Mounjaro Injection
This page has been reviewed by
Dr. Nicolette Lammers.
Mounjaro is an injectable medication containing the active ingredient tirzepatide. It is used for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes and, in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for weight management in obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity. The active ingredient activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors, supports blood sugar regulation, influences appetite and satiety, and is injected under the skin once weekly using a pre-filled pen.
On this page, you will learn how Mounjaro works, who it may be suitable for, how treatment works, and what is important to know about side effects, costs, reimbursement, and stopping treatment. You can read more about gradual dose escalation on our page Mounjaro dosage.
If you are interested in medically supervised treatment, you can get advice at our locations or online via video consultation.
Who is Mounjaro suitable for?
Mounjaro is intended for adults for whom treatment with tirzepatide is medically appropriate. This includes adults with type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone are not sufficient, as well as adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Whether Mounjaro may be appropriate always depends on the individual health situation, existing medical conditions, current medication, and treatment goals.
The decision to start treatment should therefore not be based on weight alone, but on medical assessment. The key question is whether the treatment is medically appropriate, safe, and beneficial in the long term.
What is Mounjaro approved for?
Mounjaro is approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, tirzepatide is also approved in the European Union for weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity. In each case, treatment is used in addition to an appropriate diet and increased physical activity.
How does the Mounjaro injection work?
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. Unlike classic GLP-1 receptor agonists, tirzepatide acts on two receptors at the same time, namely GIP and GLP-1. As a result, the active ingredient can support blood sugar regulation, influence feelings of fullness, and reduce appetite. In addition, gastric emptying is slowed down, which helps many patients feel full for longer after meals.
However, the effect is not the same in everyone. How strongly blood sugar, hunger, satiety, and weight change depends, among other things, on the dose, duration of treatment, lifestyle, and individual metabolic situation. You can also read more about the current state of research in our article GLP-1 and dual agonists in current research.
Tirzepatide: dual mechanism with GIP and GLP-1
Tirzepatide mimics the effects of two natural gut hormones. GLP-1 plays a role, among other things, in satiety and blood sugar regulation. GIP is also involved in metabolic regulation. This dual mechanism is a key feature of Mounjaro and distinguishes the active ingredient from other treatment options.
Dosage and use
Mounjaro is available in several dosage strengths. Treatment usually begins with a low starting dose in order to improve tolerability. The dose can then be increased step by step. Which dosage is appropriate, how quickly it is increased, and whether further adjustment is useful is always determined by a doctor.
The injection is given under the skin once a week, usually in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It is important to rotate injection sites regularly and to use the medication exactly as instructed by a doctor.
Where can I buy Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is prescription-only and is available in Germany from pharmacies only with a doctor’s prescription. Before purchasing it, there should always be a medical assessment of whether the medication is suitable for you and which dosage is medically appropriate. You can find an overview of current programme costs on our page Prices for medical weight loss.
Your Journey to Sustainable Weight Loss Starts Here.
Who developed Mounjaro?
Manufacturer
Mounjaro is developed and marketed by Eli Lilly. The active ingredient tirzepatide belongs to the newer pharmacological treatment options in the field of type 2 diabetes and weight management and differs from many other medications in that it acts simultaneously on GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Availability in Germany
Mounjaro is available in Germany by prescription. It is used once weekly with a pre-filled pen. Which dosage strength is medically appropriate and whether treatment should be started or continued must always be decided by a doctor. If you would like to learn more in advance about how treatment works, you can find further background information in our article GLP-1 and dual agonists in current research.
What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. These symptoms occur especially at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase and improve over time in many patients. One reason for this is that tirzepatide affects appetite, satiety, and gastric emptying.
Depending on the individual situation, other symptoms may also occur. These include belching, bloating, reflux symptoms, injection site reactions, or, in certain combination therapies, low blood sugar. You can find a more detailed overview on our page about Mounjaro side effects.
When should medical advice be sought?
Severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of an allergic reaction, significant fluid loss due to vomiting or diarrhea, and symptoms of low blood sugar should be medically assessed promptly. This is particularly important if Mounjaro is used together with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Safety, interactions, and contraindications
Before starting treatment, existing medical conditions and all current medications should be discussed with a doctor. Mounjaro can delay gastric emptying and may therefore alter the absorption of medications taken at the same time. This is particularly relevant at the beginning of treatment and after dose increases. For medications with a narrow therapeutic range, closer medical monitoring may therefore be advisable.
Special caution is required, among other things, in people with a history of pancreatitis, certain severe gastrointestinal conditions, diabetic retinopathy, and before procedures involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation. You can also read more about how GLP-1 and dual agonists may affect metabolism in our article GLP-1 agonists: approval and off-label use.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy. If a pregnancy is planned or occurs, treatment should be discussed with a doctor and discontinued if necessary. Use during breastfeeding should also only take place after an individual medical assessment.
If you would like to read the full information on use, warnings, and contraindications, you can find more details in the Mounjaro package leaflet.
Mounjaro treatment in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, or online.
How does Mounjaro differ from other medications?
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic
Both medications are injected once weekly, but they differ in their active ingredient and their main approved use. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and acts on GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Ozempic contains semaglutide and belongs to the classic GLP-1 receptor agonists. While Ozempic is primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro is also approved for weight management. You can read more about the differences in our article Mounjaro vs. Ozempic.
Mounjaro vs. Wegovy
Wegovy and Mounjaro are both used once weekly and are used in weight management. The main difference lies in how they work: Wegovy contains semaglutide and works via GLP-1, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and combines GIP and GLP-1. If you are specifically interested in semaglutide, you can find more information on our page about Wegovy.
Mounjaro vs. Saxenda
Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected daily, while Mounjaro is used once weekly. Both medications are used in weight management, but they differ in active ingredient, frequency of use, and medical classification. You can find an overview on our page about Saxenda.
Is Mounjaro covered by health insurance?
Whether the costs are covered depends on the reason for treatment. If Mounjaro is prescribed for weight management, statutory health insurance providers in Germany generally do not cover the costs. This statutory exclusion does not apply to other approved indications, especially the treatment of type 2 diabetes. You can read more on our page about weight loss injections & health insurance.
How can I stop taking Mounjaro?
Mounjaro should not be stopped or changed without medical advice. Whether treatment should be ended, paused, or adjusted depends, among other things, on tolerability, treatment goals, comorbidities, and the original reason for use. Especially during longer-term treatment, a medically supervised decision is important in order to assess changes in appetite, weight, or metabolic control appropriately.
If you would like to read the full information on use, warnings, and dosage, you can find it in the Mounjaro package leaflet.
Is Mounjaro possible without diabetes?
Yes. Mounjaro is not only approved for type 2 diabetes, but also for weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity. The requirement is always that the treatment has been medically assessed and is considered appropriate.
Who is Mounjaro suitable for?
Mounjaro may be suitable for adults if type 2 diabetes is not adequately controlled despite diet and exercise. It may also be used in weight management if there is a BMI of 30 or more, or from a BMI of 27 if a weight-related comorbidity is present, such as high blood pressure, lipid disorders, or sleep apnea.
Is Mounjaro prescription-only?
Yes. Mounjaro is prescription-only and should only be used after medical assessment. This applies both to type 2 diabetes and to weight management.
How is Mounjaro dosed?
The dosage is always determined by a doctor. Treatment usually begins with a low starting dose, which can later be increased step by step. Which dose is suitable depends on tolerability, the treatment goal, and the individual medical situation.
What happens if I miss a Mounjaro dose?
If a dose has been missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. However, if the next regular injection day is already too close, the missed dose should be skipped. A double dose should not be used. If in doubt, the specific situation should be clarified with a doctor or pharmacy.
What side effects are common with Mounjaro?
The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. Belching, bloating, reflux symptoms, or injection site reactions may also occur. Gastrointestinal symptoms are particularly possible at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase.
How much does Mounjaro cost?
The cost depends on the dosage, pack size, dosage form, and source of supply. For patients, possible programme costs are also relevant if the treatment is part of a medically supervised weight loss programme.
Is Mounjaro covered by health insurance?
That depends on the reason for treatment. If prescribed for weight management, statutory health insurance providers in Germany generally do not cover the cost. For other approved indications, especially type 2 diabetes, the situation may be different. The decisive factors are always the individual indication and the decision of the health insurance provider.
Can you lose weight with Mounjaro?
Yes. Mounjaro can influence feelings of fullness, reduce appetite, and thereby support weight loss. How strong the effect is varies from person to person and depends, among other things, on lifestyle, duration of treatment, and dosage.
How much weight do you lose with Mounjaro?
How much weight loss occurs varies from person to person. It depends, among other things, on dosage, duration of treatment, starting weight, and accompanying lifestyle measures. In studies on weight management, substantial weight reductions were observed with tirzepatide. However, such study results are not a fixed expectation for the individual case and should always be interpreted medically.
How quickly does Mounjaro work?
This varies from person to person. Some patients notice changes in appetite or satiety early on, while other effects only become noticeable during the course of treatment. What matters is not only a quick start, but long-term use under medical supervision.
What do GLP-1 and GIP stand for?
GLP-1 and GIP are natural gut hormones from the group of incretins. They play an important role in the regulation of blood sugar, appetite, and satiety. Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which acts on both receptors. This dual mechanism is exactly what distinguishes Mounjaro from many other medications that act only through GLP-1.
What is better, Ozempic or Mounjaro?
This cannot be answered in general terms. Ozempic contains semaglutide and is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, acts on GIP and GLP-1 receptors, and can play a role both in type 2 diabetes and in weight management. Which treatment is more suitable depends on the medical starting point, the treatment goal, and the doctor’s assessment.
Is Mounjaro better than Wegovy?
This also cannot be answered in general terms. Both medications are used in weight management, but they contain different active ingredients and differ in how they work. Which treatment is medically more suitable should always be assessed individually by a doctor.
Can Mounjaro be used during pregnancy?
Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy. If a pregnancy is planned or occurs, treatment should be discussed with a doctor and adjusted or discontinued if necessary. Individual medical assessment is also important during breastfeeding.
Can I simply stop taking Mounjaro?
Mounjaro should not be stopped without medical advice. Whether treatment should be ended, paused, or adjusted depends on tolerability, the treatment goal, and the original reason for use. Especially after longer use, a medically supervised decision is advisable.
Sources
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Mounjaro: EPAR Product Information (German, PDF). View document .
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Mounjaro: EPAR Overview. View page .
- Eli Lilly Germany. Information about Mounjaro (tirzepatide). View page .
- Lilly Medical Germany. About Mounjaro. View page .
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022. View study .