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Mounjaro

Pronunciation: mown-JAHR-OH
Generic name: tirzepatide
Dosage form: single-dose injection pen (multiple strengths), single-dose vial (multiple strengths)
Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 14, 2025.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is used for type 2 diabetes to help lower blood sugar levels, and tirzepatide also causes weight loss. Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection that should be used alongside dietary changes and exercise.

Mounjaro received FDA approval on May 13, 2022. There is no Mounjaro generic. The 2 different brands of tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) are made by Eli Lilly and Company but are FDA-approved for different conditions.

Benefits of Mounjaro

*HbA1c measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.
** Not an FDA-approved use.

Although Mounjaro for weight loss is not officially approved, Mounjaro has been shown to help weight loss and maintain the lost weight in clinical trials when combined with diet and exercise. 

Weight loss support

The most recent clinical trial (Surmount-5) comparing tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) to semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) reported that tirzepatide is significantly more effective than semaglutide.

Tirzepatide is probably more effective than semaglutide because of its dual mechanism of action.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has a dual mechanism of action and activates two hormone receptors in the gut: GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This:

Mounjaro belongs to the drug class called GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonists

Medical uses and FDA approvals

Mounjaro is approved by the FDA for blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.

WARNING: Mounjaro is not approved for type 1 diabetes treatment, and it is not known if it can be used in people with pancreatitis.

It is not known if Mounjaro is safe or effective in children under 18 years of age.

Side effects

The most common side effects of Mounjaro include:

Serious side effects and warnings

Mounjaro may cause the following serious side effects:

Do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Mounjaro. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before using this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Pregnancy

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, you become pregnant, or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby.

This medicine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about other birth control options such as an injection, implant, skin patch, vaginal ring, condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge. If you take birth control pills, you may need to use additional birth control methods for 4 weeks after starting this medicine, and for 4 weeks each time the dose is increased.

Breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed while using this medicine. It is not known whether this tirzepatide passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using this medicine.

How should I use Mounjaro?

You should read the Instructions for Use carefully and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain any part you do not understand. It is important to use this medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or more often than your doctor prescribes.

Mounjaro is a pre-filled pen injected under the skin (subcutaneously).

Your healthcare provider will usually start you on a low dose, which will be gradually increased, but not more than once every 4 weeks.

You may change the day of the week you use this medicine as long as there are at least three days between doses.

You may give insulin in the same area as this medicine, but they should not be given right next to each other. Do not mix insulin and Mounjaro in the same injection.

Mounjaro controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. It may take four weeks or longer before you see the full benefit of this medicine. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor.

For more detailed instructions with diagrams, on how to use this medicine, click here: Instructions for Mounjaro.

Mounjaro Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week.

After 4 weeks: Increase to 5 mg subcutaneously once a week.

If additional glycemic control is needed: Increase from 5 mg to 7.5 mg for 4 weeks and thereafter in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.

Maximum dose: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week.

Comments: The 2.5 mg dosage is for starting treatment and is not intended for glycemic control. The day of weekly administration can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between the 2 doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).

What strengths are Mounjaro pens?

Mounjaro is available as a single-dose autoinjector pen or vial in the following strengths:

In the past, there have been issues with Mounjaro availability due to increased demand leading to drug shortages for some strengths.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it within 4 days after the missed dose.

However, if more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject two doses within 3 days of each other.

What should I do in case of an overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at Poison Help If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What other drugs affect Mounjaro?

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Birth control pills may not work as well while receiving Mounjaro. Your doctor may suggest you use another form of birth control for 4 weeks after starting this medicine and for 4 weeks after each dose change.

Taking other medicines to treat diabetes like insulin, sulfonylureas, or other GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic (see Mounjaro vs Ozempic) with this treatment may increase your risk of low blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

This medicine delays gastric emptying and has the potential to change the absorption of other medicines that are taken orally.

This list is not complete. Many other drugs may interact with this medicine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. To check for interactions with this medicine click the link below.

How do I store Mounjaro?

Store your Mounjaro pens in the refrigerator between 36⁰F to 46⁰F (2⁰C to 8⁰C) in their original carton to protect them from light.

If needed, or while traveling, each single-dose Mounjaro pen can be stored at room temperature up to 86⁰F (30⁰C) for up to 21 days.

Mounjaro ingredients

Active ingredient: tirzepatide

Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid solution and/or sodium hydroxide solution may have been added to adjust the pH.

Who makes Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is made by Eli Lilly and Company, commonly known as Lilly. They are an American pharmaceutical company based in Indianapolis that was founded in 1876. Notable drugs from Lilly include:

Popular FAQ

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

Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?

It takes time, about 8 to 12 weeks to see a 6% to 8% weight loss in adults using Mounjaro. Other reasons include the need to follow a reduced calorie diet and exercise program, your dose may need to be increased, or side effects may affect your treatment. Continue reading

How do Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Zepbound compare for weight loss?

Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound can all lead to long-term weight loss, but only Wegovy and Zepbound are approved by the FDA for this use. In studies, Zepbound has led to a 21% weight loss in adults using the highest dose, while Wegovy has led to about a 15% weight loss. Continue reading

Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?

There’s no evidence that hair loss is a direct side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound. Hair loss is more likely due to the stress of rapid weight loss on your body, which can lead to temporary shedding of hair over several months, a condition known as telogen effluvium. Continue reading

How long does it take for Mounjaro to start working?

Mounjaro (generic name: tirzepatide) will start to lower your blood sugar levels right away but it can take 8 to 12 weeks to reach your target A1C goal. When compared to some other diabetes treatments, studies have shown that it can take 8 weeks to reach an A1C target of ≤7% and 12 weeks to reach an A1C ≤6.5% with Mounjaro. Significant weight loss can occur as early as 28-weeks. Continue reading

Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?

Yes, you can switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro under the supervision of a healthcare professional. There is no one way to switch that is recommended for everyone. Your healthcare provider will consider the reason you are stopping, how long you have been taking your current medication, and the date of your last dose when deciding the best way to switch between these medications. Continue reading

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.