Should you stretch out your Mounjaro (tirzepatide) doses? It’s not recommended. 

GLP-1 treatments, including Mounjaro, are widely used for the treatment of obesity, weight management and weight loss. These treatments can be very effective when used alongside healthy lifestyle changes. But, they can also be costly. Recent price increases from Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, have left many wondering how to get the most from their medication, including considering options such as leaving more time between treatments.

Let’s explore why this could be dangerous, and how to find a safer, doctor-recommended solution.

How does Mounjaro work for weight loss?

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection which helps you feel fuller for longer, controls your blood sugar and reduces cravings. It’s recommended that you gradually increase your dosage every 4 weeks to help your body adjust and reduce the risk of side effects. Once you have reached your weight loss goal, you can continue on a maintenance dose to sustain your weight loss long term. With MedExpress, you can remain on a weight loss maintenance treatment as long as your BMI remains above 21.

Because Mounjaro is a dual-action treatment (it mimics two different weight-related hormones, GLP-1 and GIP), it’s particularly effective in comparison to other weight loss options, with trial participants seeing average results of 20.9% weight loss in 72 weeks [1], compared to 15% in a similar timeframe [2] with treatments like Wegovy. For that reason, many people are looking for ways to stick with Mounjaro.

Can I take Mounjaro every other week?

Taking medication differently from its licensed instructions is called “off-label use.” Off-label use means it hasn’t been formally tested or approved, so the risks and benefits are not well understood.

The official Mounjaro prescribing information from the NHS, NICE and Eli Lilly recommends a once-weekly injection, taken on the same day each week. This guidance is based on rigorous clinical studies [1] and reviewed by regulators — the weekly schedule is the only one supported by safety and effectiveness data.

These guidelines also specifically state that missed doses should be taken within 4 days. 

What are the risks of skipping Mounjaro doses?

Fortnightly Mounjaro doses haven’t been studied in peer-reviewed clinical trials, so we don’t fully know the impact on weight loss. Here’s what we do know.

Mounjaro has a half-life of around 5 days, meaning that by day 5, only approximately half of the medication is still in your system. By the following week, drug levels in your body fall to approximately 25% and food noise is likely to return. This may cause fluctuations in your weight loss.

In addition to this, after first use, the Mounjaro pens have an expiry period of 30 days. This means that after 30 days, the active ingredients in the pen start to degrade, particularly if the pen is stored at room temperature. 

What are the alternatives to skipping Mounjaro doses?

Again, it’s important to stress that you should not skip or ‘stretch’ your Mounjaro doses unless advised otherwise by a medical professional. Instead of adjusting your dosing schedule on your own, there are other approaches you may want to explore.

Reduce the strength of your Mounjaro dose

The cost of your Mounjaro treatment is dependent on the dose strength you are using each week. The typical dosing schedule for Mounjaro is as follows.

• First 4 weeks: 2.5 mg once per week — the lowest price dose
• Following weeks: 5 mg once per week — price slightly increases
• Based on your progress: Remain on 5 mg, or increase your weekly dosage – potential higher prices

This will depend on the individual and factors such as diet and exercise. For guidance on the right dose for you, always speak to your healthcare provider.

Switch to an alternative weight loss treatment

If you’re looking for a lower cost alternative for weight loss, a safer solution is to switch to another treatment and stick to the dosing guidance given by your healthcare provider. Here’s how a few of the alternatives stack up against Mounjaro.

Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a cost-effective alternative to Mounjaro that could help you lose an average of 15% of your weight in just over a year. Although studies show that Mounjaro can provide more weight loss and better blood sugar control, many people see similar results with Wegovy by month 6. Our MedExpress data suggests that there’s a difference in weight loss of around 3% between the two treatments.

If you’re already taking Mounjaro and are considering making the switch, our experts could help you start Wegovy just 7 days after your last Mounjaro dose. You can learn more about switching to Wegovy here.

Rybelsus

Rybelsus is an oral form of semaglutide specifically licensed to treat type 2 diabetes, but it can also be prescribed off-label for weight loss, when used under medical supervision. 

It’s a suitable alternative for those who would prefer not to use injectables, and it may be less likely to cause side effects than Wegovy.

Nevolat

Nevolat is an injectable GLP-1 medication that includes the active ingredient liraglutide, which has been shown to provide weight loss results of 8% on average in 52 weeks [3]. Pens are typically available at a lower cost than Mounjaro, but they are used more frequently, as Nevolat requires daily injections.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medication or treatment plan. MedExpress cannot recommend off-label use of medicines.

Looking for guidance on weight loss treatments, or finding alternatives to Mounjaro?

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on MedExpress.

References

1. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2022 Jun 4;387(3). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2015 Jul 2;373(1):11–22. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892

Next review date: October 2028