What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (tirzepetide) is an injectable prescription medicine that is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes. This medication is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by helping the body release insulin when blood sugar is high, removing excess sugar from the body, stopping the liver from making and releasing too much sugar, reducing how much food is eaten, and slowing down how quickly food leaves the stomach.
Dosing
- The recommended initial starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly
- After 4 weeks, the dose may be increased to 5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly
- The dose may be increased by 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose
- The maximum dose is 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly
Mounjaro Injection Administration
- Administer Mounjaro once weekly, any time of day, with or without meals
- Inject Mounjaro subcutaneously
- Subcutaneous injections should be injected under the skin into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
- You may inject the medication into your own abdomen or thigh.
- If another person is giving you the injection, they should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm
- Change and rotate injection sites each week
- Be sure to inspect Mounjaro visually before use. It should appear clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use if particles or discoloration is seen.
- Pull the base cap straight off and throw it away in your household trash
- Place the clear base on the skin of the injection site and unlock by turning the lock ring
- Press and hold the injection button for 10 seconds
- First click= injection started
- Second click = injection completed
Disposal
- Put your used pen in an FDA-cleared sharps container. Do not throw away in your household trash.
- If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps container, you may use a container that is:
- made of heavy-duty plastic
- leak-resistant
- Ex: laundry detergent bottle
Be sure to look out for common side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach (abdominal) pain. Reach out to your doctor or pharmacist with any questions or concerns.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to subcutaneous injections. Email your weight loss pharmacy specialists with questions concerning the medication at wellness@prestonspharmacy.com.
