GLP-1 Dosing & Injection Guide
Below, you will find dosing & injection instructions for both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
Please follow the dosing instructions provided by Potere Health MD, even if you have taken this medication before. Liquid medications can come in different concentrations, and the concentration determines how many units you should inject. Because concentrations may vary by pharmacy or manufacturer, it is important to follow the specific instructions provided with your prescription.
Semaglutide Dosing Guide
STEP
1
Gather your supplies.
STEP
2
Wash your hands with soap and water.
STEP
3
Choose a spot on your belly at least 2 inches to the side of your belly button.
STEP
4
Clean that area of your skin using the alcohol wipe and let it dry.
STEP
5
Slightly pinch a fold of skin where you will give the injection.
STEP
6
Hold the syringe at a 90-degree angle to your skin.
STEP
7
Quickly jab the needle all the way into the pinched-up skin.
STEP
8
Push the plunger all the way in so the medicine empties out of the syringe.
Nausea is a common, dose-related side effect of semaglutide and tirzepatide, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. It happens because GLP-1 medications slow digestion, increase fullness, and reduce appetite.
To reduce nausea:
-
Eat smaller, low-fat meals
-
Avoid greasy or large meals
-
Eat slowly and stop before feeling full
-
Avoid skipping meals
-
Increase the dose more slowly if needed
-
Splitting the weekly dose into twice-weekly injections may be considered when clinically appropriate.
Related: How to reduce GLP-1 nausea on semaglutide or tirzepatide
-
Semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause sulfur burps, bloating, and gas because they slow stomach emptying, allowing food to sit longer and ferment in the upper gut. Large meals, high-fat foods, carbonated drinks, and some sulfur-rich foods can make symptoms worse.
Smaller meals, slower eating, hydration, and avoiding trigger foods often help.
Related: How to reduce sulfur burps, bloating, and gas on GLP-1 medications | Do digestive enzymes help GLP-1 bloating and sulfur burps?
Yes. Diarrhea can happen on semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially early in treatment or after dose increases. It is usually mild and temporary.
Hydration, smaller meals, and avoiding greasy foods, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners may help. Persistent diarrhea, dehydration, severe pain, fever, or blood in the stool should be medically evaluated.
Related: GLP-1 diarrhea: causes, relief, and when to seek medical care
Constipation on semaglutide or tirzepatide is common and often improves with hydration, gradual soluble fiber (psyllium), physical activity, and—if needed—an osmotic laxative such as polyethylene glycol.
Helpful steps include:
-
Drink enough fluids
-
Add fiber gradually
-
Walk or move daily
-
Consider polyethylene glycol if needed
Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass gas requires urgent medical evaluation.
Related: GLP-1 constipation relief: fiber, hydration, and safe laxative options
-
Fatigue can occur with semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially early in treatment or after dose increases. It often happens because appetite drops, calorie intake decreases, and the body may temporarily conserve energy in response to eating less.
Most patients improve by eating enough protein, staying hydrated, avoiding extreme calorie restriction, and keeping light activity in their routine.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide do not directly cause hair loss. Temporary shedding is usually telogen effluvium from rapid weight loss, low protein intake, or nutritional stress—not medication toxicity.
When telogen effluvium occurs, the hair follicles are not permanently damaged, and regrowth is usually expected once weight loss stabilizes and nutrition improves.
Gradual weight loss, adequate protein, balanced nutrition, and correcting nutrient gaps can help reduce shedding risk.
Related: GLP-1 hair loss and telogen effluvium after weight loss
Yes. Semaglutide and tirzepatide can worsen heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD in some patients because they slow stomach emptying and increase fullness. Reflux may be more noticeable after large meals, high-fat or spicy foods, carbonated drinks, or lying down soon after eating.
Smaller portions, avoiding trigger foods, and staying upright after meals may help. Acid-reducing medications may also be appropriate when recommended by your treating physician.
The best diet for GLP-1 weight loss is a reduced-calorie, high-protein, high-fiber eating plan built around whole foods. Mediterranean-style, balanced, lower-carbohydrate, or higher-protein approaches can all work if they help you maintain a healthy calorie deficit.
The most important factor is sustainability. Long-term weight loss usually depends on small, realistic lifestyle changes you can continue over time, not extreme diets that are difficult to maintain.
Related: Learn more about the best diet for semaglutide and tirzepatide
A reasonable starting point is about 500 calories per day below your estimated maintenance needs, unless your clinician gives different guidance. This supports steady weight loss without extreme restriction, which can increase fatigue, muscle loss, and rebound hunger.
Calorie counting is not realistic or necessary for everyone. Many patients do better by learning to stop when they feel full, choosing smaller portions, and recognizing grazing or snacking patterns that come from boredom, stress, anxiety, or habit rather than true hunger.
Related: Use a weight loss calorie calculator
Many adults taking a GLP-1 medication should aim for about 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Protein helps preserve lean muscle during weight loss, especially when combined with resistance training.
A practical approach for many patients is to aim for about 25–35 grams of lean protein per meal from foods such as chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp, eggs or egg whites, low-fat Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, lean beef or pork, tofu, tempeh, edamame, beans, lentils, or chickpeas.
Related: Learn more protein requirements on GLP-1 medications
Most adults should gradually work toward about 25–38 grams of fiber per day from vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, oats, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Fiber can help support regular bowel movements while taking GLP-1 medications, but it should be increased slowly and with enough fluids.
Adding too much fiber too quickly may worsen bloating, gas, or constipation.
Yes. You can eat carbohydrates while taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially high-fiber carbs such as oats, beans, lentils, fruit, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and whole grains. Limit refined carbs, sugary drinks, and frequent sweets if they make it harder to stay in a calorie deficit or if they aggravate side effects.
Instead of avoiding carbohydrates completely, focus on choosing high-fiber, minimally processed carbs in portions that fit your weight-loss goals.
No food is completely off limits, but many patients feel better when they limit fried foods, greasy meals, sugary drinks, heavy alcohol intake, and very large portions. These can worsen nausea, reflux, bloating, constipation, or slow weight-loss progress.
In addition, weight loss may be easier when you limit calorie-dense foods such as packaged snack foods, highly processed foods, and frequent restaurant or fast-food meals.
Tirzepatide Dosing Guide
STEP
1
Gather your supplies.
STEP
2
Wash your hands with soap and water.
STEP
3
Choose a spot on your belly at least 2 inches to the side of your belly button.
STEP
4
Clean that area of your skin using the alcohol wipe and let it dry.
STEP
5
Slightly pinch a fold of skin where you will give the injection.
STEP
6
Hold the syringe at a 90-degree angle to your skin.
STEP
7
Quickly jab the needle all the way into the pinched-up skin.
STEP
8
Push the plunger all the way in so the medicine empties out of the syringe.
Nausea is a common, dose-related side effect of semaglutide and tirzepatide, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. It happens because GLP-1 medications slow digestion, increase fullness, and reduce appetite.
To reduce nausea:
-
Eat smaller, low-fat meals
-
Avoid greasy or large meals
-
Eat slowly and stop before feeling full
-
Avoid skipping meals
-
Increase the dose more slowly if needed
-
Splitting the weekly dose into twice-weekly injections may be considered when clinically appropriate.
Related: How to reduce GLP-1 nausea on semaglutide or tirzepatide
-
Semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause sulfur burps, bloating, and gas because they slow stomach emptying, allowing food to sit longer and ferment in the upper gut. Large meals, high-fat foods, carbonated drinks, and some sulfur-rich foods can make symptoms worse.
Smaller meals, slower eating, hydration, and avoiding trigger foods often help.
Related: How to reduce sulfur burps, bloating, and gas on GLP-1 medications | Do digestive enzymes help GLP-1 bloating and sulfur burps?
Yes. Diarrhea can happen on semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially early in treatment or after dose increases. It is usually mild and temporary.
Hydration, smaller meals, and avoiding greasy foods, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners may help. Persistent diarrhea, dehydration, severe pain, fever, or blood in the stool should be medically evaluated.
Related: GLP-1 diarrhea: causes, relief, and when to seek medical care
Constipation on semaglutide or tirzepatide is common and often improves with hydration, gradual soluble fiber (psyllium), physical activity, and—if needed—an osmotic laxative such as polyethylene glycol.
Helpful steps include:
-
Drink enough fluids
-
Add fiber gradually
-
Walk or move daily
-
Consider polyethylene glycol if needed
Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass gas requires urgent medical evaluation.
Related: GLP-1 constipation relief: fiber, hydration, and safe laxative options
-
Fatigue can occur with semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially early in treatment or after dose increases. It often happens because appetite drops, calorie intake decreases, and the body may temporarily conserve energy in response to eating less.
Most patients improve by eating enough protein, staying hydrated, avoiding extreme calorie restriction, and keeping light activity in their routine.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide do not directly cause hair loss. Temporary shedding is usually telogen effluvium from rapid weight loss, low protein intake, or nutritional stress—not medication toxicity.
When telogen effluvium occurs, the hair follicles are not permanently damaged, and regrowth is usually expected once weight loss stabilizes and nutrition improves.
Gradual weight loss, adequate protein, balanced nutrition, and correcting nutrient gaps can help reduce shedding risk.
Related: GLP-1 hair loss and telogen effluvium after weight loss
Yes. Semaglutide and tirzepatide can worsen heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD in some patients because they slow stomach emptying and increase fullness. Reflux may be more noticeable after large meals, high-fat or spicy foods, carbonated drinks, or lying down soon after eating.
Smaller portions, avoiding trigger foods, and staying upright after meals may help. Acid-reducing medications may also be appropriate when recommended by your treating physician.
The best diet for GLP-1 weight loss is a reduced-calorie, high-protein, high-fiber eating plan built around whole foods. Mediterranean-style, balanced, lower-carbohydrate, or higher-protein approaches can all work if they help you maintain a healthy calorie deficit.
The most important factor is sustainability. Long-term weight loss usually depends on small, realistic lifestyle changes you can continue over time, not extreme diets that are difficult to maintain.
Related: Learn more about the best diet for semaglutide and tirzepatide
A reasonable starting point is about 500 calories per day below your estimated maintenance needs, unless your clinician gives different guidance. This supports steady weight loss without extreme restriction, which can increase fatigue, muscle loss, and rebound hunger.
Calorie counting is not realistic or necessary for everyone. Many patients do better by learning to stop when they feel full, choosing smaller portions, and recognizing grazing or snacking patterns that come from boredom, stress, anxiety, or habit rather than true hunger.
Related: Use a weight loss calorie calculator
Many adults taking a GLP-1 medication should aim for about 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Protein helps preserve lean muscle during weight loss, especially when combined with resistance training.
A practical approach for many patients is to aim for about 25–35 grams of lean protein per meal from foods such as chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp, eggs or egg whites, low-fat Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, lean beef or pork, tofu, tempeh, edamame, beans, lentils, or chickpeas.
Related: Learn more protein requirements on GLP-1 medications
Most adults should gradually work toward about 25–38 grams of fiber per day from vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, oats, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Fiber can help support regular bowel movements while taking GLP-1 medications, but it should be increased slowly and with enough fluids.
Adding too much fiber too quickly may worsen bloating, gas, or constipation.
Yes. You can eat carbohydrates while taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, especially high-fiber carbs such as oats, beans, lentils, fruit, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and whole grains. Limit refined carbs, sugary drinks, and frequent sweets if they make it harder to stay in a calorie deficit or if they aggravate side effects.
Instead of avoiding carbohydrates completely, focus on choosing high-fiber, minimally processed carbs in portions that fit your weight-loss goals.
No food is completely off limits, but many patients feel better when they limit fried foods, greasy meals, sugary drinks, heavy alcohol intake, and very large portions. These can worsen nausea, reflux, bloating, constipation, or slow weight-loss progress.
In addition, weight loss may be easier when you limit calorie-dense foods such as packaged snack foods, highly processed foods, and frequent restaurant or fast-food meals.