Titration (dose escalation)

In pharmacology, titration means adjusting the amount of a compound in steps until the intended effect or the target amount is reached. For the incretin class it is the defining feature of how the compounds are given: every trial and every approved product starts at a fraction of the maintenance amount and increases it every few weeks. The reason is tolerability. The gastrointestinal effects of GLP-1 receptor activation, nausea above all, are worst at the start and fade as the body adapts, and a slow ramp keeps them manageable.

The approved regimens are public. Ozempic starts at 0.25 mg weekly for four weeks before rising; Mounjaro starts at 2.5 mg weekly for four weeks. The semaglutide, tirzepatide and retatrutide profiles state the regimens their cited trials used under "Research protocols". None of this is a recommendation for research-grade material, which is sold for laboratory use only.

For handling, titration means the concentration chosen at reconstitution should make the smallest step easy to draw accurately; the dosage calculator shows the syringe units for each step.