Mounjaro can be injected at any time of the day. You can inject it at a time that best suits you and when you’re most likely to remember.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription medication to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s prescribed along with a diet and exercise plan. Doctors may prescribe the drug off-label to help with weight loss.
Mounjaro is injected under the skin once per week, on the same day of the week.
This article looks at recommendations for when to inject Mounjaro and tips for starting the medication.
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You’ll inject Mounjaro once per week. Using it on the same day each week keeps a consistent level of the drug in your body. This helps Mounjaro work effectively.
You can inject Mounjaro at any time of the day, according to the drug’s prescribing information. There are no reports that the timing of injection during the day has any effect on how effective Mounjaro is for weight loss or blood sugar management.
In addition, people receiving the drug in clinical trials didn’t report any sleep-related side effects. So it may not matter whether you inject Mounjaro at night or in the morning.
The best time of day to inject Mounjaro is when it’s most convenient for you. It should be a time when you’re most likely to remember your dose and inject the medication correctly. For example, it may be helpful to schedule your dose for a time when you’ll be alert and free of distractions.
Mounjaro dosing schedule
When starting Mounjaro, your doctor will prescribe a low dose and gradually increase it over time. This allows your body to adjust to the drug.
The usual starting dosage for blood sugar management is 2.5 milligrams (mg) once weekly. After 4 weeks, your doctor will increase your dose to 5 mg once weekly. They may need to increase your dose by 2.5 mg to manage your blood sugar level. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once weekly. Read more about Mounjaro dosing.
You’ll need to inject your dose on the same scheduled day each week. You can inject Mounjaro a day early if you need to, but there needs to be at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses. It’s best to keep to the same day of the week when possible.
Note: If your doctor prescribes Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, they’ll recommend the dosing schedule that’s right for you.
Mounjaro results
The rate of results from Mounjaro may depend on your overall health and how consistently you follow your dosing schedule.
Mounjaro starts working to manage blood sugar levels as soon as you inject your first dose. However, it may take up to 12 weeks to reach blood sugar levels that are healthy for you.
Your doctor will monitor your blood sugars using the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c or A1C) test. This is a marker of your average blood sugar levels over a certain period of time. Your doctor will determine your target A1C level.
You may find that you lose weight with Mounjaro. Significant weight loss may occur around 28 weeks of using Mounjaro.
In the drug’s clinical trials, people received Mounjaro injections for 40 weeks. Weekly doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg of Mounjaro led to statistically significant weight loss and reductions in A1C levels.
Mounjaro should work the same for your condition regardless of which injection site is used.
Mounjaro is injected under the skin of your thigh, abdomen, or back side of your upper arm. You can self-inject the drug in your thigh or abdomen. You’ll need a caregiver to inject the back side of your upper arm. Be sure to alternate the injection sites for each weekly dose to avoid irritation.
You can watch this video on the drugmaker’s website for more information about injecting Mounjaro.
You can take Mounjaro with or without food. There’s no evidence that food affects how the medication works or its effectiveness. There are also no reports of specific foods interacting with Mounjaro.
You may find that injecting Mounjaro at a designated mealtime helps you remember your medication. Linking a set meal or weekly event with the injection may help you stick to your dosing schedule.
Side effects of Mounjaro are more common when starting Mounjaro or when increasing the dosage. How long Mounjaro side effects last may vary for each person. You can ask your doctor what to expect based on your specific situation.
According to a
The study found the most common side effects are gastrointestinal issues, including:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- constipation
Talk with a doctor if you have any side effects that don’t go away, or if you have any severe or concerning symptoms. You can refer to this article for details about Mounjaro’s side effects.
Mounjaro and alcohol or other medications
Alcohol consumption in combination with drugs that lower blood sugar, such as Mounjaro, increases the risk of low blood sugar as a side effect. Your risk may be even higher if you use certain other diabetes medications.
Due to this risk, it’s best to talk with a doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume during Mounjaro treatment. They can also advise you about how to safely time doses around any drinks.
You need to take Mounjaro on the same day each week, but you can inject it at any time of the day.
The best time of day to inject Mounjaro is when you’re most likely to remember. You can inject your dose with or without food. You don’t need to coordinate your doses with mealtimes.
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before consuming alcohol (if you drink) or taking any other medications or supplements while using Mounjaro. You can also refer to this Mounjaro interactions article for information.