People who use insulin, a hormone that controls how much sugar (glucose) is absorbed by cells, frequently experience weight gain as a side effect. This can be upsetting since keeping a healthy weight is crucial to your overall diabetes control plan.
In May 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly’s highly awaited Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for treating type 2 diabetes, providing patients with a new treatment choice on the market.
Mounjaro is the first medication of its type. Many medical experts in the larger field of endocrinology and metabolic health have deemed it a game-changer because it is a dual GIP and GLP-1 (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist.
Learn more about Mounjaro’s promising GLP-1 class advancements and what the results of its clinical trials say about its potential to promote weight loss in people with obesity or overweight.
What Is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medication used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glycemic control) in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
It is the first-in-class dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GIP helps reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure, while GLP-1 enhances insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, and slows gastric emptying. Together, they provide stronger effects on blood glucose and body weight than single-agonist GLP-1 medications alone.
The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, which is also found in Zepbound, a newly FDA-approved medication for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Both medications are made by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
While Mounjaro has been shown to affect body weight, it is only approved for the control of diabetes, not for weight loss. Weight loss is Mounjaro’s side effect. It is often prescribed off-label for weight loss.
How Does Mounjaro Work?
As a dual-action GIP and GLP-1 molecule, Mounjaro activates the body’s GIP and GLP-1 receptors and helps to improve your diabetes health by increasing the production of insulin when your blood sugar rises, minimizing the risk of low blood sugar. It also reduces liver sugar production.
Mounjaro also slows down the rate at which your stomach empties food into your intestines. This can help you feel fuller for longer and eat less, resulting in weight loss and better blood sugar management.
How Should I Use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm once a week, at any time of the day. You can change the day of the week when you use Mounjaro as long as the interval between the 2 doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but no later than 4 days (96 hours) after the missed dose. Skip the missed dose if more than 4 days have passed, and continue with your next dose on your regular day of the week. Don’t take 2 doses within 3 days of each other.
Do not mix insulin and Mounjaro in the same injection, but you may inject Mounjaro and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not next to each other. It’s essential to change your injection area every week.
You can take Mounjano with or without food and use it exactly how your healthcare provider instructs you.
The recommended starting dosage of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg. After 4 weeks, doses may be increased by 2.5 mg increments, as tolerated, up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly for adults. For pediatrics (10+), the maximum is 10 mg once weekly.
A healthcare provider sets and monitors doses that may be adjusted to help patients achieve their blood sugar, weight-loss, and metabolic health goals.
How Does Mounjaro Work for Weight Loss?
By activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro targets multiple pathways that regulate hunger, satiety, digestion, and metabolism. This dual action produces stronger weight loss results than single GLP-1 medications like semaglutide.
It works in several key ways:
- Brain level: Reduces appetite, quiets food noise, and decreases cravings by acting on hunger and reward centers in the brain.
- Stomach level: Slows gastric emptying, helping you feel fuller longer after smaller meals and reducing overall calorie intake.
- Metabolic level: Improves insulin sensitivity, lowers liver glucose output, and supports better fat utilization while helping stabilize energy levels.
In clinical trials, people taking the highest dose lost an average of 20–22% of their body weight (up to 50+ pounds) over 72 weeks when combined with diet and exercise. Many patients lost 15% or more, outperforming other available options.
It’s important to note that while highly effective, Mounjaro is not a standalone cure. Weight regain is common after stopping the medication unless you maintain healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits.
Who Should Not Use Mounjaro?
Do not use Mounjaro if:
- You or anyone in your family has ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- You are allergic to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Mounjaro.
You should consult your healthcare professional if you have any of the following conditions before using Mounjaro.
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Dehydration
- Have stomach problems such as gastroparesis (Slowed emptying of your stomach) or problems digesting food
- Disease of the gallbladder
- You have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidney function
- You are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro has the same side effects as Zepbound, which include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
Mounjaro may also cause serious side effects, including:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dizziness
- Fast heart rate
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Hunger
- Pain in the upper right side of your abdomen
- Pain spreading to your back or below the shoulder blade
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Clay-colored stools
- Bloating of the abdomen
FAQs About Mounjaro in Oklahoma
How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro?
In clinical trials, patients lost an average of 15–22% of their body weight over 72 weeks at higher doses. Results vary based on diet, exercise, starting weight, and adherence. Many patients see noticeable changes within the first 3–4 months when combining Mounjaro with healthy lifestyle changes.
Is Mounjaro approved for weight loss?
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes. Its sister medication, Zepbound, which has the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, is approved specifically for weight management. Many providers prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss with excellent results.
What are the most common side effects of Mounjaro?
The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and decreased appetite. These are usually mild to moderate and improve over time with slower dose increases. Serious side effects are rare but can include pancreatitis or gallbladder issues.
Will I regain weight after stopping Mounjaro?
Yes, you can regain weight after stopping Mounjaro if you do not maintain diet and exercise habits. The medication helps reset hunger signals, but long-term success depends on sustainable lifestyle changes.
Can I take Mounjaro with other diabetes medications?
Mounjaro can be used with other diabetes medications, but the risk of low blood sugar increases when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Your provider should review all your medications and adjust doses.
Mounjaro for Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss in Oklahoma
We are glad to announce that we now offer Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and weight loss/obesity in Oklahoma City and its environs. NP2Go Clinic has a group of knowledgeable nurse practitioners dedicated to providing their patients with the latest weight management tools. Our goal is to provide you with affordable self-pay options for weight-loss medication.
Schedule a virtual consultation with NP2GO Telehealth. During your appointment, our nurse practitioner will ask about all of your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is because Mounjaro may affect how some medicines work and vice versa.
Before prescribing Mounjaro, the nurse practitioner will also want to know if you’re taking other diabetes medications, including insulin or sulfonylureas, which could increase your risk of low blood sugar.
Know the medicines you take and keep a list before your scheduled appointment.
If you take birth control pills by mouth, our health provider will recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro and 4 weeks after each increase in your dose.
This is because birth control pills by mouth may not work as well while using Mounjaro.
If you meet the prescribing criteria, our nurse practitioner will write your prescription and send it to you or to the pharmacy of your choice.
Book a virtual consultation today with one of our providers at NP2GO and explore whether Mounjaro is the right fit for your weight management needs.