Health Services

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. It behaves like the natural hormones GLP-1 and GIP to lower blood glucose concentrations, slow gastric emptying, regulate appetite and decrease food intake.

Mounjaro is a prescription medicine, and requires a prescription from a New Zealand registered healthcare professional. Weight loss consultation services are available at selected Care & Advice Health Hubs at Unichem & Life pharmacies. Click here to find a location near you.

The starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, a prescribing healthcare professional may increase the dose to 5 mg once weekly, the first maintenance dose. Subsequent dose increases are to be determined by a prescribing healthcare professional.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro contains a long-acting receptor agonist that targets GIP and GLP-1 receptors throughout the body.

• Reduces glucose concentrations when fasting and after eating.

• Feeling fuller after eating.

• Reduces appetite and food intake.

  
  

Who can use Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is approved for adults who are living with:

• Insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), or

• Overweight (≥27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus)

Mounjaro is a prescription medicine. Your doctor will review your health status and eligibility as part of an assessment.

How is Mounjaro administered?

Dosing Schedule

• Administration: A once weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection

• Maintenance doses: 5 mg once weekly, 10 mg once weekly or 15 mg once weekly, as determined by your doctor.

• Additional care:

  • Type 2 diabetes: Mounjaro is prescribed in combination with diet and exercise. Your doctor may prescribe Mounjaro in addition to an existing diabetes medicine.

  • Obesity and overweight: Mounjaro is prescribed in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

    
    

Injection Details

• Use the KwikPen multi-use, prefilled pen.

• Inject into thigh (front upper leg) or stomach (abdomen).

• On the same day each week if you can. This day can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between two doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).

• You will need to purchase needle tips separately as these are not included with the Mounjaro KwikPen

• The KwikPen must be primed before each injection. Follow the instructions in the Mounjaro KwikPen Instructions for Use leaflet.

• It is normal to have leftover liquid in your KwikPen after the 4th and final dose. The KwikPen will not allow you to inject this liquid into your body.

  
  

Side effects

All medicines can have side effects. Some side effects may need medical attention.

Less serious side effects:

• Feeling sick (nausea)

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal (stomach) pain

• Feeling less hungry (decreased appetite)

• General feeling of tiredness

• Injection site reaction

• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) when Mounjaro is used with certain medicines for type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Heartburn

• Indigestion (dyspepsia)

• Swelling or bloating of the stomach

• Constipation

• Burping or belching

• Farting (flatulence)

• Bloating and/or difficulty passing wind

• Dizziness

• Dehydration

• Hair loss

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• Increased pulse (heart rate)

• Changes to how foods or drinks taste

• Changes to sensation or unusual feelings of the skin

Serious side effects (call your doctor straight away or go straight to the emergency department of your nearest hospital):

• Acute pancreatitis – Severe pain in the stomach or back that does not go away and vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

• Allergic reactions – Symptoms may include rashes, itching and rapid swelling of the tissues of the neck, face, mouth and/or throat, hives, or problems breathing or swallowing.

• Gallbladder complaints – Symptoms may include sudden, severe pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and clay-coloured stools.

If you experience slowing down or blockage of your intestinal function, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Managing side effects

• Follow your doctor’s instructions to start on a low dose and slowly increase to our maintenance dose

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Avoid fried and fatty foods

• Eat smaller meals

• Contact your doctor if side effects are severe or persistent

  
  

Safety information

Do NOT use Mounjaro if you:

• Are allergic to tirzepatide or any ingredients

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

• Are breastfeeding

• Are using other weight loss products

Storage and handling

• Refrigeration: Store your Mounjaro KwikPen at 2°C to 8°C

• Room temperature: When refrigeration is not possible, you can store your KwikPen at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 30 days

• Protection: Your Mounjaro KwikPen contains glass parts. Handle carefully. Do not use your Mounjaro KwikPen if it has been dropped on a hard surface

• Keep your Mounjaro KwikPen in its original package in order to protect it from light

• Do not allow your Mounjaro KwikPen to freeze.

Mounjaro® must be used in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for persons living with obesity or overweight with at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition. In people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Mounjaro® must be used in addition to diet and exercise and may be used in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, at the discretion of a New Zealand registered doctor. Mounjaro® is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mounjaro® is also indicated in additional to diet and exercise for chronic weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults who meet certain body mass index (BMI) criteria. Mounjaro® contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and is available in the following dose forms: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. All KwikPens contain four once weekly 0.6 mL doses of Mounjaro®. Mounjaro® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Mounjaro® is right for you. Use strictly as directed. If you experience side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional. The most common side effects of Mounjaro® are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation. Please refer to the Mounjaro® Consumer Medicine Information available at www.medsafe.govt.nz, or in your Mounjaro® KwikPen carton before taking your medicine. Mounjaro® is an unfunded prescription medicine – payment for this medicine and any additional doctor and pharmacy fees will be required. Eli Lilly, Auckland.