Mounjaro Weight Loss Injections

Mounjaro works by reducing your appetite, so you feel fuller after having a meal. This helps you lose weight by making it easier to avoid overeating and snacking, reducing the amount of calories you eat.

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is a type of medication known as both a ‘GIP and GLP-1 agonist’. This means it mimics the effects of naturally occuring hormones that are responsible for regulating your appetite and the speed at which food moves through your intestines. It can also help to stabilise your blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production.

How long does it take for Mounjaro to work?

Mounjaro starts to work by reducing your appetite, but you might not start to feel the effect straight away. From week 1 onwards, you should feel Mounjaro working, though the extent of this varies from person to person.

Weight loss treatment with Mounjaro is most effective when you follow a diet and exercise routine. You may find that you experience side effects between weeks 1 to 5 as your body adjusts to the medication. This may happen again during a dose increase but should get better over time.

> Find out more information about how Mounjaro works and how to get the best results on Mounjaro.

Does Mounjaro work like insulin?

“Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is not an insulin, although it can help your body to produce more of it. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which should not be injected at the same time as insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor will create a tailored treatment plan for you, which may include either insulin or Mounjaro treatment.” – Dr Zoe Miller, Medical Editor.

To use Mounjaro injections safely, you should:

• take your current dose as instructed by your doctor – each Mounjaro pen contains 4 doses of the same strength (lasting 4 weeks)
• only inject Mounjaro (tirzepatide) into your skin, never into a vein or muscle
• inject Mounjaro once a week, at around the same time each week

Always follow your doctor’s instructions, and read through the patient information leaflet and user manual carefully before taking Mounjaro. Once you have chosen a day and time that suits you to inject Mounjaro, you can prepare to take it.

To prepare your Mounjaro injection:

1. Wash your hands with soapy water, then dry them thoroughly.
2. Check your displayed dosage is correct on the original packaging and is within date.
3. Take your pen out of the box and check if it is damaged. You must not use a damaged pen.
4. Remove the protective cap from the pen and check the dosage window – the liquid must be clear and free from debris or particles. If the solution is frozen, do not use it.
5. Get a new needle ready, and make sure it is not unsealed, damaged, or bent in any way.

Once you have prepared to take Mounjaro, you can prime your pen. It is important to prime your pen before every dose because you can be sure you receive the correct dose and your pen is working.

To prime your Mounjaro pen:

6. Remove the paper tab from the outer shield of your selected needle.
7. Push the capped needle straight into the pen, and turn it clockwise until it is secured.
8. Remove the outer needle shield, place it aside (you will need this later) then remove the inner needle shield and throw it in your household rubbish bin.
9. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear just 2 clicks, and see the extended line displaced in the dose window. This is the prime position.
10. Release some medication into the air by pushing the dose knob until it stops. Slowly count to 5 until the ‘0’ icon is displayed in the dose window – do not inject it into your body.
11. Once a small amount of medication is released from the pen needle tip, your pen is primed.

Note: If you do not see any medication come out of the needle, repeat steps 9 to 11 no more than 2 extra times. If you still do not see any medication you should change the pen needle and repeat steps 9 to 11 no more than one more time. If this does not work, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Once your pen is primed you can inject Mounjaro.

Mounjaro Injection Sites

Mounjaro can be injected into your abdomen, upper legs, or upper arms with help from someone else. You should:

• switch injection sites weekly
• divide the chosen area into 4 sections
• inject at least one finger width away from your last injection, and at least 5cm away from the belly button if injecting into your abdomen

How to inject Mounjaro

12. Choose your injection site. You do not need to squeeze or hold the area of the skin you want to inject.
13. Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is displayed in the dose window. This represents one 0.6ml dose.
14. Insert the needle into your skin at your chosen injection site. Make sure you or the person injecting can see the dose counter.
15. Push the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5 while still holding the dose knob in, check the ‘0’ icon is shown in the dose window before removing the needle from your skin.
16. Pull the needle from your skin. If you see a small drop of medication at the end of the needle after you remove it, this is completely normal and will not affect your treatment.
17. If the ‘0’ icon is shown in the dose window, you have received the full dose of your Mounjaro injection.

If you do not see the ‘0’ icon: insert the needle back into your skin and finish the injection, do not redial the dose. If you are unsure how to proceed, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Once you have completed your dose of Mounjaro:

1. Replace the outer needle shield onto the needle carefully, and discard it in your sharps bin.
2. Replace the pen cap and store your pen away until it is time for your next dose.

Worried about self-injecting ?

“We understand that it may sound off-putting to self-inject your medication. However, the Mounjaro KwikPen is designed in a way that is easy for you to use, even without a clinical professional present. Your Mounjaro pen uses a pre-filled injection with a smaller needle which is different to injections you might have at your GP practice (such as for a vaccine).” – Dr Babak Ashrafi, Clinical Lead for Service Expansion.

If you request self-injection medication from ZAVA, our doctors will give you advice on how to take it and you can message them for free through your account if you need extra support.

What is the most effective way to inject Mounjaro?

No particular injection site will make the medication more effective. The most effective place to inject Mounjaro is the one that is most comfortable for you.

Can you stay on Mounjaro forever?

Mounjaro is considered a safe and effective long-term weight loss treatment. Trials have reported the treatment safe to be taken for as long as 88 weeks. Studies reported a significant decrease in risk factors for weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and health benefits were reported with continued treatment with the maximum dose of tirzepatide.

However, it’s important to note as with any medication, side effects can happen at any time. Taking Mounjaro may increase the risk of digestive problems, and in some cases cause conditions such as pancreatitis. If you get any side effects when taking Mounjaro, you must let your doctor know and monitor them. If they get worse, tell your doctor straight away.

What happens when you stop taking Mounjaro?

When you stop taking Mounjaro, the amount of tirzepatide in your system will slowly drop to nothing. You will lose the blood sugar-regulating effect and your appetite will go back to normal. If you’re using Mounjaro for weight loss and stop, you may find that your weight goes back to how it was before you started your treatment if you do not continue with your weight loss plan.

The half-life of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is around 5 to 7 days, if you stop using Mounjaro, tirzepatide should be gone from your body in about 30 days.

You need to keep to your diet and exercise regime to make sure you don’t put weight back on. Weight loss requires a long-term commitment, even with medication.