Mounjaro Pens Frequently Asked Questions

Mounjaro is a prescription-only weight loss injection that makes you feel fuller for longer, so you lose more weight. It contains the active ingredient tirzepatide in increasing doses, starting at 2.5mg and increasing to a maximum maintenance dose of 15mg. If you start Mounjaro with us at The Health Room, you will be guided by the team in following a dosing schedule and this will be reviewed every 4 weeks.

When you start your journey with Mounjaro, we will send you a handbook developed by our team to guide you through the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There is a lot of information to navigate about weight-loss injections, and not all medications are the same.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions and some answers for you about Mounjaro pens.

What is the starting dose for Mounjaro?

The starting dose of Mounjaro is always 2.5mg, once a week, for 4 weeks. This is the same whether you're starting treatment for the first time, restarting after a break from Mounjaro, or switching from another weight loss medication. Every 4 weeks the dose will be reviewed with the team, and should only be increased when prescribed by the team. Increasing your dose faster than every 4 weeks or skipping doses on the dosing schedule could increase your risk of side effects and possibly put your health at risk.

How does the dosing schedule increase?

The process of slowly increasing medication doses is called ‘titration’ and can happen over several days, weeks, or months. Mounjaro is on a titrating dose schedule to help your body get used to treatment while reducing the chances of getting side effects.

Mounjaro doses are titrated in steps of 2.5mg, with at least 4 weeks between dose changes. This means every 4 weeks, you’ll increase your dose by 2.5mg until you reach your maintenance dose.

Mounjaro has several maintenance doses: 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg. The maintenance dose is the highest dose of Mounjaro you'll take, and it's the dose you'll stay on for the rest of your treatment. The maintenance dose you keep depends on how you respond to the treatment, such as whether you have any side effects and your weight loss results.

How many doses are in each pen?

Each pen holds 4 doses, so 4 weeks of treatment. You shouldn’t split your dose under any circumstances. Splitting a dose means you don’t get the right amount of your medication, so it's not as effective. Doing this often could make it take longer to reach your weight loss goals and could put you at risk of side effects. It’s also difficult to split a dose from a pre-dosed injectable pen and you should never keep the needle in a pen to use for later.

So far, Mounjaro isn’t available in any other form than a pre-filled, injectable pen. This means it is not possible to change the dose on your Mounjaro pen.

You should only ever take your treatment as prescribed and directed by our team.

What are the possible side effects?

As with any prescription medication, there is the potential to experience some unwanted side effects, many of these are short-lasting when you first start or increase your dose.The main side effects you may experience are changes in your bowel habits, vomiting or nausea. Please refer to the detailed patient information leaflet in your Mounjaro pen box for further information about side effects. If you have minor side effects you can contact your named practitioner from our team, however if you are concerned about more severe side effects such as pancreatitis, please contact your GP practice or access your local Emergency Department.

What are the risks of gall stones?

Mounjaro can slow down the emptying of the stomach, which can lead to changes in the digestive process. This slowing effect on gastric emptying, combined with the weight loss associated with the medication, may increase the risk of developing gallstones. Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, which can block bile flow and cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, require surgical intervention.

While gallstones are a potential risk with Mounjaro, it's important to note that not everyone will experience this complication and a careful approach to weight loss and symptom management, can help minimize the risk. Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated may help in reducing the risk of gallstones, along with avoiding very low-calorie diets that might trigger rapid weight loss.

Who is at higher risk?

If you have a history of gallstones or gallbladder disease

If you are losing weight rapidly

If you have conditions like obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome

People who are older or female (as women are at higher risk for gallstones in general)

Symptoms of Gallstones

If you’re using Mounjaro, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of gallstones. These may include:

Sudden, intense pain in the upper abdomen or right side

Nausea and vomiting

Indigestion or bloating

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

If you experience any symptoms suggestive of gallstones while using Mounjaro, it's important stop taking the medication and to contact your healthcare provider right away. They may conduct tests (like an ultrasound) to determine if gallstones are present and discuss the best course of treatment. If symptoms are severe, please attend your local A&E department

What are the risks of pancreatitis?

One of the concerns patients should be aware of is the potential risk of pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. While pancreatitis is not a common side effect of Mounjaro, there is a potential risk of developing this condition when using this medication. The exact reason why these medications may increase the risk of pancreatitis is not fully understood, but they may affect the pancreas and lead to inflammation in some individuals. Pancreatitis can be serious and requires prompt medical attention.

Who is at higher risk?

If you’ve had pancreatitis in the past, you may be at a higher risk.

If you have a history of gallstones are more prone to developing pancreatitis.

Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of pancreatitis.

If you have very high blood fats (triglyceride levels) can increase the risk of pancreatitis.

If you have other conditions affecting the pancreas (such as cystic fibrosis), you may be at higher risk.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

If you’re using Mounjaro, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of Pancreatitis. These may include:

Severe abdominal pain (often in the upper abdomen)

Nausea and vomiting

Fever

Rapid pulse

Pain that worsens after eating

Swollen or tender abdomen

If you experience any symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis while using Mounjaro, it's important to stop taking the medication and attend A&E immediately.

What if I can't tolerate the dose?

If you can’t tolerate your new dose (such as getting bothersome or severe side effects), we may suggest staying on a lower dose and trying again after 4 weeks, or if you’re happy with your weight loss results, you may stay on the dose you can tolerate. Remember: It’s always possible to increase your dose again later.It’s normal when starting a new Mounjaro dosage to get side effects. They are usually not severe and tend to go away over time. The following tips may help with these side effects:

Eat smaller meal portions throughout the day.
Try bland foods like crackers or toast.
Stop eating when you feel full.
Avoid fatty, greasy, or deep-fried foods, such as takeaways, dairy products like cheese and butter, and cakes or pastries.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take Mounjaro on your scheduled day and time:

You can still take it if it has been 4 days or less since you missed your dose. You can then carry on with treatment as normal.
If it’s been more than 4 days since you missed the dose, skip the missed dose and take the next injection as usual on your scheduled day.

Do not take 2 doses at once to make up for a missed dose. There should always be at least 3 days between your Mounjaro doses.

How should I store my pen?

You can store your Mounjaro pens in the refrigerator between 2 °C – 8 °C. Do not store them in a freezer. If the medicine inside the pen gets frozen, do not use it even if you defrost it. You can also store your pen unrefrigerated (not above 30 ºC and away from direct sunlight) for up to 30 days. The pen must be discarded after this time.

When refrigerated at 2 °C – 8 °C, Mounjaro pens can last until the expiry date on the pen label. If you’re storing your pen in a cool dark place outside the refrigerator (under 30 °C), it’ll last 30 days from first use. After this time, the pen must be discarded.

Can I take my pen on holiday?

It is possible to take your Mounjaro pen and needles with you on holiday. You should avoid exposing your pen to direct sunlight and temperatures above 30°C. You can keep your pen in its original carton to avoid sunlight exposure. It can be stored outside a refrigerator for up to 30 days, after which it should be discarded.

Any medicines, including your Mounjaro pens, should be kept in your hand luggage. You can also take a cool bag or cooling medication device if you want to keep your Mounjaro pen refrigerated – these are allowed on airplanes. When travelling to certain holiday destinations, you may need to show proof of your prescription and medical insurance. It’s best to check with the embassy or a local representative at your holiday destination beforehand.

It is possible to take a break from Mounjaro if you have a holiday planned, this is something our team will advise you on.

What is the expected timeline for weight-loss?

The timeline of what to expect from taking Mounjaro can differ greatly from one individual to the next, and when first starting it is important to allow your body time to adjust to the medication, even if results may not be as immediate as you expected, so as to not trigger any unwanted side effects.

Generally speaking, most people will experience the following:

Blood sugar improvement: Some people notice lower blood sugar levels within a few days to 2 weeks.
Appetite suppression: Often begins within the first week.
Weight loss: Usually becomes noticeable after 4 to 8 weeks, with continued loss over several months, especially when combined with diet and exercise.

Have any additional questions? Book in now for a free consultation with the team