Losing weight with Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a medicine that is used to reduce blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and to lose weight. Mounjaro is used to treat people who are overweight or obese and you inject it once a week. Best results are achieved in combination with a healthy lifestyle, such as a low-calorie diet and regular exercise.

How does Mounjaro work?  

The Mounjaro weight loss medication works by activating two receptors in the body that are involved in regulating appetite and blood glucose levels: GIP and GLP-1. This leads to:   

Reduced appetite Mounjaro sends your brain the signal that you are not hungry and that you are full.
Slowing down the emptying of your stomach Because your stomach empties more slowly, you feel full for longer after having eaten.
Effects on hormones Mounjaro affects hormones that are involved in regulating blood glucose levels and energy metabolism.

These three effects may help you to structurally reduce the intake of calories and, consequently, to lose weight.   

Who is Mounjaro suitable for?

Mounjaro may be prescribed to people who are obese (BMI ≥ 30), or who are overweight (BMI ≥ 27) and also have weight-related health issues, for example high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.

A doctor from NOK Clinics will always provide expert advice as to whether weight loss medication (or a specific type of weight loss medication) is suitable for you. As with all medicines, it is important to only use Mounjaro under the supervision of a doctor and to carefully follow the instructions.  

How does Mounjaro work?  

You administer Mounjaro weekly via an injection under the skin, for example on your abdomen or thigh. You do this using an injection pen. Treatment starts with an initial dosage of 2.5 mg per week, which is subsequently increased to 5 mg. Depending on your response to the medicine, the dosage may be increased gradually to a maximum of 15 mg per week. Our NOK Clinics doctor will, always together with you, search for the optimum dosage and evaluate this at set times. It is important to inject Mounjaro on the same day every week . If you have missed a dose, you can still administer it if you are less than four days late. Otherwise, skip the dose and take the next one at the usual time.  

The above is an indication of the application. If Mounjaro is suitable for you as a weight loss medicine, a doctor from NOK Clinics will always give you personal advice about the dosage that is suitable for your body, fitness and goals, and evaluate this dosage, the effect and potential side effects at set times.   

What is the active substance?  

The active substance in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. This substance mimics the action of two hormones that are naturally present in the body: GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). Tirzepatide works by increasing insulin secretion and reducing glucose production in the liver. It helps to reduce appetite and improves saturation, which contribute to weight loss. In addition to tirzepatide, Mounjaro also contains inactive substances such as sodium chloride, sodium phosphate and water for injection.   

Does Mounjaro have any side effects?  

As with other medicines, side effects may develop when using Mounjaro. The most common side effects are nausea, intestinal problems, fatigue and headache. These side effects present mainly during the initial stage of treatment and often disappear over time. Rarer but more severe side effects may include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or problems with the gall bladder. Contact NOK Clinics immediately if you develop severe abdominal pain or other severe symptoms.  

How should Mounjaro be stored?  

Store the Mounjaro weight loss medication in the fridge at a temperature of 2 °C to 8 °C: however, it can also be stored outside the fridge for up to 21 days at room temperatures not exceeding 30 °C. Make sure that the pen is always stored away from light by keeping it in the original packaging. Do not use Mounjaro if the solution is cloudy or has changed colour.  

Are there any alternative weight loss medicines?  

Do you want to know if there are other options for medication that can help you to lose weight? In addition to Mounjaro, there are other options such as Saxenda, Wegovy/Ozempic and Mysimba. Each of these medicines has specific characteristics that are able to support weight loss. See our website for more information about these medicines and to find out which treatment is most suitable for your situation.  

Disclaimer

For more detailed information about Mounjaro and other brands and types of weight loss medication, including potential risks and precautions, we refer you to the official product information and package leaflet.