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All About Mounjaro

Medically reviewed by Audrey Amos, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 19, 2022

What is Mounjaro

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend using Mounjaro to help manage your blood sugar levels. Mounjaro is used in adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug is prescribed along with diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar levels. This medication has some limitations of use. To learn more, see “What is Mounjaro used for ” below.

Mounjaro basics

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Mounjaro comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to give yourself injections at home. Read on to learn more about Mounjaro.

What is Mounjaro used for

Mounjaro is used along with exercise and a balanced diet to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugar. Having high blood sugar levels over time can raise your risk of other conditions, such as heart attack, kidney problems, vision problems, or nerve conditions. It’s important to manage your blood sugar levels to lower your risk of these conditions. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:feeling thirstyurinating more often than usualfatigue (low energy)blurry visionwounds that are slow to heal Mounjaro treats type 2 diabetes by lowering your blood sugar. It does this in multiple ways:by helping your body release more insulin (a hormone that decreases your blood sugar levels)by slowing sugar production in your liverby slowing the emptying of food from your stomach, which can make you feel full for longer Mounjaro has two limitations of use:The drug isn’t approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes.Mounjaro treatment should not be started in people who currently have pancreatitis or who’ve had this condition in the past.

What are some frequently asked questions about Mounjaro

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Mounjaro.

Is Mounjaro used for weight loss

Mounjaro is not approved for use as a weight-loss drug. But because the drug is prescribed along with exercise and a balanced diet, some people may lose weight during their Mounjaro treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss. (Off-label use of a drug is when your doctor prescribes a medication for a different use than what it was approved for.) In studies, some people using Mounjaro reported weight loss. This may be due to the drug working to slow down your digestion, which can help you feel full for a longer time. In addition, this drug can cause nausea or decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss. If you have questions about weight loss with Mounjaro, talk with your doctor.

Does Mounjaro cause body aches

No, Mounjaro shouldn’t cause body aches. This wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of Mounjaro. But Mounjaro can cause certain conditions that have back pain or belly pain as symptoms. This drug may raise your risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Symptoms of pancreatitis may include back pain or belly pain that doesn’t go away. In some cases, you may also experience vomiting. If you have any symptoms of pancreatitis during your Mounjaro treatment, see your doctor or go to the hospital right away. This is a serious side effect that can be life threatening in some cases. Belly pain could also be a symptom of gallbladder problems, which is a side effect of Mounjaro. This is also a serious condition that needs immediate treatment. Other symptoms of gallbladder problems include fever or nausea and vomiting. If you develop body aches or pain during your Mounjaro treatment, see your doctor right away. They can determine what may be causing your symptoms and the best way to treat them. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What are Mounjaro s side effects

Like most drugs, Mounjaro may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Mounjaro may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:other health conditions you haveother medications you take Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Mounjaro. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Mounjaro can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Mounjaro’s prescribing information. Mild side effects of Mounjaro that have been reported include:nausea or vomitingdiarrheadecreased appetiteconstipationbelly paininjection site reactionsheartburnmild allergic reaction* Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Mounjaro can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Mounjaro, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. Serious side effects of Mounjaro that have been reported include:pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)kidney problemsgallbladder problemslow blood sugarsevere digestive side effects, such as severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrheaboxed warning: risk of thyroid cancer*severe allergic reaction† * For more information, see the “What should be considered before using Mounjaro ” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below. Allergic reaction Some people may have an allergic reaction to Mounjaro. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:skin rashitchinessflushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Mounjaro. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What is Mounjaro s dosage

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Mounjaro that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always use the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Mounjaro comes as a solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.

Recommended dosages

You’ll inject Mounjaro once per week. Your doctor will likely have you start treatment with a low dose of Mounjaro. Then, they’ll increase your dose after you’ve used the drug for 4 weeks. Starting with a lower dose helps your body get used to the medication. If your current dose of Mounjaro isn’t managing your blood sugar well enough, your doctor may increase your dose even more. This will be done after another period of 4 weeks, if needed.

Questions about Mounjaro s dosing

Below are some common questions about Mounjaro’s dosing.What if I miss a dose of Mounjaro? If you miss your dose of Mounjaro, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s within 4 days of when the dose was due. Then continue with your regular dosing schedule. But if more than 4 days have passed since you missed your dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose on its usual day. Then, continue with your regular dosing schedule.Will I need to use Mounjaro long term? Yes, it’s likely that you’ll take Mounjaro long term. This drug helps manage type 2 diabetes, which is a long-term condition. So, if Mounjaro works for you, your doctor will likely recommend taking it long-term.How long does Mounjaro take to work? Mounjaro begins working right after you take your first dose, but it may take some time before you see a change in your blood sugar. Some people start seeing an effect within a few weeks of starting treatment. If you have questions about when you can expect to see results with Mounjaro, talk with your doctor.

How is Mounjaro used

Your doctor will explain how to use Mounjaro. They’ll also explain how much to use and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Using Mounjaro

Mounjaro comes as a liquid solution in a single-use prefilled pen. You’ll inject Mounjaro under your skin once weekly. You can take your dose with or without food. Mounjaro can be injected into your belly, thigh, or upper arm. (If you want to inject the drug into your upper arm, you’ll likely need someone to help you.) You should rotate the areas where you inject the drug to help prevent skin irritation at the injection site. Before you start your Mounjaro treatment, your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to inject the drug. For step-by-step instructions or a video on how to use Mounjaro, see the drugmaker’s website. It’s important to note that if you take insulin along with Mounjaro, you can inject your doses into the same area of your body, such as your thigh. But try to use different injection sites that are a few inches apart to avoid injection-site reactions, such as pain or irritation. Also, you should never mix insulin with Mounjaro in the same syringe. If you have questions about the administration of Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:have large printuse braillecontain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Using Mounjaro with other drugs

Your doctor may prescribe other drugs along with Mounjaro to manage your blood sugar levels. Examples of these drugs include:metformin (Fortamet)insulin such as insulin lispro (Humalog) or insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar)glimepiride (Amaryl)rosiglitazone (Avandia)linagliptin (Tradjenta)canagliflozin (Invokana) It’s important to note that using Mounjaro with other diabetes treatments, especially insulin, can increase your risk of low blood sugar. This can be serious or even life threatening if not treated quickly. So, your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels more often if you use Mounjaro with other treatments. In some cases, your doctor may decrease your dose of your other diabetes medication to prevent low blood sugar.

Questions about taking Mounjaro

Below are some common questions about using Mounjaro.Should I take Mounjaro with food? You can take your dose of Mounjaro with or without food.Is there a best time of day to take Mounjaro? No, there’s not a best time of day to take Mounjaro. You’ll inject Mounjaro once per week, and you can take your dose at the time of day that works best for you. But you should use Mounjaro on the same day each week.Questions for your doctor You may have questions about Mounjaro and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:Before your appointment, write down questions such as:How will Mounjaro affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

What should be considered before using Mounjaro

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Mounjaro include:your overall healthany medical conditions you may have Additionally, tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications. This is important to do because some medications can interfere with Mounjaro. These and other considerations to discuss with your doctor are described below.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions. Before using Mounjaro, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter types). Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Mounjaro.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Mounjaro can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:insulins such as insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar), or insulin lispro (Humalog)sulfonylureas such as glipizide (Glucotrol XL), glyburide, or glimepiride (Amaryl)warfarin (Jantoven)birth control pills such as ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Junel) This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Mounjaro. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that can occur with Mounjaro.

Boxed warning

Mounjaro has a boxed warning. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous. Risk of thyroid cancer. Using Mounjaro may raise the risk of developing thyroid cancer. In animal studies, animals given Mounjaro had an increased risk of thyroid cancer. But it’s not known if Mounjaro could cause thyroid cancer, specifically medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), in humans. If you or a family member has a history of MTC or if you’ve had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), tell your doctor before using Mounjaro. Due to the associated risks, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option for you. During your Mounjaro treatment, you should watch for symptoms of thyroid. These symptoms may include:a lump or swelling in your necktrouble swallowingtrouble breathinghoarse voice Your doctor may also recommend that you have certain blood tests or ultrasounds done to check your thyroid throughout your treatment. If you have questions about the risk of thyroid cancer with Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Mounjaro may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Mounjaro is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Mounjaro. Factors to consider include those described below. Pancreatitis. Mounjaro can cause pancreatitis. If you’ve had this condition before, your risk of developing pancreatitis with Mounjaro may be higher. Before using Mounjaro, talk with your doctor about whether Mounjaro is safe for you to use. Kidney problems. Mounjaro can cause dehydration that leads to kidney problems. If you already have problems, using Mounjaro could worsen your condition. Before using this drug, talk with your doctor. If they prescribe Mounjaro, your doctor may monitor your kidney closely during your treatment. Diabetic retinopathy. If you have a vision problem called diabetic retinopathy, using Mounjaro could make it worse. If you have this condition, talk with your doctor before starting your Mounjaro treatment. Your doctor may monitor your vision more closely during your treatment. Severe digestion problems. Before starting treatment with Mounjaro, tell your doctor if you have any severe digestion problems, such as gastroparesis Mounjaro has not been studied in people who have severe digestive problems, so your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option for you. Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Mounjaro or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Mounjaro. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Mounjaro and alcohol

It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Mounjaro treatment. But combining Mounjaro with alcohol could make certain side effects of Mounjaro worse. You may have a higher risk of these side effects if you drink alcohol during your Mounjaro treatment. Drinking alcohol can also cause low blood sugar in people with diabetes. This can become serious if not treated quickly. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t use Mounjaro during pregnancy. It’s possible that Mounjaro may cause harm to a fetus. It’s important to note that untreated diabetes during pregnancy can cause problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the best treatment option for you. Your doctor will also likely recommend that you don’t use Mounjaro while breastfeeding. It’s not known if the drug may pass into breastmilk or what effects it could have on a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Mounjaro.

What does Mounjaro cost

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A savings card may also be available for Mounjaro. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

What should be done in case of overdose

Do not take more Mounjaro than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you use too much Mounjaro

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Mounjaro. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

Before you start treatment with Mounjaro, you may have questions for your doctor. Examples of questions that you may want to ask include:Will any of my other medications interact with Mounjaro?Do I have a higher risk of side effects from Mounjaro because of other medications I take?What should I do if I become pregnant during my Mounjaro treatment? To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. Or to connect with others who have your condition, join a Bezzy community. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.Medically reviewed by Audrey Amos, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 19, 2022

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