Mounjaro

How to use Mounjaro KwikPens

Mounjaro comes in a prefilled injection pen (KwikPen), which is designed to deliver the medication subcutaneously (under the skin). To take your dose, follow the steps below:

The pen comes with a complete guide on how to use which we recommend to familiarise yourself with first

• Remove the pen from the packaging and check the expiration date before use.
• Before injecting, ensure that you have a clean and dry area of skin on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• Remove the cap from the pen and wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab.
• Select a new pen needle. Always use a new pen needle for each injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles.
• Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist the pen needle on until it is tight.
• Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it. This will be reused.
• Hold the pen firmly against the skin at a 90-degree angle and press the button on top of the pen to release the needle.
• Once the needle is inserted, hold the pen in place for at least 5 seconds, then release the button to retract the needle.
• Dispose of the used pen and needle in a sharps container or follow your healthcare professional's instructions for safe disposal.

Mounjaro is taken on a weekly basis. It's important to take Mounjaro at the same time each week and to avoid injecting it into the same area of skin every time to prevent skin irritation.

Mounjaro dosages

There are several different strengths of Mounjaro. This is because the typical treatment course involves starting on a low strength and gradually building up over a few months (this is known as dose titration), depending on how you get on with the injections and how satisfied you are with your weight loss.

Mounjaro 2.5mg is always the starting dose for all patients.

A typical patient journey is detailed below:

It's important to note that everyone is different and there is no rush to increase your strength, you should do it as you feel ready. If you want to stay at the same dose for an extra month or two, or even permanently, that's OK! You can even decrease the dose if you feel like you aren't getting on with a higher dose after your first month.

You should only move up to a higher dose if you are tolerating your current dose well (i.e. you aren't getting any side effects) and you would like to increase the rate of your weight loss.

If you're tolerating your dose well and are happy with your weight loss, it's perfectly fine to stick at your current dose for as long as required. Usually the dose that you stick with is one of the 'maintenance doses' of 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg strength.

If you are experiencing side effects, you should either stick with you current dose or consider reducing your dose. Speak to our clinical team for further advice.

Mounjaro ingredients

Each Mounjaro injection contains: Tirzepatide (2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg)

The inactive ingredients contained in each injection are: Sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, Sodium chloride, Concentrated hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), Glycerol, Phenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Water for injections.

Mounjaro side effects

As with any kind of medication, Mounjaro can cause side effects in some patients.

Common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Lower stomach pain
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Feeling bloated
• Belching and gas
• Heartburn

Rarer and more serious side effects include:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes
• Kidney problems and kidney failure
• Increased heart rate
• Allergic reactions
• Depression
• Thyroid tumours and cancer — Mounjaro is not suitable for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

Whilst using Mounjaro (and all GLP-1 weight loss medications) there a very small risk of pancreatitis. It is very important that you seek immediate medical attention if you experience: severe pain in the upper part of your abdomen that may radiate to your back, nausea and vomiting, fever and fast heartbeat.

If you notice any of the common side effects listed above, speak to your GP and seek further advice. For a full list of possible side effects and warnings, please refer to the Mounjaro patient information leaflet.

Also, read our article on how to manage the common side effects of Mounjaro.

Mounjaro warnings

To gain the maximum benefit from Mounjaro you should follow the nutrition program recommended to you by your doctor. As with any weight-control program, overconsumption of fat and calories may reduce any weight-loss effect.

• Mounjaro may affect the way some other medicines work. For example, Mounjaro slows stomach emptying, so it can alter the effect of medications that need to pass through the stomach quickly. Your prescriber can provide advice regarding this.
• Mounjaro is not a quick fix for treating obesity. Mounjaro is meant to be taken long-term. Once you stop the medication, you may gain back much of the weight you lost while taking it.
• The use of Mounjaro may be associated with pancreatitis. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: severe pain in the upper part of your abdomen that may radiate to your back, nausea and vomiting, fever and fast heartbeat.
• Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: raised red, itchy rash (hives), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue and collapse.

Mounjaro and the oral contraceptive

If you are a woman with obesity or are overweight and are using oral contraceptives, you should consider also using a barrier method of contraception (e.g., a condom) or switching to a non-oral contraceptive method for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in dose.

Sources

• Prescribing information
• Patient site

Mounjaro Alternatives

The healthiest, safest and most effective way to lose weight is to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, such as following a calorie-controlled diet and increasing the amount of exercise you do. However, people with a weight-related medical condition may need to consider weight loss treatments such as Mounjaro or an alternative.

There are several other weight loss medications available on the market, and some of the popular Mounjaro alternatives include:

• Mysimba — a combination weight loss treatment containing naltrexone and bupropion that is used to treat obesity. Naltrexone works to reduce the pleasure that you get from food, while bupropion works to reduce appetite.
• Saxenda — another weight loss injection treatment that works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. It is approved for use in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
• Orlistat — taken in pill form, this type of weight loss medicine works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat in the gut. You can buy Orlistat here. You should steer clear of unlicensed diet pills and ensure you buy them from a registered pharmacy.
• Xenical — the prescription version of Orlistat and is used in combination with a low-calorie diet to aid weight loss. Xenical is designed to be taken by individuals who are clinically obese, or those who are overweight and have at least one weight-related condition. You can order Xenical here.

If you’re looking for non-medical tips for losing weight safely, check out our guide to 7 Easy Ways You Can Help Yourself Lose Weight At Home.

Mounjaro FAQs

Can I buy Mounjaro in the UK?

Yes, Mounjaro injections are licensed for sale in the UK. The weight loss medication can be purchased online from The Independent Pharmacy — you’ll just need to complete a short health consultation so we can ensure Mounjaro is suitable for you.

Is Mounjaro addictive?

No. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide — this ingredient helps to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels and is not known to cause addiction or dependence.

Can I drink alcohol while using Mounjaro?

There are no known interactions between Mounjaro and alcohol. However, alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels and is a significant source of calories.

We recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol while using Mounjaro to reduce your body weight.

Do I need a prescription for Mounjaro?

Yes — if you’re considering using Mounjaro to lose weight, you’ll need to complete a free consultation with one of our healthcare experts. They’ll determine whether Mounjarois suitable for you.

Is Mounjaro available in generic form?

No, there is currently no generic version of Mounjaro available.