Mounjaro comes in injector pens for weekly patients’ self-injections at home. While using a Mounjaro pen is fairly simple, subcutaneous injections can be daunting for some. So, here’s a step-by-step guide on injecting Mounjaro the right way, efficiently, stress-free, and painlessly!
Related article: Does Mounjaro Need to be Refrigerated?
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a newly Health Canada-approved injectable prescription medicine used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, Tirzepatide, belongs to the GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class.
Mounjaro is not insulin and does not work for people with type 1 diabetes whose pancreas can’t produce insulin at all. Instead, it lowers blood sugar levels by simultaneously increasing the body's natural insulin secretion and reducing glucagon release.
It also differs from other type 2 diabetes injections like Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, and Byetta.
Mounjaro injections, along with diet and physical exercise, significantly help decrease the risks of serious diabetes-related complications like heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and peripheral neuropathy.
Currently, the only Health Canada-approved use of Mounjaro is for type 2 diabetes. However, the new medicine is currently under clinical trials for approval for weight loss purposes. Meanwhile, many Canadian doctors prescribe Mounjaro off-label to help their patients lose weight.
How is Mounjaro Administered?
Mounjaro is taken once weekly through subcutaneous injection (under the skin) with an easy-to-use single-dose injection device called an injector pen.Patients are responsible for self-injecting the medicine at home. Doctors and nurses should review the injection instructions with the patients before sending them home with their prescriptions.
Mounjaro injection pen
In Canada, Mounjaro comes in single-dose autoinjector pens with 6 different strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg). Only your doctor can decide what dose you need. Pens are delivered in boxes of 4 units, providing treatment for 4 weeks (one month).
The Mounjaro injection pen is designed for convenience. It’s ready to use, requires no mixing, and you never need to manipulate or even see the needle.
Photo Credit: @Eli Lilly & Company
Related article: Safety Tips for Traveling With Mounjaro Pen!
How to Use the Mounjaro Pen for Injection?
You can inject Mounjaro yourself or ask someone to do it for you. Here’s how to inject Mounjaro the right way:
Related article: How to Use an Ozempic Pen?
Step 1. Prepare and check the pen
Mounjaro is a temperature-sensitive medicine that must be kept refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C.
Before injecting Mounjaro, remove a new pen from the refrigerator and make sure it's not damaged and is suitable for use.
Check the expiration date labeled on the pen and ensure it’s the same dose as your doctor prescribed.
Visually inspect the medicine inside. It must look colorless to slightly yellow and have no particles. Do not use the pen if it looks cloudy, frozen, or has particles. These signs may indicate the medicine has gone bad.
Step 2. Wash your hands and choose your injection site
Once you’ve ensured your pen is safe for use, put it on a clean surface and wash your hands.
Then, choose the injection site where you want to inject your medicine. Mounjaro is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) and can be injected into your stomach (abdomen), thighs, or upper arms.
Remember to rotate injection sites and use a different spot each week to prevent skin complications.
Step 3. Remove the pen cap
Check that your Mounjaro pen is locked with the green lock indicator sign. Then, pull off the grey base cap and throw it in the household trash.
Note that once you’ve removed the pen cap, you cannot place it back as it could damage the needle.
Step 4. Place the pen, unlock it, and inject
You can now place the clear base of the Mounjaro pen on your skin at the chosen injection site. It must be flat against the skin. Once it’s well positioned, unlock the pen by turning the lock ring.
Then, press and hold the injection button for 10 seconds. You must hear two clicks. The first click indicates that the injection has begun. The second one indicates it’s completed. Done!
Related article: The Best Diabetic Snacks On-the-go for Travels & Road Trips!
Where to give Mounjaro Injections?
Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously only (under the sin). The most recommended injection sites for Mounjaro are the abdomen, the thighs, and the back of the upper arms.
You can inject alone in the abdomen or the thigh, but you’ll probably need someone's help to make a shot in the upper arms.
Subcutaneous injections may cause slight pain or discomfort. Try different injecting spots and find out which is best for you. But remember to rotate the injection sites each week to prevent skin complications.
Related article: 10 Tips that Work to Inject Insulin Without Pain!
What’s the Best Time to Inject Mounjaro?
The best time of the day to take Mounjaro is the time that works best for you. For example, some prefer injecting Mounjaro first thing in the morning, while others are more comfortable with evening injections.
You can inject Mounjaro at any time, but it must be on the same day each week. You do not have to eat before or after taking Mounjaro.
What if you miss an injection?
If you forgot to take your Mounjaro injection, don’t panic! According to Eli Lilly and Company, Mounjaro’s manufacturer, here’s what you should do in case you miss one of your weekly injections:
- If less than 4 days have passed since your missed dose, take the dose now and continue with your schedule without changing the next injection date.
- If more than 4 days have passed, skip this one and take your next weekly dose as scheduled.
Always make sure to wait at least 3 days between two Mounjaro injections. When in doubt, if you aren’t sure whether you’ve forgotten your injection, do not take a second dose of Mounjaro. Instead, call your doctor and ask for advice.
Set a weekly reminder on your phone or download a reminder app to prevent missed injections!
Related article: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro, Understanding the Differences in Diabetes and Obesity Treatments.
Mounjaro Injection Instructions: FAQs
How to store your Mounjaro pens?
Tirzepatide, the active drug in Mounjaro, is a biologic that can quickly degrade if not refrigerated. Therefore, Mounjaro requires specific storage instructions.
Your pens must be kept refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C and can only be left at room temperature (30°C) for a maximum of 21 days.
To learn more about how to store your Mounjaro pens correctly, read our complete guide about storing Mounjaro at home and while traveling.
Can you inject Mounjaro cold?
You can inject cold Mounjaro straight from the refrigerator. However, cold medicine may cause more pain during the injection.
Therefore, while it is not necessary, you can let the pen sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before injection Mounjaro.
In any case, do not warm the pen. High temperatures could destroy the medicine inside.
How to know if you injected correctly?
During the injection, the Mounjaro pen makes two “clicks”: one to indicate that the injection has started and one when it’s completed. Ensure you hear these 2 clicks and wait for at least 10 seconds while pressing the injection button.
Another sign that you've injected Mounjaro correctly is when you see the grey plunger inside the pen. It's not visible before the injection, but only once the
medicine has been administered.
How to dispose of used Mounjaro pens?
Mounjaro pens are injection devices containing a needle. They are sharp objects that must be disposed of safely to avoid putting anyone at risk, especially children and garbage collection workers.
Do not throw your pens in the household trash. Instead, please put them in an CSA-cleared sharps disposal container. If you don't have a sharps container, you can use a laundry detergent heavy-duty plastic bottle with a tight and secure lid, for example.
Have you recently been prescribed Mounjaro? What do you think about this newly Health Canada-approved diabetes treatment?
