How long is the full GLP-1 titration to maintenance dose?

Semaglutide products (Wegovy, Ozempic) reach maintenance in approximately 16 to 17 weeks. Tirzepatide products (Mounjaro, Zepbound) take approximately 21 to 24 weeks because the titration ladder has six steps rather than four or five.

Can the titration step be extended if side effects are limiting?

Yes. Researchers and clinicians commonly extend any single titration step by an additional 2 to 4 weeks if GI side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) are limiting tolerability. Slower escalation reduces severity without changing the eventual maintenance dose.

TITRATION COMPARISON

GLP-1 Titration SchedulesWeek-by-week dose, volume, and IU draw

Side-by-side titration ladders for the four FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists plus their compounded counterparts. Volume and IU columns assume the ASCEND standard reconstitution (5 mg/mL for semaglutide, 15 mg/mL for tirzepatide).

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	0.25 mg	0.05 mL	5 IU
Week 5-8	0.5 mg	0.1 mL	10 IU
Week 9-12	1 mg	0.2 mL	20 IU
Week 13-16	1.7 mg	0.34 mL	34 IU
Week 17+	2.4 mg	0.48 mL	48 IU

Wegovy full details →

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	0.25 mg	0.05 mL	5 IU
Week 5+	0.5 mg	0.1 mL	10 IU
Week 9+	1 mg	0.2 mL	20 IU
Week 13+	2 mg	0.4 mL	40 IU

Ozempic full details →

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	2.5 mg	0.167 mL	16.7 IU
Week 5-8	5 mg	0.333 mL	33.3 IU
Week 9-12	7.5 mg	0.5 mL	50 IU
Week 13-16	10 mg	0.667 mL	66.7 IU
Week 17-20	12.5 mg	0.833 mL	83.3 IU
Week 21+	15 mg	1 mL	100 IU

Mounjaro full details →

Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	2.5 mg	0.167 mL	16.7 IU
Week 5-8	5 mg	0.333 mL	33.3 IU
Week 9-12	7.5 mg	0.5 mL	50 IU
Week 13-16	10 mg	0.667 mL	66.7 IU
Week 17-20	12.5 mg	0.833 mL	83.3 IU
Week 21+	15 mg	1 mL	100 IU

Zepbound full details →

Compound Semaglutide (Semaglutide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	0.25 mg	0.05 mL	5 IU
Week 5-8	0.5 mg	0.1 mL	10 IU
Week 9-12	1 mg	0.2 mL	20 IU
Week 13-16	1.7 mg	0.34 mL	34 IU
Week 17+	2.4 mg	0.48 mL	48 IU

Compound Semaglutide full details →

Compound Tirzepatide (Tirzepatide)

Phase	Dose	Vol (compound recon)	IU on 100u
Week 1-4	2.5 mg	0.167 mL	16.7 IU
Week 5-8	5 mg	0.333 mL	33.3 IU
Week 9-12	7.5 mg	0.5 mL	50 IU
Week 13-16	10 mg	0.667 mL	66.7 IU
Week 17-20	12.5 mg	0.833 mL	83.3 IU
Week 21+	15 mg	1 mL	100 IU

Compound Tirzepatide full details →

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