# Tirzepatide dosing: what the label schedule looks like

Canonical page: https://bodienvi.com/blog/compounded-tirzepatide-dosage-chart

Published October 13, 2026. Updated October 19, 2026. By Bodi Envi Clinical Content Team.

What the Zepbound® label says about the starting dose, the four week steps, maintenance doses, missed doses and injection days, and who sets your plan.

## The schedule the FDA-approved label describes

The Zepbound® prescribing information sets out one dosing path, and it is the path every tirzepatide conversation starts from. Treatment begins at 2.5 mg injected under the skin once a week for four weeks. That starting dose is for getting the body used to the medication, not for weight reduction on its own. After four weeks the dose moves to 5 mg once a week.

From there the label allows increases of 2.5 mg at a time, with at least four weeks on each dose before the next step. The recommended maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg once a week, and 15 mg is the maximum. A person does not have to reach 15 mg. The label describes the maintenance dose as the one a provider selects based on how the patient is responding and tolerating treatment.

| Week on treatment | Label dose, once weekly | What the label calls it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg | Starting dose, for treatment initiation |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | 5 mg | First maintenance dose |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | 7.5 mg | Step toward a higher maintenance dose, if needed |
| Weeks 13 to 16 | 10 mg | Maintenance dose |
| Weeks 17 to 20 | 12.5 mg | Step toward the highest dose, if needed |
| Week 21 onward | 15 mg | Maximum dose |

The weeks above assume a step every four weeks, which is the shortest interval the label permits. Many people stay longer on a dose, and the label specifically says to consider staying at a lower dose if a step up is not tolerated.

Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations.

At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

## Missed doses and changing your injection day

Two practical rules come straight from the label. If a weekly dose is missed, it can be taken up to four days, which is 96 hours, after the day it was due. After that window the missed dose is skipped and the next one is taken on the usual day. Two doses are never taken less than three days apart.

The injection day can be changed when a schedule needs it, as long as at least three days, which is 72 hours, pass between two doses. The injection goes under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, with or without food, and the label asks for the injection site to be rotated from one week to the next.

Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations.

At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

## What the trial behind the label measured

The label's weight reduction data come from SURMOUNT-1, a 72 week trial of 2,539 adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, who did not have diabetes. Everyone followed a reduced calorie diet and increased activity. In the published results, average body weight change was 15.0 percent at 5 mg, 19.5 percent at 10 mg and 20.9 percent at 15 mg, against 3.1 percent with placebo. Those are trial averages for the branded product over 72 weeks. They are not a prediction for any individual, and they do not describe a compounded product. This study shows outcomes for the brand name medication only. Results for compounded products cannot be compared.

Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations.

At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

## Why a compounded plan does not copy the chart

Personalized compounded tirzepatide, which Bodi Envi's programs may include, is prepared by a licensed pharmacy from a provider's prescription. It comes in strengths and concentrations the pharmacy sets, often as a vial measured in milligrams per milliliter rather than a fixed dose pen, and it may include other ingredients the pharmacy formulates. The schedule a provider writes for a compounded product is therefore their clinical decision for one patient, not a copy of the Zepbound® table. This article does not give dosing instructions. The amount to draw up, the day to inject and when to change dose come from your prescription and your provider, and the Bodi Envi price is the same at every dose, so a dose change never changes the bill.

Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations.

At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is 2.5 mg a treatment dose?

The label describes 2.5 mg as the starting dose for treatment initiation and says it is not intended for weight reduction. Four weeks at that dose come before the first maintenance dose. Dosing for personalized compounded medication will be different and determined by the medical provider. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

### How fast can the dose go up?

No faster than one 2.5 mg step every four weeks, per the label. Personalized compounded products will be increased with a dosing schedule provided by the medical provider. A provider can hold a dose longer, and the label suggests doing so when a step is not tolerated. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

### Do I have to reach 15 mg?

No. The label lists 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg as maintenance doses and leaves the choice to the provider, based on response and tolerability. Personalized compounded maintenance doses will differ. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

### What if I miss a dose?

Take it up to 96 hours after it was due. Past that, skip it and take the next dose on the regular day. Never take two doses less than 72 hours apart. Consult your provider for an individual plan. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

### Can I change my injection day?

Yes, if at least 72 hours separate the last dose from the next one. Consult your provider for an individual plan. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

### Does a personalized compounded prescription follow this exact chart?

Not necessarily. Personalized compounded strengths differ from the pen doses, and the plan is written by your provider for you. Follow your prescription and ask your provider before changing anything. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies.

## Sources

- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information, DailyMed, revised August 2026: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b (checked October 2026)
- Jastreboff et al., Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1), New England Journal of Medicine, 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658024/ (checked October 2026)
- FDA, Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers (checked October 2026)