Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) 5 mg

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 and will adjust your dosage over time. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

The recommended starting dosage of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg once per week, for 4 weeks. Then, your dose will increase to 5 mg per week.

Your doctor may continue to increase your dose in increments of 2.5 mg every 4 weeks if needed, until your target blood sugar levels are reached.

The maximum Mounjaro dosage is 15 mg once per week.

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 the back of your upper arm.

If you have questions about how to take Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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 (72 hours) between Mounjaro injections. If you have questions about a missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.

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 harmful 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 the back of your upper 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 balanced 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