How to take tirzepatide
Weekly injection — the practical guide
Quick read · 5 min
Tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro) is a once-weekly injection you give yourself at home with a pre-filled pen. It can be taken any day, any time, with or without food. The whole injection takes under 10 seconds.
- •Once a week, any day, any time, with or without food
- •Pre-filled pen — the needle is already attached, no mixing
- •Inject under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm
- •Fridge until first use; room temperature for up to 21 days after
- •Missed dose: take within 4 days, otherwise skip to next week
Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source
The injection, step by step
Most people master this in 2–3 tries.
Take the pen out of the fridge 5–10 minutes before you inject. Cold medicine feels sharper. Never use heat to warm it.
Look through the window. It should be clear and colourless. If it's cloudy, discoloured or has bits in it, don't use it.
Choose belly (at least 2 inches from your navel), front/outer thigh, or back of upper arm. Clean with an alcohol wipe if visibly dirty, let it dry.
Unscrew the cap straight off (about 3 turns). Keep it — you'll use it to cover the needle afterwards.
Pinch a small fold of skin. Push the pen straight in at 90 degrees. Press the button on top of the pen.
You'll hear a click when the needle retracts and the dose is delivered. Hold it in place for 3 more seconds, then pull straight out.
- Belly (abdomen) — at least 2 inches from your belly button
- Front or outer thigh
- Back of the upper arm
Rotate sites week to week so the same spot doesn't get sore or thickened.
- •Let the pen reach room temperature first
- •Rotate sites (belly, thigh, arm) week to week
- •Listen for the click — that's how you know it's done
- •Pick a consistent day and time each week
- •Store unopened pens in the fridge
- •Reuse a pen — each one is single-use
- •Warm the pen in hot water or microwave
- •Inject into bruised, scarred or tender skin
- •Massage or rub the site after injecting
- •Inject twice in one week to make up
Storage
Fridge before you start, then room temperature is fine.
If you miss a dose
Simple rules — no double-dosing.
Next step most people take
Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source
Last reviewed: March 2026