Everything You Need to Know About Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a relatively new type 2 diabetes drug that lowers blood sugars and helps improve A1C levels. 

It also helps those who take it to lose or maintain their weight. 

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Mounjaro, including its benefits, side effects, and how to use it effectively.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is produced by Eli Lilly and is the brand name for the medication tirzepatide.

It was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in 2022 for people with type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro is the first medication available in the US that activates both the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist and GIP receptors.

It is an injectable medication taken once per week to help improve blood sugar levels and A1C. 

What are the benefits of Mounjaro?

Mounjaro has three main benefits for people living with diabetes:

Lowers blood sugars 

Mounjaro helps improve blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of insulin the pancreas releases—but only when your blood sugar is rising. 

This makes the risk of low blood sugar while taking the medication minimal. It also stops your liver from releasing sugar into the blood.

Combined, this results in lower blood sugars and A1C levels.

Aids in weight loss or weight maintenance 

Mounjaro is often prescribed “off-label” (without FDA approval) for people to aid in weight loss.

It is currently being studied for FDA approval as a weight loss medication. 

Mounjaro helps reduce food intake by lowering appetite and slowing digestion. 

In clinical trials, people taking Mounjaro at the maximum dose of 15 mg per week lost:

•  12 pounds more than participants on the GLP-1 medication (semaglutide)
•  29 pounds more than those on insulin degludec 
•  27 pounds more than those on insulin glargine 

Lowers risk of heart disease 

This potent medication has the power to protect against heart disease which is the number one cause of death for people with diabetes. 

In studies after 52 weeks, participants on the highest dose of Mounjaro (15 mg per week):

• Lowered their total cholesterol by about 5.6 percent
• Lowered their triglycerides by 22.5 percent 
• Lowered their LDL cholesterol by 7.9 percent 
• Lowered their VLDL by 21.8 percent 
• Increased their HDL by 10.8 percent 

Why would you be prescribed Mounjaro? 

Mounjaro is only FDA-approved for people who have type 2 diabetes. 

Not everyone with type 2 diabetes will be prescribed Mounjaro.

This is because many people are able to manage their blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and sometimes with insulin therapy. 

However, it is a great way to combat insulin resistance, improve blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss if you’re struggling to manage your diabetes on your own. 

Many people who have type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease may also be prescribed Mounjaro to act as a protective agent and improve both diabetes and heart health. 

Mounjaro is not prescribed to people under 18 years of age. 

What are the side effects of Mounjaro? 

The most common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Bloating
• Gas
• Stomach pain
• Constipation 
• Weight loss 
• Rapid heart rate 

Although rare, more severe complications may include: 

• Thyroid tumors, including cancer  
• Pancreatitis 
• Gallbladder disease 
• Low blood sugar levels, if you take insulin
• Serious allergic reactions

Several of these more severe side effects can lead to permanent health complications and death if not treated quickly. 

Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you:

• Develop a fever 
• Experience changes or worsening of your vision 
• If you are feeling weak or in pain after taking the medication 
• If you think you’re having an allergic reaction

Mounjaro doses

Mounjaro comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, disposable pens. You inject the drug subcutaneously (under your skin) once per week.

You can take Mounjaro with or without food. Each dose is given in a single-dose pen, to prevent overdosing. 

The different dosing options available are: 

• 2.5 milligrams per week (for the first four weeks as a starting dose)
• 5 milligrams per week 
• 7.5 milligrams per week 
• 10 milligrams per week 
• 15 milligrams per week

Maintenance doses can range anywhere from 5 mg per week to 15 mg per week and will be decided on by you and your doctor. 

How much Mounjaro do I take? 

This will vary by patient and it will depend on your health history, health goals, and lifestyle. 

However, most doctors will start patients on 2.5 mg once per week. It is important to take your Mounjaro on the same day each week. 

After four weeks, if you’re not having adverse side effects, your doctor may increase your dose to 5 mg, administered once weekly. 

If you’re still having blood sugar spikes with no adverse side effects, your doctor may increase your dose to 7.5 mg once weekly or as high as 15 mg once weekly. 

The maximum dose of Mounjaro is 15 mg taken once weekly. 

Never take two Mounjaro doses within the same week. 

What happens if you take too much Mounjaro? 

Taking too much Mounjaro can cause serious adverse side effects.

These can include debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and even low blood sugar (especially if you’re also on insulin) which can become fatal if not treated immediately.

Do not take two doses of Mounjaro within three days of each other.

Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you’ve accidentally taken too much Mounjaro. 

Can I miss a dose of Moujaro?

If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, it is okay to take it a few days late. 

However, if you missed your dose more than four days (96 hours) ago, just skip that week’s dose and take your regularly scheduled dose on time. 

You will not experience insulin resistance or weight gain from one missed dose. 

Try not to miss doses regularly, however, as the medication is most effective when taken consistently. 

How to inject Mounjaro

Check the Mounjaro liquid in the pen visually before injecting. 

Do not use the pen if there are any particles or discoloration present.

Before injecting, clean the injection site with a rubbing alcohol swab. 

Change the injection site each week to prevent injuries under the skin or scar tissue from developing.

Mounjaro is typically injected under the skin in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.  

Talk to your doctor about the best places for you to inject and how to rotate injection sites.

Always throw the pen needle and pen away after each dose in a sharps-safe container. 

Since Mounjaro pens come in single doses, you will go through four per 30-day supply, so there is no need to keep the pen after use. 

Who shouldn’t take Mounjaro? 

Do not take Mounjaro if you don’t have a prescription. 

It is not recommended for use if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

It is not recommended for people without diabetes, with prediabetes, or with type 1 diabetes without the guidance of a physician. 

Mounjaro is only FDA-approved for people 18 years and older.

Do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family members have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). 

Do not use Mounjaro if you are allergic to tirzepatide. 

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about starting Mounjaro.

How I do stop taking my Mounjaro?

There are many reasons that you may want to stop taking Mounjaro.

For example, maybe you’re experiencing adverse side effects, you don’t like how the medication makes you feel, or it’s gotten cost-prohibitive. 

Talk with your doctor before stopping any diabetes medication, including Mounjaro.

Your doctor will probably want you to wean your dose before stopping it completely.

Insulin resistance, food cravings, blood sugar levels, and weight may creep back up once you stop taking Mounjaro.

You will want to have a plan in place, such as an alternative medication, exercise, or diet plan to help combat any rebound effects you may experience. 

Can Mounjaro replace insulin? 

No. Mounjaro is not an insulin replacement but acts as a supplement to insulin therapy (if you take insulin.)

If you’ve recently been prescribed Mounjaro, do not stop taking your other diabetes medications unless your doctor has specifically told you to. 

Mounjaro lowers blood sugars over time, but it does not cause acute low blood sugars in the way that insulin does. 

If you normally take insulin for food, you will need to continue to do so. 

If you’ve been on Mounjaro for several months, you may notice that your insulin needs are gradually decreasing. 

However, this rarely completely takes away the need to take insulin for your diabetes. 

Can I take Mounjaro with other diabetes medications? 

This will depend on what other medications you’re taking. 

Generally speaking, you can take Mounjaro with medications like metformin and/or insulin, if you’ve been prescribed all of the medications at the same time. 

However, you should not combine Mounjaro with other GLP-1 medications or SGLT-2 inhibitor medications. 

Always talk with your doctor if you’re unsure of how any medications you take will interact with Mounjaro before starting Mounjaro or any other new diabetes medication. 

Does Mounjaro need to be refrigerated? 

No. Mounjaro can be left unrefrigerated for up to 21 days, as long as the temperature never exceeds 86 degrees Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius.

Mounjaro should be stored at a temperature between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius). 

Make sure Mounjaro does not get any hotter than 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). 

Never freeze Mounjaro pens. 

Always keep your Mounjaro pen in its original casing to protect it from sunlight. 

How do I get a prescription for Mounjaro? 

Talk with your doctor if you want a prescription for Mounjaro. 

They should be able to write you a prescription If you’re struggling with weight loss and insulin resistance and have type 2 diabetes. 

If you do not have type 2 diabetes but live with another form of diabetes and are struggling with insulin resistance, talk with your doctor about your treatment options.

Connect with your doctor if you do not have any type of diabetes and are looking to safely lose weight. 

There are FDA-approved weight loss medications that may be a good fit and won’t have the same side effects as Mounjaro. 

For example, Wegovy, which is FDA-approved for weight loss, is an option.