What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing the level of sugar in the body only when the levels of sugar are high.
Mounjaro is also used for adults living with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart problems to help them lose weight and keep it off. It should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.
How does Mounjaro work?
The active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide.
It’s the First and Only licensed glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist in the UK. It’s dual action causes you to feel less hungry and prevent cravings. It also slows down the emptying of the stomach to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
The action of GIP potentiates the action of the GLP-1 resulting in a much greater weight loss.
Mounjaro has been shown to have greater weight loss potential than medicines that work on GLP-1 alone eg Saxenda and Wegovy.
How effective is Mounjaro?
Clinical trials have shown that patients could achieve at least 20% weight loss after using Mounjaro for 52 weeks when used with healthy changes to their lifestyle.
How do I take Mounjaro?
You can use your pen at any time of the day, with or without meals. You should use it on the same day each week if you can. To help you remember when to use Mounjaro, you may wish to tick the day of the week when you inject your first dose on the box that your pen comes in, or mark it on a calendar.
You might find it helpful to get into a routine, like taking it on a Monday just before bed.
How much Mounjaro do I need?
The Mounjaro starting dose is 2.5 mg subcutaneously, SC, on the same day each week for 4 weeks.
You should increase the dose as indicated every 4 weeks until the full maintenance dose of 15mg is reached.
By the start of the sixth month you should be on the maximum maintenance dose.
1-4 weeks ı 2.5mg SC once a week, on the same day each week, for 4 weeks
5-8 weeks ı 5 mg SC once a week for 4 weeks
9-12 weeks ı 7.5 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks
13-16 weeks ı 10 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks
17-20 weeks| 12.5mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks
Week 21 onwards ı 15mg SC once a week on the same day each week
What does the Mounjaro look like?
Each package contains :-
Two package leaflets, one patient information leaflet and one to explain how to use your Mounjaro KwikPen.
One Mounjaro KwikPen of the 6 strengths, 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg 12.5mg, 15mg. Your pen is to be used once a week for 4 weeks.
4 NovoFine Plus or Carepoint needles
Where and how do I inject?
Choose an injection site in one of the body areas indicated below. You can choose your upper arms, upper legs or stomach (keep a 5 cm distance from your belly button). You may inject in the same body area each week, but make sure it is not in the same spot as used the last time.
What if I forget to take a dose of Mounjaro?
If you forget to inject a dose and it has been 4 days or less since you should have used Mounjaro, use it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day. • If it has been more than 4 days since you should have used Mounjaro, skip the missed dose. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. The minimum time between two doses must be at least 3 days.
Do I store Mounjaro in a fridge?
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). Do not freeze. If the pen has been frozen, DO NOT USE.
- Store in the original packaging in order to protect from light.
- Mounjaro can be stored unrefrigerated not above 30 ºC for up to 30 cumulative days and then the pen must be discarded.
- Do not use this medicine if you notice that the pen is damaged, or the medicine is cloudy, discoloured or has particles in it.
Are there any side-effects from Mounjaro?
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Very common ones are gastrointestinal such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. These are mainly seen with dose increases, and lessen as your body gets used to the medication.
Other common side effects may be fatigue, feeling lightheaded, excess wind (flatulence), gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux, injection site reactions, hair loss and hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, we only supply those whose type 2 diabetes is controlled by diet alone.
Serious side-effects can occur rarely and include:-
Pancreatitis where you may experience severe abdominal pain, with or without persistent vomiting, and you would need to get medical help as soon as possible.
Anaphylaxis where you may experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing. This is a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) that requires you to go to A&E immediately.
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