Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly GIP & GLP-1 weight loss injection recommended as a treatment for weight loss by our medical experts at myBMI’s weight loss clinic.
We supply a consultation for a possible prescription for all 6 doses of Mounjaro, and our partner pharmacy ePharm NI have the following doses in stock:
2.5mg (month 1)
5mg (month 2)
7.5mg (month 3)
10mg (month 4)
12.5mg (month 5)
15mg (month 6)
Our reviews are a reflection of the myBMI service.
Mounjaro is a prescription weight loss medication that may help overweight and obese adults lose weight if they have a BMI of 30 or higher or 27 and above with a weight-related health condition.
It’s a once-weekly injection you can administer yourself. Like other weight loss injections, it works by reducing your appetite, helping you feel fuller for longer.
No, Mounjaro and Ozempic are different medications, though they work in a similar way. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and acts as both a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Ozempic (also sold as Wegovy) contains semaglutide and is just a GLP-1. However, both help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and support weight loss.
The GIP & GLP-1 pen is available in six different doses. You’ll begin with the lowest dose, which your prescriber will gradually increase through a process called titration. Doses are adjusted every four weeks, allowing your body to adapt. This gradual approach helps maximise effectiveness while reducing the risk of unwanted side effects.
Mounjaro is now available and can be prescribed by doctors in Ireland.
At myBMI, we offer a consultation with the possibility of a prescription if eligible.
This depends on multiple factors, such as your medical history, BMI (body mass index) and whether or not you have a qualifying condition such as type 2 diabetes or obesity.
This depends on multiple factors, such as your medical history, BMI (body mass index) and whether or not you have a qualifying condition such as type 2 diabetes or obesity.
You will likely get approved if you have a BMI of 30 or above without any conditions or over 27 with a weight-related medical condition or co-morbidity.
It’s advised that people with personal or family histories of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) do not take Mounjaro.
You have to be type 2 diabetic or have obesity and a BMI of over 27 to take Mounjaro. If you are obese but do not have diabetes, you can still take Mounjaro.
To access Mounjaro or any GLP-1 medication in Ireland, you must first undergo a consultation with an IMC-registered doctor. If you are deemed eligible for treatment, you will be issued a prescription. This prescription can then be dispensed by a registered pharmacy.
This medicine may help individuals lose up to 8% of their body fat in just 12 weeks. Research shows that, on average, people using this medicine lost 22% of their body weight over 72 weeks. For the best results, it should be used alongside a low-calorie diet and regular exercise.
The GIP & GLP-1 pen begins working right away, but it may take a few weeks to notice any changes. Most people see changes within 4-6 weeks, often experiencing reduced appetite and slight weight loss. More significant weight loss typically happens over 3-6 months.
The exact timeline for seeing results can vary. Factors like your starting weight, lifestyle, and how your body responds to the medication can play a role in this.
For more information on what you can expect from your Mounjaro pen, please read our guide here.
You’re unlikely to regain weight if you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine after stopping your GIP & GLP-1 pen. Ideally, the habits you’ve built will stick. However, if you reduce physical activity or consume more calories than you did while on the injection, some weight regain is likely.
If the pen hasn’t been opened and is still sealed, it can be used up to the expiry date labelled on it as long as it has been refrigerated. If the pen is unopened and not refrigerated, it lasts 30 days. If you have opened the pen, the shelf life is 30 days; using the pen after 30 days is not recommended.
Mounjaro should generally be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C before and during use. If your pen has been out of the fridge for a short time, it’s generally safe if it has not exceeded the recommended temperature.
If your pen has been left in a warm place for an extended period and has exceeded 30°C, you should discard it as it isn’t safe to use anymore.
If you are unsure about the safety of your pen due to temperature, you can visually check the solution inside the pen. If it’s clear or slightly yellowish, it’s safe to use. If it is cloudy, you should discard the pen.
After the four doses have been used, you should throw away all opened vials, even if liquid remains in the pen.
If your Mounjaro freezes, it’s no longer safe to use. Cold temperatures can cause the medication’s ingredients to degrade, making it less effective and increasing the risk of unwanted side effects. Overall, frozen medication is unsafe.
Using expired medication may harm your health and increase the risk of side effects. It can be less effective, and the chemical composition of the pen may change. You should not take expired medication.
People call the leftover liquid in the Mounjaro pen the “fifth dose”. This method of treatment is not endorsed, studied, or regulated. By administering treatment in this way, you risk inaccurate dosing. It’s also worth noting that the leftover liquid inside the pen is a part of the pen’s design and not a usable dose.
After using four doses, the leftover liquid inside the Mounjaro pen is part of the pen’s design and isn’t a usable dose.
If you see small air bubbles in your Mounjaro pen, they won’t cause you any harm. This is because Mounjaro is an under-the-skin injection instead of an injection into the vein.
Please read our in-depth guide here for more information on how to use your GIP & GLP-1 pen, including how to dispose of an empty pen and needles.
Taking more than your prescribed dose won’t make it more effective and can cause serious side effects.
If you’ve accidentally injected too much, seek medical help immediately. Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
You must keep your medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and on the carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator between 2°C–8°C. Do not freeze the pen. Store it in the original packaging to protect it from light. Your GIP & GLP-1 pen can be stored unrefrigerated below 30°C for up to 21 days, and then the pen must be discarded.
We have a full guide on how to inject Mounjaro; you can read the full injecting guide here.
You are allowed to travel with Mounjaro, needles, and cooling cases. It’s important to ensure that the pen stays at the correct temperature for the full duration of your trip. You can also take the pen in your hand luggage to prevent the pen from freezing in the hold.
You can stay on Mounjaro for as long as you’d like (if your provider or healthcare professional thinks it’s safe to do so).
The 2.5mg of Mounjaro is not licensed for maintenance. However, if you feel a benefit from this dose, you can discuss maintaining on 2.5mg with your prescriber.
This is the lowest dose available for Mounjaro injections, and you’ll usually start by taking this for the first 4 weeks.
The main purpose of starting on the lowest dose is to avoid experiencing any severe side effects, so please don’t be disheartened if you don’t see much movement on the scales whilst you’re taking 2.5mg.
Some people do start to see some weight loss even on this lowest dose.
Taking 2.5mg injections weekly for the first month of treatment means that your body will be allowed to gradually get used to the medication before you titrate up to a higher dose.
From weeks 5-8, most people move onto a 5mg injection every week.
Although this still isn’t the therapeutic dose, remember that this is still a titration period to allow your body a chance to adjust to treatment.
You should take the 5mg dose weekly throughout your second month of treatment.
From week 9, you’ll be able to take a weekly dose of 7.5mg.
For most people, this is enough to start seeing results, and many people who take weekly injections for weight loss stay at this dosage for as long as they need to.
You shouldn’t ever take 7.5mg straight away without titrating up from a lower dose, as this could cause severe side effects.
The Surge plan is suitable for people who have been taking a 7.5mg dose for a while and have either reached a plateau or stopped seeing as much success as expected.
The higher doses of Mounjaro are ideal for those who have seen success with their treatment so far but could benefit from a stronger dose as treatment continues.
Your prescriber will make the final decision about whether or not a surge plan would be appropriate for you, and if so, how long you should stay on it.
This is the highest dose of Mounjaro, but it’s important to note that not everyone will need to titrate up to this dose in order to achieve effective weight loss.
Like all medicines, this GIP & GLP-1 pen may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Common side effects may include:
For more information on side effects, including serious side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet or read our tailored Mounjaro side effect guide.
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as the effects on an unborn baby are unknown.
If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, talk to your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Contraception is recommended when you are using this medicine.
If you are breastfeeding, you must talk to your healthcare provider before using it. It’s unknown whether tirzepatide passes into breast milk.
This medicine should not be used by anyone under 18 years old.
You can use your pen with or without food or drink. If you feel nauseous after injecting, eating beforehand may help you to get the essential nutrients your body needs.
Check out our in-depth Mounjaro diet guide for further information on what to eat (and what to avoid) while using this medicine, including tips on alcohol consumption.
Most Mounjaro side effects only last a few days. Once your body gets used to your current dose, they should start to fade. You may notice that they come back when you step up your dose, but they should fade again once you are used to that dose.
It’s safe to drink alcohol on Mounjaro in moderation. It isn’t recommended, though, as it can worsen side effects and reduce weight loss. Mounjaro is also known to decrease your tolerance to alcohol.
The effects of the medication, such as appetite suppression and blood sugar regulation, will slowly wear off. If you have not made the necessary lifestyle changes, there is a potential for you to regain weight. If you have adopted a healthy lifestyle, the weight should stay off. You can read the full guide here.
Mounjaro slows down your metabolism, which affects how your body regulates temperature. Also, when you lose weight, you lose some insulating body fat.
While this is not a guaranteed side effect, some people taking Mounjaro may experience a drop in body temperature or feel more sensitive to cold, particularly in their hands and feet.
You should try to inject in one of the following places on your body:
If you have injected somewhere else, the medication will still be absorbed; just be sure to inject correctly next time.
