MOUNJARO (TIRZEPATIDE) information leaflet

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 Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weight management injection developed by the American company Lilly. It is also a prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, intended to be used alongside diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar (glucose) levels.  

Tirzepatide has a dual effect: it decreases the feeling of hunger and delays gastric emptying. The delay in gastric emptying is most pronounced after the first dose and tends to diminish over time. Additionally, tirzepatide slows the absorption of glucose after meals. 

• Please read the Instructions for Use that accompany Mounjaro.  
• Mounjaro is administered through a subcutaneous injection in your stomach (abdomen). 
• Use Mounjaro 1 time each week, at any time of the day.
• You should use Mounjaro once a week at any time of day. Be sure to rotate your injection sites with each weekly dose and do not use the same site for every injection.  
• If you accidentally take too much Mounjaro, contact your healthcare provider or seek medical advice immediately. 

• Healthy Eating: Focus on a balanced, calorie-controlled diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Reduce your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-fat foods.
• Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or as advised by your healthcare professional.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Support Systems: Share your goals with trusted friends or family, or consider joining a support group.
• Be Patient and Persistent: Weight loss is a gradual process. There will be ups and downs. Stay committed to your lifestyle changes for long-term success.

• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion, burping, wind (flatulence)
• Stomach pain or discomfort
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Dizziness
• Injection site reactions (e.g., redness, itching, swelling)
• Reduced appetite
• Hair loss

These side effects are often mild to moderate and tend to lessen over time as your body gets used to the medication. They also vary significantly between individuals, and in general, the treatment is well-tolerated. Eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty foods, and staying hydrated can help manage some of these.

Mounjaro may cause tumours in the thyroid gland, including thyroid cancer, in rats. However, the relevance of this finding to humans has not been established, and no human studies are currently available. To date, there have been no reported cases of thyroid tumours in humans. 

Be on the lookout for possible symptoms such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to inform your healthcare provider. 

• Do not  use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid  cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• Do not use Mounjaro if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• Do not  use Mounjaro if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients in  Mounjaro.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Mounjaro and call your healthcare provider 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.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Mounjaro with another medicine 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, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, or mood changes, hunger, weakness and feeling jittery.

Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Mounjaro and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, and very rapid heartbeat.

Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who ALREADY HAVE PRE-EXISTING kidney problems. Diarrhoea and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Severe stomach problems. 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.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Mounjaro® is not recommended if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You would need to stop it 6 month in advance, if you plan pregnancy. 

Changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Mounjaro. This is most relevant for people with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. 

Gallbladder problems. 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), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), and clay-coloured stools.

Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anaesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Mounjaro may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Mounjaro before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.

If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Mounjaro. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Mounjaro. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Mounjaro.

Driving and Using Machines: Mounjaro® is not expected to directly affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), such as dizziness, this could affect your ability to concentrate.

It is not known if Mounjaro can be used in people who have had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Mounjaro is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It is not known if Mounjaro is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age.

•   Follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions carefully. 
•  Inform us of any changes to your health or medications: This includes new medical conditions, pregnancies, or if you start taking any new medicines (prescription or over-the-counter). 
• Adhere to dietary and lifestyle advice: Mounjaro® is a tool to aid weight loss and works best with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. 
•  Report any severe / persistent side effects promptly. 
• Store Mounjaro® correctly as instructed (out of sunlight, once open does not need to be in the fridge – can be stored for 1 month with no fridge)

• For urgent medical advice related to your treatment, please contact us during our clinic hours.
• Outside of clinic hours or in an emergency, please get in touch with NHS 111, your GP, or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department, informing them you are     taking Mounjaro® (tirzepatide).

This leaflet is intended to provide essential information and does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of Mounjaro®. Always consult your healthcare professional or the official Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) that comes with your medication for complete details. You are responsible for ensuring you have read and understood all information provided to you regarding your treatment.