If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Mounjaro as a treatment option for you.
It’s a prescription drug used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Mounjaro is used along with a balanced diet and exercise.
The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. It comes as a liquid solution that you inject just under your skin. Or you may have a caregiver give you the injection.
This article describes the dosages of Mounjaro, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Mounjaro, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Mounjaro’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugmaker. But when using Mounjaro, always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
This section covers Mounjaro’s usual dosages.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Mounjaro’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.
| Mounjaro form | Mounjaro strengths* | Mounjaro starting dosage |
| liquid solution in a prefilled pen | • 2.5 mg/0.5 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 | 2.5 mg once per week |
* The strengths in this chart are given in milligrams per milliliter of solution (mg/mL).
What is the form of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen containing a single dose of medication. You use the pen to inject the solution just under your skin. (For more information about receiving the drug, see the “How is Mounjaro used?” section below.)
What strengths does Mounjaro come in?
Mounjaro prefilled pens come in the following strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg)/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
What are the normal dosages of Mounjaro?
For treating type 2 diabetes, your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Mounjaro and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Starting dose. Your starting dose of Mounjaro will usually be 2.5 mg, which you’ll take once per week. After 4 weeks, your doctor will increase your dosage to 5 mg once per week. You’ll stay at this dosage long term if it works well for you.
Dose increase. If your blood sugar is still too high, your doctor can increase your dose again by 2.5 mg. You’ll take this increased dose once per week.
After at least 4 weeks, they may raise your dose by 2.5 mg again if needed. Your doctor can keep increasing your dose in 2.5-mg increments every 4 weeks if your blood sugar is still too high. The maximum dosage of Mounjaro is 15 mg per week.
Is Mounjaro used long term?
Yes, Mounjaro is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
The dosage of Mounjaro you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
- your age
- other drugs you’re taking to lower blood sugar levels
- other conditions you may have
You’ll receive Mounjaro as an injection just under the skin. You’ll usually take a dose once per week at any time of day. It doesn’t matter whether you eat around the time you take your dose.
The following are general instructions for injecting Mounjaro. Your doctor or pharmacist can demonstrate how to give yourself an injection. Or you may have a caregiver learn how to give you the injection.
- Choose an injection site on your belly or front of the thigh. (A caregiver can also give you an injection in the back of your upper arm.) The area should be clean and dry. Avoid areas of skin that is broken, discolored, or hard.
- Check that the Mounjaro pen is in the locked position.
- Remove the gray base cap and put the bottom of the pen flat against your skin.
- Unlock the pen, and then press and hold the purple injection button for about 10 seconds.
- Listen for the first click as the injection starts and the second click as the injection ends.
- Throw the pen away in a
sharps disposal container (a hard plastic container for sharp objects).
This is just a brief summary of the instructions for Mounjaro injections. On the drugmaker’s website, you can read detailed instructions about how to inject Mounjaro or watch a helpful video. Your doctor or pharmacist can also answer any questions about Mounjaro injections.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Mounjaro, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
What to do about a missed Mounjaro dose depends on when you remember the missed dose:
- It’s been 4 days or less since your missed dose: Give yourself the missed dose of Mounjaro as soon as you remember. Then resume your regular dosing schedule.
- It’s been more than 4 days since your missed dose: Wait to take your weekly dose at the next usually scheduled time.
Do not take a double dose of Mounjaro to make up for a missed dose. You should also not take a dose of the drug if it’s been less than 72 hours since your last dose. If you’re unsure when to take your next dose of Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Mounjaro on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. You can also use a paper calendar or planner if that works better for you.
Do not use more Mounjaro than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you use too much Mounjaro
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Mounjaro. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Mounjaro’s dosage.
Will my insulin dose change when I start receiving Mounjaro?
If insulin is part of your treatment plan, your doctor may carefully decrease your dosage of insulin when you start Mounjaro treatment. This is to avoid a blood sugar level that’s too low.
Be sure to give Mounjaro and insulin as separate injections. Either use different injection sites on your body or areas on the same injection site that aren’t right next to each other.
If you have any questions about your insulin dosage during Mounjaro treatment, talk with your doctor.
Do I need to change my Mounjaro dosage if I take birth control pills?
No, you will not need to change your Mounjaro dosage while taking birth control pills. But you will need a backup birth control method. This is because Mounjaro affects how your body absorbs the medication in birth control pills.
Backup birth control methods include barrier methods, such as condoms or diaphragms.
The drugmaker suggests using a backup birth control method for at least 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro. It’s also recommended that you use this kind of birth control for at least 4 weeks after any Mounjaro dose increases.
Before you start Mounjaro, let your doctor know whether you take birth control pills.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Mounjaro for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Mounjaro without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Mounjaro exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are examples of some questions you may want to ask your doctor about Mounjaro’s dosage:
- Will my Mounjaro dosage change if my insulin dosage changes?
- Are lower doses of Mounjaro less likely to cause side effects?
- Should I take a higher dose of Mounjaro if it’s not working well enough to manage my blood sugar?
- Will the dosage of other medications I take need to change when I start Mounjaro treatment?
- What should I expect when my Mounjaro dose increases?
To learn more about Mounjaro, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
