For many people with type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro is an excellent option to help manage blood sugar levels and improve A1C.
There are different doses available. Your dose will depend on your health history, health goals, lifestyle, and weight.
Figuring out how much Mounjaro to take can take time, and it should always be a decision made jointly with your doctor.
This article will explain everything you need to know about Mounjaro dosing.
What dose do you typically start with?
If you’re new to Mounjaro, your doctor will want to start you on a low dose.
This is because the medication may cause adverse side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, low blood sugar, and decreased appetite.
These symptoms usually go away after a few weeks of taking Mounjaro, but taking a lower dose when you begin treatment can help prevent them altogether.
According to the manufacturer, a typical starting dose is 2.5 mg, taken once per week.
If you’re seeing improvements in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance without adverse side effects, your doctor may increase your dose after the first four weeks—but never before.
What is a normal Mounjaro dose?
There is no “normal” dose of Mounjaro because everyone is different.
But there are specific increments that people take Mounjaro in. They are as follows:
- New to treatment: 2.5 mg once per week for the first four weeks
- Ongoing treatment: 5 mg+ once per week starting on week five
If blood sugar levels are still not under control with 5 mg once per week, your doctor may increase your dose.
How and when can you increase your dose?
You most likely will not be able to increase your initial dose till after you’ve been on the medication for at least four weeks.
At week five, your doctor may advise you to double your dose to 5 mg for four additional weeks.
You should closely monitor your blood sugar levels and note any adverse side effects when increasing your dose, as this is when you’re most likely to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you’re tolerating 5 mg well and not seeing improvements in blood sugar control, your doctor may advise an additional increase in your dose.
If you require a larger dose, your doctor may up your medication to either 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg administered once per week as your maintenance dose.
Note that each increase in dose will require a new prescription because each larger dose comes in a bigger dosing pen.
What is the right dose for me?
You and your doctor will determine your dose.
Your dose may vary based on your health history, health goals, lifestyle, height, weight, level of insulin resistance, diet, and daily activity level.
Higher doses will yield more results such as lower blood sugar levels, weight loss, and improved A1Cs.
However, the higher the dose, the more likely you are to experience adverse side effects.
These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood sugar levels, especially when your body is still adjusting to the medication.
Keep this in mind as you scale up your doses, and only ever do so under the guidance of your doctor.
Never take more Mounjaro than you’ve been prescribed.
What is the right dose for weight loss?
First and foremost: Mounjaro is not FDA-approved as a weight loss drug.
However, studies show that Mounjaro does help people lose weight, with the typical study participant losing nearly 16% of their body weight (more than the weight loss people experience on both Victoza and Ozempic.)
Since it is not FDA-approved as a weight loss drug, there is no official dose to achieve weight loss.
In the study trial, participants lost weight on 15 mg and 10 mg weekly doses. However, these studies are conducted under the strict supervision of physicians.
You should not try this at home unless you’ve been prescribed that amount of weekly Mounjaro.
Mounjaro is most effective if you combine the therapy with healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Talk with your doctor If you’re concerned with your weight or are interested in losing weight.
There are other weight loss drugs approved by the FDA that you can take if you have diabetes.
What happens if I stop taking Mounjaro?
Do not stop taking any diabetes medications without the guidance of your doctor.
After stopping Mounjaro, many people will regain lost weight and may experience higher blood sugar levels from increased insulin resistance and hunger.
If you wish to stop taking Mounjaro, your doctor will likely taper your dose to lessen the side effects as the medication leaves your system.
Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing severe adverse side effects, Mounjaro doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, or your health insurance doesn’t cover the medication.
Are there different Mounjaro pens?
Mounjaro is available in six different dosing pens. They come in the following:
- 2.5 mg single-dose pen
- 5 mg single-dose pen
- 7.5 mg single-dose pen
- 10 mg single-dose pen
- 12.5 mg single-dose pen
- 15 mg single-dose pen
Each pen is a single use.
For a 30-day prescription, you will receive four pens of your prescribed dose.
This makes it impossible to overdose on the medication.
However, if and when you’ve been prescribed a larger dose, you will need a new prescription each time your dose goes up.
What is the strongest Mounjaro?
All of the Mounjaro pens contain the same active ingredient—tirzepatide. The larger dosing pens do not have a more potent drug formulation.
When people increase their dose of Mounjaro, they simply increase the amount they take per week.
What do I do if I forget to take my dose?
Remember to take your Mounjaro dose on the same day each week, at generally the same time (for example, over breakfast.)
If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take it as soon as possible within four days of your missed dose.
If you miss a dose for more than four days, skip that week and continue taking your Mounjaro on your regular schedule.
Do not take two Mounjaro doses within three days of each other.
Missing one dose will not significantly affect your blood sugar levels or insulin resistance and it won’t make you gain weight.
What is the maximum weekly dose?
The maximum weekly dose of Mounjaro is 15 mg, administered once weekly on the same day and simultaneously. You can take it with and without food.
You can change the day of the week you take Mounjaro as long as you took your last dose three or more days before.
Never take more Mounjaro than you are prescribed.
If you overdose on Mounjaro, you may experience severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and low blood sugar, which can be fatal (especially if you’re also on insulin.)
Monitor for signs and symptoms of extremely low blood sugar that include:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Increased heart rate
- Shallow breathing
- Shakiness
- Grogginess
- Fatigue
- Unconsciousness
Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you suspect you’ve overdosed on Mounjaro.
How do I store Mounjaro?
Store Mounjaro at a temperature between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius).
Ensure that Mounjaro gets no hotter than 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
Never freeze Mounjaro pens.
Mounjaro can be left unrefrigerated for up to 21 days if the temperature never exceeds 86 degrees Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius.
Keep your Mounjaro pen in its original casing to protect it from sunlight.
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