VLS Pharmacy · Patient Instructions

VLS Pharmacy Tirzepatide Injection & Dosage Instructions

Dispensing pharmacy:
VLS Pharmacy
Last updated:

Important: Syringe units may vary depending on the concentration of Tirzepatide dispensed by your pharmacy. Always follow the dosing instructions provided with your specific prescription. Do not calculate or change the number of units on your own.

Dose reference

How Much Tirzepatide to Inject

Follow the corresponding syringe units and exact prescribed dose in mg provided for your specific Tirzepatide concentration and protocol.

Tirzepatide + Glycine: (1ml, 2ml, 4ml vial)

Prescribed doseConcentrationVolumeSyringe units
2.5mg17mg/ml0.15ml15 units
5mg17mg/ml0.29 ml29 units
7.5mg17mg/ml0.44 ml44 units
10mg17mg/ml0.59 ml59 units
12mg17mg/ml0.74 ml74 units
15mg17mg/ml0.88 ml88 units

Tirzepatide + Glycine: (1ml, 2ml vial)

Prescribed doseConcentrationVolumeSyringe units
2.5mg8.5mg/ml0.29 ml29 units
5mg8.5mg/ml0.58 ml58 units

Injection guide

How to Prepare the Syringe

  1. 01

    Preparation

    Ensure your Tirzepatide vial and insulin syringe are ready for use. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

  2. 02

    Measuring the Dose

    Use the provided insulin syringe to measure your prescribed Tirzepatide dose accurately. Follow the dosing chart provided with your specific prescription to ensure you are injecting the correct amount.

  3. 03

    Injection Site

    Select an injection site. Recommended areas include the abdomen, thigh, or back of the upper arm. Clean the site with an alcohol swab and allow it to air dry.

  4. 04

    Administering the Dose

    Gently pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45- to 90-degree angle. Slowly push the plunger to administer the prescribed Tirzepatide dose.

  5. 05

    Disposal

    Dispose of the used syringe properly in an appropriate sharps container.

Helpful Videos on how to start your weight loss program:

Helpful Videos on how to start your weight loss program:

How to Give Yourself A Subcutaneous Injection

Storage, Transit, and Missed Doses

How to Store Tirzepatide

Store your Tirzepatide according to the storage instructions provided by the dispensing pharmacy and listed on your Tirzepatide label. Keep Tirzepatide protected from excessive heat and do not freeze it. Important: Storage requirements can vary by medication, formulation, vial, and pharmacy. Always follow the instructions provided with your specific Tirzepatide prescription.

How Long Can My Tirzepatide Be in Transit?

If you have questions or concerns about how long your Tirzepatide has been in transit, the temperature it may have been exposed to, or the condition of your medication upon delivery, please contact our MaxLife Pharmacy Team at (949) 704-1000 option 2 extension 1, for guidance before using or discarding your medication. Our pharmacy team can review your specific situation and advise you on whether your medication is appropriate to use.

Is my Medication Still Good For Use if I Left it Out of the Refrigerator?

If you accidentally left your Tirzepatide out of the refrigerator, please do not use or discard it until you have contacted our MaxLife Pharmacy Team. They can review how long the medication was left unrefrigerated and the temperature it was exposed to and provide guidance on whether it is still appropriate to use. Please contact our MaxLife Pharmacy Team at (949) 704-1000, option 2, extension 1 for assistance.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

If you miss a scheduled Tirzepatide dose, do not double your next dose or take extra Tirzepatide to make up for a missed dose. Because missed-dose recommendations can vary depending on the specific prescription and how long it has been since the scheduled dose, contact your MaxLife care team if you are unsure when to take your next Tirzepatide dose.

Frequently asked questions

Common Questions / FAQs

During the registration process please let us know about all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. Tirzepatide can affect the absorption of some oral medications because it delays gastric emptying. Once you become an existing patient if there is anything else that you would like to advise or ask our medical team please feel free to contact us.
Alcohol is not specifically prohibited while taking Tirzepatide. However, drinking alcohol may worsen side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, or stomach discomfort. Alcohol can also contribute to dehydration, particularly if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation, stay well hydrated, and pay attention to how your body responds. If alcohol causes or worsens side effects, it is best to avoid it and speak with our medical team if you have concerns. If you have questions about alcohol use while taking Tirzepatide or have a medical condition that may be affected by alcohol, please contact your MaxLife Medical Team for personalized guidance.
Do not take another dose. Please reach out to our Maxlife medical team for guidance by calling (949) 704-1000 option 2 extension 3, particularly if you experience significant nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms. Seek emergency medical attention for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
Check the beyond-use date or expiration date on your Tirzepatide label before each injection. Do not use Tirzepatide after the date listed on the label. Regarding your specific medication and efficacy, please refer to the expiration date noted on the vial. The manufacturer's expiration date refers to the date after which a multi-dose vial should not be used. Your medication efficacy and safety are verified until the expiration date. The vial provided is a multi-dose vial and, depending on your program, will contain adequate medication until you’re due for your next shipment. To explain without confusion, the 28 days after opening is referring to a shelf life since these vials can be used for multiple patients in some instances. Since this vial is specific to you, we do not have to worry about this.
If you have questions about the 28-day discard label on your vial or how it applies to your prescription, please do not discard your vial unless instructed to do so by the pharmacy or your care team. Contact our MaxLife Pharmacy Coordinators at (949) 704-1000, option 2, extension 1, for guidance.
If you are traveling with Tirzepatide, plan ahead to maintain the required storage conditions and keep it in its original labeled packaging when possible. If you are traveling by air or will be away from refrigeration, ask our pharmacy team for specific instructions before traveling please feel free to contact (949) 704-1000 option 2 extension 1.

Pharmacy-Specific Instructions

Tirzepatide is generally administered once weekly, on the day directed by our provider. Follow the specific dose and schedule provided with your prescription.
Tirzepatide is injected subcutaneously, meaning just under the skin. Common injection areas include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites with each injection.
Tirzepatide can generally be administered at any time of day, with or without food. Try to take your weekly dose on the same day each week unless our provider gives you different instructions.
Follow the missed-dose instructions provided with your specific prescription. Do not take an extra dose of Tirzepatide to make up for a missed dose. If you are unsure when to take your next injection, contact our MaxLife medical team.
Common side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and indigestion. Side effects can be more noticeable when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
If you are experiencing any side effects that are not listed above or have concerns about how you are feeling, please contact our MaxLife Medical Team at (949) 704-1000, option 2, extension 3 for further guidance and assistance.
Eating smaller meals, eating slowly, and staying adequately hydrated may help some patients manage nausea. If nausea is severe, persistent, or preventing you from eating or drinking normally, contact our MaxLife medical team.
Do not automatically repeat your dose. Tirzepatide is absorbed over time, and taking another dose could result in receiving more Tirzepatide than prescribed. Contact our MaxLife medical team for guidance if you vomit after taking your dose.
No. Do not increase, decrease, or change your prescribed Tirzepatide dose without speaking with our MaxLife medical team. Your dose should be adjusted based on your individual treatment plan and how you tolerate the medication.
Do not guess or change the amount you inject. Different pharmacies may dispense Tirzepatide at different concentrations, so the number of syringe units can vary even when the prescribed dose in milligrams is the same. Check your Tirzepatide label and contact MaxLife or the dispensing pharmacy if the instructions do not match your Tirzepatide.

When to Seek Medical Attention

When to Contact Maxlife medical team or Seek Emergency Care

Mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort can occur with GLP-1 medications. However, contact our Maxlife medical team if symptoms are persistent, severe, or worsening.

Seek emergency medical attention or call 911 immediately if you experience:

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Fainting, collapse, seizure, or inability to stay awake
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by vomiting or pain that travels to your back
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea with signs of significant dehydration
  • Severe symptoms of low blood sugar, including confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizure
  • Any severe or rapidly worsening symptoms that require immediate medical attention

If you accidentally take more Tirzepatide than prescribed or are unsure whether you received the correct dose, please reach out to our Maxlife medical team for guidance by calling (949) 704-1000 option 2 extension 3. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Managing Side Effects

If you experience mild side effects, splitting your prescribed weekly dose into two injections several days apart may help minimize symptoms. Our medical providers recommend this approach to patients experiencing mild side effects.

Take half of your prescribed dose on your regularly scheduled injection day and the remaining half three days later. Use a new, sterile needle and syringe for each injection, drawing up only half of your total prescribed weekly dose for each injection.

If this schedule works well for you, continue using the same two injection days each week. If you prefer to return to your original once-weekly injection schedule, take your full prescribed dose on your regular injection day.

If you need additional syringes to follow this injection schedule, please contact the MaxLife team. We can help arrange additional supplies at no extra cost.

For further guidance on managing severe side effects, please contact the MaxLife medical team at (949) 704-1000 option 2 extension 3.