Why you start low

Your body needs to adapt. Starting at the maintenance dose causes severe side effects in most people.

The typical ramp

Semaglutide: 0.25 mg → 0.5 mg → 1.0 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg over 16+ weeks. Tirzepatide: 2.5 mg → 5 mg → 7.5 mg → 10 mg → 12.5 mg → 15 mg over 20+ weeks.

Why some providers pause

If side effects exceed what you can handle at a given step, your prescriber holds you there until you can move up. There is no medal for finishing fast.