Mounjaro: What Is It & How Does It Work?

You’ve been hearing the buzz about tirzepatide, and it piqued your interest. Now, you’re ready to learn more about Mounjaro and its recently approved sister drug, Zepbound. Americans like you across the country are seeking accurate information about tirzepatide, which is why we’ve compiled this complete overview of everything you need to know about the groundbreaking drug and how it works in your body.

None of the information provided on Bisonpharmacy.com constitutes or replaces medical advice. To determine whether or not Mounjaro may be the right drug for your particular needs and circumstances, speak directly with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual-targeted GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist drug manufactured by Eli Lilly.
• It is approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults and is associated with dramatic weight loss in combination with diet and exercise. Its sister drug, Zepbound (also tirzepatide), was recently FDA-approved for weight loss in adults.
• Pros of tirzepatide include its effectiveness and convenience. Cons are its price point and potential side effects.
• Mounjaro may or may not be covered by insurance.

What Is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and newly approved Zepbound medications. It is the first and (currently) the only drug in its class of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists.

Mechanisms Behind GLP-1 and GIP Receptor Agonists

Tirzepatide works by imitating two incretin hormones that are naturally produced in the human gut in response to food being ingested. These hormones, known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are responsible for triggering complex, interconnected responses in several different body systems.

Tirzepatide binds to GLP-1 and GIP receptor sites and activates their pathways throughout the body after a meal is eaten. Though there is still much to learn about how tirzepatide works, it has been confirmed that some of its primary functions include:

• Stimulating insulin secretion in the pancreas lowers blood sugar levels by allowing body cells to metabolize sugar into energy
• Inhibiting the production and release of sugars from the liver, which also supports the lowering of blood sugar levels
• Slowing down stomach emptying and digestion as a whole contributes to weight loss by allowing you to feel full sooner and for longer
• Triggering appetite centers in the brain, which reduces hunger levels and can help control cravings
• Impacting how fat is stored in the body and promoting improved metabolic function and fat-burning

What Is Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a brand-name prescription medication with the active ingredient tirzepatide. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, it is FDA-approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults. Though Mounjaro has not officially been approved as a weight loss drug itself, its sister medication, Zepbound, recently was. Mounjaro and Zepbound have an identical composition but are marketed under different brand names.

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication that is administered under the skin of the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. It must be taken on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food. Mounjaro comes in prefilled injectable pens, and the manufacturer recommends storing them in the refrigerator away from the cooling element, protected from light, and always out of reach of children and pets.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro works by imitating two different incretin hormones produced in the human gut (see above). It effectively lowers blood sugar levels and is associated with dramatic weight loss.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) distinguishes itself from other GLP-1 medications through its dual-targeted mechanism of action. To date, it is one of the most effective blood sugar management and weight loss medications on the market.

Do People Lose Weight on Mounjaro?

Yes. In fact, tirzepatide’s weight loss potential is groundbreaking.

In a monumental clinical trial published in 2022, 50% of obese and overweight adults who received once-weekly tirzepatide injections at the 10 mg or 15 mg doses in combination with diet and exercise lost 20% of their body weight or more over a 72-week period. According to Eli Lilly, approximately 1 in 3 people taking the 15 mg dose of tirzepatide lost over 58 lbs.

These results are unprecedented in the world of weight loss medications, surpassing even those of semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic). The clinical trial mentioned above, as well as other clinical trials, contributed to tirzepatide’s recent FDA approval for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound.

How Much Weight Can People Lose on Mounjaro?

At the higher doses (10 mg or 15 mg), people can lose as much as 20% of their body weight or more while on tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound). That being said, the exact amount of weight you’ll lose if you take the drug is impossible to accurately predict. Every case is unique, and your body’s response to tirzepatide will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• The dose of tirzepatide you’re taking
• Your initial starting weight
• Your diet
• Your physical activity level
• Your body chemistry and overall reaction to the drug
• How long you take tirzepatide for, and how consistently you administer the medication

The vast majority of patients will lose weight while on Mounjaro, but the quantity will vary from patient to patient. Diet and exercise are key components of weight loss on Mounjaro (and in general); therefore, focusing on healthy lifestyle modifications is strongly recommended to maximize the drug’s impact.

If you’re not meeting your weight loss goals on tirzepatide, speak to your doctor to determine why. Your doctor may increase your weekly tirzepatide dose, suggest that you switch medications, or offer guidance on other lifestyle interventions.

Mounjaro Vs. Ozempic and Wegovy

Semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist manufactured by Novo Nordisk) is another popular medication that has received a great deal of media attention for its blood sugar control and weight loss potential. Semaglutide was first approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults under the name Ozempic and later for chronic weight management in adults and teens under the brand name Wegovy.

Until tirzepatide’s arrival, semaglutide boasted some of the most promising clinical trial results of any GLP-1 drug. Currently, semaglutide remains highly effective and in demand but has been slightly surpassed by tirzepatide both in terms of its ability to improve glycemic control and promote weight loss.

To learn more about the similarities and differences between semaglutide and tirzepatide, read our posts on Ozempic Vs. Mounjaro For Weight Loss and Wegovy Vs. Mounjaro.

Is Mounjaro FDA-Approved?

Yes, tirzepatide was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May of 2022 under the brand name Mounjaro. Recently, the FDA also approved tirzepatide under the brand name Zepbound. This means that the FDA considers tirzepatide to be a safe and effective drug for its intended uses and believes that its benefits outweigh any potential risks associated with the drug.

What Is Tirzepatide Approved For?

Under the brand name Mounjaro, tirzepatide is indicated for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults. It reduces blood sugar levels and helps patients maintain overall blood sugar control, most often in combination with other diabetic medications.

Under the brand name Zepbound, tirzepatide is indicated for weight loss and chronic weight management in adult patients who are obese (BMI over 30) or overweight (BMI over 27) with at least one other weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or obstructive sleep apnea.

Tirzepatide is not currently approved for use in children or adolescents and should never be used by patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

What Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Does Mounjaro Treat?

For patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Mounjaro helps treat hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and obesity, a common comorbidity of the disease. According to a 2023 study, tirzepatide is also associated with a reduction in the rate of kidney function loss in people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Tirzepatide’s ability to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 Diabetes as well as established heart disease is currently being researched (other GLP-1 drugs have already been approved for this purpose).

What Are the Benefits of Using Mounjaro and Other GLP-1 Agonists?

The biggest benefits associated with tirzepatide and other GLP-1 agonist drugs are blood sugar control and significant weight loss. Many GLP-1 agonist drugs are also associated with a reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes and kidney function loss in people with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, tirzepatide is associated with decreased systolic blood pressure in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Are There Any Other GLP-1 Agonists That Are FDA-Approved?

Yes, although tirzepatide is currently the only dual-targeted GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist drug on the market, there are a number of different single-action GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs that have been approved by the FDA for a variety of purposes. This class of drugs may also be referred to as glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, GLP-1 agonists, incretin mimetics, or GLP-1 analogs.

We’ve provided a brief overview below:

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
  • Trulicity is a once-weekly injectable medication approved for:
    • The treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults and children over the age of 10
    • The reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with and without established heart disease
• Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
  • Byetta is a daily injectable medication approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
  • Bydureon is a once-weekly injectable medication approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
  • Victoza is a once-daily injectable medication approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults and children over the age of 10 as well as the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with established heart disease.
  • Saxenda is a once-daily injectable medication approved for chronic weight management in obese and overweight adults as well as obese adolescents over the age of 12.
• Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
  • Adlyxin is a once-daily injectable medication approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
  • Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults and the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with established heart disease.
  • Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication approved for chronic weight management in obese and overweight adults as well as obese adolescents over the age of 12.
  • Rybelsus is a once-daily oral tablet approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.

Does Mounjaro Have Any Side Effects?

Yes. Like all prescription medications, Mounjaro and Zepbound come with a list of potential side effects.

The mild side effects listed below are common when starting tirzepatide or increasing your dosage of the drug but often resolve over time as your body adjusts:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Decreased appetite
• Mild injection site reactions

More serious side effects that warrant medical attention include:

• Serious allergic reactions
• Severe hypoglycemia (in combination with other anti-diabetic medications)
• Severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• Vision changes (in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, especially with a history of diabetic retinopathy)
• Acute kidney injury
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• The formation of thyroid tumors

Tirzepatide is contraindicated for some patients. Be sure to disclose all medications you are currently on (including vitamins and natural supplements) to your doctor before starting Mounjaro or Zepbound, and tell your doctor if:

• You have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2)
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
• You have not yet turned 18
• You have a history of severe digestive issues, diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, or kidney or gallbladder problems

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Mounjaro

There are always pros and cons to any medication. Below, we’ve listed some of Mounjaro’s (and, by extension, Zepbound’s):

Pros of Mounjaro

• Effective blood sugar management, in combination with diet and exercise
• Unprecedented weight loss potential, in combination with diet and exercise
• Convenient once-weekly administration

Cons of Mounjaro

• Without insurance, the drug is expensive (upwards of $1,000 per month’s supply)
• Gastrointestinal side effects are common
• Not a good choice for patients who are averse to injections
• Rebound weight gain is likely to occur if you stop taking tirzepatide

Is Mounjaro Covered by Insurance?

The answer to this question is: It depends. Whether or not your insurance will cover a Mounjaro prescription relies on a variety of factors, including the following:

• Whether or not your insurance provider covers tirzepatide drugs at all (Mounjaro is still considered a new medication)
• The details of your specific plan and policy

• The reason your doctor has prescribed Mounjaro for you (insurance companies are less likely to cover drugs that have been prescribed off-label—for a purpose other than their indicated one)

If you need more clarification about your insurance coverage for Mounjaro, contact your insurance provider directly to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Is Mounjaro FDA-Approved for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but tirzepatide was recently approved for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound. Zepbound and Mounjaro are the same medication branded under separate names for different purposes.

Conclusion

To conclude, tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) is a cutting-edge medication that offers the hope of improved health and quality of life to many Americans living with Type 2 Diabetes and/or obesity or overweight. But it comes at a high price, especially for those without insurance coverage.

If you’re interested in receiving a Mounjaro prescription or have recently received one but are overwhelmed by the cost of the drug, consider sourcing it from Canada. At Bisonpharmacy.com, we specialize in shipping high-quality Canadian medications, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, to Americans at a much lower price than they’d pay at their local pharmacy.

Ready to learn more? Contact our dedicated team to order Mounjaro or Ozempic today!