Why does Mounjaro require a gradual increase in dosage?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is started at a low dose and gradually increased to help minimize side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. The dosage is typically raised every four weeks, allowing your healthcare provider to assess how well the medication is working and how your body is adjusting.
What is the starting dose of Mounjaro?
The initial dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg once weekly for four weeks. This is a starting dose and not intended for blood sugar control. After the first month, the dosage may be increased to 5 mg once weekly. Based on your response, your healthcare provider may continue increasing the dose every four weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg per week.
What are the common side effects of Mounjaro?
The most frequently reported side effects include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
Gradually increasing the dose helps reduce these side effects by allowing your body time to adjust.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Speak with your healthcare provider about potential side effects and how to manage them.
This is not all the information you need to know about Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
Mounjaro [package insert]. Updated Jan 2025. Eli Lilly and Company. Accessed 02/05/2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0
Read next
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medicines used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and heart-related death in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has not yet received these indications, although studies are ongoing.
In a large, 2024 retrospective study in adults with overweight or obesity and treated for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro led to at least a 5% weight loss within one year in 81.8% of adults compared to 66.5% of those using Ozempic. Continue reading
Zepbound Vs Mounjaro: Complete Comparison Guide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
Comprehensive comparison of Zepbound vs Mounjaro. Learn about their uses, dosing, effectiveness, costs, and safety profiles to understand which medication might be right for you. Continue reading
Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
The most common Ozempic side effects with Ozempic include stomach problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and usually clear up in a few weeks in most people. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is also a common side effect (when used with certain other diabetes treatments) and it can be serious. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Mounjaro Information for Consumers
- Mounjaro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Mounjaro (detailed)
- Mounjaro user reviews (1,360)
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