The chart opens on Zepbound® for weight reduction and shows its US label's steps: 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, then optional 2.5 mg steps up to 15 mg. Choose "Zepbound®: sleep apnea" to see the same steps with the maintenance doses for obstructive sleep apnea. The chart reports the label and nothing more: the prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Ozempic®
Semaglutide injection, once a week, for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Step on the label
Optional step
Maintenance dose
Ozempic®: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
0.25 mg once a week
Weeks 1 to 4
Starting dose
0.5 mg once a week
From week 5
Maintenance dose
1 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg (week 9 at the earliest)
Maintenance dose, Optional
2 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg (week 13 at the earliest)
Maintenance dose, Optional, Highest dose
The label allows 1 mg, and then 2 mg, when more glycemic control is needed, each after at least 4 weeks on the dose before.
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Wegovy®
Semaglutide injection, once a week. The steps shown are for weight reduction in adults.
Step on the label
Maintenance dose
Wegovy®: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
0.25 mg once a week
Weeks 1 to 4
Starting dose
0.5 mg once a week
Weeks 5 to 8
1 mg once a week
Weeks 9 to 12
1.7 mg once a week
Weeks 13 to 16
Maintenance dose
2.4 mg once a week
From week 17
Maintenance dose
7.2 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg
Optional, Highest dose
For weight reduction in adults, the label's maintenance dose is 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg (recommended). It allows 7.2 mg (Wegovy® HD) for people who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks when more weight reduction is clinically indicated.
The EU product information differs on 7.2 mg: only for adults with a BMI of 30 or more at the start of treatment, back to 2.4 mg if 7.2 mg brings no further weight improvement, and possibly given as three 2.4 mg injections. (EU product information, § 4.2)
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Wegovy® pill
Semaglutide tablet, once a day, from the same US label as Wegovy® injection.
Step on the label
Maintenance dose
Wegovy® pill: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
1.5 mg once a day
Days 1 to 30
Starting dose
4 mg once a day
Days 31 to 60
9 mg once a day
Days 61 to 90
25 mg once a day
From day 91
Maintenance dose, Highest dose
The label's maintenance dose is 25 mg once a day, reached in steps of 30 days.
How the label says to take it: one tablet in the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 fl oz (118 mL) of water and no other liquid, swallowed whole. Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines. No more than one tablet a day.
The EU product information differs: it uses steps of at least 4 weeks instead of 30 days, a fast of at least 8 hours before the tablet, up to 120 mL of water, and the same 30-minute wait. (EU product information, § 4.2)
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Mounjaro®
Tirzepatide injection, once a week, for type 2 diabetes. The steps shown are for adults.
Step on the label
Optional step
Mounjaro®: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
2.5 mg once a week
From week 1
Starting dose
5 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 2.5 mg (week 5 at the earliest)
Optional
7.5 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 5 mg (week 9 at the earliest)
Optional
10 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 7.5 mg (week 13 at the earliest)
Optional
12.5 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 10 mg (week 17 at the earliest)
Optional
15 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 12.5 mg (week 21 at the earliest)
Optional, Highest dose
The label raises the dose in 2.5 mg steps, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, when more glycemic control is needed. Its maximum for adults is 15 mg.
The EU product information differs: it raises 2.5 mg to 5 mg after 4 weeks and names 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg as the maintenance doses. (EU product information, § 4.2)
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Zepbound®: weight
Tirzepatide injection, once a week, for weight reduction and long-term maintenance.
Step on the label
Optional step
Maintenance dose
Zepbound®: weight: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
2.5 mg once a week
Weeks 1 to 4
Starting dose
5 mg once a week
From week 5
Maintenance dose
7.5 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 5 mg (week 9 at the earliest)
Optional
10 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 7.5 mg (week 13 at the earliest)
Maintenance dose, Optional
12.5 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 10 mg (week 17 at the earliest)
Optional
15 mg once a week
After at least 4 weeks on 12.5 mg (week 21 at the earliest)
Maintenance dose, Optional, Highest dose
The label calls 2.5 mg a starting dose that is not approved for maintenance. After 5 mg, it allows 2.5 mg steps, each after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. Its maintenance dose is 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg.
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
Foundayo®
Orforglipron tablet, once a day.
Step on the label
Optional step
Foundayo®: the label's dose steps
Dose
When the label allows it
On the label
0.8 mg once a day
From day 1
Starting dose
2.5 mg once a day
After at least 30 days on 0.8 mg (day 31 at the earliest)
5.5 mg once a day
After at least 30 days on 2.5 mg (day 61 at the earliest)
9 mg once a day
After at least 30 days on 5.5 mg (day 91 at the earliest)
Optional
14.5 mg once a day
After at least 30 days on 9 mg (day 121 at the earliest)
Optional
17.2 mg once a day
After at least 30 days on 14.5 mg (day 151 at the earliest)
Optional, Highest dose
After 5.5 mg, the label allows 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg, each after at least 30 days on the current dose, based on treatment response and tolerability.
How the label says to take it: with or without food, swallowed whole, no more than one tablet a day. With a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, the label's maximum is 9 mg.
Foundayo® is not yet authorised in the EU. The EMA's committee (CHMP) gave a positive opinion in October 2026. (EU product information)
The prescriber decides the dose, and may keep a person on a step for longer or lower it.
How does the Zepbound schedule step up?
The label's dosing section (§ 2.1) starts every use the same way: "The recommended starting dosage of ZEPBOUND for all indications is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks." It goes on: "After 4 weeks, increase the dosage to 5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. The dosage may be increased in 2.5 mg increments, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose".
Laid out by week, with each optional step at the earliest week the label allows:
How does the Zepbound schedule step up?
Earliest week
Once-weekly dose
On the label
1
2.5 mg
The starting dose
5
5 mg
The first increase
9
7.5 mg
Optional step
13
10 mg
Optional step
17
12.5 mg
Optional step
21
15 mg
Optional step, the maximum
Reaching 15 mg therefore takes at least 20 weeks on lower doses. Nothing in the label requires going past 5 mg, and its maximum for every use is 15 mg.
Which doses are maintenance doses?
The 2.5 mg dose is never one. In the label's words, "The 2.5 mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not approved as a maintenance dosage." After that, the maintenance doses depend on what Zepbound is used for:
Which doses are maintenance doses?
Use on the label
Maintenance doses
Weight reduction and long-term maintenance
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg
Obstructive sleep apnea
10 mg or 15 mg
That is why the sleep apnea view marks fewer doses. The steps between, 7.5 mg and 12.5 mg, are on the way up rather than places to stay. If a maintenance dose is not tolerated, the label says to consider a lower one.
Do the pen and the vial follow the same schedule?
Yes. The label gives the same doses for every presentation: the single-dose pen, the single-dose vial, and the multi-dose pen and vial, which each hold four doses. In the EU there is no Zepbound brand; the Mounjaro product information covers weight management with the same steps and the same 5, 10 and 15 mg maintenance doses.
What can this chart not tell you?
Which maintenance dose is yours. The label lists two or three and leaves the choice to the prescriber.
How fast your own steps go. Week 21 is the earliest the label allows for 15 mg, and a prescriber may keep a person on a lower step for longer.
What to do when a dose is late. Late or missed doses are a question for the label and the prescriber, not for this chart.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Zepbound dosing schedule?
2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then 5 mg. After at least 4 weeks on the current dose, the label allows 2.5 mg increases up to 15 mg.
When can Zepbound reach 15 mg?
At week 21 at the earliest, after 4 weeks each on 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 mg.
Is the sleep apnea dose different from the weight dose?
The steps are the same. For obstructive sleep apnea the label's maintenance dose is 10 mg or 15 mg, while for weight reduction it is 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg.