Key takeaways
- Zepbound is a prescription drug used to help with weight loss and sleep apnea in certain adults.
- The starting dosage for weight loss and sleep apnea is 2.5 mg injected once weekly for 4 weeks. Your doctor may have you increase your dose every 4 weeks until the drug’s desired effects are reached.
- The recommended maximum dosage of Zepbound is 15 mg injected once weekly.
Zepbound is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise to help with weight loss and long-term weight management. It’s prescribed for adults with either:
- a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, clinically considered obesity
- a BMI of 27 or higher (clinically considered overweight) and a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Zepbound is also prescribed to treat moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity.
The active ingredient in Zepbound is tirzepatide. Zepbound belongs to a group of drugs called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
This article describes the dosages of Zepbound, its strengths, and how to take it.
The following table shows the basics of Zepbound’s dosing schedule when prescribed for weight loss. All strengths are listed in milligrams (mg) per 0.5 milliliter (mL) of solution.
| Zepbound’s form | Zepbound’s strengths | Starting dosage | Typical maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| liquid solution inside prefilled single-dose injection pens, single-dose vials, single-use KwikPens, or multidose vials | • 2.5 mg • 5 mg • 7.5 mg • 10 mg • 12.5 mg • 15 mg | 2.5 mg injected once weekly for 4 weeks | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected once weekly | 15 mg injected once weekly |
The Zepbound dosing schedule when prescribed for OSA is the same as shown in this chart, except that the typical maintenance dosage is 10 mg or 15 mg injected once weekly.
Keep reading for more details about Zepbound’s dosage.
What are the usual dosages of Zepbound (tirzepatide)?
Your doctor will likely start by prescribing a low dose and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. Starting with a low dose allows your body to get used to the medication and reduces the risk of digestive side effects from Zepbound. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for weight loss and weight management
The typical starting dosage of Zepbound for weight loss is 2.5 mg once per week for 4 weeks. After this, your doctor will likely increase your dosage to 5 mg once per week for the next 4 weeks.
Your doctor may further increase your weekly dose by 2.5 mg until you reach the dosage that’s right for you. (This will be your maintenance dose.) Each time they increase your dose, you’ll take that new dose for at least 4 weeks.
The highest dosage of Zepbound is 15 mg injected once per week.
Dosage for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
The typical starting and maximum doses of Zepbound for OSA are the same as those for weight loss and weight management. (See previous section.) The maintenance dosage of Zepbound for OSA is 10 mg or 15 mg injected once weekly.
Is Zepbound used long term?
Yes, Zepbound is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Zepbound comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, single-dose injection pens, single-dose vials, and single-use KwikPens. It also comes in multidose vials.
All forms are used to administer the drug as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself these injections at home.
You’ll inject Zepbound once per week, on the same day each week. You can inject your dose at any time of day, with or without food.
You can inject Zepbound in your thigh, belly, or the back of your upper arm. (If you want to inject into your upper arm, someone else will need to administer the injections.) To avoid irritating your skin, inject your doses in a different spot each week.
For more detailed instructions on how to use Zepbound, see the printed medication guide that comes with your medication. The manufacturer’s website also has more instructions, including a video on how to inject Zepbound.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Zepbound, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labelsSome pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss a dose of Zepbound, inject it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been more than 4 days (96 hours) since you were supposed to inject it, skip the missed dose. Then, inject your next dose at its usual time.
You should not inject two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. And do not inject two doses within 3 days (72 hours) of each other, as this can increase your risk of side effects.
If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Tip: If you need help remembering to inject your dose, consider using a medication reminder such as a reminder app downloaded to your phone.
Do not inject more Zepbound than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you inject too much Zepbound
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Zepbound. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach Poison Help or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Zepbound’s dosage.
Zepbound starts to work after your first dose, but it may take a few weeks before you start to lose weight. Your calorie intake and exercise routine will also affect weight loss.
Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether your weight management plan is working. Talk with them if you have other questions about what to expect from your Zepbound treatment.
It is possible. Zepbound is typically injected once per week. However, it is possible to change the day of weekly administration and use Zepbound a day early, depending on when your last dose was.
The drug manufacturer recommends leaving at least 72 hours between injections. So, if your typical injection day of the week is Friday, but you want to give your next injection on the following Thursday, that would work because there are longer than 72 hours between injections.
If you have questions about changing the day you inject Zepbound, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To save money on your Zepbound prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.