USD $475.00
Generic name: Tirzepatide
Brand name: Mounjaro®
Medicine class: Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Dosage form: Subcutaneous injection
Administration: Once weekly
Prescription status: Prescription-only medicine
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company
Important: Mounjaro is a prescription medicine. It should only be used after assessment and prescribing by a qualified healthcare professional. Approved indications, age limits, strengths and device presentations may vary by country.
Mounjaro® contains tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in eligible people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Tirzepatide activates two naturally occurring hormone receptors: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These complementary actions help regulate blood glucose, support insulin release when blood sugar is elevated and reduce excess glucose released by the liver.
Under the current US prescribing information, Mounjaro is indicated for adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It is not insulin, is not intended to treat type 1 diabetes and must be used under medical supervision.
Read Waldrugmart’s guide to diabetes medicines, GLP-1 treatments and insulin for a broader comparison of treatment approaches.
When prescribed as part of a complete diabetes-management plan, Mounjaro may help:
Individual results vary. Mounjaro can help control type 2 diabetes, but it does not cure the condition. A balanced diet, appropriate physical activity, glucose monitoring and regular medical reviews remain essential.
Mounjaro is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It supports blood sugar management through several connected actions:
Because its effect on insulin release is glucose-dependent, Mounjaro used alone generally has a lower risk of hypoglycaemia than insulin or sulfonylureas. However, the risk increases when these medicines are used together.
Under its current US indication, Mounjaro is prescribed to improve glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes; it is not specifically approved under the Mounjaro brand as a weight-loss medicine.
Weight reduction was observed among many adults with type 2 diabetes during clinical trials, but the amount varied between individuals. In the United States, tirzepatide is marketed separately as Zepbound® for certain weight-management indications.
Do not use Mounjaro for cosmetic or unprescribed weight loss. Patients researching related treatments can read Waldrugmart’s educational article about Ozempic and weight loss. Mounjaro and Ozempic are different medicines and must not be substituted without medical guidance.
Depending on the country and device presentation, Mounjaro may be available in the following doses:
Presentations may include single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials or single-patient-use KwikPens. Injection volume, pack size and device design vary by market. Always confirm the prescribed dose and instructions on the supplied product.
Use Mounjaro exactly as directed by the prescribing healthcare professional. The following schedule reflects current US prescribing information and does not replace an individual prescription.
The 2.5 mg dose is intended for treatment initiation and is not intended as a maintenance dose for glycaemic control. Gradual escalation helps reduce gastrointestinal adverse reactions.
Never increase, reduce or stop Mounjaro without consulting the prescriber.
Read the Instructions for Use supplied with the exact pen or vial. Administration steps differ between device presentations. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist should demonstrate the correct technique before the first injection.
The weekly administration day may be changed if at least 72 hours separate the two doses. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure how to restart treatment.
The most commonly reported adverse effects involve the digestive system:
These effects may be more noticeable when treatment begins or after a dose increase. Eating smaller meals and maintaining adequate fluid intake may help some patients. Contact a healthcare professional if symptoms are severe, persistent or cause difficulty drinking fluids.
Tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumours in animal studies. It is not known whether Mounjaro causes these tumours, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, in humans.
Do not use Mounjaro if you have:
Contact a healthcare professional if you notice a lump or swelling in the neck, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.
Acute pancreatitis has been reported with Mounjaro and other medicines in this class. Stop using Mounjaro and seek urgent medical advice for persistent or severe abdominal pain, particularly if it spreads to the back or occurs with nausea or vomiting.
The risk of hypoglycaemia increases when Mounjaro is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. Symptoms can include sweating, shakiness, hunger, dizziness, confusion, weakness, blurred vision, headache or a rapid heartbeat. The prescriber may need to adjust the dose of another diabetes medicine.
Severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea can cause dehydration and may worsen kidney function. Maintain appropriate fluid intake and contact a healthcare professional if gastrointestinal symptoms continue.
Mounjaro is not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. Tell the prescriber about significant stomach-emptying or digestive problems before beginning treatment.
Seek medical advice for severe upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale-coloured stools. These may indicate a gallbladder problem.
Rapid improvement in blood glucose may temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy. People with a history of diabetic eye disease may require additional monitoring.
Stop treatment and obtain urgent medical care for swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing; a severe rash; fainting; or a very rapid heartbeat.
Mounjaro delays stomach emptying and may increase the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs during general anaesthesia or deep sedation. Inform the surgeon and anaesthesia team that you use tirzepatide before any planned procedure.
Mounjaro is contraindicated in people with:
Mounjaro is not indicated for type 1 diabetes. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 10 years under the current US prescribing information.
Before treatment, tell the prescriber if you:
Patients considering other diabetes treatments can explore Waldrugmart’s diabetes medicine category, including information about Rybelsus® semaglutide tablets, Jardiance® empagliflozin tablets and Trajenta® linagliptin tablets. These medicines work differently and should only be selected by a healthcare professional.
Mounjaro slows gastric emptying and may affect the absorption of some oral medicines. Additional monitoring may be necessary for medicines that require precise blood concentrations.
Combining Mounjaro with insulin or a sulfonylurea increases the risk of hypoglycaemia. The prescriber may reduce the dose of those medicines.
Do not combine Mounjaro with another tirzepatide-containing product or add another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically instructed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Oral hormonal contraceptives may be less effective after starting Mounjaro and following dose increases. Current US prescribing information advises patients using oral contraceptives to switch to a non-oral method or add a barrier method for:
Ask a healthcare professional which contraception method is appropriate for you.
Based on animal studies, Mounjaro may cause fetal harm. Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, become pregnant or plan to conceive.
Tirzepatide may pass into breast milk. A healthcare professional should help determine whether breastfeeding or Mounjaro treatment is appropriate after considering the parent’s clinical needs and the potential risk to the infant.
Storage requirements vary between presentations and countries. For US single-dose pens and vials:
Multi-dose vial and KwikPen storage instructions may differ. Follow the leaflet provided with the exact product. Do not use Mounjaro after its expiry date or if the solution appears cloudy, coloured or contains visible particles.
Mounjaro is used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in eligible people with type 2 diabetes. Under the current US label, it is approved for adults and children aged 10 years and older.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a medicine that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Mounjaro is normally injected under the skin once every seven days.
No. Mounjaro is not insulin. It helps regulate blood glucose by activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Some people with type 2 diabetes lose weight during treatment. However, Mounjaro’s current US indication is improving glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, and individual results vary.
The current US-recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly for four weeks, followed by 5 mg once weekly. Do not start at a higher dose unless specifically directed by the prescriber.
Mounjaro may be prescribed with metformin and certain other diabetes medicines. The prescriber must assess the complete treatment plan and monitor the patient’s glucose response.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Ozempic contains semaglutide and activates the GLP-1 receptor. They are different prescription medicines and must not be substituted without medical guidance.
Nausea is a common side effect, particularly after starting treatment or increasing the dose. Smaller meals and appropriate fluid intake may help. Contact a healthcare professional if nausea is severe, persistent or accompanied by repeated vomiting or severe abdominal pain.
Do not use Mounjaro without an appropriate medical diagnosis and prescription. In the United States, tirzepatide is marketed separately as Zepbound for certain weight-management indications.
Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine. A valid prescription and pharmacist review are required where applicable. Product availability, approved indications, strengths, pack presentations and delivery eligibility depend on the dispensing country and destination.
Before ordering, confirm that the prescribed strength matches the product selected. Do not change strengths or substitute another diabetes medicine without the approval of the prescriber.
Need help with a prescription medicine? Learn how to get started with Waldrugmart or visit the Waldrugmart pharmacy FAQ for information about prescriptions, ordering and delivery.
Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace a diagnosis, prescription, medication guide or advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always follow the locally approved product information and the directions of the prescribing clinician. Seek immediate medical assistance for a suspected serious adverse reaction or medical emergency.