Tirzepatide 7.5mg Once Weekly Injection Pen

What is Tirzepatide Weekly Injection (Mounjaro®) used for​​​?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weekly injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes and for chronic weight management, helping to lower blood sugar, reduce appetite, and slow digestion by mimicking GIP and GLP-1 hormones. It improves glycemic control and promotes significant weight loss, often alongside diet and exercise, by signalling the pancreas to release insulin and reducing sugar release, while also decreasing appetite and slowing stomach emptying

How does Tirzepatide Weekly Injection (Mounjaro®) work​​​ in weight loss?

Tirzepatide activates receptors for two natural hormones, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which are involved in appetite, digestion, and glucose regulation. This dual action: 

• Increases insulin release and decreases glucagon, lowering blood sugar.
• Slows gastric emptying, making you feel fuller longer.
• Reduces appetite, leading to less food intake and significant weight loss. 

The effectiveness of Tirzepatide in weight loss is enhanced when combined with lifestyle changes like a balanced diet and regular physical activity..

How much weight can I lose with Tirzepatide Weekly Injection (Mounjaro®)?

Based on major clinical trials, patients taking tirzepatide can achieve substantial weight loss, often described as "game-changing" in the medical community.

The SURMOUNT-1 trial studied participants with obesity or overweight, but without diabetes, over a 72-week period (about 16.5 months). All participants also received counselling on diet and exercise.

The results showed dose-dependent weight loss:

• 5 mg dose: Average loss of ~15% of body weight (approx. 35 lbs / 16 kg).
• 10 mg dose: Average loss of ~19.5% of body weight (approx. 49 lbs / 22 kg).
• 15 mg dose (highest dose): Average loss of ~20.9% of body weight (approx. 52 lbs / 24 kg).

In this study, the placebo group (diet and exercise alone) lost only about 3.1% of their body weight.

Dosage and How to Use​

Each Mounjaro pen lasts for a month, and six strengths are available: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg.

The starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg once weekly for four weeks. If you can tolerate the medication, your doctor will slowly increase the dose every 4 weeks until you reach the maximum maintenance dose of 15mg once a week, which you’ll remain on for as long as you use Mounjaro — but this isn't the same for everyone.

Some people find that they don’t tolerate higher doses and achieve effective results at lower doses. It’s fine to continue on a lower dose.

As well as using the injections, you’ll need to eat a reduced-calorie diet, and increase your activity levels in order to continue losing weight.

Precautions

• Mounjaro can be injected with or without food.
• Ideally, you should use Mounjaro on the same day each week if possible.
• If necessary, you can change the day of your weekly injection of Mounjaro, as long as it has been at least 3 days since your last Mounjaro injection. After selecting a new dosing day, once-weekly dosing should be continued.
• Do not stop using your medication without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Mounjaro pens need to be refrigerated (between 2℃ and 8℃) as soon as they arrive, but once opened, will work at room temperature for 30 days.

How to select an injection site:

Mounjaro should be injected into the fatty tissue between the skin and muscle layer in one of three areas of your body:

• Abdomen: In the fatty tissue, at least 2 inches (5 cm) away from the belly button.
• Thigh: The front or outer part of the thigh, between the hip and knee.
• Upper Arm: The back/outside of the upper arm; best done by another person. 

Guidelines for Injection

• Rotate Weekly: Change your site each week, moving to a different spot within the same area or switching body parts.
• Avoid: Scars, bruises, tender skin, or the area directly around your navel.
• Self-Injection: Abdomen and thigh are easiest for you to reach.
• Assisted Injection: Upper arm is a good option if someone helps.
• No Pinching: You don't need to pinch the skin. 

How to inject Mounjaro

Step 1: Prepare your pen with a new needle

1. Before injecting Mounjaro, check the injection pen. The solution in the pen should be clear and colorless.
2. Take a new needle and remove the paper tab.
3. Push and twist the needle onto the pen until it’s tight.
4. The needle has two caps — remove both before use.

Step 2: First-time use for each NEW pen: check the flow

Before your first injection with each new pen, you will need to check the flow of the pen.

You do not need to check the flow of the pen that is already in use.

1. Turn the dose dial until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line ⎯ shown in the dose window aligns with the dose indicator.
2. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top
3. Press and hold the button until the counter shows “0” to release some medicine into the air. Do not inject into your body.
4. A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip — this means the pen is ready.
5. If no drop appears, repeat these steps up to 6 times. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat these steps once more. Discard the pen and use a new one if a drop of solution still does not appear.

Step 3: Select your dose

1. 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

Step 4: Inject the dose

1. Wash your hands before and after you use this medication.
2. 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).
3. Make sure that you can see the dose counter. Do not cover it with your fingers.
4. Press and hold down the dose button so the dose counter returns to '0'.
5. Continue pressing the dose button while keeping the needle in your skin.
6. Count slowly to 6

Step 5: After the injection

1. Remove the needle from your skin while keeping the dose button pressed. This is to ensure that you get the full dose.
2. Do not rub or massage the injection site.
3. Throw the injection needle after each injection. Do not reuse the needles.
4. Put the cap back on the pen to keep it clean and protected.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you forget to inject Mounjaro, administer it as soon as you remember within 5 days after the missed dose. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.

If more than 5 days have passed, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be administered on the regularly scheduled day.

Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

If more doses are missed, consult your doctor or pharmacist. You may need to restart the medication at a lower dose.

What are the possible side effects of Tirzepatide Weekly Injection (Mounjaro®)?​

Everyone can have a different experience, but here are the most common side effects experienced by patients taking Mounjaro:

• Nausea, vomiting - Avoid food that is too oily, spicy. Eat small portion of food at a time. Keep yourself hydrated
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Stomach Pain

In studies, most nausea, vomiting and diarrhea events occurred while the dose of Mounjaro was being increased. These events decreased over time.

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your doctor if:

• you are on certain diabetes medication such as insulin or sulfonylurea (e.g. glipizide, gliclazide, tolbutamide etc)
• you have a history of inflammation to your pancreas
• you have stomach or bowel problems
• you have thyroid cancer or family history of thyroid cancer
• you have eye problems (retinopathy)
• you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding
• you are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What other medications and foods should I avoid when taking Tirzepatide Weekly Injection (Mounjaro®)?

Avoid eating food that is too oily or spicy, as this may increase the chance of getting stomach upset.

Handling and storage

• ​Store unused Mounjaro in the refrigerator between 2-8°C. Do not freeze.
• Keep the pen cap on when the pen is not in use to protect it from light.
• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.
• Throw away all expired medicines.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.