Insulin syringes are used for subcutaneous injections. They are marked in Units on the insulin syringe barrel (see Insulin Syringe). Insulin Syringes facilitate the precise measurement of tiny amounts of liquids which are ideal for medications such as insulin that require small and accurate dosing. Unit marks are also expressed in mL’s and can be interchangeably referenced. A prescriber may write a prescription in Units or in mL’s. Within the amount of liquid is the prescribed mg dosage of Tirzepatide (see mg chart). Milligrams (mg) is not an amount of liquid, but rather the amount of drug that is within. The conversion between units and milligrams varies depending on the concentration of the product being used. 

 

Example 10 mg/mL = of Tirzepatide in every 1.0 ml or 10 mg 100 Insulin Units

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Administration & Dosing

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Tirzepatide is administered subcutaneously once a week, typically with a starting dose of 2.5 mg and a maximum dose of 15 mg. Subcutaneously refers to a method of administering medication by injecting it into the layer of tissue directly beneath the skin, known as the subcutaneous tissue. This route of administration allows the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream gradually. Subcutaneous injections are typically given at an angle into the fatty tissue of certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. Brand name medications like Zepbound and Mounjaro come in nifty pre-measured auto-injector pens that are super user friendly. 

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Most patients maintain therapeutic dosages at 5mg or 7.5mg weekly; however, higher concentrations are available. An initial dosing schedule will help establish the titration protocol and get you to your maintenance dosage. 

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Many medical providers recommend a dosing schedule like this:

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• Month 1: 2.5mg

• Month 2: 5mg

• Month 3: 7.5mg

• Month 4: 10mg

• Month 5: 12.5mg

• Month 6: 15mg

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What is Titration?

 

In medical terms, titration refers to the process of adjusting the dosage of a medication based on an individual's response to treatment. This involves starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved while minimizing side effects. Titration is common in the management of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders, where finding the optimal dosage is crucial for effective treatment.

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Dose titration is recommended with tirzepatide to improve tolerability. In other words, you give your body a little bit of time to get used to it. Starting with a lower dose also allows healthcare providers to assess the individual's response to the medication and minimize the risk of adverse effects.

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In the case of tirzepatide, based on your prescriber’s discretion, you may titrate up monthly, typically increasing the dose every four weeks until you reach the optimum dosage for your body. This could be anywhere from 5 mg to 15 mg, depending on how your body reacts. However, as stated above, most patients reach their optimal level at 5mg or 7.5 mg.  Our team will assess the patient's progress and titrate on a case-by-case basis.

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