UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF MOUNJARO: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DOSAGE AND USAGE

If you have type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both, your healthcare provider may recommend taking Mounjaro. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable prescription medication that helps control blood sugar levels in combination with diet and exercise. It also slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach and reduces appetite. In clinical trials, people taking Mounjaro have lost 20% or more of their body weight within a year and a half of starting treatment.

If this is your first time taking Mounjaro, you may have questions about its dosage forms. Below, we review what you need to know about Mounjaro dosing, including how to use it and what to do if you miss a dose. Read on to learn more.

UNDERSTANDING MOUNJARO’S DOSAGE

The starting dosage of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg, taken weekly, with a maximum dosage of 15 mg weekly. Each pen of Mounjaro contains a single dose of the medication in a liquid solution. You use the pen to inject the solution under the skin of your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh (we explain how to inject Mounjaro in a later section below).

When you first start taking Mounjaro, your healthcare provider will likely start you at the typical starting dosage of 2.5 mg weekly. After four weeks, they may increase your dosage to 5 mg weekly. After another four weeks, they’ll check how the medication is affecting your blood sugar levels. If the 5 mg dosage adequately improves your glycemic control, your healthcare provider may have you stay at this dosage long-term. If your blood sugar is still high, they will continue increasing your dosage by 2.5 mg every four weeks until they find the right dosage for you.

For example, if, after four weeks of the 7.5 mg dosage, your blood sugar levels remain high, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to 10 mg. If your blood sugar levels look good after another four weeks at the 10 mg dose, they may have you stay at that dosage. If they’re still too high, they can keep increasing it every four weeks until the maximum dosage of 15 mg. The goal is to find the smallest dosage of Mounjaro that adequately controls your blood sugar levels.

MOUNJARO STRENGTHS

Each dose of Mounjaro comes in a single-dose pen, which contains one dose of the medication. Mounjaro pens come in six strengths:

• 2.5 mg/0.5 mL
• 5 mg/0.5 mL
• 7.5 mg/0.5 mL
• 10 mg/0.5 mL
• 12.5 mg/0.5 mL
• 15 mg/0.5 mL

FACTORS AFFECTING MOUNJARO DOSE

Different people may be prescribed different dosages of Mounjaro. Factors affecting dosage include:

• Your Age: Mounjaro has not been studied in people younger than 18 years old. While clinical trials have not found significant differences in how Mounjaro affects older adults versus those younger than 65 years of age, some older adults may be more sensitive to Mounjaro.
• Other Medical Conditions You Have: Healthcare professionals will use more caution when prescribing Mounjaro to people with certain medical conditions, such as a history of diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, acute kidney injury, or acute gallbladder disease.
• The Condition You’re Using Mounjaro For: The dosage your healthcare provider prescribes may vary depending on the condition you are taking it for — type 2 diabetes mellitus or weight loss — and the severity of that condition.
• Other Medications You’re Taking: Mounjaro may interact with other medications that lower blood glucose, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking prior to starting Mounjaro.

HOW TO USE MOUNJARO

Mounjaro should be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) every week. You can inject Mounjaro at any time of day, regardless of when you last ate. Store Mounjaro in its original carton in your refrigerator, at a temperature between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze Mounjaro.

Each box of Mounjaro contains detailed prescribing information for injecting and storing Mounjaro, including illustrations for each step. While you should follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, here is a general overview:

1. Choose Your Injection Site: Mounjaro is injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Change your injection site each week, rotating through the different areas of the body.
2. Remove the Gray Base Cap: Pull the gray base cap off the pen and throw it away. Do not touch the needle.
3. Position the Pen on the Injection Site: Place the clear base of the pen flat against the skin of your injection site. Unlock the pen by turning the lock ring.
4. Inject Mounjaro: Press the purple injection button and hold for 10 seconds. Listen for two clicks. The injection is complete when the gray plunger becomes visible.
5. Safely Dispose of the Used Pen: Mounjaro pens should only be disposed of in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container.

MISSED MOUNJARO DOSE

If you forget to take a dose of Mounjaro, inject it as soon as you remember if it has been less than four days (96 hours) since the day you were supposed to take your dose. If it has been more than four days, skip that dose and take the next dose on your regularly scheduled day. Never take two doses at the same time.

MOUNJARO SIDE EFFECTS

As with most prescription drugs, you may experience side effects when taking Mounjaro. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, upset stomach, or abdominal pain. These side effects tend to be most common when you first start using the drug and often diminish over time.

If you experience nausea while taking Mounjaro, consider:

• Avoiding fat or fatty foods
• Eating bland and light foods
• Eating smaller meals
• Stopping eating once you feel full

CONCLUSION

Mounjaro offers a promising solution for managing blood sugar levels and achieving significant weight loss. By understanding its dosage, usage, and potential side effects, you can maximize its benefits while minimizing risks. However, always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and dosage adjustments tailored to your individual needs.

At Aktwisted Wellness, we are committed to providing you with comprehensive information and support to help you achieve your health goals. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

SOURCES

1. American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement 1), S1-S212.
2. Novo Nordisk. (2021). Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection: Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf
3. Wilding, J. P., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., … & Zinman, B. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002.
4. Lilly USA, LLC. (2021). Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection: Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://uspl.lilly.com/mounjaro/mounjaro.html
5. Davies, M. J., Bergenstal, R., Bode, B., Kushner, R. F., Lewin, A., Skjøth, T. V., … & Hollander, P. (2015). Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA, 314(7), 687-699.