Mounjaro / tirzepatide

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide. It is a prescription-only medicine licensed in the UK for weight management in adults who meet the relevant clinical criteria.

It is also used in some patients with type 2 diabetes. The reason for prescribing and the suitability criteria must be assessed by a clinician.

Tirzepatide acts on hormone pathways involved in appetite, fullness and blood sugar regulation.

For weight management, it is used alongside diet and physical activity advice. It should not be viewed as a stand-alone or guaranteed treatment.

Mounjaro is supplied as an injection pen and is usually taken once weekly.

Patients should follow the instructions supplied with the medicine and any advice from their prescriber or pharmacist.

It may be considered for adults living with obesity, or overweight with weight-related health problems, where a prescriber decides the benefits and risks are appropriate.

Private prescribing criteria may differ from NHS access criteria, but prescribing still requires an individual clinical assessment.

Mounjaro may not be suitable for some people, including those who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or who have certain medical conditions.

People with a history of serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or related medicines, significant gastrointestinal symptoms, pancreatitis concerns or complex diabetes treatment may need additional review or a different approach.

Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, reduced appetite and indigestion.

Side effects vary between people and should be discussed with a healthcare professional if they are severe, persistent or concerning.

This page is a draft for clinical review and is not a substitute for advice from a prescriber, pharmacist or another healthcare professional.

A clinician will consider your health history, current medicines, pregnancy plans, allergies and any relevant symptoms before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms that may suggest a serious reaction, such as severe abdominal pain, signs of an allergic reaction, severe dehydration or sudden changes in vision.

Tirzepatide should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

People who could become pregnant should discuss contraception and pregnancy plans with their clinician. UK public health advice says tirzepatide should be stopped for a period before trying to conceive.

Tell the prescriber about all medicines, supplements and herbal products you use.

Tirzepatide may affect how some oral medicines are absorbed. Additional contraceptive precautions may be needed after starting or increasing the dose if using an oral contraceptive pill.

People using insulin or other diabetes medicines may need extra review because low blood sugar risk can change.

If treatment is considered, you would complete Keltoi's existing weight management assessment.

A prescriber reviews the information you provide and may ask for more detail before making any prescribing decision.

Treatment is only prescribed where the clinician decides it is clinically appropriate.

For full information about Mounjaro, including how to use it, warnings and precautions, possible side effects and storage information, please read the official Patient Information Leaflet provided by the manufacturer.