From the Research
After a 3-week break from Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 2.5mg due to surgery, it's generally recommended to restart at the 2.5mg dose rather than increasing to 5mg. This approach allows your body to readjust to the medication and minimizes the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that can occur when restarting at a higher dose. The 2.5mg dose is considered the initial titration dose specifically designed to help patients build tolerance to the medication, as seen in the study by 1. After restarting at 2.5mg for at least 4 weeks with good tolerance, you can then consider increasing to the 5mg dose as originally planned in the treatment progression. This cautious approach is particularly important after surgery when your body is still recovering and may be more sensitive to medication effects, as noted in the study by 2. Always consult with your healthcare provider before restarting any medication after surgery, as they may have specific recommendations based on your individual health situation, surgical recovery, and treatment goals. Some studies, such as 3 and 4, provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide, but the key consideration in this scenario is the safe restart of the medication after a break, which is best achieved by starting at the lower dose and gradually increasing as needed and tolerated. Additionally, a review of tirzepatide's effectiveness and safety by 5 highlights its benefits in glycemic control and weight reduction, but also emphasizes the importance of careful dose management to minimize adverse effects. Therefore, prioritizing the patient's safety and tolerance to the medication is crucial when deciding on the restart dose after an interruption due to surgery.