Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Dual GIP and GLP-1 Injections: How It Works For Weight Loss, Potential Side Effects And Where To Buy In Singapore

In Singapore, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may be legally prescribed for weight loss under its off-label use policy, provided a doctor deems it beneficial and safe for the patient.

In this article, we share more about Mounjaro:

• How Mounjaro work for weight loss;
• How to use Mounjaro; 
• Potential side effects; and
• Where to buy Mounjaro in Singapore.

Mounjaro FDA-approved Indications

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable medication that is FDA-approved to help:

• people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar
• chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition
• moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity

How Does Mounjaro Work for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which works for weight loss by mimicking two gut hormones, GIP and GLP-1.

GIP hormones are understood to:

• Stimulate insulin secretion.
• Improve insulin sensitivity.
• Aid GLP-1 hormones in their digestive and metabolic actions, for example, by potentially enhancing their effects on appetite regulation.

Meanwhile GLP-1 RAs mimic a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 helps regulate digestion and appetite. The actions associated with GLP-1 include:

• Slowing down the emptying of the stomach after a meal, which can contribute to a prolonged feeling of fullness.
• Potentially reducing cravings and influencing eating patterns.
• Helping the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin allows the body to use glucose from food for energy by moving it from the blood into cells.
• Preventing the liver from releasing excessive sugar into the blood.

Therefore, Tirzepatide represents a newer class of medication. Instead of being a single-receptor agonist like semaglutide, Tirzepatide activates two distinct receptors simultaneously – GIP and GLP-1.

How To Use Mounjaro

Check the medicine

• Look through the pen window. Ensure Mounjaro medicine in your pen is clear and colorless.

Attach a new needle

• Take a new needle and remove the paper tab.
• Push and twist the needle onto the pen until it’s tight.
• The needle has two caps — remove both before use.

Check the flow (only the first time you use a new pen)

• Turn the dose dial until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line ⎯ shown in the dose window aligns with the dose indicator.
• Hold your KwikPen with the needle pointing up. Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top
• Press and hold the button until the counter shows “0” to release some medicine into the air. Do not inject into your body.
• A small drop should appear at the needle tip — this means the pen is ready.

Inject your dose

• Turn the dose dial until it stops and the 1 icon is shown in the dose window. The 1 icon is equal to a full dose
• Insert the needle into your skin (abdomen, thigh, or back of upper arm) — not into muscle or vein. Change the injection site each time (rotate spots within the same area if needed).
• Press and hold the button until the counter shows “0”.
• Keep holding and count slowly to 6 before removing the needle.

After the injection

• Carefully remove and dispose needle.
• Put the cap back on the pen to keep it clean and protected.

What To Do When You Missed A Dose?

• Use Mounjaro once per week, at any time of the day.
• If you want to change the day of the week you take your dose, make sure there are at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses.
• If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) after the missed dose
• If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day

How To Store Mounjaro

When stored in the refrigerator, do not store Mounjaro pens directly next to the cooling element.

Potential Common Side Effects of Mounjaro And Tips To Manage

When starting Mounjaro or increasing your dose, you may notice some mild stomach-related side effects. These can include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain

These effects are usually temporary and often improve as your body adjusts. Here are some tips that may help:

• Follow your provider’s dose escalation schedule. Common side effects tend to be most intense when a person first starts Mounjaro or when they move up to the next dose strength. Starting at higher doses or jumping dose strengths can increase your risk for more severe side effects.
• Stay hydrated. GI side effects like diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps prevent dehydration.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals that are bland and low in fat. This may help mitigate nausea and other GI discomfort as your body adjusts.

Where to buy Mounjaro in Singapore

Mounjaro, like other GLP medications, is available only by prescription. To obtain it, you must consult a doctor to determine your eligibility for the treatment.

At Siena, our doctors are best equipped to determine which weight loss medication is most suitable for you. Connect with one of our doctors via an online video consultation, and if prescribed, we deliver your treatment plan right to you in a discreet packaging.