Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weekly injectable treatment designed for adults looking to lose weight. It is particularly effective for individuals with high body mass indexes (BMIs). Containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, Mounjaro should be used in conjunction with healthy lifestyle adjustments, including increased physical activity and a calorie-reduced diet.

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide. Tirzepatide works on two different hormonal receptors: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). You may have heard of GLP-1 from other weight loss injections. GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which in turn talks to the brain to make you feel less hungry and prevent cravings. It also slows down the emptying of the stomach to keep you feeling fuller for longer. GIP regulates energy balance in brain and fat cells, enhancing the GLP-1 effect of suppressing your appetite and improving sugar control. By mimicking the effects of both these naturally occurring hormones, Mounjaro has been shown to have greater weight loss potential than medicines that work on GLP-1 alone.

You inject Mounjaro under the skin (subcutaneously) in your stomach area, thigh or upper arm once a week using an injection pen. Don’t worry, it’s actually much easier than it sounds and if we prescribe Mounjaro for you, we’ll provide you with full instructions on how to use it.

Am I suitable for Mounjaro treatment? You may be suitable for treatment with Mounjaro if: - You have a BMI of over 30 - You have a BMI of over 27, with at least one associated co-morbidity, such as sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc - You are willing to undergo associated lifestyle changes, such as sticking to a healthy / calorific reduced diet, and increased physical activity.

You are not suitable for Mounjaro treatment if:

• You are pregnant

• You are breastfeeding

• You are actively trying for a baby

• You are of childbearing age but are not using adequate contraception

• You are under the age of 18

• You are type I diabetic

• You are currently taking another type of weight loss injectable, such as WeGovy

• You have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide, or any of the ingredients in Mounjaro in the past

• You have ever had pancreatitis, that was directly caused or related to weight loss injectables

• You, or any member of your family, have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) 

• You have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Mounjaro starts to work straight away, and you ought to start feeling fuller after a few weeks. However, everyone responds to medicines in different ways, so there is not a set time for when you can expect to start to seeing results. It may take several weeks before the full appetite suppressant effects are noted. If you do not see any results within 6 weeks of taking Mounjaro, your medical practitioner may want to try an alternative treatment. ​ Clinical trials indicate that when used alongside physical activity, diet, and behavioural support, Mounjaro patients can achieve up to a 25% reduction in their body weight after one year.

Mounjaro can cause some side effects to occur. Very common ones are gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. These are mainly seen with dose increases, and tend to settle with time.

Other common side effects could include: fatigue, feeling lightheaded, excess wind (flatulence), gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux, injection site reactions, hair loss and hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In rare cases, there can be serious side effects, such as:

Pancreatitis – if you develop severe abdominal pain, with or without persistent vomiting, this may be a sign of pancreatitis and you need to get medical help immediately.

Anaphylaxis – if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing, you may be having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and you must seek immediate medical help.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine for full details of side effects and how to use Mounjaro.

As Mounjaro is a new weight loss medicine available in the UK, it has been assigned a black triangle, which means it will be closely monitored for any adverse effects.

Common Mounjaro side effects should be mild and are likely to lessen or even disappear after your body gets used to the treatment. We understand that it’s still tough to live with these discomforts though and so we’ve put together some tips for managing these where possible: Make sure to inject yourself with the treatment at the same time and day each week so your body has a regular interval between each dose Stay hydrated, sipping water and other clear liquids if you’re experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. It may also help to eat smaller meals more regularly and avoid anything that smells or tastes too strong If you’re struggling with constipation, increase your fibre intake, stay well hydrated and try eating small fruits such as prunes, figs or grapes.

Make sure you’re also getting regular activity, such as going on short walks To ease a headache, spend time in a quiet space to relax, take a simple pain relief medicine like paracetamol, drink plenty of water, and try relaxation techniques such as meditation and DIY scalp massage

Mounjaro is safe and approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for long term use, for weight management and weight loss, as long as it remains beneficial.

Yes, for your initial consultation.

If you have any other questions or need any help at all, please get in touch.