From the Guidelines
The starting dose of Zepbound (tirzepatide) is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly for the first 4 weeks, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. This initial lower dose is designed to help patients adjust to the medication and minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. After the 4-week initiation period, the dose should be increased to 5 mg once weekly. Further dose increases can be made in 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks until the target dose is reached, with a maximum recommended dose of 15 mg once weekly, as indicated in the latest standards of care in diabetes-2025 1. Some key points to consider when administering Zepbound include:
- Patients should administer Zepbound on the same day each week, but can change the day if needed as long as the last dose was given at least 3 days (72 hours) prior.
- The medication should be injected into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating injection sites with each dose.
- Zepbound works by activating GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which helps regulate blood sugar and reduces appetite, making it effective for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions, as supported by recent studies 1. It's essential to follow the recommended dosing schedule and administration guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of Zepbound, as outlined in the latest evidence-based guidelines 1.
From the Research
Starting Dose of Tirzepatide
- The starting dose of tirzepatide is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies as "zepbound" but based on the information about tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, the doses used in clinical trials were 5,10, and 15 mg once weekly 2, 3, 4.
- A study assessing different dose-escalation regimens of tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes used starting doses of 2.5 mg and 4 mg, with gradual increases to 12 mg and 15 mg 5.
- The efficacy and safety of tirzepatide were evaluated in these studies, showing significant reductions in HbA1c and body weight, as well as a favorable safety profile compared to placebo and other glucose-lowering drugs 2, 3, 4.
- The choice of starting dose may depend on the individual patient's characteristics and the specific treatment regimen, but the studies suggest that lower starting doses with gradual increases may be associated with a more favorable side effect profile 5.