Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss

About Results of the Drug’s Clinical Trials: How Good Is Mounjaro for Weight Loss?

During clinical trials, patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27-30 or more saw an average weight loss of 16% after 72 weeks of 5 mg weekly doses with Mounjaro. Adults who took 10 mg doses of Mounjaro also experienced an average weight loss of 21.4% during the same 72-week timeframe. Patients that were administered the maximum 15 mg dosage of Mounjaro also lost 22.5% of their original body weight after 72 weeks of treatment.

How Do Mounjaro and Wegovy Compare for Weight Loss?

When comparing the weight loss results of Mounjaro and Wegovy, it’s best to view the effectiveness of their active ingredients. Wegovy contains Semaglutide, which only utilizes the GLP-1 receptor agonist, whereas Mounjaro, which uses Tirzepatide as its active ingredient, makes use of both GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists, doubling the amount of weight loss achieved in a shorter amount of time. In fact, patients that were administered Mounjaro were able to reach their target weight four weeks sooner than those taking semaglutide.

During a randomized study, participants taking Mounjaro reduced their overall weight by an average of 11.5 kg and lost 9.7 kg of fat after 28 weeks of treatment, whereas patients who took semaglutide reduced their body weight by 6.9 kg and lost 5.9 kg of fat. In other various studies, patients that took Mounjaro achieved 21 to 22.5% in weight loss; compared to those who only lost 6 to 15% on Wegovy.

Is This Medication Right for Me?

That will depend on your medical history. Typically, Mounjaro is a viable treatment for Type 2 diabetes if you have had issues managing your blood sugar with other diabetes medications such as metformin or SGLT2 and D-PP4 inhibitors. In addition, due to its impact on the digestive system and glucose levels, Mounjaro can also work as an effective weight-loss drug for overweight adults who are struggling with weight management or weight-related issues such as obesity. However, Mounjaro is not approved as a treatment for people with Type 1 diabetes and may not work as a safe treatment for adults with more serious health conditions, which we will discuss later in this article.

How To Use Mounjaro

Mounjaro is typically administered through subcutaneous injections once every week under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or on the back of your upper arms. Once you’ve chosen a day for your injection, you will need to administer the treatment on the same day every week for consistency throughout the duration of treatment.

Your Mounjaro treatment will come packaged in single-dose pre-filled injector pens, which you must store in the refrigerator at temperatures between 36°F and 46° F. When you’re ready for an injection, remove a pen from the refrigerator and check the label to ensure the pen isn’t damaged or the medication hasn’t expired. If the pen is damaged or outdated, dispose of it immediately and use a new one. Once a pen is removed from the refrigerator, it can be stored at room temperature for 21 days before it is no longer safe for use.

You will also need to run a quick check on the medicine itself. If the liquid inside the pen is frozen, cloudy, colorless, slightly yellow, or contains particles, you should also dispose of the pen, as the medication will most likely be compromised. Once you confirm the medicine is safe, you can prepare for the injection following these next steps:

1. Wash your hands
2. Pull the base cap off the clear base of the pen
3. Place the clear base flat against the area where you plan to inject
4. Unlock the pen by turning the lock ring near the top of the pen under the injection button
5. Press and hold the purple injection button for up to 10 seconds.
6. Listen for two clicks. Once you hear the first click, that means the injection has started. Shortly after, you should hear a second click, signaling that the injection has been completed.

In certain instances, you may need assistance administering the medicine, depending on which area you choose for the injection site, such as the upper arm. You will also need to rotate the areas where you inject the drug regularly to avoid any swelling, redness, or itching at the injection site.

Other injectable medications, such as insulin, can also be injected in the same area as Mounjaro. However, you should never inject the medicines at the same time or in the same place. As a precaution, always allow a moment between shots and inject the medications at sites that are at least a few inches apart to avoid adverse reactions.