Mounjaro, a groundbreaking medication approved for weight management and the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has gained significant attention in the UK. Understanding the correct dosage is crucial for maximising its benefits and minimising potential side effects. This guide will provide a clear and concise overview of Mounjaro’s dosage guidelines.
Dosage Guidelines for UK Patients
The recommended dosage of Mounjaro may vary depending on your individual circumstances. Your healthcare professional will determine the appropriate dosage based on factors such as your blood sugar control, weight, and overall health.
Here’s a general breakdown of the typical Mounjaro dosage schedule:
- Initial dose: Typically, the starting dose is 2.5 mg, administered once a week.
- Dose adjustment: Your clinician may gradually increase your dose over time, depending on your response to the medication. Possible dosage increases include 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg.
- Maximum dose: The maximum recommended dose of Mounjaro is 15 mg per week.
Important Considerations
- Injection site: Mounjaro is administered as a subcutaneous injection. Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- Storage: Keep Mounjaro refrigerated until ready to use. Avoid freezing.
- Missed dose: If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, inject it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
FAQs about Mounjaro Dosage
- What is the initial Mounjaro dose?
Mounjaro always starts with a 2.5mg dose, taken weekly for 4 weeks. This applies whether you’re new to the medication, restarting after a pause, or switching from another weight loss injection. Since each pen contains 4 doses, your first pen will last for 4 weeks.
- When should I increase my Mounjaro dose?
Only increase your dose if your clinician recommends it or if you’re following the dosing schedule and it’s time for your next dose increase. Increasing your dose too quickly or skipping doses could increase your risk of side effects and potentially harm your health.
- What is titration?
Titration is the process of gradually increasing a medication’s dose over time. This is done to help your body adjust to the treatment and reduce the chance of side effects.
- How does Mounjaro titration work?
Mounjaro doses are increased in small steps of 2.5mg, with at least 4 weeks between each increase. This means your dose will go up by 2.5mg every 4 weeks until you reach your target dose.
- What is the maintenance dose of Mounjaro?
The maintenance dose is the highest dose of Mounjaro you’ll take and is typically 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg. It’s the dose you’ll stay on throughout your treatment. The specific maintenance dose depends on how well you respond to the medication, considering factors like side effects and weight loss.
- Can I increase my maintenance dose?
The maximum maintenance dose is 15mg. If you’re on a lower dose and want to increase it, you can do so after waiting at least 4 weeks and as long as you don’t have any serious side effects.
- How long can I use Mounjaro?
You can continue using Mounjaro as long as your healthcare professional prescribes it. The goal is to reach your desired weight loss. Studies have shown that people can lose up to 22% of their initial weight when taking the highest maintenance dose of 15mg for 72 weeks.
If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your starting weight after 6 months of using Mounjaro at your maintenance dose, your clinician might consider other treatment options. Individual responses to medications can vary, so switching treatments may be more beneficial for achieving your goals.
References
Eli Lilly and Company (2022) Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) Injection: The First and Only GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Approved for Type 2 Diabetes, Lilly.com. Available at: https://www.lilly.com/news/media/media-kits/mounjaro
Garvey, W. T. et al. (2023) “Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial,” Lancet, 402(10402), pp. 613–626. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01200-x.
Jastreboff, A. M. et al. (2022) “Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity,” The New England journal of medicine, 387(3), pp. 205–216. doi: 10.1056/nejmoa2206038.
Lilly’s tirzepatide delivered up to 22.5% weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight in SURMOUNT-1 (no date) Eli Lilly and Company. Available at: https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-tirzepatide-delivered-225-weight-loss-adults-obesity-or
Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) (no date) Org.uk. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15484/smpc
