Mounjaro

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D). It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, like the well-known medicines Ozempic and Wegovy. 

T2D occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly. This leads to high blood sugar levels which, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems like kidney disease or stroke. 

T2D doesn’t always need treatment; lifestyle changes, such as regularly exercising and a healthy diet, can help. However, some people may still need medication like Mounjaro to control their diabetes effectively.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is similar to GLP-1 and GIP, both hormones your body produces naturally after a meal to regulate blood sugar levels. 

Tirzepatide enhances their effect, making it easier to control blood sugar levels. It works in multiple ways, by:^[1]

1. Increasing insulin secretion. This helps your body use glucose for energy and store excess sugar in cells, lowering your blood sugar levels. 
2. Decreasing glucagon production. Glucagon raises your blood sugar levels. By reducing your glucagon levels, Mounjaro helps less glucose enter your bloodstream.
3. Improving insulin sensitivity. This helps your body respond better to insulin.
4. Delaying gastric emptying. This may slow down the absorption of glucose after a meal, which can help improve post-meal blood sugar levels.

What doses of Mounjaro are there?

Mounjaro is available in six doses: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg. Each pen comes prefilled with four doses. Every week you’ll inject yourself with one dose, so each pen should last you four weeks if used correctly. 

You’ll typically start on the lowest dose of 2.5mg once a week for four weeks. If your blood sugar levels don’t improve, your doctor will probably increase this to 5mg once a week. This is the maintenance dose for most people. 

Your doctor will continue to monitor your blood sugar levels and, if required, gradually increase your dose by 2.5mg each time until your blood sugar levels are controlled.

How to take Mounjaro

Each pen is prefilled, containing either a 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg or 15mg dose. You’ll inject yourself with each dose once a week. 

Before injecting Mounjaro:

• Try to stick to the same day and time each week. 
• It can be taken with or without food. 
• Choose an appropriate place to inject – this can be your stomach area, upper leg (thigh) or upper arm. You can inject in the same place each week, but choose a different injection site. 

Preparing Mounjaro:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Pull the pen cap off.
3. Check the pen is correct, isn’t expired and the medication is colorless or slightly yellow. If it’s frozen, cloudy or in any way looks off, don’t use the pen and discard it appropriately. 
4. Wipe the inner red seal with a swab. 
5. Select a new pen needle, pull the paper tab off the needle and twist it onto the pen. Always use a new needle for each injection. 
6. Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it aside. 
7. Pull off the inner needle cap and discard it. 
8. Turn the dose knob slowly until you hear two clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. 
9. Hold the pen upright, with the needle facing the ceiling, and tap it slightly so the air bubbles can rise to the top.
10. Press the dose knob to release a few drops into the air and hold it for five seconds. 
11. You should notice ‘0’ in the dose window. 
12. Now your pen is primed and ready to use. 

If you don’t see a drop of liquid when priming, repeat steps 8 to 11. If after repeating, you still don’t see medicine, change the needle and try again. After trying two more times and you don’t see any medicine, your pen may be faulty and shouldn’t be used. Contact your doctor for more help. 

Injecting Mounjaro:

1. Choose your injection site. 
2. Turn the dose knob until it stops at the ‘1’ icon. 
3. Insert the needle into your skin.
4. Push down the dose knob and hold for at least five seconds. You should notice a ‘0’ icon in the dose window. 
5. Pull the needle out of your skin.
6. Confirm the ‘0’ icon is in the dose window. If you don’t see it, this means the full dose wasn’t injected. 
7. Carefully replace the outer needle cap.
8. Unscrew the capped needle and discard the needle appropriately. 
9. Replace the pen cap and store the pen at room temperature. 

Check the instruction manual for detailed instructions with pictures.

How long does Mounjaro take to work?

Mounjaro starts to work immediately after injecting, but it can take a few weeks to notice an improvement in your blood sugar levels. You should start seeing the full benefit of Mounjaro after around two to three months. 

I forgot to use Mounjaro, now what?

If you forget to use Mounjaro and it’s been:

Less than 4 days since your scheduled dose:

Use it as soon as you remember and inject the next dose on your regular injection day. 

More than 4 days since your scheduled dose:

Skip the missed dose and inject the next dose on your scheduled day. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.