Mounjaro Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Mounjaro Injection contains tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist given as a once-weekly injection. It is used along with diet and exercise to help manage type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 years and older, and to lower heart-related risks in some adults with type 2 diabetes. There is no generic version available.

What is Mounjaro Injection

Mounjaro is a prescription injection containing tirzepatide. It is used along with diet and exercise to help manage type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 years and older, and to lower heart-related risks in some adults with type 2 diabetes. There is no generic version available.

Mounjaro Injection uses

• Helps lower blood sugar levels and improve A1C in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise
• Lowers the risk of major heart and blood vessel problems (such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events

Benefits of Mounjaro Injection

• Can improve blood sugar control (A1C)
• May lower the risk of serious heart and blood vessel events in high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes
• People taking it in trials tended to lose more weight on average than those taking a placebo or comparison medicine, though Mounjaro itself is not approved for weight loss

How Mounjaro Injection works

Mounjaro works by activating two gut hormone receptors, called GIP and GLP-1. This causes the body to release more insulin when blood sugar rises, lowers the release of a hormone called glucagon, slows down digestion so sugar doesn't spike as much after meals, and helps you feel full for longer. Together, these actions lower blood sugar, improve A1C, and reduce how much you eat.

Mounjaro Injection dosage

Mounjaro is given as an injection under the skin, usually once a week. It can be taken with or without meals, at any time of day. It may be injected in the thigh or abdomen, or someone else can inject it into the back of your upper arm. Rotate (change) the injection site with each dose.

Check that the liquid looks clear and colorless to slightly yellow before using; do not use it if you see particles or if the color looks wrong. If using vials, always use a new syringe and needle for each injection.

A caregiver can give the injection, or you may be able to give it to yourself if your healthcare provider says this is appropriate; children should not inject themselves and need an adult caregiver to give the injection.

You can change the day of the week you use this medicine as long as there are at least 3 days between doses. If you also use insulin, you can inject it in the same general body area as this medicine, but not right next to it, and the two should never be mixed in the same injection.

It may take about four weeks or longer to see the full benefit, and it controls diabetes but does not cure it, so keep taking it even if you feel well unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Available forms and strengths

• Single-dose pen
• Single-dose vial
• Multi-dose vial (4 doses per vial)

Side effects of Mounjaro Injection

Common

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Injection site reactions such as pain, redness, or swelling
• A small increase in heart rate
• Hair loss (reported since the medicine came on the market)
• Fatigue

Serious

• Possible thyroid tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially when used with certain other diabetes medicines
• Serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dehydration leading to kidney problems, including acute kidney injury
• Severe stomach and bowel problems, including intestinal blockage and severe constipation
• Worsening of diabetic retinopathy (eye problems) in people with a history of it
• Gallbladder problems

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine carries a boxed warning, the strongest warning given by the FDA, about a possible risk of thyroid tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer. It is not known if this happens in people, but you should not use it if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma or a condition called MEN 2.
• Never share a Mounjaro pen with another person, even if the needle is changed, because this can spread blood-borne infections.
• Do not use other GLP-1 medicines, such as Ozempic or Zepbound, together with this medicine, because they work in similar ways and combining them can significantly raise the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood sugar without added benefit.
• This medicine slows stomach emptying and may raise the risk of food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or procedures involving anesthesia or sedation. Tell all your healthcare providers you are using it before any planned procedure.
• There isn't enough information from studies in pregnant women to know if Mounjaro raises the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. In animal studies, it caused harm to the developing baby. It should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit is thought to outweigh the risk. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using it.
• In a study of breastfeeding, tirzepatide was either not detectable in breast milk or found at very low levels compared to the mother's dose. There isn't information on how it affects a breastfed baby or milk supply. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you're using this medicine.
• No dose change is needed for kidney problems, but your healthcare provider may check your kidney function when you start the medicine or increase your dose, especially if you have severe stomach or bowel side effects.
• No dose change is needed if you have liver problems.
• It isn't known if alcohol affects how this medicine works, but alcohol can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, which may interfere with the medicine's effect. It's best to limit how much alcohol you drink, and alcohol may hide or worsen symptoms of low blood sugar.
• Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you, since low blood sugar can affect your ability to concentrate.

Storage

• Store in the original carton, away from heat and light, and never freeze it
• Do not use if it has been frozen
• Single-dose pens and single-dose vials: store in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C)
• If needed, single-dose pens or vials can be stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to a total of 21 days, then must be thrown away
• Multi-dose vials and KwikPens before first use: store in the refrigerator; if stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C), throw away after 30 days
• Multi-dose vials and KwikPens after first use: store in the original carton, either in the refrigerator or at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C); throw away after a total of 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or after 4 weekly doses, whichever comes first, even if medicine remains
• Keep out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach pain that doesn't go away, with or without nausea or vomiting, as this could be a sign of pancreatitis
• Get medical help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting, or a very fast heartbeat
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that doesn't go away, since this can lead to dehydration and kidney problems
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice symptoms of gallbladder problems, such as pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools
• Watch for possible signs of thyroid problems, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath, and tell your healthcare provider if these occur
• If you think you've used too much of this medicine, get medical help right away, including calling emergency services if the person has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be woken up

Alternatives

• Wegovy Injection
• Ozempic Injection
• Trulicity Injection