Usage
Initial Dose Escalation Schedule
Weeks 1 through 4: 2.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
Weeks 5 through 8: 5 mg subcutaneously once a week
Weeks 9 through 12: 7.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
Weeks 13 through 16: 10 mg subcutaneously once a week
Maintenance Dose
Week 17 and onward: 10 mg subcutaneously once a week
Dosing Considerations
If dose escalation is not tolerated, consider delaying dose escalation for 4 weeks
Do not increase dose if desired results are achieved at a lower dose, most people maintain at 5mg per week
Instructions
Step 1:
1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Check the name and colored label of your pen, to make sure that it contains VLS Tirzepatide. This is especially important if you take more than 1 type of medicine.
3. Pull off the pen cap.
Step 2:
1. Check that the VLS Tirzepatide medicine in your pen is full, VLS Tirzepatide under very cold conditions can look cloudy, this will resolve at room temperature and does not effect the product.
Step 3:
1. Take a new needle, and tear off the paper tab.
2. Do not attach a new needle to your pen until you are ready to give your injection.
Step 4:
1. Push the needle straight onto the pen. Turn until it is on tight.
Step 5:
1. The needle is covered by 2 caps. You must remove both caps. If you forget to remove both caps, you will not inject any medicine.
2. Pull off the outer needle cap. Do not throw it away.
Step 6:
1. Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away.
Step 7:
1. Check the VLS Tirzepatide flow before the first injection with each new pen only.
2. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol ▪▪▰
Step 8:
1. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. A drop of VLS Tirzepatide will appear at the needle tip.
2. If no drop appears, repeat Step 7 above as shown in Figure G and Figure H up to 6 times.
3. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat Step 7 as shown in Figure G and Figure H, 1 more time. Do not use the pen if a drop of VLS Tirzepatide still does not appear.
Step 9:
Select your dose
1. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops and shows your 2 mg dose. The dashed line in the dose counter (┇) will guide you to 2 mg.
2. Always use the dose counter and the dose pointer to see that 2 mg has been selected. You will hear a “click” every time you turn the dose selector. Do not set the dose by counting the number of clicks you hear. Only doses of 2 mg can be selected with the dose selector.
Step 10:
To see how much VLS Tirzepatide is left in your pen, use the dose counter:
1. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops.
2. If it shows 1, at least 1 mg is left in your pen. If the dose counter stops before 1 mg, there is not enough VLS Tirzepatide left for a full dose of 1 mg. If there is not enough VLS Tirzepatide left in your pen for a full dose, do not use it. Use a new VLS Tirzepatide pen.
Step 11:
Inject your dose
1. Choose your injection site and wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Let the injection site dry before you inject your dose (See Figure K).
Step 12:
1. Insert the needle into your skin as your healthcare provider has shown you.
2. Make sure you can see the dose counter. Do not cover it with your fingers. This could stop the injection.
Step 13:
1. Press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows 0.
2. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. You may then hear or feel a click.
3. Continue pressing the dose button while keeping the needle in your skin.
Step 14:
1. Count 6 seconds while keeping the dose button pressed.
2. If the needle is removed earlier, you may see a stream of VLS Tirzepatide coming from the needle tip. If this happens, the full dose will not be delivered.
Step 15:
1. Remove the needle from your skin. You can then release the dose button.
2. If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball. Do not rub the area.
Step 16:
After your injection
1. Carefully remove the needle from the pen. Do not put the needle caps back on the needle to avoid needle sticks.
Step 17:
1. Place the needle in a sharps disposal container right away to reduce the risk of needle sticks.
Step 18:
1. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect VLS Tirzepatide from light.
Step 19:
1. If you do not have a sharps disposal container, follow a 1-handed needle recapping method. Carefully slip the needle into the outer needle cap. Dispose of the needle in a sharps disposal container as soon as possible.
2. Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. Always remove the needle from your pen.
3. Always dispose of the needle after each injection.
