TRUVVA

Mounjaro®

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What is Mounjaro®?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weight loss injection that mimics natural hormones in your body. It works by reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer periods.

 

For optimal results, Mounjaro should be used alongside a low-calorie diet and regular exercise plan.

Is Mounjaro Approved for Weight Loss?

Yes, Mounjaro is licensed and approved for weight loss in the UK. As of November 2023, Mounjaro has been approved for weight loss if you have:

 

A BMI (body mass index) of 30 kg/m² or higher (obesity)

 

A BMI between 27 and 30 kg/m² (overweight) combined with a weight-related health condition, such as:

– High cholesterol

– High blood pressure

– Pre-diabetes

– Heart problems

Benefits of Mounjaro®

Timeline for Effectiveness

Mounjaro begins working by reducing your appetite from week 1 onwards, though the extent varies from person to person. Weight loss treatment is most effective when combined with proper diet and exercise.

 

You may experience side effects between weeks 1-5 as your body adjusts to the medication. Similar adjustments may occur during dose increases but typically improve over time.

Relationship to Insulin

“Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is not insulin, although it can help your body produce more of it. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which should not be injected at the same time as insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, you will need to have your doctor create a tailored treatment plan for you.”
– Dr Zoe Miller, Medical Editor.

How does Mounjaro® work?

 

Mounjaro works by reducing your appetite, helping you feel fuller after meals. This makes it easier to avoid overeating and snacking, ultimately reducing your caloric intake.

 

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which is both a ‘GIP and GLP-1 agonist’. This means it mimics naturally occurring hormones that regulate:

– Your appetite

– The speed at which food moves through your intestines

– Blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production

How to use Mounjaro®?

To use Mounjaro injections safely:

– Take your current dose as instructed by your doctor
– Each Mounjaro pen contains 4 doses of the same strength (lasting 4 weeks)

– Only inject into your skin, never into a vein or muscle

– Inject once a week at approximately the same time each week

– Always follow your doctor’s instructions and read the patient information leaflet and user manual carefully before use.

To prepare your Mounjaro injection:

– Wash your hands with soapy water and dry them thoroughly

– Check your displayed dosage is correct on the original packaging and within date

– Remove the pen from the box and check for damage (You must not use a damaged pen)

– Remove the protective cap and check the dosage window – the liquid must be clear and free from debris or particles. Do not use if frozen

– Prepare a new needle, ensuring it is not unsealed, damaged, or bent

Priming Your Pen

It’s important to prime your pen before every dose to ensure you receive the correct dosage and confirm your pen is working properly.

To prime your Mounjaro pen:

– Remove the paper tab from the outer shield of your selected needle

– Push the capped needle straight into the pen and turn clockwise until secured

– Remove the outer needle shield (set aside for later use), then remove and discard the inner needle shield

– Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and see the extended line in the dose window (prime position)

– Release medication into the air by pushing the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5 until the ‘0’ icon appears – do not inject into your body.

 

Once medication appears at the needle tip, your pen is primed.

 

Note: If no medication appears, repeat steps 4-6 no more than 2 additional times. If still unsuccessful, change the needle and repeat once more. If this doesn’t work, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Injection Sites

Mounjaro can be injected into:

– Your abdomen

– Upper legs

– Upper arms (with assistance from someone else)

Best practices:

– Switch injection sites weekly

– Divide the chosen area into 4 sections

– Inject at least one finger width away from your last injection

– Stay at least 5cm away from the belly button when injecting into your abdomen

Injection Process

1. Choose your injection site (no need to squeeze or hold the skin)

2. Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon appears in the dose window (represents one 0.6ml dose)

3. Insert the needle into your skin at the chosen site, ensuring you can see the dose counter

4. Push the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5 while holding the dose knob, check for the ‘0’ icon before removing the needle

5. Pull the needle from your skin (a small drop of medication at the needle end is normal and won’t affect treatment)

6. Confirm the ‘0’ icon is displayed, indicating you’ve received the full dose/

 

If you don’t see the ‘0’ icon: Insert the needle back into your skin and finish the injection without redialing the dose. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if unsure.

Post-Injection Care

– Carefully replace the outer needle shield and discard in your sharps bin

– Replace the pen cap and store until your next dose

Dosage Information

The standard Mounjaro dosage progression is:

Starting dose: 2.5mg once weekly for 4 weeks

After 4 weeks: Increase to 5mg once weekly

If needed: Increase by 2.5mg each month
You can remain on a lower dose if satisfied with your treatment

Available Dosages

Mounjaro pens are available in the following strengths:

2.5mg

5mg

7.5mg

10mg

12.5mg

15mg (maximum weekly dose)

 

Your dosage will be gradually increased over 4-week intervals. Only increase your dose if a lower dose isn’t effectively managing your weight. Never increase your Mounjaro dose without your doctor’s permission.

Side Effect of Mounjaro®?

Like all medicines, Mounjaro may cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

 

To help your body adjust, your dose is usually increased gradually, which lowers the risk of unwanted effects.

Very common side effects (affecting more people) may include:

– Feeling or being sick (nausea and vomiting)

– Diarrhoea

– Constipation

– Stomach pain

– Low blood sugar (mainly when also taking insulin or sulphonylureas for type 2 diabetes)

 

These are often mild and tend to improve as your body gets used to the treatment.

Common side effects can include:

– Indigestion, bloating, or reflux/heartburn

– Burping or excess gas

– Dizziness or tiredness

– Reduced appetite (mainly in patients with type 2 diabetes)

– Skin reactions such as itching, rash, or eczema

– Mild allergic reactions

– Hair thinning or hair loss

– Low blood pressure

– Injection site redness, itching, or mild pain

– Gallstones

– Increased levels of pancreatic enzymes (lipase) or calcitonin in the blood

Uncommon side effects may include:

– Changes in taste or skin sensation

– Changes in stomach emptying

– Fast heartbeat

– Gallbladder infection (cholecystitis)

– Injection site pain

– Raised amylase enzyme levels

– Low blood sugar (if taken with certain diabetes medications)

Serious side effects (rare but important):

Acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas): severe or persistent stomach or back pain — seek urgent medical help.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):

Like all medicines, Mounjaro may cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. To help your body adjust, your dose is usually increased gradually, which lowers the risk of unwanted effects.

Who Should not Take Mounjaro®?

You should avoid Mounjaro if you:

– Are under 18

– Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy

– Are allergic to any of its ingredients

– Do not meet the medical criteria for treatment

– Have not been approved by a healthcare professional

 

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before use if you:

– Have had pancreatitis before

– Have severe digestive issues

– Have eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy

– Take other diabetes medicines

Contraceptive Pills

Mounjaro injections can reduce the effect of contraceptive pills.

If you’re taking an oral contraceptive, such as the combined contraceptive pill or mini pill, you should:

Use another method of contraception (like condoms) or switch to a non-oral contraceptive for 4 weeks after starting the Mounjaro pen.

Do the same for 4 weeks after each Mounjaro dose increase

FAQ for Mounjaro®?.

Should I avoid certain foods?
How long does Mounjaro stay in your system?
Can I use Mounjaro if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
How do I calculate my BMI?

You don’t need to cut out any foods completely, but following a balanced diet and regular exercise will help you get the best results.

It’s best to limit:

Greasy or fried foods (these can worsen nausea or stomach upset)
Very sugary snacks (like chocolate, cakes, or biscuits)

Alcohol should also be kept to a minimum, as it can lower blood sugar levels (especially for people with diabetes) and adds unnecessary calories.

Mounjaro has a half-life of around 5 days — meaning it takes that long for half of the medicine to leave your body. After your final dose, it usually takes about 25 days for Mounjaro to be fully cleared from your system.

No. Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, as there isn’t enough research on its safety for babies.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, speak to your GP about safer alternatives.

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) helps measure whether your weight is healthy for your height.

It’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared:

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m) × height (m)]

To make things easier, you can use our quick BMI calculator to check your result instantly.