Let’s take a closer look at Mounjaro , the latest innovative drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes that is making waves in the medical community.
Mounjaro has shown great promise not only in the treatment of diabetes, but also as a weight loss drug, which has also been approved in Germany since November 2023 .
The dual effects of this breakthrough drug hold exciting possibilities for the future of healthcare.
How exactly does Mounjaro work? How does it help lower blood sugar levels and lose weight at the same time?
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a weekly injectable medication intended for people with diabetes.
It is the latest diabetes injection approved in Germany in November 2023. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide , offers a unique dual treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Tirzepatide helps lower blood sugar levels to prevent serious health complications associated with diabetes. In addition to its primary intended effects, studies and clinical trials have shown that Mounjaro is also an effective weight loss therapy . While the FDA has only approved the drug for the treatment of diabetes, it is currently in the process of being approved as a weight loss agent.
Mounjaro injections can be used as a sole treatment for type 2 diabetes, but must be combined with regular exercise and a balanced diet . Alternatively, Mounjaro can also be used in combination with other diabetes medicines such as metformin or insulin .
Like any medicine, Mounjaro can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, hypoglycemia or more serious side effects such as pancreatitis or kidney failure. Therefore, it can only be dispensed with a doctor's prescription and should never be used without medical supervision and the Mounjaro product information should always be followed.
How to inject Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is given once a week on the same day. It is a subcutaneous injection (just under the skin) administered using an easy-to-use single-use Mounjaro pen .
It is the responsibility of the patient to administer the medication to themselves at home .
Mounjaro prefilled pens come in six strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg). The most appropriate dosage for a patient is determined solely by their doctor, but the typical dosing schedule starts with 2.5 mg injections , increasing to 5 mg after 4 weeks. The dosage may be increased further depending on how you respond to Mounjaro Tirzepatide and as prescribed by your doctor.
The pens come in boxes of four units, which is equivalent to a one-month (four-week) supply. The Mounjaro injection pen is easy to handle and can be used immediately without the need to mix the medication . In addition, patients do not need to touch or even see the needle, making it even more convenient to use.
Related article:Learn how to travel safely with the Mounjaro prefilled pen and syringe
How does Mounjaro work?
The mode of action of Mounjaro is based on the active ingredient tirzepatide. This medication belongs to a specific group of drugs known as GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists . Essentially, tirzepatide works by simultaneously triggering two important hormones that control insulin production : glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In simpler terms, Mounjaro increases insulin secretion while decreasing glucagon production .
In this way, Mounjaro effectively helps reduce high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes , significantly reducing the possibility of serious health disorders that diabetes can lead to, such as heart and kidney disease, vision loss and neuropathy. Mounjaro differs from other injectable drugs for type 2 diabetes such as Ozempic, Trulicity , Byetta or Victoza in that it acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors , while the latter only target GLP-1 receptors.
How does Mounjaro work as a weight loss injection?
As you may have heard, Mounjaro slimming injection is a promising weight loss drug.
Studies have shown that people who use Mounjaro to treat diabetes often experience significant weight reduction, with an average loss of 22.5% of body fat .
Nevertheless, Mounjar is currently only approved for type 2 diabetes and not as a weight loss drug by the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association . However, the drug is being further studied and clinically tested in the hope that it will be approved as a new weight loss drug in the future .
How quickly does Mounjaro work?
How quickly Mounjaro works depends on many individual factors , including general health, average blood sugar level (A1c), how well the body responds to the medication, and more.
While some patients experience noticeable improvements in blood sugar levels and weight loss within the first few weeks , it may take a little longer for others to notice changes.
Each patient must begin treatment with Mounjaro with the lowest dosage and increase it gradually if necessary. This will allow the body to get used to the drug while minimizing the likelihood of side effects and treatment discontinuation that may occur if higher doses are taken too abruptly.
Mounjaro and blood sugar levels
According to Eli Lilly and Company , the manufacturer of Mounjaro, clinical trial results have shown that Mounjaro lowers blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics more effectively and more quickly than other diabetes meds such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and insulin degludec:
- Median time to achieve A1C <7% : 8 weeks (Mounjaro), 12 weeks (injectable semaglutide 1 mg), 12 weeks (titrated insulin degludec).
- Median time to achieve A1C ≤6.5% : 12 weeks (Mounjaro), 16 weeks (injectable semaglutide 1 mg), 24 weeks (titrated insulin degludec).
The average hemoglobin A1c level (an important indicator of blood sugar control) decreased by 2.11% in diabetic patients who took the maximum dose of Mounjaro long-term.
Mounjaro for weight loss
The administration of Mounjaro for weight loss causes some patients to have an immediate noticeable decrease in appetite , while others require larger doses and a few more weeks to lose the first kilos.
Studies show that patients taking the higher doses of Mounjaro (10 mg and 15 mg) had lost, on average, almost 15% of their initial body weight by week 24 .
Eli Lilly clinical trial results show that the median time to achieve 5% weight loss was 15 weeks for Mounjaro 10 mg and Mounjaro 15 mg, compared to 24 weeks for semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy). However, it is important to note that individual factors such as diet, physical activity, age, hormonal health, other medications or treatments can significantly affect the rate at which one can lose weight with the Mounjaro weight loss injection .
Mounjaro is intended as a long-term medication . Do not expect immediate results. Stick to your dosing schedule and tell your doctor if you are concerned about its effectiveness. Never stop your medical treatment without your doctor's advice . It is also recommended to always consult the Mounjaro Prescribing Information.
If you have been prescribed Mounjaro, we would like to hear from you
