Mounjaro

Extended Use Beyond Printed Expiry Date for Mounjaro 2.5mg

We're pleased to share an important update regarding your Mounjaro® 2.5 mg KwikPen® solution for injection. Eli Lilly has announced that, following new stability data, the shelf life of this product has been extended from 9 months to 14 months, with approval from the MHRA as of March 25, 2024, batch numbers D712074 new expiry date October 2024 and batch numbers; D720751 & D720957 new expiry date February 2025. For further details, please see official Letter

Each Mounjaro weight loss pen includes four doses, along with extra medication for priming purposes. When the four doses have been administered, patients may notice residual medication visible through the window on the injection pen. Please be aware that the pen is designed to lock after the fourth dose, preventing any further use. This extra medication is intentionally added by the manufacturer to ensure proper priming of the pen.

What is Mounjaro KwikPen for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro KwikPen is a prefilled once-weekly injectable weight loss pen. It’s available in the UK for weight loss for anyone who meets specific criteria when used alongside a dedicated diet and exercise plan.

Mounjaro KwikPen is the brand name of its active ingredient, tirzepatide and is manufactured and licensed by Eli Lilly. Mounjaro is self-injected once per week and works by reducing your appetite.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro mimics two digestive hormones, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These are the two main incretin hormones that are secreted by the intestines when sugar (glucose) or nutrients that trigger the release of insulin are consumed.

By mimicking these hormones, Mounjaro works to promote weight loss by:

• Increasing insulin secretion - lowers and stabilises blood glucose levels
• Delaying gastric emptying - prevents spikes in blood sugar levels and helps you feel fuller for longer
• Reducing food consumption - controls your appetite, meaning you feel less hungry and eat less

Mounjaro KwikPen stimulates the specific areas of your brain that regulate your appetite, making you feel full and eat less. By lowering the amount you eat, Mounjaro makes it easier to lose weight. These effects and tirzepatide’s influence on insulin sensitivity make Mounjaro an innovative weight loss treatment. When combined with lifestyle changes, the weight loss injection can lead to significant weight loss in suitable patients.

Mounjaro dosage

The starting dose for Mounjaro KwikPen is 2.5 mg per week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, our healthcare professional will increase your dose to 5 mg once per week.

As of September 2024, all Mounjaro dosages including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg are available in the UK for the prescription. Our weight loss clinicians will tell you which dose is most suitable for you.

For instance, if you experience only minor side effects while continuing to experience hunger cravings or if you've not shed a sufficient amount of weight, our clinicians would look at adjusting your dosage upwards. Additional considerations will also influence the frequency of dosage adjustments, including age and existing medical conditions.

You will only need to increase your dose if a lower dose doesn’t manage your weight. Our weight loss clinicians will increase your dose for you, you should not increase the dosage yourself.

How to use the Mounjaro weight loss pen

Before injecting Mounjaro for the first time, you should first pick the day of the week you want to use it. It should be the same day each week. You could set an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget your Mounjaro day.

Once you have chosen your day, follow these simple steps:

1. Inspect the pen. Make sure you have the correct dose and that it is not out of date. Ensure the pen isn’t damaged and that the medicine is not frozen, cloudy, or containing particles. It should be colourless to slightly yellow.
2. Remove the base cap. Pull the cap straight off.
3. Needle Preparation: Attach a new needle to the pen
4. Priming the Pen: Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks; this should show an extended line in the dose window.
   1. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top.
   2. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob until it stops.
5. Choose your injection site. You or someone else can inject Mounjaro into your stomach (at least 5 centimetres from the belly button), thighs, or the back of your upper arms.
   1. Change or rotate your injection site each week within the same area but choose a different specific site.
6. Dose Injection: Turn the dose knob until it stops at the one icon as shown in the dose window, insert the needle into your skin, and push the dose knob until it stops.
7. Press and hold the button for up to 10 seconds. Listen for the first click which means the injection has started, the second click means it is complete.
8. Post-Injection. Count to 5 while holding the dose knob. Confirm the 0 icon is in the dose window before removing the needle. If you do not see the 0 icon, re-insert the needle and complete your injection. Do not redial the dose.

Click here to find out more on how to use your Mounjaro Pen. 

How much weight can you lose in a month with Mounjaro?

How much weight you can lose will depend on many factors, including how your body reacts to the active ingredient in Mounjaro and the other lifestyle changes you are making to aid your weight loss.

Studies have shown that in type 2 diabetes patients, after 5 weeks of using the highest dose of Mounjaro, the average weight loss was 2.6 kg. After 11 weeks, the same study found that Mounjaro users lost around 11 kg of weight compared to 7 kg in people using Wegovy.

It’s important to remember that weight loss takes time and effort, and you may only notice small changes in the first few weeks of using Mounjaro. Results from a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) show that for the first 4 weeks, weight loss can be gradual but a greater loss is seen with prolonged treatment. After 72 weeks, the average weight loss on a 5 mg once-weekly dose of Mounjaro was 16% or 16.1 kg. On the highest dose of 15 mg once per week, the mean weight loss was 23.6 kg.

How often should I take Mounjaro?

Each dose of Mounjaro KwikPen is administered once per week for four weeks. After four weeks, our clinicians will assess your progress and how well you tolerate the current dose. They will advise you to either increase or decrease your dose or continue on the current dose.

What to do if I miss a dose?

If you have missed a Mounjaro dose and it has been:

• 4 days or less: 
  • Inject your missed dose as soon as you remember and inject your next dose as usual on your normal scheduled day
• More than 4 days: 
  • Do not take your missed dose and inject your next dose as normal on your scheduled day

You should never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. There should always be a minimum of 3 days between each Mounjaro dose.

How effective is Mounjaro for weight loss? 

The effect of Mounjaro on weight loss was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, called SURMOUNT-3. After 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle intervention, participants achieved 21.1% average weight loss, increasing to 26.6% over 84 weeks. 

A further study, SURMOUNT-4, demonstrated that over 88 weeks, the average weight loss in people receiving tirzepatide (Mounjaro) was 26%. The study found that withdrawing treatment led to weight gain while continued treatments maintained weight loss. 

Compared to semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight loss injections including Wegovy and Ozempic, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) treatment results in greater weight reduction. One study found that tirzepatide resulted in 17.8% weight loss compared to 12.4% for semaglutide over 72 weeks.

To maximize the benefits of Mounjaro, it is recommended to follow the Mounjaro diet plan developed by our nutritionist specifically for Mounjaro.

Mounjaro Certifications and approvals 

The UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) licensed the use of Mounjaro KwickPen for weight loss in November 2023. It has been authorised for people over 18 who have a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or adults with a BMI between 27-30 kg/m² who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems. 

Although Mounjaro for weight loss has been approved by the MHRA, it hasn’t yet received full approval from The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

How much does Mounjaro cost?

You can purchase Mounjaro weight loss injections from Prescription Doctor at the following prices:

As of September 2024, all Mounjaro dosages including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg are available in the UK for the prescription. New doses will be available each month in 2.5 mg increments until the maximum dose of 15 mg is reached. This is in line with the licensing rules for Mounjaro KwikPen UK. 

Mounjaro & Wegovy prices comparison

Although Mounjaro's treatment regimen increases through doses of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15mg, it may seem one would have to wait until month six to reach the highest dosage. However, you may respond well and settle on a 10mg dose, which you would achieve at month 4. Our online weight loss specialist will advise you on how to proceed forward after your initial dose. 

Mounjaro side effects

Very common

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when Mounjaro is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with medicines that contain a sulphonylurea and/or insulin. If you are using a sulphonylurea or insulin, the dose may need to be lowered while you use Mounjaro (see section 2 of the PIL, ‘Warnings and precautions’). Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, feeling hungry, confusion, irritability, fast heartbeat, and sweating. Our clinician will tell you how to treat low blood sugar.
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Diarrhoea
• Being sick (vomiting) – this usually goes away over time
• Constipation

* These side effects are usually not severe. They are most common when first starting tirzepatide (Mounjaro) but decrease over time in most patients.

** Constipation and vomiting are very common when used for weight management, but common when used for type 2 diabetes.

Common Side Effects:

• Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia): Occurs with type 2 diabetes treatment when used with metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors. Symptoms include headache, tiredness, confusion, and sweating. Our clinicians will guide you on how to handle this.
• Allergic Reactions: Includes rash, itching, and eczema.
• Dizziness and Low Blood Pressure: Noticed in treatments aimed at losing weight.
• Reduced Hunger: Experienced during type 2 diabetes treatment.
• Stomach Issues: Pain, indigestion, bloating, burping, and heartburn (GORD).
• Hair Loss: Seen in weight loss treatments.
• Tiredness, Reactions at the Injection Site, and Fast Heartbeat: The latter is more common in diabetes treatment.
• Higher Pancreatic Enzyme Levels: Notably lipase and amylase, with increased amylase being less typical in weight management.

Uncommon Side Effects (Affects Up to 1 in 100 People):

• Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia): Similar to above, when used with just metformin for type 2 diabetes.
• Gallstones and Gallbladder Infection (Cholecystitis): Mainly noted in weight management treatments.
• Weight Loss: Observed in type 2 diabetes management.
• Pain at Injection Site.
• Increase in Calcitonin Levels in the blood.

Who should not take Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is not suitable if you:

• Are under 18
• Are pregnant, want to get pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• Are allergic to any of the Mounjaro ingredients
• Do not meet the prescribing requirements
• Take certain medicines

Mounjaro warnings

Before using Mounjaro for weight loss, you should tell the clinician if you:

• Have ever experienced pancreatitis
• Have major problems digesting food or food remains in your stomach for longer than normal
• Have an eye issue, such as diabetic retinopathy or macular oedema
• Use diabetes medicines, like sulfonylurea or insulin
• Have liver or kidney problems

While taking Mounjaro, you may experience sickness and/or diarrhoea which can cause dehydration if your body doesn’t take on enough fluids. It is important to drink plenty of water while receiving Mounjaro weight loss injections.

If you are taking a contraceptive pill, Mounjaro may reduce its effectiveness. So, you may need to change your contraceptive method, such as condoms or a non-oral form of contraception, for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro treatment. You should do this after each Mounjaro dose increase.

Mounjaro alternatives

Mounjaro is a novel and innovative treatment available for weight loss but it is most effective when you follow a diet and exercise plan. It is also possible that Mounjaro is not the most suitable weight loss medicine for you or you may not like the idea of self-injecting.

There are several other options available to people who would like to lose weight. At Prescription Doctor, we offer:

Weight loss injections:

• Wegovy
• Saxenda ( Out of Stock )

Weight loss pills:

• MySimba
• Xenical
• Alli

Our Mounjaro delivery information

When you order Mounjaro for weight loss from PrescriptionDoctor you can be assured it will be delivered in discreet, temperature-regulated, and plain packaging. The exterior packaging will be a plain white mailing bag. Inside the bag, you will find a die-cut white box which contains a temperature-controlled pouch with reusable freezer packs. If you’d like to reuse these packs, place them in the freezer for further use. Note: You must not put the Mounjaro pen in the freezer.

Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via SMS and email. Our couriers deliver between Monday and Saturday. 

Prescription Doctor’s money-back guarantee

Once you have placed an order with Prescription Doctor, one of our registered weight loss clinicians will determine if the treatment you have requested is appropriate.

If they feel the treatment is not right for you, you will receive a full refund at no charge. At Prescription Doctor, our patient’s well-being is at the centre of everything we do. We conduct thorough consultations to ensure the treatment we provide is safe and appropriate for each individual.

Our Trustpilot reviews showcase our high levels of patient care and the confidence our customers have in providing them with the right medicines via our remote service.