Mounjaro Dosage

How does the Mounjaro titration schedule work?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is started on a low dose and increased in 4-week steps to the effective maintenance dose. This titration schedule is identical to that of Eli Lilly's clinical research and minimises gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea.

The complete titration pathway looks like this: weeks 1-4 on 2.5 mg, weeks 5-8 on 5 mg, weeks 9-12 on 7.5 mg, weeks 13-16 on 10 mg, optionally weeks 17-20 on 12.5 mg and week 21 onwards on 15 mg. The dose you continue up to is determined for each patient individually.

Not everyone needs 15 mg. Many patients reach their weight goal at 10 mg or 12.5 mg. With a good response and few side effects on a lower dose, there is no medical reason to titrate further.

Starting dose: 2.5 mg (weeks 1-4)

The very first dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg per week subcutaneously. This low starting dose has hardly any effect on weight loss in itself. Its sole purpose is to let your body get used to the mechanism of action and to keep side effects limited in the first weeks.

In weeks 1-4 you may notice mild nausea, a changed sense of taste, mild constipation or reduced appetite. These symptoms are mild and usually disappear within a few days. Drink enough water (2 litres per day) and eat smaller portions to limit nausea.

After 4 weeks on 2.5 mg, you and your doctor evaluate whether you are ready to move up to 5 mg. If side effects are frequent or severe, you may decide to stay on 2.5 mg for longer.

Titration phase 5 mg to 15 mg

From 5 mg you usually notice the first clear effects on appetite and weight. Every 4 weeks the dose can be increased by 2.5 mg: to 7.5 mg, then 10 mg, optionally 12.5 mg and 15 mg. Each step usually brings more weight loss, but also a brief flare-up of side effects.

On 10 mg, patients in clinical research lose on average around 18 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. On 15 mg this rises to 22.5 percent. Whether the extra titration to 15 mg is worthwhile depends on your weight goal, tolerance and your doctor's advice.

Some patients deliberately stay on 10 mg or 12.5 mg because they achieve sufficient results on that dose without too many side effects. This is a legitimate choice and is made in consultation with your doctor.

Maintenance doses

The maintenance doses for Mounjaro are 5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg per week. Which dose becomes 'yours' depends on how well you tolerate the medicine and how quickly you lose weight.

After 12 to 18 months of treatment you have usually reached your target weight or a plateau. From that point, in consultation with your doctor, you can decide to continue on the same dose, step down slightly or end the treatment.

Stopping Mounjaro is usually not done abruptly but via a tapering schedule, so that side effects and any weight regain remain limited. This is part of the anti-yo-yo protocol that Go Leaner follows.

What if you forget a Mounjaro injection?

If you forget your weekly injection, take it as soon as possible within 4 days of the scheduled day. Then return to your normal schedule. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the injection and take your next dose on the normal day.

Never inject two doses in a row to catch up on a missed dose. This greatly increases the risk of side effects without any extra benefit. Set reminders on your phone so you no longer miss doses.

Injection technique step by step

Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, the thigh or the upper arm. Rotate the site every week to prevent irritation or hard lumps.

Step 1: take the pen out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Step 2: wash your hands and disinfect the injection site. Step 3: remove the cap and place the pen perpendicular to the skin. Step 4: press the button and hold for 10 seconds until the dose has been fully delivered. Step 5: remove the pen and dispose of it in a sharps container.

For your first injection at Go Leaner, the nurse or doctor does this together with you. After that, the pens are delivered to your home and you inject yourself.

Monitoring at Go Leaner

At Go Leaner you have a monthly check-up with your doctor in which we discuss weight, blood values, side effects and progress. Every 4 weeks we assess whether you are ready for a higher dose or whether we keep the current dose.

Via the patient app you record your own injections, side effects, weight and diet. This gives your doctor real-time insight and makes it easy to adjust in good time.