Mounjaro, also known by its generic name tirzepatide, is an effective type 2 diabetes treatment. It targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and promoting significant weight loss.

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If you're starting Mounjaro, it's important to know what a maintenance dose is. 

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When you start taking Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications, you will gradually increase your dose. This is known as titration, and it helps your body adapt and reduce the risk of side effects. Once you've reached an effective and well-tolerated dose, you'll generally stick to the same dose. 

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This is known as the maintenance dose, and it's the ongoing dose you'll take to maintain the benefits of the medication, whether you're managing blood sugar or working towards weight loss. Let's explore this further. 

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Read on to find out what the Mounjaro maintenance dose involves, why it matters, the different dosage options available, and what you can expect during this stage of treatment.

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Key Takeaways 

• Typical Maintenance Dose – Mounjaro is usually taken once a week at a dose between 5 mg and 15 mg.
• Personalised Approach – The right dose varies for each person. It depends on how your body responds, your treatment goals (like managing type 2 diabetes, losing weight, or both), and how well you tolerate the medication.
• Why It Matters – A steady maintenance dose helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and supports ongoing weight loss.

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Mounjaro Dosing Guide 

*This can vary from person to person

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Your Mounjaro journey begins with a titration phase, which gradually increases your dose over time. This helps your body adjust and reduces the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation, and headaches. 

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Mounjaro is a once-weekly medication. Here’s a typical dosing schedule, although this may vary depending on your own experience with Mounjaro:

• Week 1: Start on 2.5mg weekly
• Week 5: Increase to 5mg weekly
• Week 9: Increase to 7.5mg weekly
• Week 13: Increase to 10mg weekly
• Week 17: Increase to 12.5mg weekly
• Week 21: Increase to the maximum 15mg weekly (if tolerated and needed) 

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This schedule is just a general framework – your healthcare provider will create a personalised dosing plan tailored to your health needs and how your body responds to treatment, and tell you when to increase your Mounjaro dose.  Always follow your clinician’s advice when adjusting your dose.

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➤ Find out what happens if you take Mounjaro a day early

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Maintenance Dose for Mounjaro Explained

The maintenance dose is the ongoing weekly dose you take after the initial titration phase. You will take a maintenance dose whether you're taking Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes management, you're taking it for weight loss purposes, or both.  It’s intended to provide lasting benefits such as improved blood sugar control and weight loss, while minimising side effects.

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Unlike the starting dose of 2.5mg (used only to help your body adjust), the maintenance dose is designed for long-term use. 

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This typically falls within the higher dose range: 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg once weekly.

In some cases, other doses such as 7.5mg or 12.5mg may also be used as effective maintenance doses, depending on how your body responds and what you tolerate well. 

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Once you reach the dose that works best for you, the aim is to stay on it consistently, as long as it continues to be effective and manageable. 

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Your healthcare provider will help to determine the right maintenance dose for you based on your health goals, response to treatment, and any side effects.

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Maintenance Dose for Diabetes vs Weight Loss

The maintenance dose of Mounjaro can be the same or different depending on whether it’s being used for type 2 diabetes or weight management, because the goals and response thresholds differ slightly between the two.

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While the available maintenance doses are the same (ranging from 5mg to 15mg), the optimal maintenance dose may differ depending on your health goals, body response, and side effect tolerance.  

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Here’s the recommended maintenance dose for diabetes vs weight management: 

• Type 2 Diabetes – The recommended maintenance dose is usually 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg once weekly‍
• Weight Management (without diabetes) – People using Mounjaro for weight loss often work up to higher maintenance doses like 10mg, 12.5mg, or 15mg (depending on tolerability)

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Why is There a Maintenance Dose?

The maintenance dose helps to keep Mounjaro effective in the long run. It ensures you get the right amount of medication to maintain blood sugar control and support ongoing weight loss without overloading your system.

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1 - Maintains Results

After the titration phase, the maintenance dose helps to keep the benefits going. Without it, you might not notice as much progress, or your withdrawal symptoms may return.

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2 - Improves Tolerance

As your body adjusts during the early stages, side effects like nausea often ease. The maintenance dose reflects the point where the medication is both effective and better tolerated.

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3 - Supports Long-term Use

Mounjaro is meant for ongoing management of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. A steady maintenance dose helps you stay on track without frequent changes.

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4 - Balances Effectiveness and Side Effects

The goal is to find the lowest dose that still works well. Higher doses can offer more results, but also more side effects. The right maintenance dose strikes that balance and is tailored to your individual needs.

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What to Expect on Maintenance Dose

Once your maintenance dose is set, your Mounjaro treatment becomes more routine. You can expect ongoing benefits like improved blood sugar control (if treating type 2 diabetes) or continued weight stability or gradual loss (if using it for weight management). You should still experience a decreased appetite and feelings of fullness. 

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While most side effects ease after the titration phase, some mild symptoms like nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, or stomach discomfort may continue. These are usually manageable, but speak to your healthcare provider if they continue.

To keep Mounjaro effective, consistency matters – so be sure to stick to your once-weekly injection schedule. 

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What Happens if I Exceed the Maintenance Dose?

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The 15mg dose is the highest approved and tested amount of Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Exceeding this:

• Won’t improve results: There are no publicly available clinical trials or studies evaluating tirzepatide (Mounjaro) at doses above 15 mg once weekly — that dose is currently the maximum that has been studied and approved. Once your receptors are saturated, more medication may have no added effect.
• Increases side effect risks: Exceeding 15mg may cause more severe side effects, especially nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. 

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Always follow your prescribed dose. If you’re not seeing the results you expect, speak to your healthcare provider such as ourselves here at Dr Frank’s.  We can help adjust your dose or explore other options. Never try to increase your dose on your own. 

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What Happens If I Stop Taking Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is designed for long-term use. Stopping it without medical advice can reverse the progress you have made. Here’s what may happen:

1. Your blood sugar may rise – If you have type 2 diabetes, stopping Mounjaro may lead to higher blood sugar levels and HbA1c
2. You may gain weight – Many people regain weight after stopping, as appetite and satiety signals return to normal

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Never stop Mounjaro without speaking to your healthcare provider first – they can help you make a safe and informed decision.

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Begin Your Mounjaro Journey Today

Ready to find your ideal Mounjaro maintenance dose and take control of your health? At Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, our expert clinical team is here to guide you through safe, personalised treatment, whether your goal is blood sugar management, weight loss, or both.

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Explore Mounjaro treatment options today.