Short answer

Units = pen dose mg ÷ (vial mg ÷ water mL) × 100. Example: a Zepbound 5 mg dose matched from a 30 mg vial in 3 mL (10 mg/mL) is 0.5 mL, or 50 units. Matching mg does not make products interchangeable; the FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved. Arithmetic as of Oct 19, 2026.

Units on U-100
50 U (raw 50)
Volume
0.5 mL
Concentration
10 mg/mL
Draws per vial
6
Vial of 30 mg in 3 mL (10 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.1 mg). Syringe drawn to 50 units of 100; nearest printed mark 50 units.1234mL30 mg+ 3 mL water= 10 mg/mL6 draws0010120230340450560670780890910010Umg3842465054586250
Vial of 30 mg in 3 mL (10 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.1 mg). Syringe drawn to 50 units of 100; nearest printed mark 50 units.1234mL30 mg+ 3 mL water= 10 mg/mL6 draws00102023040450606708089010010Umg3842465054586250

Lands exactly on a printed mark: 50 U.

1 unit = 0.1 mg · 10 units = 1 mg at 10 mg/mL.

Water volumes that put 5 mg exactly on a printed mark of this syringe:

Syringe filled to 50 of 100 units 0102030405060708090100 50 U
U-100 scale: 100 units = 1 mL, so 1 unit = 0.01 mL. Units round to the nearest 0.5 U.

30 mg ÷ 3 mL = 10 mg/mL. 5 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.5 mL × 100 = 50 U.

Math, parameters and sources: model card.

From vial to syringe: a 5 mg labeled dose from a 30 mg vial with 3 mL water, in three steps
  1. Vial and water

    30 mg + 3 mL

    The mg in the vial never changes; water only sets how spread out it is.

  2. Concentration

    30 ÷ 3 = 10 mg/mL

    Milligrams in every milliliter of solution.

  3. Units on a U-100 syringe

    5 mg ÷ 10 = 0.5 mL = 50 U

    100 units = 1 mL, so units = mL × 100 (rounded to 0.5 U).

What "same mg" does and does not mean

The converter only answers an arithmetic question: how many units of a solution at a given concentration hold the same number of milligrams as a labeled pen dose. It does not make two products equivalent. The FDA states that compounded drugs are not FDA approved and that the agency does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed (FDA, Oct 1, 2026). Talk to your prescriber before any change between products.

Labeled pen strengths

  • Zepbound and Mounjaro single-dose pens and vials: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg per 0.5 mL (DailyMed, Aug 28, 2026).
  • Wegovy single-dose pens: 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg per 0.5 mL; 1.7, 2.4 and 7.2 mg per 0.75 mL (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026).
  • Ozempic pens: 2 mg/3 mL (0.25 and 0.5 mg doses), 4 mg/3 mL (1 mg doses) and 8 mg/3 mL (2 mg doses) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026).

Frequently asked questions

How many units is 2.5 mg of tirzepatide from a vial?

It depends on the vial concentration. At 10 mg/mL (30 mg in 3 mL) it is 25 units; at 5 mg/mL (10 mg in 2 mL) it is 50 units. Zepbound single-dose vials are labeled per 0.5 mL (for example 2.5 mg/0.5 mL), which is 5 mg/mL.

Is a compounded vial the same as a brand pen?

No. The FDA states that compounded drugs are not FDA approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality. Matching the mg does not make products interchangeable. Talk to your prescriber before any switch.

Which pen doses does the converter list?

Labeled doses only: Zepbound and Mounjaro 2.5 to 15 mg in 2.5 mg steps; Wegovy 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.4 and 7.2 mg; Ozempic 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg.

Why might the units look large?

Brand vials and pens are fairly dilute (Zepbound single-dose products are 2.5–15 mg per 0.5 mL). Lyophilized vials can be mixed to many concentrations, so the same mg can be anything from a few units to most of a 100-unit syringe.

Sources

  1. ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use - Full Prescribing Information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use (DailyMed SPL set ID 487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b, version 40). U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / Eli Lilly and Company, Aug 28, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
  2. MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use - Full Prescribing Information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use (DailyMed SPL set ID d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0, version 40). U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / Eli Lilly and Company, Aug 27, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
  3. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use; WEGOVY (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use - Full Prescribing Information (SPL, Revised 6/2026). Novo Nordisk / National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jun 18, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
  4. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use - Full Prescribing Information (SPL). Novo Nordisk / National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jun 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
  5. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Oct 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
  6. FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.