What are the dose steps for Mounjaro, Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic?
The labels start low and step up no faster than every four weeks. Tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg weekly and rises in 2.5 mg steps to at most 15 mg in adults, 10 mg in children with diabetes. Semaglutide injection starts at 0.25 mg weekly: Wegovy reaches 2.4 mg at week 17, Ozempic at most 2 mg. Follow your prescriber.
Updated
This is a reference view of what each label prints, not a plan. Your prescriber may hold, slow or change your steps. Follow your prescriber and the leaflet that came with your medicine.
Step as printed
Optional step (“if needed”, “may increase”) or alternative dose (“or 1.7 mg”)
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Switch each medicine between the UK Summary of Product Characteristics and the US prescribing information. Each card shows the steps and what that label says, with adults and children shown separately where the label differs.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro
UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) · Once-weekly injection (KwikPen)
Licensed for · Section 4.1, quoted
“Mounjaro is indicated:”
“For the treatment of adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years and above with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise: as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications; in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes.”
“For weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m² (obesity) or ≥ 27 kg/m² to < 30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus).”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
2.5 mg
After 4 weeks
5 mg
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
7.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
10 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
12.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
15 mg (optional)
What the label says
The starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, the dose should be increased to 5 mg once weekly.
If needed, the dose can be increased in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
Recommended maintenance doses: 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg. Maximum: 15 mg once weekly.
Weight management: if someone hasn’t lost at least 5% of their starting weight 6 months after reaching their highest tolerated dose, a decision is needed on whether to continue.
Children and adolescents aged 10 to under 18, type 2 diabetes only
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
2.5 mg
After 4 weeks
5 mg
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
7.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if needed
10 mg (optional)
What the label says
The same start and steps. Recommended maintenance doses: 5 mg and 10 mg. Maximum: 10 mg once weekly.
In children under 60 kg, caution is advised when going up to 10 mg, because safety data are limited.
US prescribing information (FDA label) · Once-weekly injection (pen, vial or KwikPen)
Licensed for · Section 1, quoted
“MOUNJARO® is indicated:”
“as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
“to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are at high risk for these events.”
Mounjaro isn’t licensed for weight management in the US; that is Zepbound.
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Start
2.5 mg
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
7.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
10 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
12.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
15 mg (optional)
What the label says
The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg once weekly.
If additional glycemic control is needed, the label increases the dosage in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
Maximum: 15 mg once weekly in adults.
Children aged 10 and over, type 2 diabetes
When
Dose once weekly
Start
2.5 mg
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
7.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if more glucose control is needed
10 mg (optional)
What the label says
The same start and steps. Maximum: 10 mg once weekly in pediatric patients.
There is no UK Zepbound label: we found no Zepbound SmPC on emc (searched 26 October 2026). In the UK, tirzepatide for weight management is licensed as Mounjaro; see the Mounjaro UK SmPC above.
Zepbound
US prescribing information (FDA label) · Once-weekly injection (pen, vial or KwikPen)
Licensed for · Section 1, quoted
“ZEPBOUND® is indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity:”
“to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.”
“to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
2.5 mg
After 4 weeks
5 mg
At least 4 weeks later, if increased
7.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if increased
10 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if increased
12.5 mg (optional)
At least 4 weeks later, if increased
15 mg (optional)
What the label says
The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. 2.5 mg is for starting treatment and isn’t approved as a maintenance dose.
After 4 weeks, the label increases the dosage to 5 mg once weekly. The dose may be increased in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
Maintenance for weight reduction: 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly. For sleep apnoea: 10 mg or 15 mg.
Maximum: 15 mg once weekly. If a maintenance dose isn’t tolerated, the label says to consider a lower maintenance dose.
Children: Not established in children (section 8.4).
UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) · Once-weekly injection (FlexTouch pen)
Licensed for · Section 4.1, quoted
Weight management, adults. “Wegovy is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² (obesity), or ≥27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.”
Weight management, adolescents (≥12 years). “Wegovy is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescents ages 12 years and above with obesity* and body weight above 60 kg. … *Obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) as defined on sex- and age-specific BMI growth charts (CDC.gov)”
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. “Wegovy is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²).”
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). “Wegovy is indicated in conjunction with diet and exercise for the treatment of non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis).”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
Weeks 5–8
0.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
1 mg
Weeks 13–16
1.7 mg
Week 17 on (maintenance)
2.4 mg
After at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg, if needed (weight management in adults with obesity)
7.2 mg (optional)
What the label says
The starting dose is 0.25 mg, escalated over 16 weeks to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose (Table 2).
2.4 mg is the maintenance dose for all indications (Table 2). Section 4.1 lists three: weight management, MASH, and cardiovascular risk reduction, “to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²)” (Wegovy SmPC, section 4.1).
If needed, for weight management in patients with obesity, the dose can be increased to 7.2 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg.
With significant stomach or gut symptoms, the label says to consider delaying a step or going back to the previous dose until they improve.
Weight management: if someone hasn’t lost at least 5% of their starting weight after 6 months, a decision is needed on whether to continue.
Adolescents aged 12 and over, weight management
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
Weeks 5–8
0.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
1 mg
Weeks 13–16
1.7 mg
Week 17 on (maintenance)
2.4 mg
What the label says
The same steps as adults, up to 2.4 mg or the highest dose tolerated. Weekly doses above 2.4 mg are not recommended.
Treatment should be stopped and re-evaluated if BMI hasn’t fallen by at least 5% after 12 weeks on 2.4 mg or the highest tolerated dose (section 4.1).
US prescribing information (FDA label) · Once-weekly injection (pen or FlexTouch)
Licensed for · Section 1, quoted
“WEGOVY injection is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:”
“to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established CV disease and either obesity or overweight.”
“to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity; adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.”
“for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis) in adults. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on improvement of MASH and fibrosis. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon the verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
Weeks 5–8
0.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
1 mg
Weeks 13–16
1.7 mg
Week 17 on (maintenance)
2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg
After at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg, if more weight reduction is clinically indicated
7.2 mg (optional)
What the label says
The label starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and follows Table 1: weeks 1–4, 5–8, 9–12 and 13–16, then the maintenance dose from week 17.
If a step isn’t tolerated, the label says to consider delaying the next increase by 4 weeks.
Weight reduction: maintenance 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once weekly. If 2.4 mg has been tolerated for at least 4 weeks and more weight reduction is clinically indicated, it may be increased to a maximum of 7.2 mg.
Heart risk reduction: 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg. MASH: 2.4 mg, which can be lowered to 1.7 mg if not tolerated.
Children aged 12 and over with obesity, weight reduction
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
Weeks 5–8
0.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
1 mg
Weeks 13–16
1.7 mg
Week 17 on (maintenance)
2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg
What the label says
The same Table 1 steps. Maintenance: 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once weekly. The 7.2 mg step is for adults only.
UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) · Once-daily tablet
Licensed for · Section 4.1, quoted
“Wegovy tablets are indicated”
“as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² (obesity), or ≥27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.”
Adults
When
Dose once daily
First month
1.5 mg
After at least 1 month
4 mg
After at least 1 month
9 mg
After at least 1 month (maintenance)
25 mg
What the label says
The starting dose is 1.5 mg once daily. After one month, the dose steps up to 4 mg, 9 mg and then 25 mg, with at least 1 month at each dose. 25 mg is the maintenance dose.
If needed, the dose can be kept at the previous level. Maximum: 25 mg a day, as one tablet.
The tablet is taken on an empty stomach after at least 8 hours of fasting, with up to half a glass of water (120 mL), at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.
US prescribing information (FDA label) · Once-daily tablet
Licensed for · Section 1, quoted
“WEGOVY tablets are indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity:”
“to reduce the risk of major adverse CV events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established CV disease and either obesity or overweight.”
“to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity, or in adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.”
Adults
When
Dose once daily
Days 1–30
1.5 mg
Days 31–60
4 mg
Days 61–90
9 mg
Day 91 on (maintenance)
25 mg
What the label says
The label starts at 1.5 mg once daily and follows Table 2. If a step isn’t tolerated, it says to consider delaying the next increase.
Maintenance: 25 mg once daily. If 25 mg isn’t tolerated, the label says to consider switching to Wegovy injection 1.7 mg once weekly.
The tablet is taken in the morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces (about 120 mL) of water, at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other oral medicines.
Children: The tablet dosing in the label is for adults only.
UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) · Once-weekly injection
Licensed for · Section 4.1, quoted
“Ozempic is indicated”
“for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise: as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications; in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes.”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
After 4 weeks
0.5 mg
After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg, to further improve control
1 mg (optional)
After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg, to further improve control
2 mg (optional)
What the label says
The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly; after 4 weeks, the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg.
After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg, the dose can be increased to 1 mg, and after at least 4 weeks on 1 mg to 2 mg, to further improve glycaemic control.
0.25 mg is not a maintenance dose. Weekly doses above 2 mg are not recommended.
US prescribing information (FDA label) · Once-weekly injection
Licensed for · Section 1, quoted
“OZEMPIC is indicated:”
“as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
“to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.”
“to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.”
Adults
When
Dose once weekly
Weeks 1–4
0.25 mg
After 4 weeks on 0.25 mg
0.5 mg
After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg, if more glucose control is needed
1 mg (optional)
After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg, if more glucose control is needed
2 mg (optional)
What the label says
The label starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then increases the dosage to 0.5 mg.
Maintenance: 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly, based on glycemic control. Each increase comes after at least 4 weeks on the previous dose. Maximum: 2 mg once weekly.
With type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the label increases the dosage to the 1 mg maintenance dose after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg.
Children: Not established in children (section 8.4).
Mounjaro and Ozempic are licensed for type 2 diabetes, so their US labels step up “if more glucose control is needed”. In the UK, Mounjaro is also licensed for weight management; in the US that is Zepbound. UK and US labels are written separately and differ in wording, in what they include and in who they cover.
Labels are updated often. Each card links to the version we checked on 26 October 2026. What trial participants saw at each week is on GLP-1 results by week.
Method
How this works.
Inputs
None about you. You choose a medicine and switch between its UK and US label.
Data
The indications and dose steps in each label: sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the UK SmPC on emc, and sections 1 and 2 of the US prescribing information on DailyMed. “Licensed for” quotes each indication from section 4.1 of the SmPC or section 1 of the US label, with the label’s bullet points run together. “What the label says” is a close paraphrase of the dosing section in the label’s own voice, keeping its spelling, such as “glycemic” in US labels. Steps a label makes conditional (“if needed”, “may be increased”) are marked optional. Where a label allows two maintenance doses, the recommended one is solid and the alternative is dashed beside it.
Formula
None. Bar heights are each dose in mg, scaled to the largest dose in that table.
Sources
UK SmPCs on emc: Mounjaro KwikPen (revised 29 August 2026), Wegovy FlexTouch (revised September 2026), Wegovy tablets (revised June 2026), Ozempic (revised July 2026).
US prescribing information on DailyMed: Zepbound and Mounjaro (revised August 2026), Wegovy injection and tablets (revised June 2026), Ozempic (revised May 2026).
Every step was re-checked against these documents on 26 October 2026.
Limits
Covers starting, step-up and maintenance doses only. It leaves out missed doses, restarting after a break, switching between medicines and the rest of the prescribing information. Labels change; the linked version is the one that counts.
What this is not
Not a dosing schedule for you, not medical advice and not a suggestion to change your dose. Your prescriber may hold, slow or change steps. Follow your prescriber and the leaflet that came with your medicine.
A reference copy of the dose steps printed in each label, checked on 26 October 2026. It isn’t medical advice and it isn’t a schedule for you. Follow your prescriber.
