What is the starting dose of Zepbound?

The prescribing information lists 2.5 mg once weekly as the starting dose, held for the first four weeks before any increase.

What is the maximum labelled dose of Zepbound?

15 mg once weekly, reached through the stepped schedule shown above.

How many units is 5 mg at 20 mg/mL?

25.0 units on a U-100 syringe. The arithmetic is (dose ÷ concentration) × 100, and it only holds if the concentration on your vial matches.

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12.5 units of tirzepatide

You are trying to work out how much to draw or when to step up.

Below is the standard titration schedule for Zepbound (Tirzepatide) as published in its prescribing information, followed by the arithmetic you need if you are drawing from a vial rather than using a pen.

mg → syringe units converter

U-100 syringe. Formula: (dose ÷ concentration) × 100.

MedicationDose (mg)

Vial concentration (mg/mL)

12.5units on a U-100 syringe

= 0.125 mL · 2.5 mg at 20 mg/mL

Check the concentration printed on the vial you are actually holding. The same dose in milligrams is a completely different mark on the syringe at a different concentration. If the number here does not match what your prescriber told you, trust your prescriber.

Zepbound titration schedule

Tirzepatide · once weekly · subcutaneous injection · as published in the prescribing information

Step	Dose	Notes
Weeks 1–4	2.5 mg	Starting dose — not intended for weight loss effect
Weeks 5–8	5 mg	—
Weeks 9–12	7.5 mg	—
Weeks 13–16	10 mg	—
Weeks 17–20	12.5 mg	—
Week 21+	15 mg	Maximum dose

This is the labelled default. Holding at a step longer than shown is common practice and is a decision for your prescriber.

Zepbound dose → units reference

U-100 syringe units for each labelled dose, at the concentrations commonly supplied.

Dose	5 mg/mL	10 mg/mL	20 mg/mL
2.5 mg	50.0 u	25.0 u	12.5 u
5 mg	100.0 u	50.0 u	25.0 u
7.5 mg	150.0 u	75.0 u	37.5 u
10 mg	200.0 u	100.0 u	50.0 u
12.5 mg	250.0 u	125.0 u	62.5 u
15 mg	300.0 u	150.0 u	75.0 u

Only use the column matching the concentration printed on your vial.

Dose escalation exists to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, not to reach a target faster. The schedules above are the labelled defaults — prescribers routinely hold patients at a step longer, and some people stay on a lower maintenance dose indefinitely. Any change to your own schedule is a decision for the person who wrote your prescription.

Common questions

What is the starting dose of Zepbound?: The prescribing information lists 2.5 mg once weekly as the starting dose, held for the first four weeks before any increase.
What is the maximum labelled dose of Zepbound?: 15 mg once weekly, reached through the stepped schedule shown above.
How many units is 5 mg at 20 mg/mL?: 25.0 units on a U-100 syringe. The arithmetic is (dose ÷ concentration) × 100, and it only holds if the concentration on your vial matches.

12.5 units of tirzepatide

Common questions

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