Whether you’ve just been prescribed Mounjaro or you’re looking to get started, you will begin on the lowest dose and gradually increase until you reach the maintenance dose.
But why do you have to increase your Mounjaro dose? And when should you increase it? That’s what we’ll be exploring today. Read on to find out all about Mounjaro dosages.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is an effective weight loss medication, primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes but can be used to help you lose weight too. As a dual receptor agonist, Mounjaro mimics the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, making you feel fuller for longer and helping you to achieve a calorie deficit.
Here's how Mounjaro works:
- It reduces glucose production by the liver
- It slows down gastric emptying (making you feel fuller for longer and reducing your appetite)
- It increases insulin production from the pancreas
- It helps control appetite and cravings and regulates energy balance by acting on GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the brain.
This, in turn, makes it effective in managing type 2 diabetes and losing weight.
Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection - you inject the medication once a week into your upper arm, thigh or abdomen. We recommend trialling each spot to find the most comfortable place to inject Mounjaro. You can learn more about how to use Mounjaro for weight loss here.
Why Do You Have to Increase Your Mounjaro Dose?
There are several reasons why you should gradually increase your dose of Mounjaro. First of all, you should increase gradually to give your body a chance to adjust to the medication. Slowly increasing your dosage can help to reduce side effects such as nausea or gastrointestinal issues.
Increasing your dose gradually over time can also prevent rapid weight loss – losing too much weight at once can be unhealthy and hard to maintain, so increasing your dose from 2.5mg gradually can ensure a steady weight loss over time.
Adjusting your dose can also make the medication more effective. If you were to stay on the 2.5mg dose, you may lose weight – but you may also experience a weight loss plateau. Increasing the dose can help you overcome a plateau and improve your weight loss efforts.
So, although you don’t have to increase your dose, it can help you lose more weight over time. You don’t need to increase to the maximum dose – some people find that lower doses work best for them, whereas others stay at the maximum maintenance dose after a few months.
At Dr Franks Weight Loss Clinic, we will guide you along your journey and advise you on the best time to increase your dose. We understand that one size does not fit all, so we provide a personalised treatment plan based on your circumstances and weight loss goals.
Mounjaro Dosing Instructions
When you first start taking Mounjaro, you’ll begin on the 2.5mg starting dose. You will remain on this for around 4 weeks until you move on to the next dose (and the next, etc) until you reach the maximum dose of 15mg. Here’s an example dosing schedule for Mounjaro (although this can vary from person to person!):
Weeks 0-4 – Start at 2.5mg once a week
Week 4+ – Increase to 5mg once a week
Week 8+ – Increase to 7.5mg once a week
Week 12+ – Increase to 10mg once a week
Week 16+ – Increase to 12.5 mg once a week
Week 20+ – increase to 15mg, the maximum maintenance dose
Signs It’s Time to Increase Your Dose
Here are some signs it’s time to increase your Mounjaro dose:
You're Experiencing a Plateau
If you've been taking Mounjaro every week as instructed and making positive lifestyle changes, you might still hit a plateau. This is relatively common and can be due to many factors such as your metabolism slowing down as you lose weight, changes in hormones, or diet fatigue. If you have hit a plateau, increasing your Mounjaro dose can help you get back on track.
You’re Not Feeling a Difference
If you don’t feel any different after being on Mounjaro for a few weeks, it’s time to up your dose. Or, if you have already increased your dose and your appetite has returned, or you’re experiencing food cravings, it might be time to increase your dose.
You’re Not Losing Weight
Finally, not making any progress on your weight loss journey despite exercising and eating healthily is a prominent sign that it’s time to increase your Mounjaro dose. At Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, we will give you all the support and advice you need to reach your weight loss goals.
Begin Your Mounjaro Journey with Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic
Looking to get started on Mounjaro? You’re in the right place. Start an assessment today at Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic to begin your weight loss journey. We will be here for you throughout the process, giving you advice and support every step of the way.
