The Zepbound KwikPen dose window shows three markers, and you’ll see each one at a set point in every weekly injection:
The extended line: the prime position. You prime your pen before each weekly injection, not only when you start a new pen.
The number 1: your full weekly dose. You turn the dose knob all the way until it stops and the 1 is in the dose window.
The number 0: what the dose window must show after you push the dose knob in to prime, and again after your injection. If you see the 0 after injecting, you’ve received the full dose.
Below is the full sequence from Lilly’s instructions for use. Always follow the instructions for use that came with your pen.
Note: Your KwikPen contains 4 fixed doses, one dose taken each week, injected under the skin (subcutaneously). People who are blind or have vision problems should not use the pen without help from a person trained to use it.
Before you prime: put on a new pen needle
You’ll need your Zepbound KwikPen, a new KwikPen-compatible pen needle (not included with the pen), an alcohol swab, gauze or a cotton ball, and an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or a household container.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Pull the pen cap straight off. Check the pen and its label. Don’t use the pen if:
(a) the medicine name or dose strength doesn’t match your prescription;
(b) the pen is expired (EXP) or looks damaged;
(c) the medicine has been frozen, has particles, is cloudy or is discolored. Zepbound should be colorless to slightly yellow.
Wipe the red inner seal with an alcohol swab.
Select a new pen needle. Always use a new pen needle for each injection, to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Pull the paper tab off the outer needle shield.
Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist it on until it’s tight.
Remove the needle shields.
(a) Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it: you’ll use it again.
(b) Pull off the inner needle shield and put it in your household trash.
Before each injection: prime the pen
Prime before each weekly injection. Priming removes air from the cartridge and makes sure your pen is working correctly.
Turn to the prime position. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position. You can correct it by turning the dose knob in either direction until the prime position lines up with the dose indicator.
Collect the air bubbles. Hold your pen with the needle pointing up. Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top.
Release some medicine into the air. Push the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The number 0 must be shown in the dose window. Don’t inject into your body. Your pen has been primed if a small amount (a drop) of medicine comes out of the tip of the pen needle.
(a) If you don’t see medicine, repeat steps 1 to 3, no more than 2 additional times.
(b) If you still don’t see medicine, change the pen needle and repeat steps 1 to 3, no more than 1 additional time.
(c) If you still don’t see medicine, contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).
To inject: dial to 1
Choose your injection site.
(a) You or another person can inject the medicine in your thigh or stomach (abdomen), at least 2 inches from the belly button.
(b) Another person should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm. Do not inject Zepbound into a muscle or a vein.
(c) Change (rotate) your injection site each week. You may use the same area of your body, but choose a different injection site in that area.
Dial your dose. Turn the dose knob all the way until it stops and the number 1 is in the dose window. This is your weekly dose. Don’t count clicks as you select the dose.
Inject.
(a) Insert the needle into your skin.
(b) Push the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. You may notice the plunger moving with each injection.
(c) The number 0 must be shown in the dose window before you remove the needle.
Pull the needle out of your skin. A drop of medicine on the needle tip is normal. It won’t affect your dose.
How to know you’ve injected your full dose
After you pull the needle out, confirm the number 0 is in the dose window. If you see the 0, you’ve received the full dose.
If you don’t see the 0 in the dose window:
Insert the needle back into your skin and finish your injection. Don’t redial the dose.
If you still don’t think you received the full dose, don’t start over or repeat the injection. Message your clinician through the chat on your Dashboard and reply to the most recent message about your prescription.
The instructions for use also cover two problems with the dose knob:
If the pen stops you from turning the dose knob until the 1 is in the dose window, throw the pen away, including the unused medicine. There may not be enough medicine left in the pen to give a full dose. Don’t try to inject the leftover medicine.
If the dose knob is hard to push: pushing it more slowly will make it easier to inject; your needle may be blocked, so put on a new pen needle and prime the pen; or there may be dust, food or liquid inside the pen, so throw the pen away and get a new pen.
After your injection
If you see blood after you pull the needle out, lightly press the injection site with gauze or a cotton ball. Don’t rub the injection site.
Carefully put the outer needle shield back on.
Unscrew the capped needle and put it in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away. Do not throw loose pen needles in your household trash. Don’t store the KwikPen with a needle attached. This prevents leaking, a blocked needle, and air getting into the pen.
Put the pen cap back on after each injection, and don’t store the pen without it.
Four doses per pen
After 4 doses, throw the pen away, including the unused medicine. The pen will prevent you from dialing a full dose after you’ve given yourself 4 weekly doses. Don’t inject the leftover medicine, and don’t transfer Zepbound from your pen into a syringe.
Throw the pen away after a total of 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or after taking 4 weekly doses, even if it still has medicine in it.
Once you’ve removed the needle, you can throw the used pen in your household trash or an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container.
Don’t share your pen with other people, even if the pen needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
Who to contact
For anything about your dose, how you feel on your medication, or a missed dose, message your clinician through the chat on your Dashboard. Reply to the most recent message about your prescription.
For a damaged pen, needles, or a replacement, contact your pharmacy.
In an emergency, call 911. If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.
Sources
This article follows the manufacturer’s instructions for the Zepbound KwikPen. If you’d like to read them yourself:
Zepbound KwikPen Instructions for Use, Eli Lilly and Company, revised January 2026
Zepbound Medication Guide, Eli Lilly and Company, revised August 2026
Zepbound Support and Resources (how to use), Lilly USA, updated October 2026
GenMeds checked this article against these documents on October 27, 2026. Your pharmacy’s package insert is always the final word for the medication you were dispensed.