Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription drug that may be prescribed off-label for weight loss. The drug isn’t approved for this use, but it may be helpful for weight loss.

Mounjaro comes as a solution inside a single-use injection pen. It’s given as an injection under your skin.

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Mounjaro belongs to a group of drugs called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Mounjaro is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come as a generic drug.

Note: Using Mounjaro for weight loss is an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for. Mounjaro is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. To learn more about Mounjaro and its approved use, see this in-depth article.

Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about using Mounjaro for weight loss.

Can Mounjaro be FDA-approved for weight loss?

Yes, it’s possible the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may approve Mounjaro for weight loss. This could happen after more studies of Mounjaro for weight loss have been completed.

The FDA has agreed to use a fast-track process to possibly approve Mounjaro for weight loss. Fast-track approval is sometimes used for certain drugs that treat serious conditions without many treatment options, such as obesity.

With the fast-track process, the FDA will review Mounjaro’s study results more quickly than if the drug went through the usual approval process.

If you have questions about the possible FDA approval of Mounjaro for weight loss, talk with your doctor.

Will I experience a certain amount of weight loss each week with Mounjaro?

There isn’t a specific amount of weight loss that’s expected each week with Mounjaro. Weight loss results with this drug can differ for each person who uses it.

To learn more about what to expect when using Mounjaro for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on how soon you may see results with Mounjaro.

For weight loss, how does Mounjaro compare with Ozempic?

Below are details about how Mounjaro may compare with Ozempic for weight loss.

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are approved to treat type 2 diabetes. And both drugs can be used off-label for weight loss.

Studies have not specifically compared Mounjaro with Ozempic when they’re used for weight loss. But one study did compare the effects of Mounjaro and Ozempic on body weight when used to treat type 2 diabetes. In this study, people using Mounjaro lost more weight than people using Ozempic.

But keep in mind this study didn’t specifically look at Mounjaro and Ozempic for weight loss. More studies are needed to understand how these drugs compare as weight-loss treatments.

Is treatment with Mounjaro for weight loss long term?

It’s not known whether Mounjaro may be used long term for weight loss. The long-term effects of Mounjaro on weight loss are currently being studied.

For example, one study is looking at whether weight loss from Mounjaro is maintained after the drug is stopped. The same study also looks at how well Mounjaro helps maintain weight loss if the drug is continued for up to 2 years. The results of this study could help doctors understand whether treatment with Mounjaro should be long term.

One study of a drug similar to Mounjaro showed that after treatment with the drug for weight loss was stopped, people gained weight. It’s possible that your doctor may recommend using Mounjaro or a similar drug long term to maintain weight loss.

To learn more about how long you may use Mounjaro for weight loss, talk with your doctor.

The price of Mounjaro depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your health insurance coverage (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and your location.

Also, keep in mind that the price for Mounjaro may be different for an off-label use than for an approved use. For example, some health insurance plans may not cover Mounjaro when it’s used off-label.

To learn about the price of Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article.

How can I buy Mounjaro?

If you’d like to use Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, talk with your doctor. If they determine that Mounjaro is right for you, they can provide a prescription.

Another way you can purchase Mounjaro is by using a reputable telehealth service, such as:

  • Ro Body, which can help you with weight management or other health conditions
  • Calibrate, which focuses on helping people manage their weight

A licensed telehealth professional will evaluate your health. If they determine that Mounjaro may be a good choice for you, they’ll provide an electronic prescription. You can then order the medication from a licensed pharmacy. The services also include coaching and other support to help you manage your weight.

If you do get a prescription for Mounjaro through Calibrate or Ro Body, we encourage you to tell your doctor. It’s important that they know about all medications you use.

Below are common dosages of Mounjaro when used off-label* for weight loss. Be sure to follow the dosage and instructions your doctor has provided.

* With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

What is the usual dosage for Mounjaro?

To start, your doctor will typically prescribe a low dosage of Mounjaro. They may increase your dose over time to the right amount for you. Your exact dosage of Mounjaro will depend on how well the drug works to help you lose weight.

For example, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Mounjaro for weight loss based on doses used in a study of the drug for this purpose. A likely starting dosage is 2.5 milligrams (mg) injected once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, your doctor will likely increase your Mounjaro dose by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until they reach a dose that helps with weight loss.

The maximum dose from this study was 15 mg of Mounjaro injected once weekly. Your doctor may also use this as your maximum dose. If you have questions about your Mounjaro dosage, talk with your doctor.

Besides off-label use for weight loss, Mounjaro is approved for certain uses. The dosage you take for weight loss may be different than the dosage for the drug’s approved uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

How do you use Mounjaro?

Mounjaro comes as a solution in a single-use injection pen. You’ll inject the drug under the skin of your thigh or belly. Or you can have a caregiver inject the drug under the skin of your upper arm.

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

How often should I use Mounjaro?

You’ll inject Mounjaro once weekly, usually on the same day each week. You can inject the drug any time of day.

Your doctor will decide whether it’s safe for you to use Mounjaro for weight loss.

For example, a doctor may prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss in adults with either:

This is because tirzepatide (the active drug in Mounjaro) was shown to help with weight loss in adults meeting either of these qualifications in studies.

Mounjaro is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug can also be used off-label for weight loss.

Keep reading to learn how Mounjaro works for its approved and off-label uses.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro belongs to a group of drugs called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The drug mimics the GIP and GLP-1 hormones found naturally in your body.

Mounjaro treats type 2 diabetes by lowering your blood sugar. It does this in several ways:

  • lowering the amount of sugar released into your blood
  • raising the amount of insulin your body makes after eating
  • slowing the time it takes food to pass through your stomach, which keeps your blood sugar from increasing sharply after eating

When used for weight loss, Mounjaro helps reduce your appetite. This can lower the calories you consume, which may lead to weight loss.

Mounjaro may be helpful for weight loss in certain people when used with diet and exercise.

Studies of Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes showed that using the drug can lead to weight loss. But these studies did not specifically look at Mounjaro as a weight-loss medication.

Another study looked at the use of Mounjaro for weight loss in people without diabetes. The study included adults with either:

To learn more about how effective Mounjaro may be for weight loss, talk with your doctor.

Using Mounjaro off-label for weight loss may cause side effects in some people. These side effects may range from mild or serious.

The sections below list some of the side effects reported in studies of Mounjaro for its approved uses. The drug’s side effects are expected to be similar when used off-label for weight loss.

If you have questions about the drug’s possible side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more from the side effect article on Mounjaro or from Mounjaro’s prescribing information.

What are Mounjaro’s mild side effects?

Some people may have mild side effects with Mounjaro. These include:

  • mild increase in heart rate
  • mild digestive problems, such as:
    • heartburn
    • belly pain
    • diarrhea
    • reduced appetite
    • nausea and vomiting
    • constipation
  • injection site reactions, such as skin discoloration or pain

In many cases, mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects may be easy to manage, too. But if side effects last for a longer time, or if they bother you or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What are Mounjaro’s serious side effects?

Using Mounjaro may lead to serious side effects, although these are rare. Examples of these side effects include:

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Mounjaro. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

* Mounjaro has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “What should I know before using Mounjaro?” section below.

Before using Mounjaro off-label* for weight loss, there’s some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be safe for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned below.

* With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Based on animal studies, it’s thought that Mounjaro may increase your risk of thyroid cancer.

It’s important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. It isn’t known for certain whether Mounjaro increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans.

But due to this risk, your doctor likely will not prescribe Mounjaro if you or a family member has medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MTC is a type of thyroid cancer.

Your doctor will likely also avoid prescribing Mounjaro if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). MEN2 is a rare genetic (inherited) condition that may lead to thyroid cancer.

While you’re using Mounjaro, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of thyroid cancer. And tell them right away if have any symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as a hoarse voice, lump in your throat, or neck pain.

If you have symptoms of thyroid cancer, your doctor may test you for cancer.

What other warnings should I know about?

In addition to its boxed warning, Mounjaro has other warnings. If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Mounjaro.

If you have questions about using Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can help determine if Mounjaro might be a good fit for you.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How soon will I see results with Mounjaro?
  • Will I use other weight-loss medications with Mounjaro?
  • Do other medications I take mean that Mounjaro is unsafe for me to use for weight loss?

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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.