Mounjaro

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

In the UK it is licensed for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition, within the licensed criteria.

Tirzepatide acts on two receptors involved in appetite and metabolic regulation:

GIP GLP-1

These pathways are involved in appetite regulation. Tirzepatide can increase feelings of fullness and reduce hunger/food cravings.

Mounjaro is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.

Treatment normally begins at:

2.5 mg once weekly

After four weeks:

5 mg once weekly

If clinically appropriate and tolerated, subsequent increases can be made in 2.5 mg steps after at least four weeks at the current dose.

Licensed adult maintenance doses include:

5 mg 10 mg 15 mg once weekly

Maximum licensed weekly dose:

15 mg

Dose changes should only be made following prescriber advice.

For weight management, licensed adult criteria include:

BMI 30 kg/m² or above

or

BMI 27 kg/m² to below 30 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity

Individual assessment is still required.

Meeting licence criteria does not automatically make treatment suitable.

Common gastrointestinal effects can include:

• nausea
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• constipation
• abdominal pain
• indigestion/reflux
• bloating

Other effects may occur.

Gastrointestinal effects may be more noticeable when treatment begins or after dose increases.

Serious adverse effects are possible.

Severe persistent abdominal pain requires urgent medical assessment, particularly where pancreatitis may be suspected.

Relevant considerations can include:

• gallbladder disease
• dehydration
• diabetes medicines that increase hypoglycaemia risk
• other relevant medical history
• surgery/anaesthesia

Patients should tell relevant healthcare professionals that they use tirzepatide before surgery/procedures involving anaesthesia.

Stop taking this medicine and seek urgent medical help for severe, persistent abdominal pain, with or without nausea or vomiting. This may indicate acute pancreatitis.

Mounjaro should not be used during pregnancy.

Tirzepatide should be stopped at least one month before a planned pregnancy.

Current UK product information advises women with overweight or obesity using oral hormonal contraception to use an additional barrier method or switch to a non-oral contraceptive method for four weeks after starting Mounjaro and four weeks after each dose increase.

No single weight-management treatment is appropriate for everyone.

Suitability depends on individual clinical assessment including medical history, medicines, previous treatment, goals and potential risks.