How To Use Mounjaro

Table of Contents

• How To Use Mounjaro Pen
• How To Inject Mounjaro
• Mounjaro Injection Sites
• Mounjaro Needles
• Does Mounjaro Need to be Refrigerated
• Best Time to Take Mounjaro
• Can Multiple Mounjaro Injections be Combined to Make a Larger Dose?
• Mounjaro Pen Malfunction

How To Use Mounjaro Pen

The Mounjaro KiwkPen is designed to make it easy for you to administer injections to yourself, even if you do not have experience with injectable medications.

There are 4 fixed pre-filled doses with one dose taken weekly. Once these have been injected you must dispose of the pen.

Before you begin treatment, it's important that you: 

• Read the enclosed patient information leaflet and instructions for use
• Do not share your Mounjaro pen with others, even if the pen needle has been changed - you may infect or get infected
• Ensure people with vision problems do not use the pen without help from a person who has been trained to use Mounjaro KwikPen
• Inform your GP about any medications you are taking, both prescription and non-prescription
• Take your time understanding how to use mounjaro if this is your first time injecting yourself or using the KiwkPen. You may find watching this how to use a KwikPen video helpful.

How To Inject Mounjaro

The mounjaro injection is a quick and simple process. You will spend a few minutes on preparation, but the actual injection takes about 10 seconds once you press the button.

To inject mounjaro take the following steps:

1. If your pen is in the fridge, take it out and let it reach room temperature for around 30 minutes
2. Wash your hands 
3. Always clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. This will be either the abdomen, thigh or upper arm
4. Remove the cap 
5. Place the pen firmly against your skin at the injection site 
6. Press the injection button. You will hear the pen click, indicating that the injection has started. You should keep holding the pen in place until you hear a second click. This indicates that the injection is complete.

Before your first injection with each new pen, you will need to prime it so that you receive the correct dose, ensure that the pen is working as it should, and any air bubbles are removed.

To prime the Mounjaro pen, take the following steps:

1. Turn the dosage button slowly until you hear 2 clicks
2. The extended line should be shown in the dose window which signals the prime position
3. Hold your pen with the needle pointing up
4. Gently tap the cartridge holder to collect air bubbles at the top
5. Dispense the medicine into the air by pressing and holding the dosage button until it stops
6. Hold the dose button and slowly count to five and make sure the [0] icon appears in the dose window
7. You have primed the pen if a small amount of medicine comes out of the tip of the needle

Important: You should not inject yourself with the priming dose.

Mounjaro Injection Sites

There are three recommended injection sites, the abdomen, thigh and upper arm. Using any other area of the body increases the chance of receiving an incorrect dose.

You must rotate your injection site each time. You can inject in the same area as you did the last time i.e abdomen but just make sure you choose a different injection site.

Abdomen

Inject about 2 inches away from the navel and avoid injecting near scars or moles.

Thigh

Inject the front of the thigh into a fatty area, try to avoid veins.

Upper Arm

Inject the back of the upper arm, this may require assistance.

Mounjaro Needles

Mounjaro pen needles are designed to be used once, and you must use a new needle for each dose of Mounjaro.

Reusing a Mounjaro needle could lead to damage on the tip which cannot be seen with the naked eye.

You may increase your risk of pain when injecting, lumpy skin or a bacterial infection if you use a needle that has been damaged. A splintered or cracked tip can also get caught under the skin whilst administering the injection which can be painful and cause complications.

Does Mounjaro Need to be Refrigerated

Yes, unused Mounjaro KwikPen’s should be stored in the fridge. This helps maintain its effectiveness and prevents the active ingredients from deteriorating.

Your used pen can be stored at room temperature, up to 30°C, for a maximum of 21 days. You should remove it from the fridge and let it reach room temperature before your injection to reduce any potential stinging. Do not use a pen if it has been frozen and do not freeze your pen.

Best Time to Take Mounjaro

It's best to inject mounjaro on the same day, once a week. It does not need to be administered at a set time of the day i.e morning or evening.

Tip: choose a day that you’ll remember, for example some people find a weekend morning works best for them because it may be less busy than a morning in the working week. You could set up a weekly reminder or alert, in advance for each week, to ensure you do not miss a dose.

Can Multiple Mounjaro Injections be Combined to Make a Larger Dose?

Do not combine injections to make a larger dose. The Mounjaro KiwkPen has been designed to deliver the exact dosage you are prescribed.

You could cause dangerous dosing errors by combining injections, which can increase the risk of severe side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Dosing inconsistently, caused by combining injections, can also disrupt blood sugar management affecting your blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro Pen Malfunction

The Mounjaro KiwkPen is generally reliable, however it is possible for the pen to malfunction, although the likelihood is low. It's important to always inspect the pen before each use.

We have listed the most common malfunction issues below. If you experience any malfunctions, do not try to fix the pen yourself or reuse it, instead contact your pharmacist or Mounjaro customer services directly.

Mechanical Fault

If the medicine is not dispensing due to a mechanical fault, check that you have followed all the steps on how to inject mounjaro. If you find that you have followed each step, do not attempt to use the reuse pen.

Cap Removal

If you cannot remove the cap, try to gently twist it back and forth, and then pull it straight off. Try to push the dose knob slower as this will make it easier to inject. Friction may be caused by a blocked needle so you can try a new pen needle and prime the pen. Check to see whether there is any food, dust or liquid inside the pen. If so, you should dispose of the pen and use a new one.

Pen Does Not Click

A clicking nose indicates that the injection is complete. The medication may not have been delivered if you do not hear this sound.

Leaky Pen

If you notice that medication has leaked during or after injection, it could be due to improper injection technique or a malfunction with the pen.

Liquid Left in Mounjaro Pen

It’s normal to see a small amount of liquid remaining in your pen after the injection; this does not impact the dose you received. The KwikPen contains 3ml of liquid and delivers 0.6ml per dose. This quantity slightly exceeds the required dose, ensuring you can prime the pen and still receive the correct amount.

Sources

1. Medicines.org.uk. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) instructions for use. Retrieved 28th October 2024, from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/usermanual.15483.pdf

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.