Mounjaro is a groundbreaking medication for supporting weight loss. In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most important questions about Mounjaro so that you have everything you need to know in order to get started.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (pharmaceutical name Tirzepatide) is an injectable medication that aids in weight loss by regulating blood sugar and energy balance levels.
How does Mounjaro work?
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) works by stimulating receptors for two hormones: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). GLP-1 helps to regulate blood glucose levels, suppressing your appetite and slowing down the emptying of the stomach to keep hunger at bay. GIP enhances the effects of GLP-1 by regulating the energy balance in your brain and fat cells.
Does Mounjaro work for weight loss?
By stimulating both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, the active ingredient in Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) can help you lose up to 20% of your body weight when used at the higher range of the recommended doses. This is an extra 5% compared to results in trials with other weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which only stimulate the GLP-1 receptor.
How long does Mounjaro take to work?
Mounjaro starts to work immediately after your first injection and can start to reduce your appetite and food cravings within 7 days. Research has found that by week 24, patients taking the higher doses of Mounjaro (10 mg and 15 mg) can lose on average, close to 15% of their starting body weight. The amount of weight loss then continues to increase over time with longer usage.
How do I choose the right Mounjaro dose?
Mounjaro KwikPens come in doses of 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg. Dosage starts at 2.5mg, regardless of whether you’ve taken other weight loss medications, like Wegovy, before.
How to get Mounjaro
You can access Mounjaro with a prescription after being assessed as suitable by one of our regulated and qualified expert prescribing pharmacists.
Can I get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Mounjaro is currently only available on the NHS for those with Type 2 Diabetes. It has not yet been approved for weight loss treatment via the NHS, although it is currently under review and may become available as an NHS prescription for those who meet certain criteria.
How to use Mounjaro
Mounjaro is injected into the skin (subcutaneously) by the user. Each Mounjaro KwikPen contains 4 full doses. Each dose should be taken on the same day every week, but can be taken at any time of day. We recommend planning a 15-minute window at a convenient time in your weekly routine and setting an alarm to remind yourself to take your dose.
If you want to change the day on which you administer your dose - for example, switching from Monday every week to Wednesday every week - make sure you leave at least 72 hours (3 days) between doses.
Take a look at our how-to video for step-by-step instructions on administering your first dose.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take your scheduled dose of Mounjaro, take it as soon as possible within 4 days of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take 2 doses of Mounjaro within 3 days of each other.
Where to inject Mounjaro
Mounjaro is injected into the skin of either the front of the upper thigh, upper arm or abdomen. It has been reported that discomfort is more commonly experienced when injecting into the thigh, so if you’re worried about pain when injecting, start with your abdomen. If you don’t want to inject yourself, someone else can inject into the back of your upper arm.
You can inject each dose into the same general area of the body, but you must change the injection site every time a dose is administered. Remember, always read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication.
Mounjaro disposal
Once all 4 doses have been used, dispose of your Mounjaro KwikPen in a sharps disposal container or take them to your local pharmacy. Do not dispose of your used pens with your household waste.
FAQs
Does Mounjaro need to be refrigerated?
Yes, but only before use. Once the first dose of your KwikPen has been administered, store the pen at room temperature - out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources - in its original packaging for a maximum of 30 days. If Mounjaro is stored above 30ºC or under 2ºC, it can become unsafe to use and must be discarded.
What class of drug is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a type of drug called a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Mounjaro is the first medication in the GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class.
Is Mounjaro a hormone?
Mounjaro mimics both the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, but it’s not a hormone itself.
Is Tirzerpatide the same as Mounjaro?
Yes. Mounjaro is the brand name for the drug Tirzerpatide.
Does Mounjaro build up in your body?
Weight loss medications do build up in your system, which is why you need to leave at least 3 days between doses and a minimum of 4 weeks when switching between medications (e.g. from Wegovy to Mounjaro).
Can you drink alcohol on Mounjaro?
Although alcohol doesn’t directly interact with the drug itself, it is not recommended to drink alcohol whilst taking Mounjaro. This is because alcohol has the potential to heighten the risk of experiencing side effects and impact factors such as
blood sugar levels.
Will I experience side effects?
If you’d like to know more about potential side effects, take a look at our side effects guide for up-to-date information.
