Mounjaro

Who should not use Mounjaro?

Do not use Mounjaro if you:

• Are allergic to tirzepatide or Mounjaro ingredients.
• Have a history of MTC or MEN 2 in your family.
• Have a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, or renal impairment.
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Are currently breastfeeding.

Before taking Mounjaro, inform your GP about:

• Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
• Severe stomach issues or gastroparesis.
• Past or current pancreas, kidney or liver problems.
• History of depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health concerns.
• Breastfeeding plans
• Inform your healthcare provider about all medications, including prescriptions, vitamins, herbal supplements, and any other substances. Certain medications may interact with Mounjaro, and your healthcare provider needs to assess potential interactions.

What are the possible side effects of Mounjaro?

Mounjaro can cause some side effects to occur, which usually happen when doses increase and tend to settle with time.

• Common side effects of Mounjaro in adults include excess wind (flatulence), gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux, hair loss, hypoglycemia (in patients with type 2 diabetes), inflammation, redness or itching at the injection site, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, it's important to promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist.
• Pancreatitis: if you experience persistent, severe stomach pain with or without vomiting, extending from your abdomen to your back, stop using Mounjaro and promptly consult with a healthcare professional.
• Anaphylaxis: if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing, you may be having a severe allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical help.
• Kidney problems:  In people who have kidney problems, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration). It’s important to stay hydrated while taking Mounjaro. 
• Please read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine to learn more about the side effects of Mounjaro. 
• This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you experience side effects that are not listed above, get in touch with a healthcare professional.

Warning: Mounjaro may cause tumours in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Look out for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. 

Do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Do not use Mounjaro if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Do not use Mounjaro if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients in Mounjaro.

Please contact a healthcare provider if you have any of the above symptoms.

How Should I Use Mounjaro?

https://mounjaro.lilly.com/how-to-use-mounjaro

• Read the Instructions for Use that comes with Mounjaro.
• Use Mounjaro as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Mounjaro is injected under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• Mounjaro should be used once a week, at any time of the day.
• Mounjaro should not be mixed with insulin in the same injection.
• Change the site where you inject Mounjaro each week. Do not use the same site for each weekly injection; this should be rotated.
• Do not inject Mounjaro into a vein or muscle.

What dose should I take?

When starting on Mounjaro, usually you should start with a dose of 2.5mg and increase this every four weeks until you reach your maximum dose of 5mg, 10mg or 15mg. You should gently increase the dose to allow your body to get used to Mounjaro.

How Do I Take My Mounjaro Injection?

Make sure to spend time reading through the instructions for the Mounjaro injection. 

• Select a day that works for you and inject this medicine on the same day each week. You can change the day of the week you take your dose; however, you must ensure there are at least three days (72 hours) between your doses.
• Choose your injection site: this can be your stomach, thighs or the back of your upper arms. Either inject yourself or ask someone else to help you.
• Remove the pen cap and inspect the pen for the right medicine and dose. Once inspected, check further for any signs of damage. Do not use it if you find any damage. The dose should be colourless to a slight yellow. 
• Wipe the inner seal with a swap and choose a new pen needle to pull off the paper tab.
• Hold your pen with the needle facing up, and gently tap the cartridge holder.
• Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5 while holding it. The ‘0’ should appear in the dose window.
• To inject, turn the dose knob until a ‘1’ appears. 
• Insert the needle into your skin and push the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5, then make sure the ‘0’ appears in the dose window before removing.
• Pull the needle out of your skin.
• Place the outer needle shield back onto the needle, unscrew the capped needle and put this into a sharps container.
• Put the pen cap back on and store it as recommended. Pens can be stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 30 days. Unused pens can be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C.