Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Mounjaro comes as a solution in a prefilled, single-dose injection pen. It’s typically given once per week as a subcutaneous injection.
Mounjaro is used in combination with a balanced diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro is the first drug to belong to these two drug classes: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Mounjaro is not currently available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Mounjaro, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Mounjaro, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Mounjaro provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Mounjaro, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
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This section covers Mounjaro’s form, strengths, and typical dosages.
Mounjaro form
Mounjaro comes as a solution in a prefilled, single-dose injection pen.
Mounjaro strengths
Mounjaro is available in the following strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg) per 0.5 milliliter (mL)
- 5 mg/0.5 mL
- 7.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 10 mg/0.5 mL
- 12.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 15 mg/0.5 mL
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage of Mounjaro to manage blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Then, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
You will likely start treatment with a weekly Mounjaro injection dose of 2.5 mg. This starting dose will last 4 weeks. Then, your weekly dose will increase to 5 mg.
Your doctor may increase your weekly dose further until it provides desired blood sugar levels. Additional increases in your weekly dose will be made at least 4 weeks apart.
The maximum Mounjaro dosage is 15 mg once per week.
Long-term treatment
Mounjaro is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Mounjaro is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Mounjaro dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition you’re using Mounjaro to treat
- how your body responds to Mounjaro
- your age
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Mounjaro dosage.
Mounjaro comes as a solution in a single-dose pen. You’ll administer Mounjaro weekly as a subcutaneous injection. You can take your dose with or without food.
The drug’s manufacturer provides written and video instructions for injecting Mounjaro. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist for a demonstration of how to inject the medication. A caregiver could also learn how to administer Mounjaro to you.
You can inject Mounjaro under the skin of your abdomen or upper thigh. A caregiver can inject the medication into your upper, outer arm.
If you have questions about how to take Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
Mounjaro’s manufacturer provides the following instructions for what to do if you miss an injection.
- If 4 or fewer days have passed since your missed dose: Take the missed dose right away. Continue with your usual weekly dosing schedule.
- If more than 4 days have passed since your missed dose: Take your next weekly dose at the scheduled time.
In any case, be sure to wait at least 3 days between Mounjaro injections. If you have questions about a missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not inject more Mounjaro than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you use more than the recommended amount of Mounjaro
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve injected too much Mounjaro. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below, you can find answers to commonly asked questions about Mounjaro.
Do I need to have a caregiver administer my Mounjaro injections?
No, but it depends on where you inject the drug.
You can give Mounjaro injections to yourself if you use injection sites that are easy to access. These sites include your thigh and your abdomen, staying away from your belly button.
A caregiver can inject Mounjaro into your upper, outer arm. This injection site may be difficult to reach on your own.
If you need help administering your Mounjaro injections, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I bring Mounjaro with me on vacation?
Yes, you can bring Mounjaro with you if you’re traveling.
According to the drug’s manufacturer, Mounjaro can be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 21 days. You should keep Mounjaro pens in their original container and away from light. The drug should not be stored in a place where the temperature is higher than 86°F (30°C).
If you plan to bring Mounjaro with you on an airplane, be sure to find out if there are specific rules you need to follow for the airline. Their guidelines may differ depending on your destination.
If I improve my diet and exercise routine, will my Mounjaro dosage be lowered?
It depends. Mounjaro is meant to be taken in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
If your diet and exercise routines improve, you’re likely to have better health outcomes, including:
- steadier blood sugar levels
- lower A1C, which measures your average blood sugar over a certain length of time
- reduced risk of long-term cardiovascular problems
Diet, exercise, and Mounjaro work together to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. That said, your doctor will likely monitor your blood sugar and A1C levels periodically during your Mounjaro treatment. They’ll determine the right dosage for you based on your test results.
Talk with your doctor if you think you might need your Mounjaro dosage changed.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Mounjaro for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Mounjaro without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Mounjaro that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Mounjaro. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Mounjaro. For information about other aspects of Mounjaro, refer to this article.
- Details about type 2 diabetes. For details about type 2 diabetes, which Mounjaro is used to manage, see our diabetes hub.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Mounjaro, see this article. You can also look at the drug’s prescribing information.
- Interactions. For details about what Mounjaro interacts with, see this article.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Mounjaro and cost, see this article.
- Use for weight loss. For details about Mounjaro’s off-label use for weight loss, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.