Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medication designed to assist adults with obesity, or those who are overweight with related health issues, in losing weight and maintaining that loss. It is also effective for managing high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The Mounjaro KwikPen is a disposable, multi-dose, pre-filled pen intended for single-patient use. Each pen contains enough medication for four weekly doses, meaning you'll need one pen per month.

How Mounjaro works

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. Tirzepatide works by reducing your appetite, helping you to feel fuller for longer. As you will be less hungry, you will experience fewer food cravings, and by reducing your food intake, it will help you to lose weight.

Directions

Always use Mounjaro exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / UKWeightloss clinic has told you.

You should use Mounjaro once a week on the same day of the week, although you can choose to take your injection at any time during that day. You may change the day of the week you use Mounjaro as long as the time between doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).

If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regular scheduled day. Do not take 2 doses of Mounjaro within 3 days (72 hours) of each other.

Supplies you'll need to inject Mounjaro:

Mounjaro KwikPen

KwikPen compatible needle

Sharps disposal container

Injecting your Mounjaro KwikPen

Start by washing your hands with soap and water. Then pull the pen cap straight off and inspect the pen and label before use.

Do not use if:

The medication name or dose strength does not match your prescription

The pen is expired (EXP) or looks damaged

The medication has been frozen, has particles, and is cloudy or discoloured. Mounjaro should be colourless or slightly yellow.

Select a new pen needle (4 needles will be provided with your Mounjaro KwikPen). Always use a new needle for each injection to prevent infections and blocked needles.

Pull off the paper tab from the outer needle shield. Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist on until it's tight. Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it; this will be reused later. Pull off the inner needle shield and dispose of it in your household bin.

Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window; this is the ideal position. It can be corrected by turning the dose knob in either direction until the position you need lines up to the dose indicator.

Hold your pen with the needle pointing upwards. Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, and then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob.

The ‘0’ icon must be shown in the dose window. Do not inject it into yourself yet. Priming your pen before use is important to make sure that it’s working correctly. You’ll know that your pen has been primed correctly if a small amount of medicine comes out of the needle’s tip.

However, if you do not see any medicine, repeat these priming steps again, no more than 2 times. If you still do not see any medicine, then change the pen needle and repeat the priming steps no more than 1 additional time. If you still do not see any medicine, contact your healthcare provider for advice.

Now it’s time to choose your injection site. Mounjaro is injected under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh or upper arm. You must change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. You may use the same area of your body, but be sure to choose a different injection site in that area. Do not use the same site for each injection.

Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is shown in the dose window. Insert the needle into your skin. Inject the medicine by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The ‘0’ icon must be shown in the dose window before you remove the needle.

Pull the needle out of your skin. A drop of the medicine on the needle’s tip is normal and will not affect your dose. Confirm that the ‘0’ is shown in the dose window; if not, you will not have received your full dose. If this is the case, reinsert the needle and finish your injection; do not redial the dose.

After your Mounjaro KwikPen injection

If you see blood after you have pulled the needle out of your skin, lightly press the injection site with gauze or a cotton ball. Do not rub the injection site.

Carefully replace the outer needle shield that you kept from earlier. Unscrew the capped needle and put the needle into a sharps container. You must not store the pen with the needle attached. This prevents leaking, blocking the needle, and air from entering the pen.

Now replace the pen cap. Do not store the pen without the pen cap attached. For more detailed instructions, including images, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Disposing of your Mounjaro KwikPen and pen needles

You must dispose of your used needles into a sharps container right after use; do not dispose of needles in household waste, as this can cause injury and cross contamination.

Once you have used your monthly Mounjaro KwikPen 4 times, dispose of the pen (without a needle) in your regular household bin.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Mounjaro may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Stomach (abdominal) pain

Diarrhoea

Indigestion

Belching

Injection site reactions

Hair loss

For more information on potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness.

Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Mounjaro. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.

Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration) which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Mounjaro. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems which may include:

Pain in your upper stomach (abdomen)

Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)

Fever

Clay-coloured stools

Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)

Stop using Mounjaro and call UKWeightloss right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back- please call 999/111 or attend a local Urgent Care Centre.

Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes may occur when using Mounjaro. Tell your healthcare provider (UKWeightloss Clinic or GP) if you have changes in vision during treatment.

You should pay attention to any changes in your mood, behaviours, feelings or thoughts while using this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any changes to your mental health that are new, worse or worry you.

Warnings

Mounjaro may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to tirzepatide or any of the other listed ingredients.

Do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called MEN 2.

Talk to your doctor or UKWeightloss clinic before taking this medicine if you:

Have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys

Have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food

Have a history of diabetic retinopathy

Using/taking other medicines

You must tell your doctor or UKWeightloss clinic about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements before using Mounjaro.

This is because Mounjaro may affect the way some medicines work, and some medicines may affect the way Mounjaro works.

Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Mounjaro with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:

Dizziness or light-headedness

Blurred vision

Anxiety

Irritability

Mood changes

Sweating

Slurred speech

Hunger

Confusion

Drowsiness

Shakiness

Weakness

Headache

Fast heartbeat

Feeling jittery

Age restrictions

Mounjaro is only suitable for adults aged 18 years and over.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Mounjaro if you are pregnant; Mounjaro may harm your unborn baby. The effect of Mounjaro on an unborn baby is unknown. It is recommended that women of child bearing age should use effective contraception whilst using this treatment.

Mounjaro is not suitable for use while breastfeeding. It is unknown if Mounjaro passes into breast milk. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or UKWeightloss clinic for advice before taking/using any new medicine.

Mounjaro stays in the body for a prolonged period after injection. We advise that women who plan to conceive, wait until at least 8 weeks have passed after their last injection of Mounjaro.

Food and drink

Mounjaro is an injectable medication and can be used with or without food. You can drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro. However, alcoholic drinks can have a high calorie content which can hinder your weight loss progress.

Storage information

Store unused Mounjaro pens in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C, in the original carton until ready to use; this protects it from the light. Unused pens may be used until their expiry date as long as they have been kept in the fridge.

You may store your used pen at room temperature up to 30°C after your injection. Keep away from heat and out of sight and reach of children. Dispose of the pen 30 days after first use.

Dispose of the pen after receiving 4 weekly doses.

Does not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or UKWeightloss before using this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after using this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor UKWeightloss clinic before using this product.

If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or UKWeightloss clinic if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.