Mounjaro Dosages Explained

Our Mounjaro dosage chart explains when you need to increase your dose.

This is a general guide and responses to treatment may vary.

Mounjaro requires an individualised treatment plan for each patient.

Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand.

The key to getting the best Mounjaro results while minimising side effects is following a carefully structured dosing plan.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the available doses and what each is for:

2.5mg (starting dose)

This is the introductory dose used for the first 4 weeks. Its main purpose is to help your body adjust and reduce side effects such as nausea or digestive upset. It is considered a sub-therapeutic dose, meaning it is not intended to produce meaningful weight loss.

Average weight loss: 2-4%

5mg (first step-up dose)

Usually started after 4 weeks. This is the first dose that begins to provide noticeable appetite suppression and weight-loss benefits, while still being gentle enough for most people to tolerate.

Average weight loss: 4-7%

7.5mg (lower maintenance dose)

A lower long-term dose for people who respond well and want steady, moderate results. Some people remain at this dose if they are losing weight comfortably and tolerating treatment well.

Average weight loss: 7-10%

10mg (intermediate maintenance dose)

A common long-term dose that offers stronger appetite control and more significant weight loss, while keeping side effects manageable for most people.

Average weight loss: 9-13%

12.5 mg (higher maintenance dose)

For people aiming for greater weight loss who tolerate lower doses well. Side effects may increase slightly at this level, so careful monitoring is important.

Average weight loss: 11-16%

15mg (highest maintenance dose)

The maximum dose of Mounjaro, associated with the greatest average weight loss. It is typically reserved for people who need stronger results and can tolerate higher doses.

Average weight loss: 13-18%

Mounjaro is started at a low dose and increased gradually to help your body adjust and reduce side effects.

The Mounjaro dose is usually increased every 4 weeks until you find the right balance between appetite control and side effects.

If you are tolerating your current dose well and not experiencing significant side effects, moving up a dose can help improve appetite suppression and maximise weight-loss benefits.

However, higher doses also increase the chance of side effects such as nausea or digestive upset.

For this reason, you should only increase your dose if you are feeling well on your current one. If side effects become troublesome after a dose increase, you can reduce back to the previous dose.

You may be ready to increase your dose if:

• You have been on your current dose for at least 4 weeks
• Side effects such as nausea or stomach upset are mild or have settled
• Your appetite suppression has started to wear off
• Your weight loss has slowed or plateaued
• You feel comfortable with how your body is responding

You may want to stay on your current dose for longer if:

• You are still losing weight steadily
• You are getting good appetite control
• You are experiencing side effects that have not fully settled
• You feel well and are happy with your progress

The starting dose (2.5mg) is mainly for tolerability and is not strong enough to produce full appetite suppression or meaningful weight loss.

Increasing the dose allows the medicine to work more effectively over time.

You may need a higher dose because:

• Your body becomes used to the medication at lower doses
• Appetite suppression may weaken over time
• Weight loss can slow or plateau
• Higher doses provide stronger and longer-lasting effects

Dose increases help:

• Improve appetite control
• Increase weight-loss effectiveness
• Maintain steady progress

However, not everyone needs to reach the highest dose. Many people get excellent results at lower doses and remain on these doses long-term.

The highest dose of Mounjaro is 15mg once weekly.

This is the maximum maintenance dose and is usually only reached after gradually increasing the dose over several months.

In clinical trials, people who stayed on the 15mg dose for 72 weeks lost an average of 22.5% of their starting body weight. This shows that higher doses can lead to greater weight loss for some people.

However, you do not need to reach the highest dose to get good results.

It is also important to know that:

• Higher doses are more likely to cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and digestive upset
• Some people cannot tolerate the 15mg dose
• Staying at a lower dose for longer is often the best option if you are losing weight steadily and feeling well

Further reading: Mounjaro results

You should not take a double dose of Mounjaro.

Mounjaro is designed to be started at a low dose and increased gradually to help your body adjust and to reduce the risk of side effects. Taking more than your prescribed dose, or injecting it more often than once a week, can significantly increase the chance of unwanted effects.

If you take a double dose, you may experience:

• Severe diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite to an uncomfortable level
• Low blood sugar (especially if you have diabetes or take other glucose-lowering medicines)

Because Mounjaro stays in your body for several days, side effects from a double dose can be stronger and last longer than usual.

Further reading: Mounjaro side effects

• Mounjaro is started at a low dose and increased gradually to help your body adjust and reduce side effects.
• The starting dose (2.5mg) is mainly for tolerability and is not intended to produce meaningful weight loss.
• Most weight loss happens after reaching 5mg and above.
• Higher maintenance doses (10-15 mg) are linked to greater average weight loss.
• Higher doses also carry a higher risk of side effects such as nausea and digestive upset.
• You do not need to reach the highest dose to get good results.
• Many people achieve excellent weight loss at lower doses and stay there long term.
• The right dose is the one that gives good appetite control and steady progress with manageable side effects.
• Your dose should always be guided by your doctor or pharmacist.