Mounjaro Weekly Injection Pen

Mounjaro is a newly approved weight loss medication that has been clinically proven to help patients lose weight. It is made by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, and comes as pre-filled pens that contain 4 doses of Mounjaro.

It works by reducing your appetite. When it's used together with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise it can help you lose weight gradually.

Mounjaro was initially approved to treat type 2 diabetes and continues to be used for this today.

Mounjaro helps with weight loss by reducing your appetite, so you eat fewer calories. It also slows down how fast food leaves the stomach so you feel fuller for longer. However, this effect reduces over time. This action is mediated by the GLP-1 hormone in the body.

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, Tirzepatide which works on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. GIP has been shown to reduce how much you eat and increase how much energy you use, resulting in weight loss.

Most weight loss injections are only GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, Mounjaro combines the effects of both these naturally occurring hormones and has been shown to cause more weight loss than medicines that work on GLP-1 alone.

Losing weight can also improve how your body responds to insulin, which helps lower your blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is now approved for obese adults with a BMI of 30 or more. It is also approved for overweight adults with a BMI of 27 or more who also have weight-related health problems such as:

• prediabetes
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease (including high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease) 
• obstructive sleep apnoea
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• osteoarthritis or gout
• chronic back pain
• fatty liver disease
• gallbladder disease

Initially, Mounjaro was only approved for treating type 2 diabetes in adults here in the UK but has since also been licensed for weight loss. At HealthExpress, we only offer this treatment for weight loss.

This medicine should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

You cannot use it if:

• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding (it is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby or pass into your breast milk)
• you are allergic to Mounjaro or any of the other ingredients in this medicine
• you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

You should also tell your doctor if you:

• have problems with your pancreas, liver, kidneys, or gallbladder
• have severe problems with your stomach (such as food remaining in your stomach for longer than normal or problems digesting food)
• have a history of diabetic retinopathy
• are using other diabetes medicines such as a sulphonylurea or insulin
• have heart conditions (especially heart rate problems or heart failure)

Mounjaro KwikPen

Mounjaro KwikPen comes as a pre-filled injection pen that you inject yourself with once weekly.

Mounjaro KwikPen parts

Choose a day that works for you and inject this medicine on the same day each week. If you need to change the day of the week you take your dose, ensure there are at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses.

	Choose your injection site You can inject this medicine into your stomach, thighs, or the back of your upper arms. You can inject it yourself, or another person can help you do this.
	Pull the pen cap off and inspect the pen and label to ensure you have the right medicine and dose. Check the pen for any signs of damage, and if you find any, refrain from using it. Mounjaro should be colourless to slightly yellow.
	Wipe the red inner seal with a swab. Choose a new pen needle and pull off the paper tab.
	Put the capped needle onto the pen and twist it on until it is secure. Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it aside (this will be reused). Then pull off the inner needle shield and throw this away.
	To prime the pen, turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. Priming the pen removes air from the cartridge and makes sure it’s working correctly.
	Hold your pen with the needle facing upwards and gently tap the cartridge holder. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while still holding it. The ‘0’ icon must appear in the dose window.
	To inject Mounjaro: Turn the dose knob until a ‘1’ icon appears in the dose window. Insert the needle into your skin and push the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. Before removing the needle, make sure the ‘0’ icon appears in the dose window. Pull the needle out of your skin.
	Place the outer needle shield back onto the needle, then unscrew the capped needle and put this into a sharps container. Put the pen cap back onto the pen and store it appropriately.

What dose should I take?

The recommended starting dose is 2.5mg, injected once weekly for 4 weeks. The dose will be gradually increased over a few months, depending on how well you can tolerate the medicine and if it works for you. The maximum dose of Mounjaro is 15mg.

Mounjaro dosage schedule

Mounjaro is available in 6 different strengths, these include 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg pens.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days after the missed dose. If it has been more than 4 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take 2 doses of Mounjaro within 3 days of each other.

If you have missed a dose, seek medical advice first before changing your dosing regime.

You must store your Mounjaro pens correctly to make sure the medication remains effective.

Unused pens:

• Store unused pens in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C.
• If they have been kept in the refrigerator they may be used until the expiry date.
• Do not freeze your pen, throw it away if it has been frozen.

Used pens:

• Used pens can be stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 30 days after first use.
• Keep the pens away from heat.
• Dispose of the pen after receiving 4 weekly doses.

Clinical trials have shown that Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is effective for weight loss.

One study looked at the effects of Mounjaro versus a placebo (an inactive drug) over 72 weeks.

The results from this study showed that the percentage of adults who had a weight reduction of 5% or more was:

• 85.1% of patients taking 5mg of Tirzepatide
• 88.9% of patients taking 10mg of Tirzepatide
• 90.9% of patients taking 15mg of Tirzepatide
• 34.5% of patients taking the placebo

Comparison of weight loss results in patients taking Tirzepatide vs Placebo

They also found that 50% and 57% of adults taking the 10mg and 15mg doses of Tirzepatide respectively had a reduction in body weight of 20% or more. Whereas only 3% of those in the placebo group showed similar results.

Not everyone using this medicine will experience side effects. However, these are the most common side effects of Mounjaro:

• nausea
• diarrhoea
• decreased appetite
• vomiting
• constipation
• indigestion
• stomach pain

Usually, side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea occur when the dose of Mounjaro is increased and go away over time.

Rare side effects

Mounjaro may cause rare but serious side effects, including:

• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• serious allergic reactions (symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, severe rash, fainting, and a rapid heartbeat)
• changes in vision

These are not all the possible side effects. Please refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL) for a complete list.

Talk to your doctor about any side effects that concern you or don’t resolve. If you experience any rare side effects, contact your healthcare provider straight away.

Mounjaro slows down the process of emptying the stomach. This might impact the absorption of other oral medicines you take. Tell your doctor if you take any other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

Mounjaro may interact with or affect:

• other diabetic medication (such as insulin or sulfonylureas)
• other GLP-1 receptor agonists
• medicines like Warfarin and Digoxin

It might also reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives. If you take an oral hormonal contraceptive, discuss switching to a different contraceptive with your doctor. Also, consider adding a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for 4 weeks after you start taking Mounjaro and for 4 weeks each time you increase your dose.

There are many factors to consider when determining which weight loss drug is best for you. Here is a helpful table showing all weight loss medications available and how they differ from each other.

Deciding which treatment is right for you depends on many factors, but you don't have to make the decision alone. Start a consultation with HealthExpress today, and our doctors will assist you in selecting the appropriate treatment for your needs.

Mounjaro has shown remarkable results in clinical trials, making it a top choice for patients looking to achieve significant weight loss safely.

Dr. Anup JethwaClinical Lead

You can purchase Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for weight loss online at HealthExpress after our doctors confirm if it's right for you.

You will need to complete an online medical consultation which will be reviewed by one of our registered doctors. If approved, the medication will be sent to your door in specialised cold packaging, ensuring the optimal temperature control for the product.

Losing weight for good means creating a healthy lifestyle. This might be the toughest part, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our multidisciplinary team of experts help you throughout your journey.

Dietary advice and meal plans to help build long-term habits

Exercise tips to add into your daily routine

Follow-up consultations to check in with your journey

Information about weight loss related topics

Calorie tips to reduce them in a smart way