Feb 11, 2026
You have a 30mg vial of tirzepatide sitting in your fridge. The label says 30mg. Your syringe is marked in units. And somewhere between those two numbers, you need to figure out exactly how much to draw up.
Get it wrong and you are either underdosing (wasting weeks of potential progress) or overdosing (spending the next 48 hours regretting every meal you have ever eaten). Neither outcome is acceptable when you are investing time, money, and hope into a tirzepatide protocol.
The math itself is not complicated. But the variables change depending on how much bacteriostatic water you add, what concentration you create, and which syringe you use. Most dosage charts online assume a single concentration and leave you guessing when your vial does not match. This guide does not do that. It covers every common reconstitution scenario for a 30mg vial, gives you the exact unit measurements for each dose, walks you through the reconstitution process step by step, and builds a complete titration schedule you can actually follow.
Whether you are starting your first tirzepatide protocol or switching from a different vial size, the charts below will eliminate the guesswork. Every number has been calculated. Every conversion has been verified. You just need to find your concentration and read the chart.
SeekPeptides members access even more detailed protocol tools, including interactive calculators that adjust for body weight and individual response patterns. But the charts in this guide will get you started with confidence.
Understanding your 30mg tirzepatide vial
Before you touch a syringe, you need to understand what you are working with. A 30mg vial contains exactly 30 milligrams of lyophilized (freeze-dried) tirzepatide powder. That powder needs to be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before injection. The amount of water you add determines the concentration, and the concentration determines how many units you draw up for each dose.
This is where most people get confused.
The vial itself does not dictate your dose. It dictates how many total milligrams you have to work with. Think of it like a jar of coffee. The jar holds a fixed amount. How strong your coffee turns out depends on how much water you add. Same principle here.
What 30mg actually means for your protocol
Thirty milligrams gives you enough tirzepatide for multiple weeks of dosing, depending on where you are in your titration schedule. At the starting dose of 2.5mg per week, a single 30mg vial lasts 12 weeks. At the maximum dose of 15mg per week, that same vial lasts just 2 weeks.
Here is how long one 30mg vial lasts at each standard dose:
Weekly dose | Doses per vial | Duration |
|---|---|---|
2.5mg | 12 doses | 12 weeks |
5mg | 6 doses | 6 weeks |
7.5mg | 4 doses | 4 weeks |
10mg | 3 doses | 3 weeks |
12.5mg | 2.4 doses | ~2.5 weeks |
15mg | 2 doses | 2 weeks |
This matters for planning. If you are in the early titration phases, one vial carries you through months. As you increase, you will need vials more frequently. Factor this into your cost planning and supply ordering.
Lyophilized powder vs. pre-mixed solutions
Some providers supply tirzepatide as lyophilized powder that you reconstitute yourself. Others supply it pre-mixed at a specific concentration (commonly 10mg/mL or 20mg/mL). If your vial arrives as a liquid already, you do not need to reconstitute it. Skip straight to the dosage charts for your concentration.
If your vial contains powder, keep reading. The reconstitution section below covers everything.
One critical difference between the two formats: reconstituted solutions typically remain stable for 28 days when refrigerated at 2-8 degrees Celsius (35.6-46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Pre-mixed solutions from compounding pharmacies may have different stability windows. Check your pharmacy documentation or ask your provider for specific guidance on tirzepatide storage duration.
Reconstitution math for a 30mg vial
Reconstitution is just controlled dilution. You are dissolving 30mg of powder into a specific volume of water to create a predictable concentration. The formula is simple:
Concentration (mg/mL) = Total peptide (mg) / Volume of water added (mL)
For a 30mg vial:
Water added | Concentration | Per unit (U-100 syringe) |
|---|---|---|
1.0 mL | 30 mg/mL | 0.3 mg per unit |
1.5 mL | 20 mg/mL | 0.2 mg per unit |
2.0 mL | 15 mg/mL | 0.15 mg per unit |
3.0 mL | 10 mg/mL | 0.1 mg per unit |
6.0 mL | 5 mg/mL | 0.05 mg per unit |
Every concentration listed above works. The question is which one works best for you.
Choosing the right concentration
Higher concentrations (20-30 mg/mL) mean smaller injection volumes. You draw up fewer units, which means less liquid under the skin and potentially less injection site discomfort. The tradeoff is precision. When each unit contains 0.2-0.3mg, a one-unit measurement error changes your dose significantly.
Lower concentrations (5-10 mg/mL) mean larger injection volumes but more precise dosing. Each unit contains less tirzepatide, so small measurement variations have minimal impact on your actual dose. This is why 10 mg/mL is the most commonly recommended concentration for compounded tirzepatide.
For most people, 10 mg/mL (3.0 mL of water into a 30mg vial) hits the sweet spot between manageable injection volume and dosing precision. This is the concentration that most dosage charts reference, and the one we will use as our primary reference throughout this guide.
But we will give you charts for every common concentration. Because your situation might call for something different.
Step-by-step reconstitution process
Gather your supplies first. You need the 30mg tirzepatide vial, a vial of bacteriostatic water, alcohol swabs, and a mixing syringe (a standard 3mL syringe works well).
Step 1: Clean the rubber stopper on both vials with an alcohol swab. Let them air dry for 10-15 seconds.
Step 2: Draw your chosen volume of bacteriostatic water into the syringe. For 10 mg/mL concentration, draw 3.0 mL.
Step 3: Insert the needle into the tirzepatide vial at a slight angle through the rubber stopper. Inject the water slowly, aiming the stream at the glass wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder. This prevents excessive foaming and preserves peptide integrity.
Step 4: Do not shake. Gently swirl the vial or roll it between your palms until the powder dissolves completely. This may take 2-5 minutes. The solution should be clear and colorless. If it remains cloudy or contains particles after 10 minutes of gentle swirling, something may be wrong. Do not use a cloudy solution.
Step 5: Label the vial with the date, concentration, and amount remaining. Store in the refrigerator immediately.
For detailed reconstitution guidance applicable across all peptide types, see the complete tirzepatide reconstitution chart or use the peptide reconstitution calculator for exact measurements.
Complete 30mg dosage chart at 10 mg/mL concentration
This is the chart most people need. If you added 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 30mg vial, your concentration is 10 mg/mL. On a standard U-100 insulin syringe, 1 unit equals 0.01 mL, which equals 0.1 mg of tirzepatide at this concentration.
The math: dose (mg) divided by 0.1 mg per unit equals the number of units to draw.
Desired dose | Volume (mL) | Units on U-100 syringe | Syringe type |
|---|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 0.25 mL | 25 units | 0.3 mL or 0.5 mL syringe |
5.0 mg | 0.50 mL | 50 units | 0.5 mL or 1.0 mL syringe |
7.5 mg | 0.75 mL | 75 units | 1.0 mL syringe |
10.0 mg | 1.00 mL | 100 units | 1.0 mL syringe |
12.5 mg | 1.25 mL | 125 units | Use two draws or switch to higher concentration |
15.0 mg | 1.50 mL | 150 units | Use two draws or switch to higher concentration |
Notice the problem at higher doses? At 10 mg/mL, doses above 10mg require more than 1.0 mL of liquid. A standard U-100 insulin syringe maxes out at 100 units (1.0 mL). You either need to split the injection into two draws or use a higher concentration.
This is why many people who titrate up to 12.5mg or 15mg switch to a 15 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL concentration. It keeps the injection volume manageable.
Reading your syringe correctly
Syringe reading errors are the number one cause of dosing mistakes. Here is how to read a U-100 insulin syringe accurately.
On a 0.3 mL syringe (30 units), each small line represents 0.5 units. On a 0.5 mL syringe (50 units), each small line represents 1 unit. On a 1.0 mL syringe (100 units), each small line represents 2 units. Always read at the top of the plunger where it meets the barrel of the syringe.
For doses that fall between marked lines (like 25 units on a 1.0 mL syringe where lines mark every 2 units), use a smaller syringe for better precision. A 0.5 mL syringe with individual unit markings makes 25 units easy to read. The syringe conversion guide covers this in more detail.
Precision matters most at lower doses. At 2.5mg, a 2-unit reading error changes your dose by 20% or more. At 10mg, the same 2-unit error changes your dose by only 2%. Use the smallest syringe that fits your required volume.
Dosage chart at 15 mg/mL concentration
If you added 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 30mg vial, your concentration is 15 mg/mL. Each unit on a U-100 syringe delivers 0.15 mg of tirzepatide. This concentration works well for mid-range to higher doses because it keeps injection volumes smaller.
Desired dose | Volume (mL) | Units on U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 0.167 mL | 17 units |
5.0 mg | 0.333 mL | 33 units |
7.5 mg | 0.500 mL | 50 units |
10.0 mg | 0.667 mL | 67 units |
12.5 mg | 0.833 mL | 83 units |
15.0 mg | 1.000 mL | 100 units |
The advantage here is clear. Even at the maximum 15mg dose, you only need 100 units, which fits perfectly in a 1.0 mL syringe. No split draws needed. The disadvantage is the rounding required at lower doses. Hitting exactly 16.7 units on a syringe is not realistic, so you round to the nearest whole unit and accept a small margin of variation.
At 2.5mg, rounding from 16.7 to 17 units gives you approximately 2.55mg instead of 2.5mg. That is a 2% variation, which is clinically insignificant. Do not stress about fractional units. The tirzepatide dosage chart in mL explains these rounding principles in greater detail.
Dosage chart at 20 mg/mL concentration
If you added 1.5 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 30mg vial, your concentration is 20 mg/mL. Each unit delivers 0.2 mg. This is a popular concentration for people on higher maintenance doses who want minimal injection volume.
Desired dose | Volume (mL) | Units on U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 0.125 mL | 13 units |
5.0 mg | 0.250 mL | 25 units |
7.5 mg | 0.375 mL | 38 units |
10.0 mg | 0.500 mL | 50 units |
12.5 mg | 0.625 mL | 63 units |
15.0 mg | 0.750 mL | 75 units |
At 20 mg/mL, even the maximum dose fits comfortably in a 1.0 mL syringe with room to spare. Injection volumes stay small across the board. The tradeoff remains the same: less volume, less precision. But the differences are small enough that they do not matter clinically.
This concentration is particularly useful for people who experience injection site reactions. Smaller volumes mean less disruption to the subcutaneous tissue, which can reduce local irritation and discomfort.
Dosage chart at 30 mg/mL concentration
If you added just 1.0 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 30mg vial, you created the most concentrated option: 30 mg/mL. Each unit delivers 0.3 mg. This is not commonly recommended for beginners because small measurement errors have outsized effects. But experienced users sometimes prefer it for the ultra-small injection volumes.
Desired dose | Volume (mL) | Units on U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 0.083 mL | 8 units |
5.0 mg | 0.167 mL | 17 units |
7.5 mg | 0.250 mL | 25 units |
10.0 mg | 0.333 mL | 33 units |
12.5 mg | 0.417 mL | 42 units |
15.0 mg | 0.500 mL | 50 units |
The precision concern is real at this concentration. Rounding from 8.3 to 8 units at the 2.5mg dose gives you 2.4mg, a 4% decrease. Rounding to 9 units gives you 2.7mg, an 8% increase. Neither is dangerous, but if you want tight dosing control during early titration, use a lower concentration.
For the titration phase (2.5mg and 5mg doses), a 10 mg/mL concentration gives you more precision. Save the 30 mg/mL concentration for when you have settled into a stable maintenance dose and accuracy at 0.3mg per unit is acceptable.
Dosage chart at 5 mg/mL concentration
If you added 6.0 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 30mg vial, your concentration is 5 mg/mL. Each unit delivers just 0.05 mg. This is the most dilute common option and offers maximum dosing precision.
Desired dose | Volume (mL) | Units on U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 0.50 mL | 50 units |
5.0 mg | 1.00 mL | 100 units |
7.5 mg | 1.50 mL | 150 units (requires two draws) |
10.0 mg | 2.00 mL | 200 units (requires two draws) |
12.5 mg | 2.50 mL | 250 units (requires three draws) |
15.0 mg | 3.00 mL | 300 units (requires three draws) |
The advantage is obvious: no rounding needed at any standard dose. Clean numbers across the board. The disadvantage is equally obvious: injection volumes get large fast. At 5mg you are already injecting a full milliliter. At higher doses, you need multiple draws and multiple injection sites.
This concentration makes sense for people doing microdosing protocols at sub-2.5mg doses. If you are titrating at 1.25mg or even 0.625mg per week, the 5 mg/mL concentration lets you measure these tiny doses accurately. But for standard protocols, 10 mg/mL remains the better choice.
The standard tirzepatide titration schedule
Tirzepatide follows a gradual dose escalation protocol. You do not start at your target dose. You build up to it over weeks or months, giving your body time to adapt and minimizing gastrointestinal side effects. The FDA-approved titration schedule for Zepbound (the brand-name weight management version) serves as the foundation for most compounded protocols.
Phase | Weeks | Weekly dose | Units at 10mg/mL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 1 | 1-4 | 2.5 mg | 25 units | Adaptation (not therapeutic) |
Phase 2 | 5-8 | 5.0 mg | 50 units | First therapeutic dose |
Phase 3 | 9-12 | 7.5 mg | 75 units | Dose escalation |
Phase 4 | 13-16 | 10.0 mg | 100 units | Higher therapeutic dose |
Phase 5 | 17-20 | 12.5 mg | Switch to 15 or 20mg/mL | Advanced escalation |
Phase 6 | 21+ | 15.0 mg | Switch to 15 or 20mg/mL | Maximum dose |
Important: 2.5mg is not a therapeutic dose for weight management. It exists solely to let your gastrointestinal system adapt to the medication. Some people feel appetite suppression at 2.5mg, but the clinical trials showed that meaningful weight loss begins at 5mg and increases with each dose escalation up to 15mg.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants achieved mean body weight reductions of 16.0% at 5mg, 21.4% at 10mg, and 22.5% at 15mg over 72 weeks. The difference between 10mg and 15mg was relatively small (about 1 percentage point), which is why many people find their effective maintenance dose in the 7.5mg to 10mg range without needing to push to maximum.
When to increase your dose
The standard guideline says to increase every 4 weeks. But this is a minimum interval, not a mandate. You can stay at any dose longer if you are responding well or experiencing side effects that need more adaptation time.
Signs you are ready to increase:
Appetite suppression has noticeably decreased compared to earlier weeks at this dose
Weight loss has stalled for 2+ weeks despite consistent diet and activity
Gastrointestinal side effects from the current dose have resolved
You have been at the current dose for at least 4 weeks
Signs you should stay at your current dose longer:
You are still losing weight consistently
Appetite suppression remains effective
You are experiencing ongoing nausea, vomiting, or fatigue
Injection site reactions have not resolved
Do not increase just because the schedule says to. If 5mg is working well and you are losing 1-2 pounds per week consistently, there is no rush to move to 7.5mg. More is not always better. Understanding when and why to adjust is just as important as the dosage chart itself.
How many vials you need for a complete protocol
Planning your supply prevents gaps in treatment. Running out mid-protocol means starting the titration process over, which wastes time and money. Here is a complete supply planning chart for a 30mg vial protocol from start through 24 weeks.
Phase | Weeks | Weekly dose | Total mg needed | 30mg vials needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 1 | 1-4 | 2.5 mg | 10 mg | Shares vial 1 |
Phase 2 | 5-8 | 5.0 mg | 20 mg | Shares vial 1 + starts vial 2 |
Phase 3 | 9-12 | 7.5 mg | 30 mg | Finishes vial 2 + starts vial 3 |
Phase 4 | 13-16 | 10.0 mg | 40 mg | Uses vial 3 + vial 4 |
Phase 5 | 17-20 | 12.5 mg | 50 mg | Uses vials 4-6 |
Phase 6 | 21-24 | 15.0 mg | 60 mg | Uses vials 6-8 |
Total for 24-week full titration: approximately 7-8 vials of 30mg tirzepatide (210-240mg total).
A few notes on this estimate. Reconstituted tirzepatide has a 28-day shelf life. If you are on a low dose and a single vial would technically last longer than 28 days, you need to discard the unused portion and start a fresh vial. This means the early phases may use slightly more vials than the math suggests.
At 2.5mg per week, a 30mg vial provides 12 weeks of doses. But if it expires after 28 days, you only get 4 doses from that vial (10mg used) before discarding the remaining 20mg. Plan accordingly. Some people address this by reconstituting only a portion of the powder, though this requires careful technique. Others simply accept the waste during early titration as part of the process.
For detailed cost breakdowns across different vial sizes and provider options, check the compounded tirzepatide cost guide.
Comparing 30mg vial concentrations side by side
Here is every common reconstitution scenario for a 30mg vial in a single reference table. Find your concentration column and read across to see the units for your dose. Keep this chart wherever you store your supplies.
Dose | 5 mg/mL (6mL water) | 10 mg/mL (3mL water) | 15 mg/mL (2mL water) | 20 mg/mL (1.5mL water) | 30 mg/mL (1mL water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | 50 units | 25 units | 17 units | 13 units | 8 units |
5.0 mg | 100 units | 50 units | 33 units | 25 units | 17 units |
7.5 mg | 150 units* | 75 units | 50 units | 38 units | 25 units |
10.0 mg | 200 units* | 100 units | 67 units | 50 units | 33 units |
12.5 mg | 250 units* | 125 units* | 83 units | 63 units | 42 units |
15.0 mg | 300 units* | 150 units* | 100 units | 75 units | 50 units |
* Exceeds 100 units. Requires multiple syringe draws or a larger syringe.
If you are switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide, the unit measurements will be different even if you use the same syringe. Do not assume equivalent volumes. Always recalculate based on the specific peptide and concentration.
Administration guide for each dose
Knowing how many units to draw is only half the equation. How you inject matters too. Proper technique affects absorption, minimizes side effects, and ensures consistent dosing.
Injection sites and rotation
Tirzepatide is administered subcutaneously, meaning into the fat layer just beneath the skin. The three primary injection sites are:
Abdomen: At least 2 inches away from the navel. This is the most common site and generally offers the most consistent absorption.
Upper outer thigh: The fleshy area on the front-outside of the thigh, roughly mid-way between hip and knee.
Upper arm: The back of the upper arm, though this site can be difficult to self-inject without help.
Rotate between these sites weekly. Do not inject into the same spot repeatedly. Site rotation prevents lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue at the injection site) and reduces the risk of persistent injection site reactions. If you injected your abdomen this week, use your thigh next week.
Within each area, vary the exact spot by at least an inch from your previous injection. Think of each injection site as a clock face and rotate around it.
Injection timing and consistency
Choose the same day each week. It does not matter which day, what time, or whether you have eaten. What matters is consistency. If you inject every Tuesday morning, keep injecting every Tuesday morning.
If you miss your scheduled day, inject as soon as you remember, provided there are at least 3 days (72 hours) until your next scheduled dose. If there are fewer than 3 days remaining, skip the missed dose and resume on your next scheduled day. Do not double up.
Missing an occasional dose is not catastrophic. The half-life of tirzepatide is approximately 5 days, meaning the medication remains active in your system for an extended period. A single missed dose does not reset your progress. But repeated missed doses will reduce efficacy and may increase side effects when you resume, because your body partially de-adapts. For more on tirzepatide timing and onset, see our detailed guide.
Drawing from the vial correctly
Clean the vial stopper with an alcohol swab. Draw air into the syringe equal to the amount of liquid you plan to withdraw. Insert the needle through the stopper and inject the air (this equalizes pressure and makes drawing easier). Invert the vial so the needle tip is submerged in the liquid. Slowly pull back the plunger to your target unit marking.
Check for air bubbles. If you see any, tap the syringe barrel gently to move bubbles to the top, then push the plunger slightly to expel them. Re-check your volume and adjust if needed.
Air bubbles in a subcutaneous injection are not dangerous (they are in intravenous injections). But they displace liquid volume, meaning you get less medication than you measured. A large bubble could mean you are 1-3 units short. Remove them for accuracy.
Managing side effects at each dose level
Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common experience with tirzepatide, and they follow a predictable pattern: they intensify during the first 1-2 weeks after each dose increase, then gradually improve as your body adapts. Understanding this pattern helps you manage expectations and avoid unnecessary dose adjustments.
Side effects by dose level
Dose | Most common side effects | Typical duration | Severity trend |
|---|---|---|---|
2.5 mg | Mild nausea, decreased appetite | 3-7 days | Usually mild |
5.0 mg | Nausea, constipation, mild diarrhea | 5-10 days | Mild to moderate |
7.5 mg | Nausea, constipation, fatigue | 7-14 days | Moderate |
10.0 mg | Nausea, constipation, dyspepsia | 7-14 days | Moderate |
12.5 mg | Nausea, constipation, vomiting (some) | 7-14 days | Moderate to significant |
15.0 mg | Nausea, GI discomfort, fatigue | 7-14 days | Moderate to significant |
In clinical trials, nausea affected approximately 20% of participants, with most episodes being mild to moderate and resolving within the first few weeks at each dose level. Constipation and diarrhea each affected roughly 10-16% of participants.
Practical management strategies
For nausea: Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. Avoid greasy, fried, and high-fat foods, especially during the first week after a dose increase. Ginger tea, ginger supplements, and peppermint can provide natural relief. If nausea is persistent, your provider may prescribe ondansetron (Zofran) for temporary use.
For constipation: Increase water intake significantly, aiming for at least 80-100 ounces daily. Add fiber-rich foods gradually (too much fiber too fast makes it worse). Magnesium citrate (200-400mg daily) works well for many people. Stay physically active, as movement stimulates bowel motility.
For fatigue: Common in the first 1-2 weeks after dose increases. Ensure adequate protein intake (at least 0.7-1.0 grams per pound of body weight daily). Tirzepatide-related fatigue usually resolves as your body adjusts to the new dose. If it persists beyond 3 weeks, consult your provider.
For injection site reactions: Let the solution come to room temperature before injecting (remove from fridge 15-30 minutes before use). Inject slowly. Rotate sites consistently. Most injection site reactions are mild redness or slight swelling that resolves within 24-48 hours.
If side effects do not improve after 4 weeks at a given dose, or if they are severe enough to affect daily functioning, talk to your provider about staying at the current dose longer or reducing back to the previous dose. The dosing for weight loss guide discusses dose adjustment strategies in depth.
Converting between vial sizes
Not everyone uses 30mg vials exclusively. You might switch between vial sizes as your dose changes, or your provider might change their supply. Understanding how the math translates across vial sizes keeps you confident with any format.
The conversion principle is the same regardless of vial size. You are always solving: concentration = total mg / volume of water.
Vial size | Water for 10 mg/mL | Water for 15 mg/mL | Water for 20 mg/mL |
|---|---|---|---|
10 mg | 1.0 mL | 0.67 mL | 0.5 mL |
20 mg | 2.0 mL | 1.33 mL | 1.0 mL |
30 mg | 3.0 mL | 2.0 mL | 1.5 mL |
50 mg | 5.0 mL | 3.33 mL | 2.5 mL |
60 mg | 6.0 mL | 4.0 mL | 3.0 mL |
Once you match the concentration, the unit measurements are identical regardless of vial size. Twenty-five units of a 10 mg/mL solution always delivers 2.5mg, whether that solution came from a 10mg vial or a 60mg vial. The vial size only affects how many total doses you get before needing a new vial.
If you are switching from brand-name Zepbound to compounded tirzepatide vials, the active dose stays the same. Only the delivery method changes. Your 2.5mg dose is still 2.5mg. You just measure it differently.
For people transitioning between different GLP-1 medications entirely, the semaglutide to tirzepatide conversion chart provides equivalent dose mappings.
Microdosing protocols with a 30mg vial
Some people use sub-standard doses of tirzepatide, either as an extended titration strategy or as a maintenance approach at lower weight loss targets. A 30mg vial is particularly well-suited for microdosing because it provides a large supply at low dose levels.
Common microdosing schedules
Microdose | Units at 10 mg/mL | Units at 5 mg/mL | Doses per 30mg vial |
|---|---|---|---|
0.5 mg | 5 units | 10 units | 60 doses |
1.0 mg | 10 units | 20 units | 30 doses |
1.25 mg | 13 units | 25 units | 24 doses |
1.5 mg | 15 units | 30 units | 20 doses |
2.0 mg | 20 units | 40 units | 15 doses |
At microdose levels, the 5 mg/mL concentration becomes more practical because it gives you clean unit numbers and minimizes rounding errors. At 10 mg/mL, a 0.5mg dose requires only 5 units, which can be difficult to measure precisely on some syringes. At 5 mg/mL, that same 0.5mg dose requires 10 units, an easier measurement.
Microdosing tirzepatide is not part of the FDA-approved protocol. Limited research exists on sub-2.5mg dosing specifically. However, the microdosing tirzepatide chart covers the rationale, potential benefits, and considerations for people who choose this approach with their provider guidance.
Why would someone microdose? Several reasons. Some people are highly sensitive to GLP-1 receptor agonists and experience significant side effects even at 2.5mg. Starting at 0.5mg or 1.0mg and increasing by 0.5mg every 2-4 weeks can make the adaptation process smoother. Others use microdosing as a maintenance strategy after reaching their weight goal, maintaining results with minimal medication.
Tirzepatide 30mg vs other vial sizes
Choosing between vial sizes comes down to dose level, cost efficiency, and waste minimization. Here is how the 30mg vial stacks up.
Factor | 10mg vial | 30mg vial | 60mg vial |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for doses | 2.5-5mg | 2.5-15mg (all phases) | 10-15mg (maintenance) |
Weeks per vial at 5mg | 2 weeks | 6 weeks | 12 weeks |
Weeks per vial at 10mg | 1 week | 3 weeks | 6 weeks |
Waste risk (28-day shelf life) | Low | Moderate | High at low doses |
Cost per mg (typically) | Highest | Moderate | Lowest |
Flexibility | Limited | Excellent | Best for high doses |
The 30mg vial is the most versatile option. It works across all dose levels without creating excessive waste at lower doses or requiring too-frequent reordering at higher doses. For someone going through the full titration from 2.5mg to 15mg, the 30mg vial format is often the most practical choice.
Storage and handling for your reconstituted vial
Proper storage directly affects potency. Tirzepatide is a protein-based molecule, and like all proteins, it degrades under certain conditions. Treat your reconstituted vial like you would treat insulin: keep it cold, keep it dark, keep it clean.
Storage requirements
State | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Lyophilized (powder) | -20C to 8C | Until expiration date | Freezer or fridge both acceptable |
Reconstituted | 2-8C (refrigerator) | 28 days maximum | Do not freeze after reconstitution |
Room temperature | Below 25C | As brief as possible | Only during drawing and injection |
Store your reconstituted vial upright in the refrigerator, away from the back wall (where it might freeze) and away from the door (where temperature fluctuates most). A shelf in the middle of the fridge is ideal.
For detailed guidance on temperature management and what to do if your vial is accidentally left out, check how long tirzepatide can be out of the fridge and the general peptide storage guide.
Signs of degradation
Inspect your solution before every injection. Normal reconstituted tirzepatide should be clear and colorless. If you observe any of the following, discard the vial:
Cloudiness or turbidity
Visible particles or flakes
Color change (yellowing, browning)
Unusual odor
These signs indicate protein aggregation or contamination. Using degraded product means unpredictable dosing at best and potential safety concerns at worst.
SeekPeptides provides comprehensive storage databases and stability guides for members, covering not just tirzepatide but every commonly used peptide.
Quick reference card
Print this section or save it to your phone. It contains the most essential information from this entire guide in compact form.
Reconstitution formula: 30mg / water volume (mL) = concentration (mg/mL)
Unit formula: Desired dose (mg) / concentration per unit (mg) = units to draw
Most common setup: 3.0 mL water into 30mg vial = 10 mg/mL
Quick dosing at 10 mg/mL:
2.5mg = 25 units
5mg = 50 units
7.5mg = 75 units
10mg = 100 units
Injection: Subcutaneous. Rotate sites. Same day each week.
Storage: Refrigerate at 2-8C. Use within 28 days. Never freeze reconstituted solution.
Titration: Start 2.5mg. Increase by 2.5mg every 4+ weeks. Maximum 15mg.
For a printable version of the complete tirzepatide dosage chart in units, visit our detailed reference guide.
Common mistakes with 30mg vials
Experience teaches some lessons the hard way. These are the most frequent errors people make when working with 30mg tirzepatide vials, and how to avoid every single one.
Mistake 1: Using the wrong water volume
This happens more often than you would think. Someone intends to add 3.0 mL but draws up 2.0 mL or 4.0 mL because they misread the syringe or grabbed the wrong one. The result is a concentration that does not match their dosage chart, and every subsequent injection is off.
Prevention: Write down your target volume before you start. Use a syringe with clear, easy-to-read markings. Double-check the measurement before injecting into the vial. Once the water is in, you cannot undo it.
Mistake 2: Injecting air into the reconstituted solution
When drawing from the vial, injecting too much air creates positive pressure that can push liquid out around the needle. Injecting too little air creates negative pressure that makes drawing difficult and can introduce bubbles.
Prevention: Inject air equal to the volume you plan to withdraw. No more, no less.
Mistake 3: Confusing concentrations when switching vials
You finish a vial reconstituted at 10 mg/mL and start a new one at 20 mg/mL, but draw the same number of units from force of habit. You just doubled your dose.
Prevention: Label every vial with the concentration. Before drawing, confirm the concentration matches your chart. When switching concentrations, recalculate your unit measurement and write it down.
Mistake 4: Using the vial beyond 28 days
Reconstituted tirzepatide degrades over time. Using it beyond 28 days means potentially reduced potency and unknown degradation products.
Prevention: Write the reconstitution date and discard date on the vial label. Set a phone reminder for day 28.
Mistake 5: Shaking the vial during reconstitution
Vigorous shaking can denature the peptide, breaking its molecular structure and reducing efficacy. The resulting solution might look foamy or contain tiny bubbles that do not dissipate.
Prevention: Swirl gently. Roll between palms. Never shake. If the powder takes longer than 10 minutes to dissolve with gentle swirling, it may indicate a quality issue with the product.
For a broader overview of reconstitution and handling best practices across all peptide types, review the peptide mixing guide and common peptide mistakes article.
Tracking your progress
Dosage charts get you started. Tracking keeps you on course. Without tracking, you are guessing whether your current dose is working, when to adjust, and whether your protocol is producing results.
What to track weekly
Weight: Same day, same time, same conditions (morning, after bathroom, before eating). Weight fluctuates 2-5 pounds daily from water retention, food volume, and other factors. Weekly measurements on a consistent schedule smooth out this noise.
Measurements: Waist circumference at the navel. Hip circumference at the widest point. These catch body composition changes that the scale misses.
Side effects: Rate nausea, energy, appetite, and GI comfort on a 1-10 scale. Track patterns over time.
Injection details: Date, time, dose, units drawn, injection site, any issues.
Expected weight loss timeline
Timeframe | Expected range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Weeks 1-4 (2.5mg) | 0-3 lbs | Adaptation phase |
Weeks 5-8 (5mg) | 3-8 lbs total | Appetite suppression becomes noticeable |
Weeks 9-16 (7.5-10mg) | 8-20 lbs total | Most consistent weight loss phase |
Weeks 17-24 (10-15mg) | 15-35 lbs total | Results compound |
Months 6-12 | Up to 20-22% body weight | Long-term trend varies significantly |
These ranges come from clinical trial averages. Individual results vary based on starting weight, diet quality, activity level, metabolic factors, and dose response. The key indicator is a consistent downward trend over weeks and months, not what happens in any single week.
If you have plateaued for 3+ weeks while on a consistent dose and maintaining your diet, it may be time to discuss a dose increase. See why you might not be losing weight on tirzepatide for a comprehensive troubleshooting guide.
Tirzepatide 30mg vial vs brand-name options
The 30mg vial format is primarily associated with compounded tirzepatide. Brand-name tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for weight management) comes in pre-filled, single-dose injection pens at specific strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg.
The compounded vial format offers flexibility that pre-filled pens do not. You can adjust your concentration, titrate in smaller increments, and create custom dose levels that fall between the brand-name options. The tradeoff is that compounded medications are not FDA-approved and do not undergo the same manufacturing oversight as brand-name products.
This distinction matters for informed decision-making, not for scare tactics. Both formats contain tirzepatide. Both work through the same dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist mechanism. The differences lie in manufacturing oversight, convenience, cost, and dosing flexibility.
For a detailed comparison between tirzepatide and its closest competitor, the semaglutide vs tirzepatide comparison page covers mechanisms, efficacy, side effect profiles, and dosing differences. And if you are considering switching between the two, the conversion chart maps equivalent doses.
Advanced dosing considerations
Body weight and dose response
Tirzepatide is dosed by milligrams, not by body weight. A 150-pound person and a 300-pound person both start at 2.5mg. This is different from some other medications that use weight-based dosing.
However, body weight does affect the practical response. Heavier individuals generally need higher doses to achieve the same percentage of appetite suppression and weight loss. The SURMOUNT trials showed that participants with higher baseline BMI often ended up at higher maintenance doses (12.5mg or 15mg), while those with lower baseline BMI sometimes achieved their goals at 7.5mg or 10mg.
This does not mean heavier people should skip the early titration steps. The gradual increase remains important for GI tolerance regardless of body weight. It means that if you are starting at a higher weight, mentally prepare for the possibility that you will need to titrate to the higher end of the dose range.
Combining tirzepatide with other compounds
Some protocols combine tirzepatide with vitamin B12, niacinamide, or other compounds. If your 30mg vial contains tirzepatide only (which is the standard for most lyophilized vials), these additions would be separate injections or separate compounds. If your provider supplies a combination product (like tirzepatide with B12 or tirzepatide with niacinamide), the dosing chart may differ because the total volume includes the additional ingredients.
Always confirm whether your vial is tirzepatide-only or a combination product before using the charts in this guide.
What to do if you overdose or underdose
Mild overdose (drew 30-35 units instead of 25 at 10mg/mL): You received roughly 3.0-3.5mg instead of 2.5mg. This is unlikely to cause problems beyond slightly increased nausea. Monitor for side effects and use the correct dose next week.
Significant overdose (drew 50 units instead of 25): You received double your intended dose. Expect more pronounced side effects, particularly nausea and appetite suppression. Contact your provider if symptoms are severe.
Underdose: Less concerning from a safety standpoint but reduces efficacy for that week. Take your correct dose at the next scheduled time. Do not add extra to compensate.
These situations reinforce why syringe precision and concentration labeling matter. The peptide calculator can help verify your measurements before each injection.
Frequently asked questions
How much bacteriostatic water do I add to a 30mg tirzepatide vial?
The most common recommendation is 3.0 mL, which creates a 10 mg/mL concentration. However, you can add anywhere from 1.0 mL (30 mg/mL) to 6.0 mL (5 mg/mL) depending on your dosing needs. See the full reconstitution chart for all options.
How many units is 2.5mg of tirzepatide from a 30mg vial?
It depends on your concentration. At 10 mg/mL (3.0 mL water), 2.5mg equals 25 units. At 15 mg/mL (2.0 mL water), it equals approximately 17 units. At 20 mg/mL (1.5 mL water), it equals approximately 13 units. Our complete guide on 2.5mg unit conversions covers every scenario.
How long does a 30mg vial last?
At 2.5mg per week, the vial contains 12 doses worth of tirzepatide. However, reconstituted solution must be used within 28 days, so you would only use 4 doses before discarding unused solution. At 10mg per week, the vial provides 3 weeks of doses and will be used well within the 28-day window.
Can I use a 30mg vial if my dose is higher than 10mg?
Yes, but you may need to reconstitute at a higher concentration (15 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL) to keep the injection volume within a single syringe draw. Review the dosage chart in mL for volume calculations at each concentration.
What happens if I add too much or too little water?
Adding more water than intended creates a lower concentration than planned. Adding less creates a higher concentration. The safest approach is to calculate your new concentration (30mg divided by actual mL added) and use the corresponding dosage chart. The reconstitution calculator can recalculate based on your actual water volume.
Is there a difference between a 30mg vial and three 10mg vials?
The total tirzepatide content is the same (30mg). The practical differences are cost (30mg vials usually cost less per milligram), convenience (fewer reconstitutions), and waste potential (more unused solution if you are on a low dose). Both formats work equally well if stored and reconstituted properly.
Can I freeze reconstituted tirzepatide to extend its life?
No. Freezing reconstituted protein solutions can cause ice crystal formation that damages the peptide structure. Once reconstituted, refrigerate only (2-8 degrees Celsius) and use within 28 days. See tirzepatide refrigeration requirements for complete storage guidance.
How do I know if my tirzepatide has gone bad?
Inspect the solution before every use. It should be clear and colorless. Cloudiness, visible particles, color changes, or unusual odor all indicate degradation. Also track the reconstitution date and discard after 28 days regardless of appearance.
External resources
For researchers serious about optimizing their tirzepatide protocols, SeekPeptides offers the most comprehensive resource available, with evidence-based guides, proven protocols, dosing calculators, and a community of thousands who have navigated these exact questions.
In case I do not see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night. May your reconstitutions stay precise, your titrations stay smooth, and your results stay consistent.