounjaro more frequently than once weekly. The drug's pharmacokinetics and clinical trial design are based on weekly dosing:
- The SURPASS clinical trial program (SURPASS 1-5) exclusively evaluated once-weekly dosing intervals 3, 4, 5, 6
- Tirzepatide's half-life and formulation are engineered for weekly administration 3
- More frequent dosing would increase the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), which already occur in 12-22% of patients on standard weekly dosing 4, 5
Missed Dose Management
If a dose is missed, the approach depends on timing:
- If ≤4 days have passed: Administer the missed dose as soon as possible, then resume the regular weekly schedule 1
- If >4 days have passed: Skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day 1
- Never administer two doses within 3 days of each other 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not attempt to "catch up" or accelerate dosing if glycemic control is inadequate. Instead:
- Ensure the patient has been on the current dose for at least 4 weeks before considering dose escalation 1
- If additional glycemic control is needed after 4 weeks on 5 mg, increase to 10 mg once weekly (not more frequent 5 mg dosing) 1
- Consider adding complementary agents (SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin) rather than increasing dosing frequency 7
The once-weekly interval is non-negotiable for safety and efficacy. Any deviation from this schedule lacks evidence and regulatory approval.