Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Diabetes

Overview
Mounjaro is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood glucose (sugar) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for people with type 1 diabetes or those with a history of pancreatitis, and it should not be used in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, due to risks of thyroid tumors. Mounjaro is also known by its drug name, tirzepatide.

Mounjaro is a dual-action drug that targets both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels. By activating these receptors, Mounjaro helps to lower blood glucose levels, manage insulin secretion, and reduce appetite, contributing to improved control of diabetes symptoms.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Mounjaro is taken as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The once-weekly starting dose is generally increased after four weeks. If additional glycemic control is needed, the dose may be further increased at four-week intervals. The injection can be administered at any time of day, with or without food, in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating the injection site with each dose. Mounjaro should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia (indigestion), and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects may include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with insulin, serious allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis or angioedema), acute kidney injury, severe gastrointestinal disease, complications in individuals with diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina due to diabetes), and acute gallbladder disease.

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Label: Mounjaro — Tirzepatide Injection, Solution — DailyMed