Obesity is a rapidly increasing problem all around the world. About 64% of adults in the UK are either obese or overweight. Losing only 5-10% of your body weight produces favourable health effects, such as lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

With advancements in medical science, new treatments are emerging to provide better results in weight management. One such treatment that has gained attention is Mounjaro. Keep reading to learn more about Mounjaro, its uses, and how it’ll help you lose significant weight. 

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine to treat type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It has an active ingredient called Tirzepatide, which regulates blood sugar and energy balance levels, helping to reduce appetite and prevent cravings.

Mounjaro is suitable for adults with either a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity) or. a BMI of 27 or higher (which is considered overweight) and at least one health condition related to weight, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea.

It’s administered via an injection under the skin to reduce hunger and is supplied in a user-friendly pen for self-administration once a week. The drug operates by stimulating natural receptors in the body, resulting in a feeling of fullness after consuming minimal food.

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How to Use Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a pre-filled disposable pen. Each pen contains four weekly doses of the same strength, so you’ll need one monthly.

Make sure to inject Mounjaro only into the skin of your stomach, upper arms or upper thighs, avoiding any veins or muscles.

Each time you inject, you must use a fresh needle. Keep a sharps bin near you for safe needle disposal after you’re done.

Always inspect your pen and needle for any damage, and don’t use them if they’re open or bent. Also, check the medication itself; it should be clear, or slightly yellowish without any cloudiness. If it looks off, you might need a new pen.

Before taking your dose, double-check you’ve got the correct medication and amount as per the Mounjaro dosing guide. This is very important if you also take other injectable medicines like insulin.

How Mounjaro Helps with Weight Loss?

Mounjaro, usually known as Tirzepatide, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Unlike weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Ozempic, it mimics two hormones to lower blood sugar levels: GLP-1 and GIP.  

Mounjaro interacts with two primary receptors, the GLP-1 receptor and the GIP receptor, emulating the actions of two naturally occurring hormones that bind to these receptors, triggering a series of reactions upon eating.

Commonly known as incretin hormones, GLP-1 and GIP are involved in managing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas into the bloodstream after a meal, the rate at which the stomach processes food, and how your brain controls your hunger, among other functions. These hormonal responses naturally activate upon food consumption, but without Mounjaro, these effects last only a few minutes.

When Mounjaro enters your system, it stays in your body for about a week. This prolonged activation enables your body to more effectively regulate blood sugar levels and manage your hunger, ultimately contributing to weight loss. 

How long does it take to lose weight with Mounjaro? Research suggests Mounjaro can support average weight loss of up to 26% after one year.

Dosages & Strengths of Mounjaro

Following a healthcare provider’s guidance for dosage adjustments is crucial, considering factors like blood sugar levels, side effects, and individual responses.

Mounjaro is available in six doses:

1. Mounjaro 2.5mg
2. Mounjaro 5mg
3. Mounjaro 7.5mg
4. Mounjaro 10mg
5. Mounjaro 12.5mg
6. Mounjaro 15mg

You should start with a dose of 2.5 mg, given as an injection under the skin once a week. This initial dose is just to get you started on the treatment and isn’t meant to control blood sugar levels.

After the first 4 weeks, you should increase the dose to 5 mg, again injected under the skin once a week.

If you need better control of your blood sugar levels, you can increase your dose by 2.5 mg increments. But make sure you’ve been on your current dose for at least 4 weeks before doing so.

The highest dose of Mounjaro is 15 mg, injected once a week. It’s important to remember that not everyone needs the higher dosage of Mounjaro, which should only be increased after consulting with your healthcare provider. 

The process of slowly increasing your dose is called titration. It allows your body to gradually get used to the medication, which can help avoid or lessen the impact of any side effects.

Side Effects of Mounjaro

Like all other weight loss medications, Mounjaro also has some side effects, and each individual responds differently to these drugs. 

Common side effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Reduced appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Rare But Serious Side Effects

Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis): There’s a risk of developing pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. This can be a serious medical condition requiring prompt treatment. Symptoms might include severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, nausea, and vomiting.

Gastrointestinal issues: Severe gastrointestinal problems can occur, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Although these are more commonly mild to moderate in intensity, they can occasionally be severe.

Hypoglycaemia: In patients taking Mounjaro with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar (such as sulfonylureas or insulin), the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is increased. Symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness, sweating, hunger, irritability, confusion, and palpitations.

Kidney problems: Kidney problems, including kidney failure, have been reported. This can be more likely if you have kidney disease, severe dehydration (lose a large amount of body fluids), or take other medicines that can affect your kidneys.

Diabetic retinopathy complications: Mounjaro can cause fluid retention, which may worsen or lead to complications in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms of worsening diabetic retinopathy include changes in vision, spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters), blurred vision, darkness, and vision loss.

Severe allergic reactions: Mounjaro can cause severe allergic reactions, with symptoms including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, and severe rash or itching.

Note: Stop using Mounjaro immediately if you face any side effects mentioned above, or talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage these side effects. 

Precautions and Warnings

Before you use Mounjaro for the first time, ask your prescriber to demonstrate the usage of this injection. 

You should also discuss low blood sugar and how to manage it with your healthcare provider. 

If you’re using oral contraceptive pills, have a chat with your GP before starting Mounjaro. These pills might be less effective when you’re on Mounjaro. Your doctor might suggest a different type of contraception for the first 4 weeks after you begin Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dosage schedule.

FAQs

1. Is Mounjaro available in the UK?

Mounjaro is an injection medicine for weight loss. The UK drug regulatory authority MHRA has recently approved it for chronic weight management. 

2. What is the price of Mounjaro in the UK?

The price of Mounjaro depends on its strengths and ranges from £189.99 to £229.99.  

3. How long do I have to use Mounjaro for weight loss?

It can take up to a year or more to see the full effects of Mounjaro, yet many individuals start to experience weight loss within just a few weeks of commencing treatment.

4. What is the new weight loss injection in the UK?

Mounjaro is the new weight loss injection the UK launched in February 2024. It is a once-weekly injection to treat obesity in individuals with a BMI of 30 or above, as well as those with a BMI of 27 and having one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes.

5. Where can I buy Mounjaro in the UK?

You can buy Mounjaro online with a prescription in the UK from trusted and regulated online pharmacies such as The Care Pharmacy. 

6. Is Mounjaro available on the NHS?

Mounjaro is available on the NHS for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Private clinics like ours also offer weight management treatments, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, after a consultation with one of our prescribing pharmacists.