Mounjaro bundles-2.5mg and 5mg (starter pack)

What is Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and how does it help you lose weight?

Mounjaro is a weekly weight loss injection designed to help adults with obesity lose weight and keep it off. You can buy Mounjaro injections in different strengths, including Mounjaro 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg. It contains tirzepatide, which helps to curb appetite, keeps you feeling full longer, reduces cravings and helps with weight loss by limiting how much you eat. Each Mounjaro pen contains four doses, enough for one injection per week. This means you’ll need one pen per month to stay on track with your weight loss treatment.

Mounjaro is a weekly injection designed to support weight loss by mimicking the hormones that already exist in your body, GIP and GLP-1, which help control appetite and blood sugar levels.

By mimicking the action of both of these hormones, it helps you feel fuller for longer, reduces hunger, and slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, so you naturally eat less and find it easier to lose weight.

Clinical studies show it can lead to more significant weight loss than similar medications, especially when combined with healthy eating and exercise.

One important thing to note: because Mounjaro affects how your body absorbs oral contraceptive pills, they may be less effective when you start or increase your dose.

If you’re taking the pill, use extra protection, like condoms, for four weeks after any changes, or consider a non-oral contraceptive for peace of mind.

Who can use it?

• Mounjaro is intended for adults (18+) who need help losing weight
• Suitable if BMI is 30 or above, or 27 and above with weight-related conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, heart problems)
• Should only be considered after attempting weight loss through diet and exercise
• Can be prescribed to older adults, including those in their 60s and 70s, if safe for their health needs
• Extra caution is required for people over 75, due to increased risk of side effects such as nausea, dehydration or kidney strain. We do not prescribe to patients over 75 years old from our clinic

You’ll need to complete an online consultation with one of our UK prescribers.

How to take Mounjaro in 8 easy steps.

Step 1 – Check the pen

Your unused pens should be stored in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C for safety. After your injection, you can store your pen at room temperature up to 30°C. There are a few things that you need to do before you start. You must check your Mounjaro pen to make sure that everything is correct. Inspect the pen to make sure that there is no sign of damage. You need to make sure that:

• The medication name and dose strength matches your prescription
• The pen is not expired or damaged
• It isn’t cloudy or doesn’t contain bits.
• The medication isn’t frozen

If you notice any issues with your pen, do not use it. It is normal for you to see some small air bubbles in your pen.

Step 2 – Wash your hands

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. You should be injecting your Mounjaro pen with clean hands. You can also use an anti-bacterial hand sanitiser to disinfect your hands. Practising hand hygiene before you administer the injection ensures that your hands are clean and reduces the risk of infection at the injection site.

Step 3 – Choose your injection site

When it comes to deciding your injection site, your doctor or prescriber can help you with that. You can inject it into your stomach or thigh yourself. If you want to inject it into the back of your upper arms then you should have someone do this for you. When you are injecting Mounjaro you need to be careful that you are not injecting in the exact same spot each time. You need to vary the area each time you inject. You can use the same area, for example, the stomach. However, you need to choose a different area of the stomach. If you are injecting into the stomach you should be injecting at least two inches away from your belly button.

Step 4 – Prepare the pen

Once you are ready to inject yourself, you must wipe the inner red seal with a swab. Always select a new needle for each injection to prevent infections or blocked needles. Remove the paper tab from the outer needle shield, and do not throw it away. Pull off the inner needle shield and dispose of it.

Step 5 – Prime the pen

Turn the dose knob slowly until you hear two clicks. The extended line is shown in the dose window which is the ideal position. You can correct the position by turning the dose knob in either direction until the position you need is in line with the dose indicator. Hold your pen with the needle upwards. Gently tap the cartridge holder to collect air bubbles at the top. Release some of the medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob until it stops, then count to 5 slowly whilst holding the dose knob. Check to make sure that the ‘0’ icon is showing in the dose window, but do not inject yourself yet. If you don’t see a small amount of medicine come out of the tip then you will need to repeat the priming steps again. Do not repeat the steps more than twice. If you still don’t see any medicine then you must change the pen needle and repeat the steps 1 more time. You must do this process each time you inject yourself.

Step 6 – Inject the medicine

Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is on display. Insert the needle into your skin. You inject Mounjaro by pushing the dose knob until it stops. Count to 5 slowly, while keeping hold of the dose knob.

Step 7 – Removing the needle

Before you can remove the needle the ‘0’ icon must be showing. Pull the needle out of your skin. It is normal for there to be a drop of the medicine on the tip of the needle. You must confirm that the ‘0’ icon is on display. If the icon is not on display then you will not have received the full dose. If you haven’t received your full dose, reinsert the needle and finish your injection. Do not redial the dose.

Step 8 – Disposing of the needle

After your injection, carefully replace the outer needle shield that you have kept hold of. Unscrew the capped needle and dispose of it instantly into a sharps container. Do not dispose of your needles in your household waste bin as this can cause cross-contamination. Do not store the pen with the needle attached. Replace the pen cap. You must not store it without the pen cap attached. When you are done with your monthly KwikPen, dispose of the pen separately to your needle in your regular household bin – it is important that the pen is not disposed of in household waste with the needle attached.

When can I go up a dose?

You can increase your dose every four weeks, but only if advised by your prescriber. This gradual approach, known as titration, allows your body to adjust to the medication and helps minimise side effects.

You may need to increase your dose after starting on 2.5mg because your body can get used to the medication, which might make it less effective over time. This can also happen at higher doses, so your prescriber might suggest moving up to the next level to keep your weight loss on track.

However, you may need to stay on a lower dose for longer if you experience side effects or if you’re satisfied with your weight loss at that dose.

Never increase your dose more frequently than every four weeks, as this can increase the risk of side effects and may even compromise your health.

If you notice your weight loss has plateaued, or if you’re experiencing increased hunger or cravings despite sticking to your plan, discuss with your pharmacist whether moving up to the next dose is right for you.

Who can’t use it?

• • Do not use if you’re allergic to tirzepatide or any of the other listed ingredients
  • Only suitable for adults aged 18 years and over
  • Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Contraception is recommended while using Mounjaro
  • Inform your prescriber if you’re taking any other medication.