Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Mounjaro comes as a solution inside injection pens that you’ll administer weekly as a subcutaneous injection.
Doctors prescribe Mounjaro with a balanced diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Keep reading to learn about its dosage. For a comprehensive look at Mounjaro, see this Mounjaro overview.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Mounjaro has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Mounjaro was found to cause thyroid cancer in animal studies. However, there’s not enough research to know whether Mounjaro causes thyroid cancer, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans.
Due to this possible risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Mounjaro to people with:
• a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), which is a condition that increases the risk of thyroid cancer
• a personal or family history of MTC
Talk with your doctor to learn more about this boxed warning for Mounjaro.
Show MoreThis section covers Mounjaro’s form, strengths, and typical dosages.
Mounjaro form
Mounjaro comes as a solution in a prefilled, single-dose injection pen. There is one dose per pen.
Mounjaro strengths
Mounjaro is available in the following strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams per 0.5 milliliter (2.5 mg/0.5mL)
- 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
Typical dosing schedule
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage of Mounjaro and adjust it over time. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
This Mounjaro dosage chart outlines the recommended dosages:
| Starting Mounjaro dosage | 2.5 mg once per week for 4 weeks |
|---|---|
| Maintenance (ongoing) dosage | 5 mg once per week |
| Possible dosage increases | Your doctor may continue to increase your dose in increments of 2.5 mg every 4 weeks, if needed, until your target blood sugar levels are reached. |
| Maximum dosage | 15 mg once per week |
Long-term treatment
If you and your doctor determine that Mounjaro is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Mounjaro dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how severe your condition is
- how your body responds to Mounjaro
- your age
- other medications you take (your doctor may adjust your dosage of other medications while you take Mounjaro; refer to this Mounjaro interactions article for details)
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Mounjaro dosage.
Mounjaro comes as a solution in a single-dose pen. You’ll administer Mounjaro weekly as a subcutaneous injection. You can take your dose with or without food.
The drug’s manufacturer provides written and video instructions for injecting Mounjaro. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist for a demonstration of how to inject the medication. A caregiver could also learn how to administer Mounjaro to you.
You can inject Mounjaro under the skin of your abdomen or upper thigh. A caregiver can inject the medication into the back of your upper arm.
If you have questions about how to inject Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Mounjaro’s manufacturer provides the following instructions for what to do if you miss an injection.
- If 4 or fewer days have passed since your missed dose: Take the missed dose right away. Continue with your usual weekly dosing schedule.
- If more than 4 days have passed since your missed dose: Skip your missed dose, then take your next weekly dose at the scheduled time.
In any case, wait at least 3 days (72 hours) between Mounjaro injections. If you have questions about a missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.
It’s important that you do not inject more Mounjaro than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you use more than the recommended amount of Mounjaro
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve injected too much Mounjaro. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
In this section, you can find answers to commonly asked questions about Mounjaro.
What’s the typical Mounjaro maintenance dose, and how long do people stay on it?
Your maintenance (ongoing) dosage of Mounjaro might be 5 mg per week or higher, depending on your blood sugar levels and treatment goals.
Mounjaro’s typical maintenance dosage is 5 mg per week. If needed, your doctor might increase your dose in increments of 2.5 mg every 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg per week.
You’ll typically take Mounjaro long term as long as it’s effective and does not cause bothersome side effects.
See the “Mounjaro dosage” section for details about Mounjaro’s recommended dosage.
Do I need to have a caregiver administer my Mounjaro injections?
No, but it depends on where you inject the drug.
You can give Mounjaro injections to yourself if you use injection sites that are easy to access. These sites include your thigh and abdomen, staying away from your belly button.
A caregiver can inject Mounjaro into places that may be difficult for you to reach, such as the back of your upper arm.
If you need help administering your Mounjaro injections, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I bring Mounjaro with me on vacation?
Yes, you can bring Mounjaro with you if you’re traveling.
According to the drug’s manufacturer, you can keep Mounjaro out of the refrigerator for up to 21 days. You should keep Mounjaro pens in their original container and away from light. You should not store Mounjaro in a place with a temperature higher than 86°F (30°C).
If you plan to bring Mounjaro with you on an airplane, be sure to find out if there are specific rules you need to follow for the airline. Their guidelines may differ depending on your destination.
If I improve my diet and exercise routine, will my Mounjaro dosage be lowered?
It depends. You should take Mounjaro in combination with a balanced diet and exercise.
If your diet and exercise routines improve, you’re likely to have better health outcomes, including:
- steadier blood sugar levels
- lower A1C, which measures your average blood sugar over a certain length of time
- reduced risk of long-term cardiovascular problems
Diet, exercise, and Mounjaro work together to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. That said, your doctor will likely monitor your blood sugar and A1C levels periodically during your Mounjaro treatment. They’ll determine the right dosage for you based on your test results.
Talk with your doctor if you think you might need your Mounjaro dosage changed.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Mounjaro for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
Besides learning about Mounjaro’s dosage, these additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Mounjaro: Learn about other aspects of Mounjaro here.
- Side effects: See this article on the side effects of Mounjaro to learn more. You can also look at the drug’s prescribing information.
- Interactions: Read this article for details about what Mounjaro interacts with.
- Cost: See this article if you’d like to learn about Mounjaro and cost.
- Reproductive health: Read more about Mounjaro and pregnancy, breastfeeding, and birth control.
- Details about type 2 diabetes: For details about your condition, see our diabetes hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.
