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What is Mounjaro?

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Being overweight and obese is defined as the condition of excess body fat.  

Obesity can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. It can also affect bone health and reproduction. Data shows that in 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight, including over 890 million adults who were living with obesity. In the UK, it's estimated that around 1 in every 4 adults are living with obesity.

The World Health Organisation defines people who are overweight to have a BMI greater than or equal to 25 and people who are obese has a BMI greater than or equal to 30.  

Both weight loss pills and injections can accelerate weight loss for people who are overweight or obese when used alongside a weight management program that includes realistic goals, healthy lifestyle changes and regular monitoring. In this article we discuss Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), a new weight loss treatment and the first injectable drug to target two hormones. 

 

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a drug used for the management of type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It is a dual-action prescription medication which mimics both GLP-1 and GIP receptors responsible for glucose metabolism and appetite regulation. This makes it a pioneering treatment compared to other diabetes medications, which typically only target GLP-1 receptors.

It is designed to promote weight loss in obese adults with a BMI of 30kg/m² or more, as well as overweight people with a BMI between 27-30kg/m² who also have related health issues such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, heart problems or prediabetes.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro works by targeting and copying principal hormones responsible for your appetite and glucose.

This helps to slow down the time it takes for food to empty out of your stomach, leaving you feeling less hungry and fuller for longer. It also improves how well your body processes food and converts it into energy. It is injected once a week with the single-use Mounjaro KiwkPen.

Mounjaro Doses

Mounjaro is available in six different doses. The starting dose is 2.5mg and this increases to the maximum dose of 15mg.

You always start with a dose of 2.5mg, once a week for four weeks. This gives your body time to get used to the drug and lowers your risk of side effects.

After four weeks, your dose may increase to 5mg once a week if needed.

The dose may then be increased in a minimum of 4-week intervals up to the maximum dose of 15mg once weekly, if recommended by your doctor.

If the current dose you are taking is managing your hunger and cravings, you should not increase the dosage of your mounjaro injection.

We recommend reading our guide on "How to Use Mounjaro" which provides detailed information on dosages, administering injections, and troubleshooting common issues such as pen malfunctions.

Mounjaro Dosage Chart

A table showing how long an erection lasts for after taking Viagra
Time after taking Viagra How long erections last
No Viagra 7 minutes
1 hour 33 minutes
8 hours 23 minutes
12 hours 16 minutes

 

Why Do You Have to Increase Mounjaro Dose?

The response to weight loss medications varies from person to person. Although lower doses are effective for reducing appetite and minimising gastrointestinal side effects, it may not be sufficient for substantial weight loss in some cases. Clinical studies have shown that Mounjaro improves fat metabolism and reduces body fat, therefore increasing the dose when recommended and tolerated can help to boost the fat-burning process.

How Long Does Mounjaro Take to Work?

It’s possible for some people to see moderate weight loss within the first few weeks of using Mounjaro. However, it can take around 3- 6 months for you to see significant changes to your weight as the dosage gradually increases. It’s important to remember that your weight loss journey takes time and there is no overnight remedy. This medication works best when it is used in conjunction with a weight management plan including a healthy well-balanced diet and exercise routine.

How Long Does Mounjaro Side Effects Last?

Not everyone will have side effects. If you do experience them, the most common typically lasts between and few days and a couple of weeks and they tend to go away on their own. This usually happens as your body gets used to the medication. Side effects affecting the gut such as vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and stomach pain are the most commonly reported. The length and severity can vary due to your own tolerance, dosage and how long you have been using Mounjaro.

How Long Does Mounjaro Stay in Your System?

The length of time the drug stays in your system can depend on how your kidney and liver function, as well as your age and general health. It can take around 5 days for half of the drug to leave your body and around 20 to 25 days for most of Mounjaro to be removed after your last dose. It can however take longer than this for some people.

Is Mounjaro Safe?

Mounjaro is considered safe and has been approved to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and for weight management by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The approval was based on evidence around efficacy and safety of Tirzepatide when used for weight management in overweight and obese adults with and without diabetes. The trials found that overweight or obese adults treated with Tirzepatide saw significant reductions in body weight compared to placebo, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index and glycaemic (status).

The MHRA keeps the safety and effectiveness of Mounjaro under close review and you should always buy mounjaro online from a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) because they are regulated and licensed to sell it.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy

Both Mounjaro and Wegovy are weight loss injections effective in helping manage body weight and type 2 diabetes, however there are some key differences:

  • Mounjaro’s active ingredient is Tirzepatide which activates two types of receptors. This improves blood sugar control, increases insulin sensitivity, and promotes weight loss by reducing hunger and slowing the movement of food through the stomach
  • Wegovy active ingredient is semaglutide which mimics the action of one receptor, a hormone that reduces blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and decreases appetite
  • Both medications have demonstrated significant weight loss results in clinical trials
  • Both are taken by a single use weekly injection with dosages gradually increasing
  • Mounjaro may be preferable for people with type 2 diabetes who want to manage both blood sugar and lose weight because of its dual-action mechanism and strong glucose-lowering effects
  • Wegovy is specifically approved for chronic weight management and may be preferable for people without diabetes who have weight loss as a primary concern

Mounjaro vs Ozempic

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic regulate blood sugar and slow down digestion, leaving you feeling full and reducing your appetite. The way this is achieved differs between the two:

  • Ozempic mimics the action of a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and slows digestion. This increases insulin secretion when blood sugar levels are high, reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver, and slows gastric emptying
  • Mounjaro activates two types of receptors. This dual action improves blood sugar control, increases insulin sensitivity and promotes weight loss
  • Clinical trials report that Mounjaro has shown greater weight loss than Ozempic
  • Both share similar side effect profiles including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Both are administered by weekly injection
  • Mounjaro is relatively new to the market and its dual action may offer better blood sugar control and greater weight loss but has the potential of stronger side effects
  • Ozempic is a single-action medication with a well-established track record found to be highly effective for controlling blood sugar and weight loss

Sources

  1. GOV.UK (2023). Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss. Retrieved 24th October 2024, from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss  
  2. GOV.UK (2024). Four-dose Mounjaro “KwikPen” approved by MHRA for diabetes and weight management. Retrieved 24th October 2024, from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/four-dose-mounjaro-kwikpen-approved-by-mhra-for-diabetes-and-weight-management
  3. W.H.O (2024). Obesity and Overweight. Retrieved 24th October 2024, from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
  4. National Library of Medicine (2024). The Body weight Reducing Effects of Tirzepatide. Retrieved 24th October 2024, from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10861994/

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.

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