Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine. Our clinicians review each treatment request on an individual basis, and prescriptions are subject to a clinical decision after completing our online consultation. This page is only intended for those who have completed an online consultation and have been prescribed Mounjaro.
We would like to provide you with important information before you start taking Mounjaro. It is also recommended to read the patient information leaflet to understand how the medication works, what to expect, and potential side effects and how to manage them.
What is Mounjaro and how does it work?
Mounjaro is a medication licensed for the treatment of overweight or obese patients. When used in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular physical activity, Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, helps individuals lose weight by increasing energy expenditure and regulating appetite. Tirzepatide acts as a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking the natural hormones GIP and GLP-1.
As a GIP receptor agonist, tirzepatide regulates energy balance through cell-surface receptor signalling in the brain and adipose tissue. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide works similarly to GLP-1 in the body, slowing down the digestion process to keep you feeling full for an extended period, and interacts with receptors in the brain to reduce hunger and cravings while promoting satiety and fullness. By combining the purported effects of both GLP-1 and GIP signalling, dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists are thought to lead to a more effective weight loss agent. These combined effects reduce appetite and prevent overeating, leading to a reduction in calorie intake. Like all medications, the effects will only last as long as you take it, but when used correctly and mixed with a healthy diet and a good exercise regimen, it will help you lose weight.
How to use tirzepatide:
For detailed instructions, please refer to the leaflet inside your medication box
Step 1: Select the correct pre-filled Kwikpen
Select the pen labelled with the correct weekly dosage.
Check the pen to make sure it isn’t damaged, the expiration date hasn’t passed, and that the medicine is clear and colourless/slightly yellow in the window within the pen.
Pull off the pen cap.
Wipe the red inner seal of the pen with one of the wipes.
Always use a new needle for each injection. Take a needle when you are ready to take your injection. Check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damages. If you see any damage, this could affect sterility. Dispose of it and use a new needle. Tear off the paper tab from the needle, then push the needle onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
You must remove both caps from the needle.
Prime the pen. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position. You can keep turning the dose knob in either direction until the prime position lines up to the dose indicator. With the needle pointing upwards, tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The ‘0’ icon must be shown in the dose window. A small amount of medicine should come out the tip of the needle. If not, repeat these steps an additional 2 times. On the 3rd time, change the pen needle and repeat again.
Step 2: Decide where to inject
Decide where on your body you’ll inject the medicine. You can either inject it into your stomach (at least 2 inches from your belly button) or in your upper legs on the front of your thighs. If someone else is helping you, they can inject it into your upper arm for you.
You can inject the pen in the same body part each week, but make sure it isn’t in exactly the same spot.
Expose the area of skin you will be injecting into and ensure there is no visible break in or damage to the skin.
Clean the chosen area with the other alcohol wipe and let it dry.
Step 3: Inject your dose
Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is shown in the dose window.
Position the pen at the injection site, ensuring you can see the pen window.
Push the pen firmly against the skin and apply continuous pressure.
Press and hold down the dose knob until it stops, and count to 5 whilst holding the dose knob. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
Remove the needle from your skin. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but do not rub the area.
Step 4: After the injection
Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface without touching the needle or the outer needle cap. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.
Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may stick yourself with the needle.
Always dispose of the needle immediately after each injection to prevent blocked needles, contamination, infection and inaccurate dosing. Never store your pen with the needle attached.
Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect Mounjaro from light.
Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed for you. Check with a Numan clinician if you are not sure.
How and when to use Mounjaro
Mounjaro should be injected subcutaneously, once a week, on the same day each week.
You can administer it at any time of the day.
You can administer Mounjaro with or without food and drinks.
How much to inject
Your dose of Mounjaro will gradually be increased each month until you reach your maintenance dose.
Please look at the dosage information on the label of your medication box, injection pen or within the treatments section of your Numan account page.
If you are unclear on the dose, please speak to a clinician.
If you feel you are not experiencing the weight loss you expected, or are experiencing an increase in appetite, contact our clinical team, who will review your dosage. You can contact our clinical team on [email protected]. Alternatively, you can contact your health coach or clinician via the coaching section in the Numan app.
Don’t take Mounjaro
If you are allergic to tirzepatide or any of the other ingredients in the medication.
If you have diabetes (type 1 or type 2), controlled with medication.
Together with insulin or insulin secretagogue medications (e.g. sulfonylurea), semaglutide lowers blood sugar and can cause hypoglycemia. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when semaglutide is used in combination with insulin or insulin secretagogue medications.
If you are taking GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, eventide or lixisenatide). GLP-1 agonists lowers blood glucose and can cause hypoglycemia.
Together with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss products.
If you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
If you have or have previously had acute pancreatitis.
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
If you are breastfeeding.
If you have an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
If you have congestive heart failure.
If you have kidney disease or are on dialysis.
If you have liver problems.
If you have had bariatric surgery.
If you are on warfarin, speak to your doctor or INR monitoring service to get more frequent INR checks.
If you are taking oral contraceptives, you should switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or add a barrier method of contraception upon initiating Mounjaro (for 4 weeks) or after each dose escalation (for 4 weeks).
If you are planning to become pregnant, please discuss with our clinicians as you should stop using this medicine at least 1 month in advance.
What to do if you forget or miss a dose
If you forget or miss 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.
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.
If you miss more than one dose, please contact a Numan clinician.
What to do if you take more Mounjaro than you should
If you take more Mounjaro than you should, contact your clinician straight away. You may get side effects such as feeling sick (nausea).
Side effects of Mounjaro
Like all medicines, Mounjaro can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most patients find that the side effects resolve with time, once your body is accustomed to the medication. If your side effects are not resolving, please speak to one of our clinicians who can advise you on next steps.
Common or very common side effects
Headache
Nausea (feeling sick)
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Low blood glucose in patients with diabetes (especially if mixed with other diabetes medications such as insulin or sulfonylurea) - may present as cold, sweaty pale skin; headache, a fast heartbeat, nausea, vision changes, sleepiness or weakness, confusion and shakes.
Complications of diabetic eye disorder (retinopathy) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Stomach pain
Stomach bloating
Constipation
Flatulence (wind)
Burping
Gastritis (inflamed stomach) - may get feelings of a stomach ache, feeling sick and/or vomiting.
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease - also called GORD, reflux or heartburn.
Dizziness
Tiredness
Hair loss
Increase of pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase) shown in blood tests.
Some of the potential side effects that affect the gastrointestinal system can cause dehydration (loss of fluids). Dehydration can in rare cases reduce kidney function. To avoid this, it is important to drink fluids, especially if you are experiencing extensive gastrointestinal side effects or if you have kidney problems.
Serious side effects
Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) - which can cause a severe stomach pain that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your stomach to your back.
Gallbladder problems - tirzepatide may cause gallbladder problems including gallstones. Be aware of symptoms such as pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) and clay-coloured stools.
Kidney problems (kidney failure).
Changes in the way food tastes.
Increased heart rate while at rest.
Reactions at the site of injection - bruising, pain, irritation, itching, redness, rash or scarring.
Allergic reactions such as rash, itching or hives.
Severe allergic reaction. May present with swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat with difficulty breathing and a fast heart rate. You should seek immediate medical help if you get these symptoms.
If you experience any of these serious side effects, contact your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
Stop using Mounjaro if you notice any of these side effects
Severe allergic reactions.
Signs of pancreatitis - severe stomach pain that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your stomach to your back.
If you get any of these side effects, seek immediate medical help and alert your healthcare provider.
What to do if you are feeling unwell
In the event of feeling unwell, particularly if your illness impacts your appetite or gastrointestinal system, making it difficult to maintain the standard three meals a day, we advise temporarily discontinuing the use of Mounjaro to minimise risks of malnourishment or dehydration.
It is recommended to skip a dose until a full recovery is achieved. This sick day rule ensures the optimal effectiveness of Mounjaro while prioritising your well-being during periods of illness.
Please make sure to keep us updated if you become unwell and a break in treatment is required.
How to store Mounjaro
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Ensure medication is within the expiry date.
Do not freeze.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C).
Mounjaro can be stored unrefrigerated not above 30 °C for up to 30 cumulative days and then the pen must be discarded.
When you are not using Mounjaro, keep the cap on the pen in order to protect from light.
What Mounjaro contains
The active substance in Mounjaro is tirzepatide.
It also contains sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, concentrated hydrochloric acid and water for injections.
If you have any questions about taking Mounjaro please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. If you feel unwell and feel you need urgent medical attention please call NHS 111 or attend your nearest accident and emergency department.
This is a non-promotional, safety information page for Mounjaro. If you are interested in weight management treatment, please reach out to our clinical team by contacting [email protected].