Mounjaro Dosage Guide For Weight Loss
Approximately 1 in 4 adults in the UK currently live with obesity. This chronic disease is complex, and if left untreated, it can progress and cause other severe health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart disease.
When weight loss efforts such as diet and exercise are not working, weight loss treatments such as Mounjaro can be used. Mounjaro is prescribed with lifestyle changes to aid weight loss. This medication comes in prefilled pens in different dosages.
This article discusses Mounjaro’s UK dosages for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. We will also highlight when dosages are increased and the consequences of taking the wrong dose.
Understanding Mounjaro: what it is and how it works
Mounjaro is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This medication contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, a glucagon-like polypeptide -1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) rector agonist.
Tirzepatide works by attaching to the naturally occurring hormones GIP and GLP-1 and mimicking their action. When you eat a meal, your body is prompted to increase the amount of insulin the pancreas makes, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces appetite.
- Delay gastric emptying
- Stop the liver from making or releasing too much sugar
- Reduce food consumption and cravings
- Remove excess glucose from the blood
Mounjaro comes as a single-dose KwikPen that is pre-loaded with four doses (one administered once weekly). Mounjaro KwikPens come in the following doses:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
Your Mounjaro dosage depends on factors such as:
- The severity of your obesity or type 2 diabetes
- How well you respond to Mounjaro
- Your age
- Any medical conditions that can affect Mounjaro
How does Mounjaro work for type 2 diabetes?
Mounjaro is prescribed for adults over 18 years with type 2 diabetes when:
- The patient cannot take other diabetes medications due to other medical conditions or side effects.
- Diabetes medications have not been effective in managing diabetes.
Mounjaro is only used for those with type 2 diabetes who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35kg/m2 and with other conditions related to obesity. However, some patients can be prescribed Mounjaro if their BMI is below 35kg/m2 if:
- Using insulin increases the risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Weight loss leads to improvements in weight-related health conditions
This medication helps stop your blood sugar levels from getting too high (hyperglycemia). By acting like the GIP and GLP-1 hormones, Mounjaro:
- Slows gastric emptying (the movement of food through your body)
- Increases your insulin levels when your blood sugar levels become too high
- Stops your liver from releasing stored sugar
This helps lower and control blood sugar, manage type 2 diabetes and prevent related health conditions from developing.
How does Mounjaro work for weight loss?
Recently (2023), Mounjaro was approved for treating obesity and for overweight individuals. This weight loss medication is prescribed with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise for those who:
- Have a BMI below 35kg/m2 with additional weight-related medical conditions such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, history of heart disease and stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Have obesity (BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater).
Mounjaro works for weight loss by activating the receptors GIP and GLP-1 in the intestines, telling the brain that you are full. This medication also helps control your appetite and reduce cravings.
What dosage of Mounjaro should you use for type 2 diabetes?
For type 2 diabetes, the starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5mg, administered once a week. This dose won’t affect your blood glucose levels but will help your body get used to the medication. After a month of the starting dose, it will slowly increase over several weeks until you reach a maintenance dose.
Mounjaro dosage chart for type 3 diabetes
- Weeks 1-4: 2.5mg
- Weeks 5-8: 5mg (maintenance dose)
- Week 9 onwards: 7.5mg. Your doctor may continue to increase your maintenance dose by 2.5mg every four weeks if needed
- Maximum dosage: 15mg once a week
What dosage of Mounjaro should you use for weight loss?
The starting Mounjaro dosage for weight loss is 2.5mg, injected once weekly. This is the lowest dose, and everyone starts on it. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist will most likely increase your dose every four weeks until you reach the maximum Mounjaro dosage for weight loss of 15mg weekly.
Mounjaro dosage chart for weight loss
- Month 1: 2.5mg (starting dose) per week
- Month 2: 5mg (maintenance dose) per week
- Month 3: 7.5mg per week
- Month 4: 10mg (maintenance dose) per week
- Month 5: 12.5mg per week
- Month 6: 15mg (maintenance dose) per week
If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take it within four days after your missed dose. If four days have passed, skip the missed dose and wait until your next dose.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you specific dosing instructions for your Mounjaro treatment.
Potential risks and side effects of an incorrect Mounjaro dosage
Potential risks and side effects are associated with not taking your Mounjaro UK dosage as prescribed.
The starting dose is low to ensure that your body gets used to the medication while experiencing minimal to no side effects. If you increase the amount of Mounjaro taken (overdose), you can experience adverse side effects of the medication, which require immediate medical attention.
Common side effects of Mounjaro include:
- Nausea
- Injection site reactions
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Reflux or heartburn
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Warnings and precautions for Mounjaro include:
- Acute kidney injury
- Severe gastrointestinal disease
- Diabetic retinopathy complications
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Risk of thyroid C-cell tumours
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia (low blood pressure) in type 2 diabetes patients taking insulin or insulin secretagogues
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Adjusting your Mounjaro dosage: when and how to do it safely
You should only adjust your Mounjaro dosage when instructed by your pharmacist or healthcare provider. The adjustment will not exceed 2.5mg, allowing your body to adjust to the increased or decreased dose.
As everyone interacts differently with medications, you may find your dose of Mounjaro is not working, or you experience unpleasant side effects that do not go away. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about your experiences so they can adjust your Mounjaro dosage.
Switching from Mounjaro to other weight loss medications
If you find Mounjaro is not working for you, you may need to switch to another weight loss medication. Navigating the switch from Mounjaro to another weight loss medication requires guidance from your pharmacist or healthcare provider. When switching medications, you can expect:
- An adjustment period
- Different side effects
- Monitoring and follow-up
Switching between Mounjaro and other medications requires careful consideration and guidance from your healthcare provider. Below we have listed some additional information comparing other weight loss treatments:
Next steps: optimising your Mounjaro treatment with Cloud Pharmacy
Mounjaro doses are specifically designed to minimise adverse effects when taking the medication. Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and your Mounjaro dosing may reflect this.
When taking this prescription medication, it is important to take it exactly as instructed by your pharmacist or healthcare provider to ensure you get the full effects of Mounjaro while minimising the risk of side effects.
If you would like to know more about Mounjaro, Cloud Pharmacy can help determine if this weight loss treatment is appropriate for you. Once dispensed, your Mounjaro will be securely and discreetly delivered to your UK address.
Click here to learn more about weight loss treatments or Mounjaro.
FAQs
When do you increase the dosage of Mounjaro?
Your Mounjaro dosage is generally increased by 2.5mg every four weeks until you reach the maximum dose of 15mg. Your pharmacist or healthcare provider will advise you on how and when to increase your Mounjaro doses. To avoid adverse side effects and ensure Mounjaro works as it should, do not decrease or increase your Mounjaro dose by yourself.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you feel that your Mounjaro dose is not working as it should or if you are not adjusting to your Mounjaro dose.
What is the best dosage of Mounjaro for weight loss?
In an Eli Lilly trial, patients who maintained a dose of 10mg lost an average of 17% of their body weight, while patients who maintained a dose of 5 mg lost around 15%.
How often do you increase your Mounjaro dosage?
Typically in the UK, Mounjaro's dosage is increased by 2.5mg every four weeks until the maximum dosage (15mg) is reached. Depending on why you have been prescribed Mounjaro, the severity of your condition, and other factors, you may only increase your dose until a low (5mg) maintenance dose is reached.
To avoid adverse side effects, always take Mounjaro exactly as prescribed. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise on if and when to increase your dose. If you are unsure about your Mounjaro dose or when to increase it, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Sources & method
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/
- https://www.cloudpharmacy.co.uk/online-doctor/weight-loss-treatments/
- https://www.cloudpharmacy.co.uk/online-doctor/weight-loss-treatments/mounjaro-weight-loss-injection/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.15481.pdf
- https://www.cloudpharmacy.co.uk/guides/how-to-use-mounjaro-kwikpen/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10159347/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10473544/
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/healthy-eating-and-weight-management/body-mass-index-bmi/
- https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/treating-your-diabetes/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/mounjaro#:~:text=This%20medication%20works%20by%20activating,how%20quickly%20food%20is%20digested.
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15481/pil
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.15481.pdf
- https://mounjaro.lilly.com/hcp/getting-patients-started
- https://medical.lilly.com/us/products/answers/how-do-you-treat-a-tirzepatide-overdose-165458
- https://pi.lilly.com/us/mounjaro-uspi.pdf?s=pi
- https://www.cloudpharmacy.co.uk/
- https://mounjaro.lilly.com/how-to-use-mounjaro
