What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is used for type 2 diabetes in adults to lower blood sugar levels (blood glucose) and A1C levels. Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection that should be used with diet and exercise. Clinical trials for a 15 mg dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss showed patients lost a mean of 20.9% of their body weight compared to 3.1% for placebo over 72 weeks. Zepbound is the name of the weight loss version of Mounjaro, they both contain the same active ingredient (tirzepatide), Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound is FDA-approved to help with weight loss.
Mounjaro is the first GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which works on the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors.
Mounjaro works to lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas release more insulin, lowering the amount of sugar your liver makes, and slowing the rate food passes through your body, making you feel full longer. It does this by activating the two receptors, GIP and GLP-1, which are natural incretin hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels.
Mounjaro injection became an FDA-approved medicine on May 13, 2022, to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used together with diet and exercise. Mounjaro is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It is not known if this medicine can be used in people who have had pancreatitis.
Has the FDA approved Mounjaro for weight loss?
Yes, Mounjaro’s active ingredient tirzepatide is approved for weight loss, but it is under the brand name Zepbound. Zepbound has the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, and both are made by Eli Lilly and Company.
The Mounjaro brand is not approved for weight loss by the FDA. Mounjaro is an FDA-approved medicine used to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used together with diet and exercise.
Mounjaro’s active ingredient tirzepatide was used in the Phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 72-week weight loss clinical trials. The mean tirzepatide weight loss was 15% for the 5mg dose, 19.5% for the 10mg dose, 20.9% for the 15mg dose, and 3.1% for placebo. The trial included patients who were overweight, obese, and had a weight-related health issue but excluded patients with diabetes.
Mounjaro Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week.
After 4 weeks: The dosage should be increased to 5 mg subcutaneously once a week.
If additional glycemic control is needed: The dosage should be increased in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
Maximum dose: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week.
Comments: The 2.5 mg dosage is for starting of treatment and is not intended for glycemic control. The day of weekly administration can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between the 2 doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).
What strength are Mounjaro pens available as?
- 2.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen
- 5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen
- 7.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen
- 10 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen
- 12.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen
- 15 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pen.
There have been issues with Mounjaro availability with drug shortages for some strengths due to increase for the demand.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it within 4 days after the missed dose. However, if more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject two doses within 3 days of each other.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at Poison Help If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Interactions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Birth control pills may not work as well while receiving this medicine. Your doctor may suggest you use another form of birth control for 4 weeks after starting this medicine and for 4 weeks after each dose change.
Taking tirzepatide with other medicines to treat diabetes like insulin or sulfonylureas may increase your risk of hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about low blood sugar and how to manage it.
This list is not complete. Many other drugs may interact with this medicine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. To check for interactions with this medicine click the link below.
Storage
- Store in the refrigerator between 36⁰F to 46⁰F (2⁰C to 8⁰C).
- Store the single-dose pens in the original carton until use to protect them from light.
- If needed, each single-dose pen can be stored at room temperature up to 86⁰F (30⁰C) for up to 21 days.
Ingredients
Active ingredient: tirzepatide
Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid solution and/or sodium hydroxide solution may have been added to adjust the pH.
Company
Eli Lilly and Company.
Ava –
I have learned to manage side effects (constipation) with probiotics. This is the only thing that has allowed me to lose the weight I gained post-menopause. I was a size 22 and am now almost a size 10. My BMI went from 39 to just over 30, and I have about 25 more pounds to go. I lost 45 pounds currently. I am no longer taking medication for migraines, asthma, and chronic edema, and my BP medication has been reduced by half.
Mabel –
I don’t care about the shame this drug gets in the media. This medication has changed my life. Not only can I finally lose weight at a reasonable rate/level of effort, I genuinely enjoy exercising because I have the energy. I no longer see exercise as a price I have to pay to lose weight (and then not even lose weight anyway). My appetite has also plummeted. I have to remind myself to eat. There are occasional ‘breakthrough’ cravings, so I’ll let myself have a treat, but after taking one or two bites I can’t fathom eating it anymore. I don’t know the exact rate that I’ve lost weight, but I’ve been on the drug for 1 1/2 months now and have lost about 30 lbs (went from 210 to 180). This is with casual effort where I exercise when I’m up for it (usually 3-4x/week for 45 min). I do not count calories, just eat intuitively. Taking this medication does not make you weak, lazy, or wanting an easy way out (I’ve heard it all). If offered this medication, please just give it a try!