Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is a prescription-only treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. It comes as a weekly self-injectable pen and contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It works by suppressing appetite, making you feel less hungry.

Mounjaro mimics hormones that naturally occur in the gut after eating, called incretins. Incretins have many functions, such as:

• slowing down the emptying of the stomach
• sending signals to your brain that you’re full after eating
• increasing insulin levels

These combined effects help people feel full after a meal by signalling to the parts of the brain responsible for appetite, making it easier to eat less.

Who is eligible for Mounjaro?

To be eligible for Mounjaro, you must have:

• a BMI (body mass index) of 30kg/m² or over (obese)
• a BMI between 27 and 30kg/m² (overweight), and a weight-related health condition such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or heart problems
• a BMI of 27.5kg/m² and a higher risk ethnic background (South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean)

You should let your prescriber know about any health problems you have and any medications you take so they can check Mounjaro is suitable for you.

➤ Find out if you are eligible through our online assessment.

The active ingredient tirzepatide works by activating the receptors of 2 natural incretin hormones: GIP and GLP-1. Both of these hormones affect your appetite by slowing down the emptying of the stomach after a meal. They also send signals to your brain to reduce your appetite after eating. This action creates a feeling of being full and so makes you feel less hungry, even when you have eaten less, which can aid in weight loss.

For diabetic patients, Mounjaro increases the production of insulin, which is released into the body to lower blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is an effective treatment for both weight loss and regulating blood sugar levels. A recent clinical trial has shown that people who used Mounjaro lost up to 22.5% of their body weight on the highest maintenance dose (15mg tirzepatide, once per week) within 72 weeks.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the average weight change for each maintenance dosage in comparison to participants who took the placebo from the same clinical trial:

To inject Mounjaro safely, always carefully read the package leaflet and follow the instructions of your doctor.

When you request any self-injection medication from Asda, our doctors can provide you with advice on how to use it, and if you need extra help, you can also message them for free through your account.

Please note: Mounjaro is solely to be used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Where should I inject Mounjaro?

Mounjaro can be injected either in the abdomen or thigh. Select an injection site that you feel most comfortable with. Switch injection sites weekly and divide the chosen area into four sections which will be your injection sites. Inject at least one finger width away from the last injection. If injecting in the abdomen, inject at least 5cm away from the navel.

1. Wash your hands using water and soap.
2. Prepare the pen and check that it’s not expired or damaged and the liquid looks as it should.
3. Attach a new needle to the pen.
4. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks.
5. Prime the pen to release air bubbles and make sure it’s working correctly.
6. Adjust the dosage to ‘1’.
7. Insert the needle, push down the dose knob and count slowly to 5.
8. Pull the needle out of your skin and check if the dose count is back at ‘0’.
9. Remove the needle and replace the pen cap.

Make sure you take your injection at the same time each week (when exactly is up to you) to get the best effect and try not to forget any doses.

Worried about self-injection?

"Self-injecting medication may be an uncomfortable idea for many people. But Mounjaro injections are not the same as those that might be used for things like vaccinations. Mounjaro comes in an easy-to-use injection pen, which is not the same as using a standard injection needle. Mounjaro uses a much smaller needle than the one for vaccinations and the liquid is not pushed by hand." – Dr Babak Ashrafi.

How long do I have to stay on Mounjaro?

How long you can stay on Mounjaro depends on how much weight you need to lose to achieve a healthy BMI and if you need help to maintain that weight. If you are not able to lose weight on Mounjaro, a doctor can recommend alternatives for you.

How often should Mounjaro be taken?

Mounjaro should be taken once a week. It can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food. You should select a day and time that is convenient or easy for you to remember. You may find it useful to set a reminder on your phone to ensure you do not miss a dose.

If you want to change the day of the week you use Mounjaro, you’ll need to leave at least 72 hours (3 days) between doses, and then you should carry on taking it weekly. It’s important that you don’t do this often, or it could decrease the effectiveness of your treatment.

What happens if you miss a dose?

Missed doses should be taken within 96 hours (4 days) of the missed dose. If it is outside of 96 hours, miss the dose and continue to your next scheduled dose. Speak to your doctor if you miss several doses, as you may need to start the dosage schedule again.

What happens when you stop taking Mounjaro?

When you stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss, you may regain the weight you have lost if you do not stick to your weight loss plan. When you stop the medication, you will get your appetite back, so you will not feel full for as long after a meal. This means you might be tempted to eat more than you did when taking Mounjaro, possibly causing you to gain weight.

Sticking to your original weight loss plan, such as diet improvements and increased exercise, can help with weight control. If you do stop taking Mounjaro, you should continue with these lifestyle changes and make reasonable adjustments to avoid putting weight back on. However, we know obesity can be a chronic health condition, and some people may need to take weight loss treatments lifelong. If you had any side effects from Mounjaro, these should go away within a few weeks of when you stop taking it.

Mounjaro is available in 6 dosages, which you move up over time.

The dosages of Mounjaro available are:

• 2.5mg
• 5mg
• 7.5mg
• 10mg
• 12.5mg
• 15mg

You will start your journey with Mounjaro on the lowest dose of 2.5 mg, which needs to be injected once a week for 4 weeks. If the medication works well for you, you can increase your dose to 5mg for 4 weeks. Depending on progress, you can either stay on this dose or you can increase the dose in 4-week blocks by 2.5mg each time. The maximum dosage available for Mounjaro is 15mg. We have more information on each dose and how to follow the dosage schedule safely in our Mounjaro dosage guide.

Don’t increase your dosage earlier than 4 weeks and speak to your doctor if you get side effects on your current dose. Never take more than the maximum dosage of 15mg, as this can lead to severe side effects.

You might experience side effects when you start taking the medication and when you increase your dose. For many people, these side effects are reduced over time and should not be severe.

Very common side effects

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• constipation
• low blood sugar (if used with certain diabetes medications)

Common side effects

• indigestion
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• allergic reactions
• low blood pressure
• hair loss
• feeling tired
• bloating
• burping
• gas
• reflux or heartburn
• injection site reactions
• an increased level of some pancreatic enzymes as shown in blood tests (such as lipase)
• increased calcitonin levels

Uncommon side effects

• gallstones
• fast pulse
• injection site pain
• gall bladder infection (cholecystitis)
• inflammation of the pancreas
• an increased level of some pancreatic enzymes as shown in blood tests (such as amylase)
• increased calcitonin levels in blood
• change in sense of taste
• skin sensation changes
• delay in stomach emptying

For a full list of the side effects see the Patient Information Leaflet.

Who should not take Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is not suitable for anyone who is:

• under the age of 18 or over 85
• pregnant or breastfeeding
• allergic to any of the ingredients in Mounjaro

You may not be able to use Mounjaro if you:

• have severe kidney or liver problems
• had pancreatitis or gallstones whilst taking a medication like Mounjaro
• have severe gastrointestinal disease (as Mounjaro could worsen symptoms)
• take other medications that lower blood sugar levels

What foods should I eat while on Mounjaro?

There is no fixed Mounjaro diet you need to follow. The most important thing to consider when thinking about what to eat on Mounjaro is eating balanced meals. This means the right combination of proteins, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. It also means cutting back on unhealthy fats, ultra-processed foods, and refined carbohydrates.

As with all medications, Mounjaro comes with some safety warnings. You will not be able to use Mounjaro if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Mounjaro.

Mounjaro may also cause serious side effects, including:

• an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
• severe stomach issues, such as gastroparesis
• gallstones
• severe allergic reactions
• severe gastrointestinal issues
• severely low sugar levels (when used in conjunction with diabetic drugs or if taken in overdose)

You should discuss any existing medical conditions, medications, or side effects with your doctor. If you get severe or persistent stomach pain or vomiting, are unable to eat or drink, or feel acutely unwell, please stop Mounjaro and see a doctor urgently for an in-person review.

Mounjaro treatment can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if it’s taken together with sulfonylurea or insulin (other diabetes treatments).

Mounjaro slows the movement of food through your stomach and intestines and also has the same effect on medications that you swallow. This means it might affect how some medications work, such as contraception, HRT, warfarin, and other medications, including lithium, flecainide, and other “narrow therapeutic index” drugs.

You should tell your doctor before using Mounjaro for weight loss if you take any other prescribed or over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies.

There are several Mounjaro alternatives available for weight loss, although they may contain different active ingredients. These include:

• Wegovy – Contains semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) which is gradually increased to a maintenance dose of up to 7.2 mg. People can lose an average of 21% of their starting body weight on average when taking the maintenance dose.
• Nevolat - Contains liraglutide, which is gradually increased to a maintenance dose of 3.0mg. People lose an average 8% of their starting weight in 56 weeks on the maintenance dose.
• Xenical - A branded medication that contains orlistat at a dose of 120 mg per tablet. Works by reducing the amount of fat you absorb when taken with meals containing fat, up to 3 times per day. Some people lose 10% or more of their starting body weight within 6 months with the help of Xenical.
• Orlistat 120mg - A generic version of Xenical which works in the same way. Can also help you to lose 10% or more of your starting body weight than through dieting alone within 6 months of treatment. As it’s unbranded, it usually costs less.
• Mysimba - A diet pill that contains 2 active ingredients: 8 mg of naltrexone hydrochloride and 90 mg of bupropion hydrochloride. It’s taken once or twice a day, up to a maximum dose of 2 tablets, twice a day. Works by affecting the parts of your brain responsible for appetite and can also reduce cravings. After 56 weeks of treatment, people lost on average 8.1% of their starting body weight.
• Alli - A weight loss medication that can be bought over the counter, although a pharmacist will still need to check your medical history first. Also contains orlistat (just like Orlistat 120 mg tablets and Xenical) but at a lower dose of 60 mg per tablet. Works in the same way and can also help you lose up to 10% or more of your starting body weight after 6 months than through dieting alone.

Each weight loss medication works differently for everyone. You may find that weight loss pills suit you better, or you might prefer weight loss injections. There may be a weight loss medication that is best suited to you based on your medical history and current medications. If you aren’t sure, it’s best to speak to one of our doctors, who can advise you on the different weight loss medications.

➤ Visit our service page to start your weight loss journey with Asda using Mounjaro or an alternative medication.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are both weight loss injections available with a prescription in the UK. They work similarly, but have some differences, such as active ingredient, dosage schedule, and manufacturer.

We’ve created a guide on the differences between Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic (a type 2 diabetes treatment that also contains semaglutide).

Note: *Data taken from the emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for Mounjaro and Wegovy.

You can buy Mounjaro online on private prescription in the UK from trusted and regulated online doctor services such as Asda Online Doctor. Our doctors can offer prescription weight loss treatments alongside diet and exercise plans for a holistic online weight loss service.

Payment methods you can use at Asda Online Doctor include:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Paypal
• Paypal Pay in 3

To request Mounjaro from us, you'll need to complete a short medical questionnaire which will be reviewed by a doctor. If Mounjaro is suitable, your treatment will be sent to you and you will gain access to our exclusive weight loss support materials. You can access your online account at any time and send a free message to one of our doctors if you need further support while taking Mounjaro.

When you start treatment with Asda Online Doctor, we provide you with a free support package that our in-house nutritionists have developed together with our doctors. In addition to detailed tips on nutrition and exercise, this also includes templates for trackers and plans to help you more easily organise your weight loss journey.

If you have any concerns during your treatment, you can check out our Weight Loss Service FAQ for quick answers to common questions our patients ask us.

Start your journey to your ideal weight

• Answer a short medical questionnaire
• Our doctors will approve treatment if it’s suitable for you
• We help you take the next steps together – including a free support package

Request your treatment now

Is there a cheaper version of Mounjaro available?

There is no cheaper generic version of Mounjaro, but there are cheaper weight loss injections available. Both Wegovy and Nevolat are weight loss injections which are cheaper than Mounjaro. They contain different active ingredients and work slightly differently as well.

Studies show that people using Mounjaro at the maximum dosage lose an average of 22.5% of their starting weight after 72 weeks. 96% of people using Mounjaro also lose at least 5% of their starting weight.

Note: *Data taken from the emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for Mounjaro

Looking at week-by-week weight loss on Mounjaro, you could lose around 13% of your starting weight by week 13.

Note: *Data taken from the SURMOUNT-1 study of once-weekly tirzepatide for weight loss

You may be able to, but you may have to start from the lowest dose again. If you’ve taken Mounjaro and then stopped, it does not necessarily mean you cannot start again. As long as you still meet the requirements for treatment, you should be able to restart Mounjaro.

The dose you start on depends on how long you stopped for. If it’s been less than 2 weeks since your last dose, you should be able to restart on the dose you were on before. If it’s been more than 2 weeks, you’ll usually need to restart on the lowest dose of 2.5mg to reduce your risk of side effects.

Yes, you can travel with your Mounjaro pens. It’s important to make sure you’re aware of the right way to travel safely with your pens, including:

• carrying your pens in your carry-on luggage
• making sure you have your prescription or a doctor’s note with you
• using a cool bag or ice pack to store your pens
• refrigerating your pens once you reach your destination
• making sure you take enough medication to last the trip, including enough needles

Yes, you can. At Asda Online Doctor, switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy is safe and simple.

If you’re new to us and want to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, simply request Wegovy treatment. One of our doctors will review your medical history and confirm if you meet the eligibility criteria, this is a BMI of 30 or above, or 27-30 with a weight-related condition. We can also consider treatment if your BMI is below this, but you’ve been diagnosed with obesity previously by another healthcare professional.

If you’re already a patient at Asda Online Doctor, you can request a switch by completing a quick health questionnaire in your account. Many of our patients eligible for Mounjaro can also switch to Wegovy, but your doctor will always check to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you before approving your switch.

If approved, your doctor will decide what dose of Wegovy to put you on based on your current Mounjaro dose. Then, you will need to stop taking Mounjaro for 7 days before starting your first dose of Wegovy.

Yes, Mounjaro was approved for weight loss by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in November 2023. As of February 2024, it is available to buy with a prescription in UK pharmacies, or online with a private prescription.

The cost of Mounjaro depends on who you get the treatment prescribed from. At Asda Online Doctor, we offer weight loss medication at an affordable price, with the cost of prescription and aftercare included in your medication price. Our prices start from £148.97. This price includes 1 pen and 4 needles, which equals 1 month’s supply of Mounjaro as each Mounjaro pen contains 4 doses.

To request Mounjaro from Asda Online Doctor, you’ll need to use our online service. This includes:

1. Completing a short set of medical questions for our doctors to review. We’ll also ask you to upload some pictures to check your weight, which will only be used for prescribing purposes.
2. Choosing your delivery options and creating a free patient account, if you don’t already have one.
3. Our doctors will check your answers and prescribe Mounjaro if it’s suitable.
4. Your medication will be dispatched and will be sent to your chosen address.
5. We’ll provide a weight loss package to help you get started with Mounjaro and following a diet and exercise plan.

If you need any further assistance after receiving your medication, you can use your patient account to message a doctor for free. If you have any other questions about our weight loss service, please read our weight loss FAQs before ordering.

Store Mounjaro in its original packaging, out of reach and sight of children. Don’t use it after the expiration date on the pen label. You can store Mounjaro in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C, but make sure it doesn’t freeze. You can also store Mounjaro out of the fridge, but not above 30°C, for up to 30 days. After 30 days out of the fridge, Mounjaro should be discarded.

Mounjaro should ideally be kept in the fridge, but it can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 30 days. If you keep Mounjaro out of the fridge, it must not exceed temperatures above 30°C. It should not be exposed to light, so keep it in its original box or a medication box.

There may be many reasons you aren’t losing weight on Mounjaro:

• it needs more time to work
• you haven’t reached the highest dose yet
• you haven’t reduced your calorie intake or aren’t following your diet and exercise plan
• you’ve reached a weight loss plateau (you lost weight at the start but aren’t anymore) - this often requires a further change in lifestyle to continue losing weight

A healthy weight loss is around 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb) a week. You should wait a few months to allow Mounjaro to work properly. Speak to your doctor if you’ve been taking Mounjaro for several months and haven’t lost any weight.

Yes but be aware that Mounjaro can affect how well the contraceptive pill works. If you’re taking an oral contraceptive, it is recommended that you use another method of contraception (such as a condom), or switch to a non-oral contraceptive for 4 weeks after starting treatment. Each time your dose increases, you should repeat this process for another 4 weeks. This is especially important if you vomit or have diarrhoea.

No, you are not able to get Mounjaro over-the-counter because it is a prescription-only medicine. That means you need a prescription from a doctor to get Mounjaro. A doctor needs to check to make sure Mounjaro will be a safe and effective treatment for you.

Yes, Mounjaro is available on the NHS. Like other NHS weight loss injections, it will usually only be prescribed as part of a specialist weight loss programme if other weight loss options have already been tried and you meet the prescribing criteria. You may need to wait for a referral and this could take several months. Some GPs are being trained to prescribe Mounjaro but this option may not be available in your area – ask your GP for more information.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to get Mounjaro to manage your condition on the NHS.

It’s not recommended although alcohol doesn’t interact with Mounjaro directly. Alcohol can make some side effects worse like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It also contains a lot of calories, isn’t recommended as part of a diet plan, and may lead to overeating, so it’s best to try to limit how much you drink while taking Mounjaro.

Likely not. There is a chance that active ingredients in Mounjaro can impact emergency contraception, creating the risk that it will be less effective and result in unintended pregnancy. This is because Mounjaro can reduce levonorgestrel's absorption. There is no current evidence on the efficacy of ellaOne when taking Mounjaro, but there is still a risk of it being less effective when taken with Mounjaro.

Alternative option: For those starting or using weight loss treatments, we recommend the copper coil as a contraceptive option:

• can be inserted up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex or ovulation – flexible protection that is effective
• available at some local GP surgeries or at a sexual health clinic – the copper coil is a T-shaped device safely inserted by a healthcare professional
• it works as both regular and emergency contraception – this way you can stay protected for the long-term

Alternative GLP-1s and the morning after pill

If you are taking a different glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist for weight loss, for example - Wegovy (semaglutide) or Nevolat (liraglutide), you can use levonorgestrel (Levonelle), ellaOne or the copper coil and these options will remain effective during your weight loss treatment.