Ozempic is a GLP-1 medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of diabetes in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 27, with comorbidities such as hypertension or dyslipidemia, or individuals who have obesity (BMI of over 30). It is a potent selective GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels as well as the feeling of hunger and increase the feeling of fullness in subjects with high BMI. Ozempic is one of the weight loss medications that may be prescribed by a psychiatric healthcare provider for weight loss or a weight-related medical condition. It is produced by Novo Nordisk.

Ozempic should NOT be taken by individuals with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), in patients with a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or to any of the ingredients in Ozempic, or in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Generic Name and Class

Tirzepatide is a drug that can help you lose weight and manage your blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or excessive body fat. The chemical’s official category is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

How it works

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a combination of GLP-1 and GIP.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs work in a similar way to natural incretin hormones. Namely, GLP-1s slow down the rate at which food passes through the digestive system, causing a sensation of fullness after eating a meal. GLP-1s are a type of hormone that has been shown to increase feelings of fullness, curb the desire for more food and decrease hunger. They also work on the brain’s satiety centers and counteract the impact of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. They are also used to improve blood sugar levels and control glucose management in people with

GIP receptors are protein molecules that respond to GIP hormones—incretin hormones with a number of physiological functions that are, in many ways, similar to GLP-1 hormones. Both are intestinal hormones with a wide range of physiological effects. Insulin secretion is stimulated by GIP hormone ingestion after food intake; they also stimulate glucagon release

By acting like GLP-1 and GIP, Mounjaro (tirzepatide)  lowers your appetite and how much food you eat to help you lose weight.

Is this prescription effective for weight loss? 

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is one of the fastest, most reliable methods to help you lose weight quickly and safely, and has been shown in clinical trials to help individuals lose an average of up to 21% of their initial body weight, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, compared to participants who took a placebo.

What Are the Benefits of Mounjaro (tirzepatide)?

There are many benefits of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) including weight loss and improved control of diabetes symptoms. In clinical trials, weight loss has been shown to be around 20% or more after a year of treatment with Mounjaro (tirzepatide), while diabetes symptoms can also be effectively controlled (see the findings of the SURPASS trial here).

Increased Glycemic Control for Adults

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In clinical studies, once-weekly Ozempic helped people achieve HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control) reductions from baseline of up to 2.3%.

Medical Weight Loss

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been shown to be an effective weight loss medication, with patients typically losing 20% or more of their body weight after one year of treatment. This new medication is expected to be even more effective than GLP-1 alone, making it a promising option for those looking for safe and effective weight management solutions.

How do injection pens work?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is injected under the skin via a simple pen injector syringe. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be injected from the comfort of your own home without a healthcare provider or clinician present, and are simple to use. Shots of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are injected into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin’s surface and should be injected once weekly at the same time of day. You should store Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in a refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F.

If your medical provider prescribes Mounjaro (tirzepatide), he or she will walk you through the process of injecting it into your belly or upper thigh. Someone else can inject the medicine into your upper arm if you are unable to do it yourself.

If you are prescribed Mounjaro (tirzepatide), you can visit their webpage here for instructions on how to administer the medication, or visit the quick start guide here.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should be injected per the instructions given by your provider in one of the locations shown below.

Understanding your dosage

GLP-1/GIP injectable medications are offered via a step-up approach, meaning your Nurse Practitioner will prescribe a higher dose as your progress through the program until you are at the full dose. This helps minimize the risk of any side effects of taking the medication.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) comes in 6 different dose strengths. You start Mounjaro (tirzepatide) at a dose of 2.5 mg once a week and your provider can increase the dose every 4 weeks until you reach the full dose of 15 mg. It’ s important to follow the dosing schedule as recommended by your health care provider.

Potential Side Effects

Side effects of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are rare and nausea or indigestion is often the most common and typically resolves within the first month of being on the medication.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, upper abdominal discomfort and abdominal pain. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. It is unknown whether Mounjaro causes such tumors, including medullary thyroid cancer, in humans. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Mounjaro has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis), and it is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Alternative Medications

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is one of the multiple weight-loss drugs which fit into the GLP-1 category. Other GLP-1 medications include:

• Wegovy,
• Saxenda,
• Ozempic,
• Trulicity,
• Victoza, and
• Rybelsus