# Mounjaro Dosage Chart: Every Dose, Schedule and Pen (2026)

Source: https://www.dietglp.com/blog/mounjaro-dosage-chart/
Published: 2026-10-21
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**TL;DR:** The FDA label for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) starts everyone at 2.5 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then raises the dose in 2.5 mg steps, with at least 4 weeks on each dose. The six doses are 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg, and 15 mg is the adult maximum. Your prescriber picks how fast you climb and where you stop, based on blood sugar and side effects. While your dose changes, keep protein and strength work steady with [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138).


Looking for a Mounjaro dosage chart? Here is the short answer from the FDA label (revised August 2026). Mounjaro (tirzepatide) starts at **2.5 mg once a week**. After at least 4 weeks, the dose can go up by **2.5 mg**. Each step needs at least 4 more weeks. The top adult dose is **15 mg** a week. That gives six doses: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg.

Your prescriber sets the pace. Many people stay on one dose for months if it works. Nobody has to reach 15 mg.

## Mounjaro dosage chart (FDA label)

This chart shows the **earliest** week each dose can start. It is not a plan for you. It only shows the label minimum of 4 weeks per step.

| Dose (once weekly) | Earliest start | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | Week 1 | Starting dose. It is for getting used to the drug, not for blood sugar control. |
| 5 mg | Week 5 | First step up, after at least 4 weeks on 2.5 mg |
| 7.5 mg | Week 9 | Optional step, at least 4 weeks on 5 mg |
| 10 mg | Week 13 | Optional step, at least 4 weeks on 7.5 mg |
| 12.5 mg | Week 17 | Optional step, at least 4 weeks on 10 mg |
| 15 mg | Week 21 | Adult maximum |

Children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes follow the same 2.5 mg start, but the label caps them at 10 mg a week. A caregiver should give a child the KwikPen dose.

## Mounjaro dosage levels and strengths

Mounjaro comes in four forms in the US. Here is what each one holds, from section 3 of the label.

| Form | Strengths | Volume per dose | Doses in each |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-dose pen (box of 4) | 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg | 0.5 mL | 1 |
| Single-dose vial | 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg | 0.5 mL | 1 |
| KwikPen (single-patient use) | 2.5 to 15 mg per dose | 0.6 mL | 4 |
| Multi-dose vial | 2.5 to 15 mg per dose | 0.6 mL | 4 |

So when people search "Mounjaro dosage chart in mL", the answer is simple. The volume stays the same at every strength. Only the amount of medicine in it changes.

## Mounjaro dosage chart clicks and units

You may see charts online that turn Mounjaro into "clicks" or "units". Those come from people trying to split pens or from compounded vials. They are not on the US label. The single-dose pen injects its whole dose with one press. The KwikPen gives 4 fixed weekly doses and then gets thrown away, even if some liquid is left. Splitting doses is not something the label supports. Our guide to [microdosing GLP-1](/blog/microdosing-glp1/) explains why.

If a dose feels too strong, tell your prescriber. They can keep you on a lower dose longer.

## How to increase Mounjaro dosage

Only your prescriber can change your dose. Most decide based on three things:

1. **Your numbers.** For type 2 diabetes, that means A1C and blood sugar.
2. **Side effects.** Nausea, diarrhea, less appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion and stomach pain are the most common, per the label. They often flare in the first weeks after a step up. Our [nausea guide](/blog/managing-nausea-on-ozempic/) has tips that work for tirzepatide too.
3. **Time.** At least 4 weeks on the current dose.

One more label rule matters at every step up. If you use birth control pills, Mounjaro can make them less reliable. The label says to switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and 4 weeks after each dose increase. See [Mounjaro and birth control](/blog/mounjaro-and-birth-control/).

## Mounjaro dosage for type 2 diabetes: what the trials show

Higher doses lowered A1C and weight more, but not by much between the top three. In the SURPASS-2 trial (NEJM, 2021), people with type 2 diabetes took Mounjaro or semaglutide 1 mg for 40 weeks.

| Dose | A1C change | Weight change |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro 5 mg | -2.01 points | -7.6 kg (about 17 lb) |
| Mounjaro 10 mg | -2.24 points | -9.3 kg (about 21 lb) |
| Mounjaro 15 mg | -2.30 points | -11.2 kg (about 25 lb) |
| Semaglutide 1 mg | -1.86 points | -5.7 kg (about 13 lb) |

In August 2026, the FDA also approved Mounjaro to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk.

## Mounjaro dosage chart for weight loss

Mounjaro itself is approved for type 2 diabetes. For weight loss, the same medicine is sold as **Zepbound**. It uses the same six doses and the same 2.5 mg steps. The Zepbound label lists **5, 10 or 15 mg** as maintenance doses for weight loss, and 10 or 15 mg for sleep apnea. Our [Zepbound vs Mounjaro guide](/blog/zepbound-vs-mounjaro/) explains the two brands.

In the SURMOUNT-1 trial (NEJM, 2022), adults with obesity lost on average:

| Zepbound dose | Average weight loss at 72 weeks |
|---|---|
| 5 mg | 15.0% |
| 10 mg | 19.5% |
| 15 mg | 20.9% |
| Placebo | 3.1% |

Notice the jump from 10 to 15 mg added less than the jump from 5 to 10 mg. That is one reason many people stay on a middle dose.

The faster the scale drops, the more muscle you can lose with it. A daily protein target and a short strength workout help protect it. [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138) gives you one protein number, one 20-minute workout and a Shape Score each day, so your body changes in the right direction at any dose. Not sure how much protein you need? Start with our [protein target guide](/blog/protein-target-on-glp1/).

## Missed dose and changing your injection day

From section 2 of the label:

- **Missed dose:** take it as soon as you can within 4 days (96 hours). After 4 days, skip it and go back to your normal day.
- **New injection day:** fine, as long as at least 3 days pass between two doses.
- **Where to inject:** belly, thigh or the back of the upper arm (if someone else injects). Use a new spot each week.

If you missed two or more weeks, call your prescriber before your next shot. They may restart you at a lower dose.

## Storage: how long Mounjaro lasts out of the fridge

| Form | Fridge | Room temperature (up to 86°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-dose pen or vial | 36°F to 46°F | Up to 21 days in total |
| KwikPen or multi-dose vial | 36°F to 46°F | Throw away 30 days after first use or after 4 doses |

Do not freeze it. Keep it in the box to protect it from light.

## The bottom line

The Mounjaro dosage chart is short: 2.5 mg to start, 2.5 mg steps no sooner than every 4 weeks, 15 mg at most. The right stopping point is a choice for you and your prescriber, not the chart. Whatever dose you land on, the food and training habits decide how much of the lost weight is fat. [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138) keeps those habits simple. For the bigger picture on this drug, read our [Mounjaro guide](/blog/mounjaro-guide/).

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Do not change your dose without talking to your prescriber.

## Sources

- [Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information, DailyMed (revised August 2026)](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0)
- [Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2), NEJM, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34170647/)
- [Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1), NEJM, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658024/)
- [FDA approves Mounjaro to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, Managed Healthcare Executive, August 31, 2026](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/fda-approves-mounjaro-to-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-in-type-2-diabetes)


## Frequently asked questions

**Q: What is the Mounjaro dosage schedule?**

A: The label says to start at 2.5 mg once weekly. After at least 4 weeks, the dose can go up by 2.5 mg. Each later increase also needs at least 4 weeks on the current dose. The steps are 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg. Your prescriber decides if and when you move up.

**Q: What is the highest dose of Mounjaro?**

A: 15 mg once a week for adults. For children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, the label maximum is 10 mg once a week.

**Q: How many mL is each Mounjaro dose?**

A: In single-dose pens and single-dose vials, every strength is 0.5 mL. In the KwikPen and the multi-dose vial, each dose is 0.6 mL, and each one holds 4 weekly doses (2.4 mL in total).

**Q: What is the best Mounjaro dose for weight loss?**

A: Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. The same medicine is approved for weight loss as Zepbound, where the label lists 5, 10 or 15 mg as maintenance doses. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, people lost about 15%, 19.5% and 20.9% of body weight on average at 5, 10 and 15 mg over 72 weeks. The best dose is the one your prescriber and you agree on, based on results and side effects.

**Q: What if I miss a Mounjaro dose?**

A: The label says to take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day.

**Q: Can I count clicks on a Mounjaro pen to get a smaller dose?**

A: No. The US label has no click counting. The single-dose pen gives one full dose, and the KwikPen gives 4 fixed doses. Splitting or "microdosing" is not on the label. Ask your prescriber if a dose feels too strong.