Quick answer: weekly GLP-1s start low and step up every 4 weeks. For a missed dose, the labels say: Zepbound and Mounjaro, take it within 4 days (96 hours), otherwise skip it; Ozempic, within 5 days; Wegovy, take it if your next dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, otherwise skip it. You can move your shot day if doses stay at least 3 days apart (Zepbound/Mounjaro) or 2 days apart (Wegovy/Ozempic). Follow your prescriber, especially after missing more than one dose.
Educational only, not medical advice. This article explains general information and quotes official labels where noted. It doesn't recommend any dose or change to your treatment. Follow your prescriber's instructions and the product label.
Label summaries checked 2026-10-26. Labels change, so check the current prescribing information linked below.
How do dose steps work?
| Medicine | Starting dose (label) | How it steps up (label) |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks | Increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose; maintenance 5, 10 or 15 mg |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks | Increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, up to 15 mg |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | 0.25 mg weekly, weeks 1–4 | 0.5 mg (wk 5–8), 1 mg (wk 9–12), 1.7 mg (wk 13–16), then 2.4 mg maintenance |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks | 0.5 mg, then increases after at least 4 weeks per the label, up to 2 mg |
The starting doses are for getting your body used to the medicine. Your prescriber decides when and whether to step up, and may slow things down if side effects are hard. Follow your prescriber.
What if you miss a dose?
| Medicine | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Zepbound / Mounjaro | Take the missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day. |
| Wegovy | If the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it's less than 2 days away, skip it. If more than 2 weeks are missed, contact your prescriber about how to restart. |
| Ozempic | Take the missed dose as soon as possible within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day. |
After a longer gap, side effects can come back stronger if you restart at your previous dose, so ask your prescriber before restarting.
Can you change your injection day?
Yes, per the labels:
- Zepbound / Mounjaro: the day can be changed if needed, as long as the time between two doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).
- Wegovy / Ozempic: the day can be changed if the last dose was 2 or more days (48 hours) earlier.
Example: if you inject on Sundays and want to switch to Wednesdays, the gap is 3 days, which fits all four labels.
What about vacations and travel?
Plan the shot day around the trip using the rules above, and read our traveling with GLP-1 medication guide for storage and packing.
What about compounded or other vials?
Compounded products don't have an FDA-approved label. Follow your prescriber's and pharmacy's written instructions. If your vial's concentration changes, see new vial, different concentration.
Tracking it in Caliper
Caliper's schedule supports weekly or every-N-days dosing and titration steps, and editing a schedule keeps your past adherence intact. Dose reminders nudge you on the day, and the dose log shows exactly when your last shot was, so the "how many days has it been?" question has a clear answer. Caliper doesn't decide what to do about a missed dose. The label and your prescriber do.
FAQ
What happens if I miss a Zepbound dose?
The label says to take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day.
What if I miss a Wegovy dose?
If your next dose is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it's less than 2 days away, skip it. If you miss more than 2 weeks, contact your prescriber.
Can I change my Zepbound or Mounjaro injection day?
Yes, as long as doses are at least 3 days (72 hours) apart, according to the label.
Can I change my Ozempic or Wegovy day?
Yes, if your last dose was 2 or more days (48 hours) earlier, according to the label.
How long do I stay on each dose?
The labels use at least 4 weeks per step for Zepbound, Mounjaro and Ozempic, and 4 weeks per step for Wegovy. Your prescriber decides when to step up.
Sources
- Eli Lilly, Zepbound prescribing information
- Eli Lilly, Mounjaro prescribing information
- Novo Nordisk, Wegovy prescribing information
- Novo Nordisk, Ozempic prescribing information
Keep the whole picture in one place
Caliper is a GLP-1 and peptide tracker. It keeps your schedule and titration steps, reminds you on dose day and logs every shot. It never recommends or calculates a dose.
Set your schedule in Caliper →
For adults 18+.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not recommend any dose, compound, product, supplier or protocol. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and the product label, and talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider about any question regarding your medication.