Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a drug used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro comes as an injection that’s given under your skin.
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.) Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to give yourself Mounjaro injections at home.
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 thirsty
- urinating more often than usual
- fatigue (low energy)
- blurry vision
- wounds 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 liver
- by 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 have had this condition in the past.
What are some frequently asked questions about Mounjaro?
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Mounjaro.
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 abdominal pain as symptoms.
This drug may raise your risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Symptoms of pancreatitis may include back pain or abdominal 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, contact your doctor or go to the hospital right away. This is a serious side effect that can be life threatening in some cases.
Abdominal 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, contact 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.
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 management. (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.
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 have
- other 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 and vomiting
- diarrhea
- decreased appetite
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- injection site reactions
- heartburn
- mild 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.
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, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Mounjaro that have been reported include:
- pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
- gallbladder problems
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- severe digestive side effects, such as severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration and kidney problems
- boxed warning: risk of thyroid cancer*
- severe allergic reaction†
ALLERGIC REACTION
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Mounjaro.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (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)
- 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 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 liquid 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 4 weeks of treatment. 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, you’ll likely 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 inject 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 abdomen, 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 print
- use braille
- contain 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, Glumetza)
- insulin, such as:
- insulin lispro (Admelog, Humalog, Lyumjev)
- insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo)
- 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 hypoglycemia (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 the doses of your other diabetes medications to help 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. You’ll inject Mounjaro once per week and can do this at whatever time of day works best for you. Just be sure to inject Mounjaro on the same day each week.
What should be considered before using Mounjaro?
Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Mounjaro include:
- your overall health
- any medical conditions you may have.
Additionally, tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications. This is important since certain 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, Toujeo)
- insulin lispro (Admelog, Humalog, Lyumjev)
- sulfonylureas, such as:
- glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
- glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase)
- 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 warningTrusted Source. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of thyroid cancer. Using Mounjaro may raise the risk of developing thyroid cancer. In 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, they’ll likely recommend a different treatment option for you.
During your Mounjaro treatment, you should watch for symptoms of thyroid cancer. These symptoms may include:
- a lump or swelling in your neck
- trouble swallowing
- trouble breathing
- hoarseness
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 digestive problems that lead to dehydration and kidney problems. If you already have kidney 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 Mounjarofor you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.
Mounjaro and alcohol
It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Mounjaro treatment. But combining Mounjaro with alcohol could increase the risk of certain side effects of the drug or make them worse.
Drinking alcohol can also cause hypoglycemia (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 do not 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 your condition.
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 child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Mounjaro.
What should be done in case of overdose?
Do not inject more Mounjaro than your doctor prescribes, as 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 injected too much Mounjaro. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.