Mounjaro doses: the 2.5 mg to 15 mg schedule
Six doses, one simple rule: you only move up when the current dose is tolerated and progress has slowed. Here is how prescribers think about each step.
Why doses rise in steps #
Tirzepatide slows the stomach and changes appetite signalling. Introduced all at once, those effects would cause severe nausea for most people. Staggering the dose over months lets your gut adapt gradually, so each increase brings a smaller, manageable wave of symptoms.
The starter dose of 2.5 mg is deliberately sub-therapeutic. The dose exists to train your body, not to lose weight. Do not judge Mounjaro by your first month. The first month is preparation.
Each dose, in detail #
| Dose | Price per month | Earliest start | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | To be confirmed | Week 1 | Appetite dips slightly. Nausea possible but usually mild. Weight change often small. |
| 5 mg | To be confirmed | Week 5 | Clear appetite reduction for most. Steady weekly loss often begins. A common long-term dose. |
| 7.5 mg | To be confirmed | Week 9 | A stronger step. Used when 5 mg is tolerated but loss has slowed for 3 to 4 weeks. |
| 10 mg | To be confirmed | Week 13 | Carried much of the trial data. Substantial, consistent loss for most responders. |
| 12.5 mg | To be confirmed | Week 17 | For those who tolerate 10 mg well and need more effect. |
| 15 mg | To be confirmed | Week 21 | Highest dose. The SURMOUNT-1 average of about 21% loss came from this arm. |
When to move up, and when not to #
Your monthly check-in weighs three signals:
- Tolerance. Side effects settled or mild? If nausea still disrupts your week, you stay put. There is no rush.
- Progress. Still losing around 0.5 kg or more a week? Staying on the current dose is usually the right call.
- Your preference. Some people choose comfort over speed and hold at 5 mg for months. This is a legitimate strategy, not a failure.
Missed dose rules #
If you miss your usual day, take the dose within 4 days (96 hours). After 96 hours, skip the missed dose entirely and take the next dose on your normal day. Never take two doses within 3 days of each other.
If more than two weeks pass without a dose, talk to your prescriber before restarting. You may need to step back down to rebuild tolerance. The missed dose guide covers every scenario.
Changing your injection day #
You can move your weekly day, as long as the last dose was at least 3 days ago. Pick a day you can protect. Many people tie the day to a routine like a Sunday morning weigh-in.
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Guides in this series
Mounjaro plan price to be confirmed
Aero’s treatment prices and service inclusions will be confirmed before booking opens. Ask which prescribing, dispensing, delivery and follow-up costs are included in your quote.
Page information
- Summary
- Every Mounjaro dose step explained: when to move up, when to stay, what each dose feels like, missed dose rules and how prescribers decide. Read more.
- Publisher
- Aero Clinic, operated by AERO HEALTHCARE LTD.
- Editorial update
- Clinical review
- Pending. An editorial update is not a clinical sign-off.
Cite as: Mounjaro doses: the 2.5 mg to 15 mg schedule, Aero Clinic (https://www.cagri.co.uk), AERO HEALTHCARE LTD. https://www.cagri.co.uk/mounjaro-doses. Editorial update: 4 November 2026. Clinical review pending.