Tirzepatide dosage — 2.5mg to 15mg explained

Six dose options for personalized treatment

Quick read · 4 min

Last reviewed: April 2026Every claim linked to source

Tirzepatide comes in six available doses: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg — all injected once per week. Most people reach a maintenance dose of 10mg or 15mg for maximum weight loss.

In simple terms:
  • •Available doses: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg — all once per week
  • •Weight loss increases with dose: about 8% at 5mg up to 20.9% at 15mg
  • •Dose increases happen every 4 weeks if tolerated (starting at 2.5mg)
  • •Most people reach maintenance at 10mg or 15mg weekly
  • •You can stay on a lower dose if it gives good weight loss with manageable side effects

Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source

Available doses

Tirzepatide has six available doses, allowing for gradual, personalized titration.

2.5mg
Starter
5mg
Stepping up
7.5mg
Building
10mg
Comfortable
12.5mg
Strong
15mg
Maximum
Max

Starting vs maintenance dose

Your doctor starts you low to reduce nausea, then you increase gradually until you reach your maintenance dose.

Starting dose
2.5mg
Your first dose — the lowest to minimize side effects
Typical time to reach: 4–8 weeks
Maintenance dose
10mg or 15mg
Your long-term dose — where most weight loss happens
Typical time to reach: 12–20 weeks

Dose progression — how you step up

Standard titration: 4 weeks at each dose before stepping up. You can stop at any point where you are happy with results.

  1. Weeks 1–42.5mg

    Starter dose. Too low for real weight loss — the goal is letting your body get used to the drug.

  2. Weeks 5–85mg

    First real working dose. Hunger reduction becomes noticeable for most people.

  3. Weeks 9–127.5mg

    Steady weight loss for most. Some people stay here long-term.

  4. Weeks 13–1610mg

    Common maintenance stopping point. Weight loss around 16–18% on average.

  5. Weeks 17–2012.5mg

    Only if your doctor recommends pushing higher. Most benefit is already reached.

  6. Week 21 onwards15mg

    Maximum dose. Adds only 1–2 percentage points over 12.5mg on average.

    Maintenance

Many people stop at 10mg or 12.5mg if they are satisfied. You do not have to reach 15mg.

See the full titration schedule →

Weight loss at each dose

Average weight loss from clinical trials. Bars scale with the percentage — higher doses produce more weight loss, but returns get smaller toward the top.

2.5mg~4–5%
5mg~8–10%
7.5mg~11–13%
10mg~16–18%
12.5mg~19–20%
15mg20.9%

The jump from 2.5mg to 5mg almost doubles weight loss. The jump from 12.5mg to 15mg only adds about 1–2 percentage points.

Source: SURMOUNT-1 trial (n=2,539, 72 weeks)

What this means
Based on SURMOUNT-1 (n=2,539, 72 weeks): weight loss was about 4–5% at 2.5mg, 8–10% at 5mg, 11–13% at 7.5mg, 16–18% at 10mg, 19–20% at 12.5mg, and 20.9% at 15mg. The jump from 2.5mg to 5mg is significant; the jump from 12.5mg to 15mg is only about 1–2% additional weight loss.

When your doctor might change your dose

Your dosing is flexible and tailored to your needs.

Tolerating well

Increase to the next dose every 4 weeks as planned.

Side effects significant

Stay at current dose for 6–8 weeks before increasing, or pause increases.

Reached your goal

If you hit your weight loss target at 10mg, you can stay there — no need to reach 15mg.

Keep reading

Full Tirzepatide overview →How to take it →Titration schedule →Side effects →

Next step most people take

Learn how to take it
Injection technique or daily pill routine
See the titration schedule
Week-by-week expectations and timeline

Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source

Last reviewed: March 2026

Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.