Mounjaro
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly self-injection designed to support weight loss and help with weight management.
It works by reducing cravings, lowering your appetite, and helping you feel fuller for longer, even when you’re eating less.
How Does Mounjaro Work?
Alongside a healthy diet and increased movement, Mounjaro can help you lose weight in three main ways:
It Reduces Your Appetite
Mounjaro works on two hormone receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) to signal your brain that you’re full. This helps curb cravings, control portion sizes, and make following a weight loss plan easier.
It Slows Your Digestion
By slowing how quickly food leaves your stomach, Mounjaro keeps you feeling satisfied for longer, helping you avoid unnecessary snacking and staying on track with healthier eating habits.
Regulating Blood Sugar
Mounjaro was originally designed to treat diabetes. This means it improves insulin response and helps stabilise your blood sugar levels, reducing hunger spikes and that urge to snack.
Am I Eligible for Mounjaro?
If you’ve got a BMI of 25 or higher, you may be eligible for Mounjaro.
But we consider more than just your BMI during your consultation. Your medical history, any existing conditions, and where you are in your weight loss journey all matter.
Not sure? Put in your height and weight to calculate your BMI.
Whether treatment is suitable for you will depend on your consultation and health information.
A clinician will review everything before confirming your order.
How Effective is Mounjaro for Weight Loss?
On average, people lose around 22.5% of their body weight on Mounjaro.
To put that into perspective, if you weighed 100kg (approx. 16 stone), you could lose 22.5kg (3.5 stone) in just under a year and a half (72 weeks).
However, individual results can vary. It depends on how you react to the treatment, and what lifestyle changes you make alongside it.
What dose of Mounjaro should I take?
There are six available doses of Mounjaro:
- 2.5mg
- 5mg
- 7.5mg
- 10mg
- 12.5mg
- 15mg
Everyone starts on the lowest dose of 2.5mg to give your body time to adjust safely.
After that, your journey is your own. You'll gradually increase your dose at a pace that suits you, spending at least four weeks on each strength, until you reach your maintenance dose. This might be 15mg, or it might be a lower dose – whatever gets you the best results with the fewest side effects.
How long does Mounjaro take to work?
Mounjaro starts working from your very first dose, so you may notice your appetite and cravings easing within the first week. It’s normal, though, if it takes you a few weeks to feel the full effect. Bigger changes, and greater weight loss, to show up as you keep going with your treatment and increase your dose at a pace that works for you.
Does Mounjaro cause side effects?
Like most medicines, Mounjaro can cause side effects. However, not everyone experiences them, and most side effects settle within a few days or weeks as your body adjusts. However, side effects may briefly return after you increase your dose.
The most common Mounjaro side effects include:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- stomach pain
Since most Mounjaro side effects are gastrointestinal, you can manage them by:
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Mounjaro at a Glance
Mounjaro information:
- Active ingredient: Tirzepatide
- Administration: Once a week injection
- Effectiveness: Average of 22.5%* of your starting weight
- Doses: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg
- Price: Starts from around £34 a week
Whether treatment is suitable for you will depend on your consultation and health information. A clinician will review everything before confirming your order.
About Mounjaro
Is Mounjaro safe?
Yes, Mounjaro is safe. Mounjaro has been thoroughly tested through clinical trials and approved by UK regulators, including the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
It's only available on prescription, so your clinician will check it's the right and safe option for you before you start.
How much does Mounjaro cost?
The 2.5mg starter dose of Mounjaro costs £148. The price of your treatment then gradually increases as your dose does. You can find out more on our treatment page.
Who manufactures Mounjaro?
Mounjaro injections are manufactured by Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1876.
Are there alternatives to Mounjaro?
If Mounjaro isn’t right for you, you have a number of other weight loss treatments to explore, including:
Mounjaro Eligibility
Can I get Mounjaro without a prescription?
No, you can only buy Mounjaro with a prescription. Simply answer a few questions, and our clinicians can assess whether the treatment is safe and suitable for you.
What BMI do I need to start Mounjaro?
To be eligible for Mounjaro, you'll likely need a BMI of at least 30 or above or a BMI of 27+ and a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. However, depending on your medical history, you may also be eligible with a BMI of at least 25.
Who shouldn't use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro isn't suitable for everyone. Don't take Mounjaro if:
- you're allergic to tirzepatide or any of its other ingredients
- you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- you have a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) pancreatitis, or diabetic retinopathy
- you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
Can I use Mounjaro while pregnant?
No, Mounjaro isn't suitable during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're planning to become pregnant, speak to your clinician first, as you'll usually need to stop treatment at least one month before trying to conceive.
If you become pregnant while taking it, stop straight away and speak to your doctor.
Can you get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Yes, but the criteria are much stricter than with a private service. You'd usually need a BMI of 40 or more (37.5 for some ethnic groups) plus at least four weight-related conditions, and it's only available through specialist services.
Read more in our guide to NHS weight loss injections.
Using Mounjaro
What is the best time to take Mounjaro?
Whatever time and day work best for you. Some people like to tie it in with something they'll remember, like eating breakfast or just before bedtime. What matters most is taking it on the same day each week to ensure you stay consistent and on track.
Can I lower my dose of Mounjaro?
Of course! If you're experiencing side effects or you think your dose is too strong, speak to your prescriber about lowering it. Many people still achieve meaningful weight loss on lower doses.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Mounjaro and it’s:
- Less than four days late: Take it now and carry on as normal.
- More than four days late: Skip it and take your next dose on your usual day.
- More than two weeks late: Speak to your prescriber before continuing.
Never take two doses together to make up for a missed one.
Does Mounjaro affect contraception?
Mounjaro can reduce how well hormonal contraception works (like the pill). Speak to your clinician if you rely on contraception and are thinking about taking Mounjaro, as you may need to use additional protection.
Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
There are several reasons why you might not be losing weight as expected while taking Mounjaro:
- You’re not in a calorie deficit: Mounjaro works by helping control your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer, but weight loss still depends on consistently eating fewer calories than you burn. If you’re not on the right Mounjaro diet plan and your food portions, snacking habits, or overall calorie intake haven’t changed enough, you may not see much progress.
- You’ve hit a weight loss plateau: Plateaus are very common during any weight loss journey. After the initial stages, your body can adapt to its new lower weight and burn fewer calories than before. This can make progress slower, even if you’re sticking to your plan.
- You may need a dose change: Mounjaro is started at a low dose and gradually increased to help your body adjust and reduce side effects. Some people find that they don’t see their best results until they’re on a higher dose.
- You might need an alternative treatment: Everyone responds differently to weight loss medications. If Mounjaro isn’t working as well for you, your clinician may suggest exploring other treatment options.
What happens if you stop taking Mounjaro?
When you stop Mounjaro, your appetite is likely to return to normal, and some weight regain is common.
Building healthy habits like a balanced diet and regular movement while you're on treatment gives you the best chance of keeping the weight off long-term, whether you stay on treatment or decide to stop.
Mounjaro Storage and Travel
Do I need to refrigerate my Mounjaro pen?
Yes, when your order arrives, you should put your Mounjaro pen straight in the fridge. This is because the treatment needs to be kept between 2°C-8°C before it’s first used. Once you opened your pen, it can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days.
How do I dispose of my Mounjaro pen?
Needles must be disposed of in a sharps bin. Once the needle's removed, the pen itself can be recycled. Sharps bins can be collected by your local council once they're full.
Can I take my Mounjaro pens on a plane?
You can, but keep your pens in your hand luggage rather than checking them in, since temperatures in the hold can vary.
Need More Help?
If you need a bit more information about Mounjaro and how it works, we have guides and advice by our clinical experts.
See all articles
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