What is the Mounjaro dose schedule?

Mounjaro uses a 6-step dose escalation: 2.5mg (weeks 1-4), 5mg (weeks 5-8), 7.5mg (weeks 9-12), 10mg (weeks 13-16), 12.5mg (weeks 17-20), and 15mg (week 21 onward). Each dose is injected once weekly. Your doctor may choose a lower maintenance dose depending on your response and tolerability.

What is the Mounjaro golden dose?

The "golden dose" refers to an extra (5th) dose some users report extracting from the standard 4-dose Mounjaro KwikPen. This is not endorsed by Eli Lilly or the TGA. Each KwikPen is designed to deliver exactly 4 pre-measured weekly doses. Attempting to extract additional doses may result in an inaccurate amount of tirzepatide. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and use each pen as directed.

When should I increase my Mounjaro dose?

The standard protocol increases the dose every 4 weeks. However, your prescribing doctor decides when to escalate based on how well you tolerate side effects, your weight loss progress, and your blood sugar response (if treating type 2 diabetes). Some patients stay on a lower dose longer if side effects are significant. Never increase your dose without medical guidance.

What is the Mounjaro dosage in mL?

Each Mounjaro dose is delivered in 0.5mL of solution regardless of the mg strength. The 2.5mg dose is 0.5mL, the 5mg dose is 0.5mL, and so on up to 15mg in 0.5mL. The concentration of tirzepatide varies by pen strength, but the injection volume stays the same. Each KwikPen is pre-filled and single-use per dose.

What is the starting dose of Mounjaro for weight loss?

The starting dose of Mounjaro for weight loss in Australia is 2.5mg injected once weekly. This introductory dose is maintained for the first 4 weeks to allow your body to adjust and minimise gastrointestinal side effects like nausea. It is not intended as a therapeutic dose for weight loss. After 4 weeks, your doctor will typically increase you to 5mg.

What is the Mounjaro maintenance dose?

The maximum maintenance dose of Mounjaro is 15mg once weekly, typically reached at week 21 after completing the full dose escalation. However, your doctor may determine that a lower maintenance dose (such as 5mg, 7.5mg, or 10mg) provides adequate results with fewer side effects. In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, patients on both 10mg and 15mg achieved significant weight loss.

What happens if you miss a dose of Mounjaro?

If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed injection. If you frequently miss doses, speak with your doctor about adjusting your schedule.

Is Mounjaro available in Australia?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been approved by the TGA in Australia. It requires a prescription from a doctor. It is indicated for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Availability and PBS listing status may vary, so check with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist for the latest information.

How is Mounjaro different from Wegovy?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Wegovy (semaglutide) targets only GLP-1 receptors. Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may produce greater average weight loss (up to 22.5% in the SURMOUNT-1 trial compared to around 15% for Wegovy). Both require a prescription and gradual dose escalation. Mounjaro has a longer escalation period of 20 weeks versus 16 weeks for Wegovy.

What are the common side effects of Mounjaro?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, vomiting, and constipation. These typically occur during dose escalation and improve over time. The gradual dose increase is designed to minimise these effects. Serious but rare side effects include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.

Mounjaro Dose Calculator

Use this free Mounjaro dose calculator to map out your complete tirzepatide dosage schedule based on your treatment start date. The tool generates a personalised dose escalation timeline showing each step from the 2.5mg starting dose through to the 15mg maintenance dose over 20 weeks. Below you will also find a full Mounjaro dosage chart with mg, mL volumes, and KwikPen details for every escalation phase available in Australia.

Enter Your Details

Treatment Start Date

The date you started or plan to start Mounjaro

How It Works

Mounjaro follows a 6-step dose escalation to reduce side effects. You start at 2.5mg weekly for 4 weeks, then increase every 4 weeks through 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and finally 15mg. The calculator uses your start date to generate exact dates for each dose change. Your prescribing doctor determines the appropriate maintenance dose, which may be lower than the maximum.

Quick Reference

Phase	Weeks	Dose	Injection	Notes
Escalation 1	1-4	2.5mg	Once weekly	Starting dose
Escalation 2	5-8	5mg	Once weekly	First increase
Escalation 3	9-12	7.5mg	Once weekly	Mid escalation
Escalation 4	13-16	10mg	Once weekly	Higher dose
Escalation 5	17-20	12.5mg	Once weekly	Near maintenance
Maintenance	21+	15mg	Once weekly	Maximum dose

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Your doctor may choose a lower maintenance dose (e.g. 5mg, 10mg) depending on your response.

Dose Escalation Schedule

Weeks 1-4: 2.5mg → Weeks 5-8: 5mg → Weeks 9-12: 7.5mg → Weeks 13-16: 10mg → Weeks 17-20: 12.5mg → Week 21+: 15mg

4 weeks: = duration at each escalation step
2.5mg: = starting dose to minimise GI side effects
15mg: = maximum maintenance dose
20 weeks: = total escalation period before maintenance

The maximum maintenance dose is 15mg but your doctor may determine a lower maintenance dose is appropriate. Do not adjust doses without medical supervision.

Mounjaro Dosage Chart

Each Mounjaro KwikPen delivers a fixed dose in 0.5mL of solution. The tirzepatide concentration varies by pen strength, but the injection volume is always the same. Below is the full dosage chart showing the mg dose, mL volume, and pen details for every escalation phase.

Phase	Dose (mg)	Volume (mL)	KwikPen Strength	Doses per Pen
Weeks 1-4	2.5mg	0.5mL	2.5mg/0.5mL	4 doses
Weeks 5-8	5mg	0.5mL	5mg/0.5mL	4 doses
Weeks 9-12	7.5mg	0.5mL	7.5mg/0.5mL	4 doses
Weeks 13-16	10mg	0.5mL	10mg/0.5mL	4 doses
Weeks 17-20	12.5mg	0.5mL	12.5mg/0.5mL	4 doses
Week 21+	15mg	0.5mL	15mg/0.5mL	4 doses

Each KwikPen contains 4 weekly doses of tirzepatide (one month supply). Pens are pre-filled and single-use per dose. Store unused pens in the refrigerator (2-8 degrees C). An in-use pen can be kept at room temperature (below 30 degrees C) for up to 21 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mounjaro dose schedule?: Mounjaro uses a 6-step dose escalation: 2.5mg (weeks 1-4), 5mg (weeks 5-8), 7.5mg (weeks 9-12), 10mg (weeks 13-16), 12.5mg (weeks 17-20), and 15mg (week 21 onward). Each dose is injected once weekly. Your doctor may choose a lower maintenance dose depending on your response and tolerability.
What is the Mounjaro golden dose?: The "golden dose" refers to an extra (5th) dose some users report extracting from the standard 4-dose Mounjaro KwikPen. This is not endorsed by Eli Lilly or the TGA. Each KwikPen is designed to deliver exactly 4 pre-measured weekly doses. Attempting to extract additional doses may result in an inaccurate amount of tirzepatide. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and use each pen as directed.
When should I increase my Mounjaro dose?: The standard protocol increases the dose every 4 weeks. However, your prescribing doctor decides when to escalate based on how well you tolerate side effects, your weight loss progress, and your blood sugar response (if treating type 2 diabetes). Some patients stay on a lower dose longer if side effects are significant. Never increase your dose without medical guidance.
What is the Mounjaro dosage in mL?: Each Mounjaro dose is delivered in 0.5mL of solution regardless of the mg strength. The 2.5mg dose is 0.5mL, the 5mg dose is 0.5mL, and so on up to 15mg in 0.5mL. The concentration of tirzepatide varies by pen strength, but the injection volume stays the same. Each KwikPen is pre-filled and single-use per dose.
What is the starting dose of Mounjaro for weight loss?: The starting dose of Mounjaro for weight loss in Australia is 2.5mg injected once weekly. This introductory dose is maintained for the first 4 weeks to allow your body to adjust and minimise gastrointestinal side effects like nausea. It is not intended as a therapeutic dose for weight loss. After 4 weeks, your doctor will typically increase you to 5mg.
What is the Mounjaro maintenance dose?: The maximum maintenance dose of Mounjaro is 15mg once weekly, typically reached at week 21 after completing the full dose escalation. However, your doctor may determine that a lower maintenance dose (such as 5mg, 7.5mg, or 10mg) provides adequate results with fewer side effects. In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, patients on both 10mg and 15mg achieved significant weight loss.
What happens if you miss a dose of Mounjaro?: If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed injection. If you frequently miss doses, speak with your doctor about adjusting your schedule.
Is Mounjaro available in Australia?: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been approved by the TGA in Australia. It requires a prescription from a doctor. It is indicated for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Availability and PBS listing status may vary, so check with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist for the latest information.
How is Mounjaro different from Wegovy?: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Wegovy (semaglutide) targets only GLP-1 receptors. Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may produce greater average weight loss (up to 22.5% in the SURMOUNT-1 trial compared to around 15% for Wegovy). Both require a prescription and gradual dose escalation. Mounjaro has a longer escalation period of 20 weeks versus 16 weeks for Wegovy.
What are the common side effects of Mounjaro?: The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, vomiting, and constipation. These typically occur during dose escalation and improve over time. The gradual dose increase is designed to minimise these effects. Serious but rare side effects include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.

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