Mounjaro doses in Australia: the KwikPen strengths and schedule.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is supplied in Australia as the KwikPen, a multiple-dose pre-filled pen holding four weekly doses, in six registered strengths from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. This guide explains what the TGA-approved Product Information (PI) and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) say about the strengths, the escalation schedule, missed doses, changing injection day and storage.
Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection in six strengths: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg. The PI starts at 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then 5 mg; if needed, increases are 2.5 mg at a time after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, to a maximum of 15 mg. Each KwikPen holds four fixed 0.6 mL doses and is discarded after the fourth. If you miss a dose, the CMI says to inject as soon as possible, but to skip it if fewer than 3 days remain until your next dose, and never to double up. Your prescriber decides every dose change.
- Registered strengths. Six KwikPen presentations are on the ARTG, entered 19 June 2024, each delivering four 0.6 mL doses of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 or 15 mg. Source: TGA ARTG entry 439692, with PI and CMI downloads.
- Indications. Type 2 diabetes in adults (22 December 2022), chronic weight management (9 September 2024) and obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity (27 May 2025). Sources: TGA decisions for diabetes, weight and sleep apnoea.
- Not PBS-listed for any indication. The PBAC recommended a type 2 diabetes listing in March 2026; in April 2026 the sponsor declined to proceed. Sources: PBS; RACGP newsGP, 28 April 2026.
- Compounding. Pharmacy compounding of tirzepatide has not been permitted since 1 October 2024, so the registered strengths are the only lawful doses. Source: TGA, 18 June 2024.
The six registered Mounjaro strengths.
Each strength is a separate pen with its own concentration; every pen delivers 0.6 mL per injection. The KwikPen also contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which the PI notes can cause allergic reactions.
| Dose per weekly injection | Concentration | ARTG number | Role in the PI schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 4.17 mg/mL | 439430 | Starting dose for the first 4 weeks. Not a maintenance dose. |
| 5 mg | 8.33 mg/mL | 439690 | Maintenance dose, reached after 4 weeks on 2.5 mg. |
| 7.5 mg | 12.5 mg/mL | 439691 | Intermediate step. Not a maintenance dose. |
| 10 mg | 16.67 mg/mL | 439692 | Maintenance dose. Maximum for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. |
| 12.5 mg | 20.83 mg/mL | 439693 | Intermediate step. Not a maintenance dose. |
| 15 mg | 25 mg/mL | 439694 | Maintenance dose and the maximum for adults. |
Concentrations and ARTG numbers are from the Australian CMI (September 2026).
The escalation schedule in the PI.
Section 4.2 of the PI is short. The starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly; after 4 weeks it is increased to 5 mg. "If needed, dose increases can be made in 2.5 mg increments after a minimum of 4 weeks on the current dose." The recommended adult doses are 5, 10 and 15 mg; the maximum is 15 mg. The CMI: "Your doctor may increase your dose by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks to achieve a dose of 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg once a week if needed."
| Weeks on treatment | Dose, if the prescriber follows the full schedule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg weekly | Initiation only. |
| 5 to 8 | 5 mg weekly | Maintenance; many people stay here. |
| 9 to 12 | 7.5 mg weekly, if needed | Step. |
| 13 to 16 | 10 mg weekly, if needed | Maintenance. |
| 17 to 20 | 12.5 mg weekly, if needed | Step. |
| 21 onward | 15 mg weekly, if needed | Maximum adult dose. |
Four weeks is a minimum, not a timetable: prescribers often hold a dose longer, or stop stepping up. And there is no requirement to reach 15 mg; in SURMOUNT-1 the 5 mg group lost an average of 15.0 per cent of body weight over 72 weeks (see how Mounjaro works). For children aged 10 to under 18 with type 2 diabetes the maximum is 10 mg.
Only the prescriber adjusts the dose. The CMI is explicit: "Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to do so." Every strength is a separate prescription and pen, and the PI directs prescribers to consider dose modification or discontinuation for severe gastrointestinal symptoms. A dose that feels wrong is a conversation with the prescriber, not something to solve by skipping, splitting or stacking injections.
What the KwikPen is and how it differs from single-dose pens.
The CMI describes "a multiple-dose (4 doses), pre-filled Pen that is used once a week". It prevents a full dose being dialled after the fourth; leftover medicine is normal and must not be injected.
The PI calls the KwikPen "a variable dosing device" with "potential for underdosing" if used incorrectly. Turn the dose knob until it stops at the "1" icon, and read the Instructions for Use leaflet first.
The pharmacist can advise on compatible pen needles. Use a new needle each time, and put used pens and needles in a sharps container.
Do not use a pen that has been dropped on a hard surface, frozen, overheated, or that looks cloudy; discard it and use a new one.
The PI still describes single-dose pens and vials; as of 1 October 2026, reports indicate the KwikPen is the presentation supplied in Australia, and the 21-day room-temperature limit for single-dose pens does not apply to it.
If you forget a dose: the CMI wording.
"MOUNJARO KwikPen should be used regularly each week on the same day each week. If you miss or forget your dose, it should be administered as soon as possible. If there are fewer than 3 days until your next dose, then skip the missed dose. Inject the next MOUNJARO KwikPen dose as usual on your regular day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose."
The PI says the same in clinical terms: a missed dose is given as soon as possible, but if fewer than 3 days remain before the next scheduled dose it is skipped and the weekly schedule resumes. Overseas sources quote a "4-day" rule; the Australian documents count the days remaining instead.
If you think you have injected too much, the CMI says to seek urgent medical attention: call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, your doctor, or go to an emergency department, even if you feel well.
Changing the day of the week.
The CMI allows it: "you can change the day of your usual weekly injection of MOUNJARO KwikPen as long as it has been at least 3 days since your last injection." The PI states the interval as 72 hours.
Inject at any time of day, with or without food, under the skin of the abdomen or thigh, rotating sites.
How to store the KwikPen.
Refrigerate at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius in the original carton; do not freeze or shake. When refrigeration is not possible, the CMI allows room temperature below 30 degrees "for up to a total of 30 days".
Discard after the fourth injection or at the expiry date, and return unwanted medicine to a pharmacy.
What else changes when the dose does.
Three parts of the PI are tied to dose increases. Gastrointestinal effects "occurred more often during dose escalation and decreased over time", so a step up often brings a few rougher days; the Mounjaro side effects guide gives frequencies. Because stomach emptying slows most at initiation and after each increase, the PI asks prescribers to monitor oral medicines with a narrow therapeutic index at those points. And since 1 December 2025 the CMI has advised oral contraceptive users to add a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and after each increase (TGA safety update).
For people on insulin or a sulfonylurea, the PI says a reduction "may be considered to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia". A change in Mounjaro dose can mean changes elsewhere. Smaller, protein-forward meals through an escalation are something many people find helps: see what to eat on Mounjaro, the GLP-1 nausea foods guide and Mounjaro versus Wegovy.
What doses does Mounjaro come in?
Six: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg, each a 0.6 mL once-weekly injection from the KwikPen. The PI names 5, 10 and 15 mg as maintenance doses; 2.5, 7.5 and 12.5 mg are steps.
How long do you stay on 2.5 mg of Mounjaro?
The PI sets 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, after which the dose is increased to 5 mg. The 2.5 mg dose is for initiation, not maintenance. The prescriber sets the timing of every increase.
How many doses are in a Mounjaro KwikPen?
Four. The CMI describes a multiple-dose (4 doses) pre-filled pen used once a week. It prevents a full dose being dialled after the fourth and is then discarded; the small amount left is normal and must not be injected.
What happens if I miss a dose of Mounjaro?
The CMI says: if you miss or forget your dose, it should be administered as soon as possible. If there are fewer than 3 days until your next dose, skip the missed dose and inject the next dose as usual on your regular day. Do not take a double dose.
Can I change the day I take Mounjaro?
Yes, if necessary. The CMI says you can change your usual injection day as long as it has been at least 3 days (72 hours) since your last injection; ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if unsure.
How long can Mounjaro stay out of the fridge?
Refrigerate at 2 to 8 degrees. When refrigeration is not possible, the CMI allows room temperature below 30 degrees for up to a total of 30 days. Never use a pen that has been frozen, overheated, dropped on a hard surface or looks cloudy.
Can I increase my Mounjaro dose myself?
No. The CMI states: do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to do so. The PI requires at least 4 weeks on a dose before any 2.5 mg increase, up to 15 mg; only the prescriber decides when, or whether, to move up.
Primary sources checked for this page.
- TGA ARTG entry 439692, Mounjaro KwikPen: current PI (vA13.0, September 2026) and CMI.
- TGA: Mounjaro Product Information, 2024 AusPAR attachment, sections 4.2, 6.4 and 6.5.
- TGA: registration decision, chronic weight management, 9 September 2024.
- TGA: registration decision, obstructive sleep apnoea, 27 May 2025.
- TGA safety update: contraception advice, 1 December 2025.
- TGA: GLP-1 compounding changes, 18 June 2024.
- PBS: tirzepatide medicine status.
Editorial method: primary Australian regulatory sources (TGA-approved PI and CMI, ARTG entries, TGA registration decisions and safety updates, PBS records) were checked first, peer-reviewed trial publications second. Clinical review by a named Australian health professional is pending. See the Preptide editorial policy.
Important: General information only, not medical advice. Mounjaro is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly; Preptide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Eli Lilly. Preptide is food, not medication, and does not prescribe, sell, recommend or promote prescription medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any medicine. In an emergency call 000. Read our editorial policy and Health Acknowledgement.