From the Guidelines
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, with a recommended starting dose of 2.5 mg once weekly, gradually increasing to a maintenance dose of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg weekly based on glycemic response and tolerability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Key Points
- Mounjaro works by enhancing insulin secretion when blood sugar is high, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite, leading to both improved glycemic control and weight loss.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, which typically improve over time.
- Patients should inject Mounjaro subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating injection sites with each dose.
- The medication should be stored in the refrigerator until use and can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
- Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not use Mounjaro, and it should be used cautiously in those with pancreatitis history.
Considerations
- Mounjaro has been shown to have a high glucose-lowering efficacy and a low risk of hypoglycemia, making it a suitable option for patients with type 2 diabetes who require improved glycemic control and weight loss 1, 2.
- The medication has also been shown to have potential benefits on cardiovascular outcomes, although more research is needed to fully understand its effects on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and heart failure (HF) 4, 5.
- As with any medication, patients should be closely monitored for potential side effects and adverse reactions, and the medication should be used in accordance with the recommended dosing and administration guidelines.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Overview of Mounjaro
- Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a dual incretin agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors 6, 7.
- It is approved for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in several countries, including the USA, EU, and Japan 6.
Efficacy and Safety
- Tirzepatide has been shown to be superior to GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as dulaglutide and semaglutide, in terms of glycaemic control and weight loss in adults with inadequately controlled T2DM 6, 8.
- The drug has a safety profile consistent with that of GLP-1 receptor agonists, with a low risk of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia and no increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events 6.
- Common adverse events associated with tirzepatide include gastrointestinal events, such as nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, and vomiting, which are mostly mild to moderate in severity 6, 8, 9.
Clinical Trials
- The SURPASS clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in adults with T2DM, with significant improvements in glycaemic control and weight loss compared to placebo and other glucose-lowering drugs 10, 9.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven clinical trials found that tirzepatide was associated with a dose-dependent superiority in lowering HbA1c and reducing body weight, with a similar incidence of hypoglycaemia compared to placebo and a lower incidence compared to basal insulin regimens 9.