Mounjaro is a type 2 diabetes medication that helps lower blood sugar levels and improve A1C levels (a measure of glucose control over the past 2-3 months), and helps maintain weight.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this medication, including its benefits, side effects, how to use it effectively.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is produced by Eli Lilly and is the brand name for the drug Tilzepatide.
It was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022 and, along with healthy diet and exercise, helped manage blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
It is the first drug therapy in a new class known as a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that activate both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
It works by helping the pancreas produce more insulin, reducing the amount of sugar released by the liver, increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, slowing digestion, and making you feel full.
This is an injectable medication taken once a week to help improve blood sugar levels and A1c.
What are the advantages of Mounjaro?
This treatment has three main benefits for people living with diabetes.
Lowers blood sugar levels
This drug helps improve blood glucose levels by increasing the amount of insulin the pancreas releases, but only if your blood glucose levels are elevated.
This creates the risk of hypoglycemia while minimizing medication. It also stops the liver from releasing sugar into the blood, increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
Combined, this results in lower blood sugar levels and A1c levels.
Helps you lose weight and maintain weight
In November 2023, Mounjaro was approved under the brand name Zepbound for chronic weight management in at least one weight-related condition, overweight or obese adults.
This drug helps reduce food intake by lowering appetite and slowing digestion.
Clinical trials have lost people taking the medication at the maximum dose of 15 milligrams (mg) per week.
- 12 pounds more than people taking GLP-1 medication semaglutide
- 29 pounds more than Insulin Degrudeck’s
- 27 pounds more than Insulin Glargine
How much weight can you lose with Mounjaro?
In the Zepbound study, approximately 15% of participants taking the 5 mg dose, 32% of doses taking the 10 mg dose, and 36% of doses taking the 15 mg dose lost 25% of their body weight.
According to the manufacturer, the average weight loss was 48 pounds at the highest 15 mg dose.
read more: Can Mounjaro help you lose weight?
Reduces the risk of heart disease
This drug has the power to protect against heart disease. This is the number one cause of death in diabetic patients.
In the study, the highest dose of participants (15 mg per week) after 52 weeks:
- Lowered total cholesterol by about 5.6%
- Triglycerides have been reduced by 22.5%
- Lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 7.9%
- Lower VLDL cholesterol by 21.8%
- Increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol by 10.8%
Why are you prescribed Mounjaro?
This treatment was only approved by the FDA for people with type 2 diabetes.
However, it should be noted that not everyone with type 2 diabetes is prescribed Munjaro.
This is because many people can manage their blood sugar levels with diet, exercise and sometimes other medications like metformin and insulin.
However, if you find it difficult to achieve these goals in other ways, it is a great way to fight insulin resistance, improve blood sugar levels, and help you lose weight.
Many people with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease may be prescribed medications to act as protective agents and improve both diabetes and heart health.
This drug is not approved for use in people under the age of 18.
What are the side effects of Mounjaro?
Some of the most common side effects include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- Bloody
- gas
- Stomach pain
- constipation
- Weight loss
- Rapid heart rate
Rare, but more severe complications include:
- Thyroid tumors containing cancer
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gallbladder disease
- Hypoglycemia levels when taking insulin
- Serious allergic reactions
Some of these more serious side effects, if not treated promptly, can lead to permanent health complications and death.
Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention.
- You develop a fever
- You will experience changes or worsening in your vision
- I feel weak or painful after taking medication
- I think there’s an allergic reaction
Get a more detailed overview: Side effects of Mounjaro: Things you need to know.
Do I need to change my diet?
When taking Mounjaro, adjusting your diet can improve the effectiveness of the medication and reduce side effects.
Depending on your individual health recommendations, it is helpful to add sugar, excessively fatty, fried or fatty foods, avoid high fatty or fatty foods, and consume at all.
A focus on raw whole foods such as lean protein, healthy fats and hypoglycemic vegetables can improve the effectiveness of the drug in managing blood glucose levels.
Read more for more detailed guidance: Foods to Avoid in Mounjaro.
Mounjaro dosage
This medicine is provided as a liquid solution in a ready-made disposable pen. You inject the drug subcutaneously once a week (under your skin).
You can take medication with or without food. Each dose is given in a single dosage pen to prevent overdose.
The various dosing options available include:
- 2.5 mg per week (first 4 weeks as starting dose)
- 5 mg per week
- 7.5 mg per week
- 10 mg per week
- 15 mg per week
Maintenance dosages range from 5 mg per week to 5 mg per week for you and your doctor to decide.
read more: Mounjaro Dosing Guide: How much should it cost?
How much Munjaro do I take?
This varies from person to person and depends on your health history, health goals and lifestyle.
However, most doctors start patients at 2.5 mg once a week. It is important to get the injection on the same day each week.
After 4 weeks, if the side effects are not adversely affected, your doctor may increase the dose once a week to 5 mg.
If you still have blood glucose spikes without side effects, your doctor could increase once a week, or 15 mg to 15 mg to 15 mg. The maximum dose is 15 mg once a week.
Do not take the same dose twice a week.
What happens if there are too many Mounjaros?
Taking this medication too much can cause serious adverse effects.
These include debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and even hypoglycemia (especially if you are using insulin).
Do not take two doses within three days of each other.
Call your doctor immediately or if you accidentally take this medication too much, seek emergency medical attention.
Do you miss the mujaro dose?
If you missed the dose, you can take it a few days late.
However, if you missed the dose more than 4 days (96 hours) before you, skip the dose for the week and get the regular, scheduled dose on time.
You will not experience insulin resistance or weight gain from one missed dose.
However, medication is the most effective when taken consistently, so make sure you don’t miss your dose regularly.
How to inject Mounjaro
- Visually check the liquid in the pen before injecting.
- Do not use a pen if particles or discoloration are present.
- Clean the injection site with a friction alcohol swab before injecting.
- Replace the injection site weekly to prevent injuries under the skin or scar tissue.
- Note that this medication is usually injected under the skin of your thighs, abdomen, or upper arms.
- Talk to your doctor about the best place to inject and how to rotate the jet site.
- Always place the needle of the pen in a sharp container and discard each dose before discarding the pen.
Because the pen is a single dose, it provides four supplies per 30 days, so there is no need to maintain the pen after use.
For more information: Mounjaro Infusion: Where and How to Inject.
Who should not take Munjaro?
Needless to say, don’t take this if you don’t have a prescription.
If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, we do not recommend using it.
It is also not recommended for people who do not have diabetes, prediabetes, or type 1 diabetes without guidance from a doctor.
For more information: Can I take Mounjaro if I have type 1 diabetes?
This drug is FDA approved only for people over the age of 18.
Do not use it if either you or your family has medulla thyroid cancer (MTC) or if you have multiple endocrine neoplastic syndrome type 2 (male 2).
Do not use if you are allergic to tilzepatide or other ingredients during medication.
If you have any questions or concerns about starting this therapy, talk to your doctor.
How do I stop taking Mounjaro?
There are many reasons why you might want to stop taking this medication.
For example, side effects may have a negative effect, but I don’t like how the drug feels and how it keeps costs down.
Talk to your doctor before you stop any diabetes medications that contain this.
What happens if I stop taking Mounjaro?
Your doctor will probably want to wean your dose before you stop it completely. Insulin resistance, food craving, blood sugar levels, and weight can creep up when you stop taking it.
You’ll want to plan alternatives, exercise, diet and more to combat the rebound effects you may experience.
If you lose weight from this medication, you may need to continue taking it indefinitely to prevent your weight from coming back.
Can Mounjaro replace insulin?
no. It’s not insulin, nor is it insulin supplementation. Rather, it serves as a supplement to insulin therapy (if you are taking insulin).
If you have recently been prescribed this medication, don’t stop taking your other diabetes medication unless your doctor specifically tells you.
Mounjaro lowers blood glucose levels over time, but the way in which insulin is possible does not cause acute hypoglycemia.
Usually, if you are taking insulin to food, you should continue doing it.
If you’ve been on medication for several months, you may notice that your insulin needs are gradually decreasing.
However, this rarely takes away the need to take insulin for your diabetes.
Can I take Mounjaro with other diabetes medications?
This depends on the other medication you are taking.
Generally, munjaro can be taken with medications such as metformin and insulin if prescribed at the same time.
However, it should not be combined with GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs.
GLP-1 receptor agonists include:
Always talk to your doctor if you are unsure of how the medication you are taking will interact with the new medication you are taking.
Read more about how Mounjaro compares to Ozempic: Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: Which should I choose?
Do Mounjaro need to be refrigerated?
no. This drug can be frozen for up to 21 days, as long as the temperature does not exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
Mounjaro should be stored at temperatures between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius).
Do not get hotter than 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and don’t freeze the pen.
Always store the Mounjaro pen in its original casing to protect it from sunlight.
How much does Mounjaro cost?
Mounjaro’s costs vary depending on the insurance coverage and the specific plan details.
To determine your specific co-payment or out-of-pocket expenses, you can use your prescription or medical card using the Mounjaro coverage and co-payment calculator available through your insurance provider.
If you have any questions about coverage or joint payment costs, you can contact Mounjaro Customer Support at 1-800-545-5979.
For qualified individuals, Eli Lily offers the Munjaro Savings Card Program, which may offer free medicines. To find out more about this program and see if you are eligible, call Eli Lilly’s PAP toll free number at 1-800-545-6962.
How do I get a prescription for Mounjaro?
If you have type 2 diabetes, consult your doctor if you need a prescription for this medication.
If you don’t have type 2 but live with another form of diabetes and deal with insulin resistance, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Also, if you don’t have diabetes but are considering losing weight safely, talk to your doctor. There are FDA approved weight loss medications that may be suitable and do not have the same side effects as Mounjaro/Zepbound.
For example, Wegovy (Semaglutide) is obese or overweight and has approved the FDA for weight loss in at least one weight-related condition (such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol).
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