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Zepbound · Dosage

Zepbound dosage

The label titration for Zepbound, step by step: increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.

Clinician review pending Updated
Start
2.5 mg
4 weeks
Steps
6
on the label
Maintenance
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly
Max
15 mg once weekly

Dosage chart

DoseFastest label timingLabel note
2.5 mgWeeks 1 to 4Starting dose. It is not a maintenance dose: it gives your gut time to adjust.
5 mgWeeks 5 to 8First maintenance option on the label.
7.5 mgWeeks 9 to 12Step between maintenance doses.
10 mgWeeks 13 to 16Maintenance option; also a label dose for sleep apnea.
12.5 mgWeeks 17 to 20Step between maintenance doses.
15 mgWeek 21 onwardHighest dose on the label.

The fastest timing assumes every increase happens as soon as the label allows. Prescribers often hold a dose longer; that's common and on-label.

Changing your dose day

You can change your weekly injection day as long as the last dose was at least 3 days (72 hours) earlier.

Explainer · 0:22

START LOW 2.5 mg weeks 1 to 4 Not a maintenance dose it's there to let your stomach adjust STEP UP SLOWLY 2.557.51012.515 mg each step: 4+ weeks SIDE EFFECTS FOLLOW THE STEPS +2.5 mg+2.5 mg+2.5 mg+2.5 mg flare, then settle how often nausea is reported IT'S OK TO HOLD 7.5 mg · held on-label, common 0:22 · voiced · captions on
GLP-1 doses start low. Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg, a starter dose that gives your gut time to adjust.
0:00 / 0:22
Why GLP-1 doses go up slowly
Read the transcript
  1. GLP-1 doses start low. Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg, a starter dose that gives your gut time to adjust.
  2. After at least 4 weeks, your prescriber may step it up by 2.5 mg, up to a maintenance dose of 5, 10 or 15 mg.
  3. Stomach side effects like nausea often flare for a few days after each increase, then settle on the same dose.
  4. Staying on a dose longer is common and allowed by the label. Never increase faster than your prescription says.

Common questions

What dose does Zepbound start at?

2.5 mg, 4 weeks. It's a starter dose; the label doesn't use it as a maintenance dose.

How fast does the Zepbound dose go up?

Increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.

What is the maximum Zepbound dose?

15 mg once weekly.

Can I stay on a lower dose of Zepbound?

Yes, if your prescriber agrees. The label allows maintenance at 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly (10 mg or 15 mg for sleep apnea).

Sources

  1. Zepbound prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)
  2. SURMOUNT-1 trial publication

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error