Tirzepatide 5mg is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection and may be given at any consistent time of day, regardless of meals. Clinicians and caregivers may choose from three injection sites — the abdomen, thigh, or back of the upper arm — rotating the site at each weekly administration to reduce the likelihood of local skin reactions.

The prescribing schedule opens at 2.5mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, after which the dose advances to 5mg. At this maintenance level, treatment may continue as long as response and tolerability remain appropriate. Should further dose escalation be warranted, increases proceed in 2.5mg steps at minimum 4-week intervals, with a ceiling of 15mg once weekly.

A missed dose may be administered up to 4 days (96 hours) after the scheduled day. Beyond that window, the missed dose should be skipped entirely, and the usual weekly schedule resumed. If insulin is being used concurrently, administer at a different injection site and keep the two products separate. Healthcare professionals seeking information on other MOUNJARO® KwikPen® doses are encouraged to contact the Med Supply Solutions team.

MOUNJARO® (tirzepatide) has FDA approval as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Professionals procuring within the Weight Loss & Metabolic category should note that tirzepatide’s dual-receptor profile broadly positions it within metabolic care, while the MOUNJARO® brand indication specifically reflects its approved type 2 diabetes label.

Tirzepatide is the shared active ingredient across two distinct branded products: MOUNJARO® for glycemic management in type 2 diabetes and Zepbound® for chronic weight management. Licensed professionals should consult current local labeling when determining the appropriate brand for their procurement and clinical context.

Prescribers should be aware that MOUNJARO® is contraindicated where a patient carries a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or has a documented serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any formulation excipient. Pediatric use has not been established for patients under 10 years of age in the type 2 diabetes indication or under 18 years of age in the weight management context.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient in each dose is tirzepatide 5mg, delivered in a 0.6 mL subcutaneous injection. As a dual agonist at both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, tirzepatide engages pathways that GLP-1-only therapies do not, which accounts for its distinct pharmacological profile in metabolic treatment.

At the receptor level, tirzepatide stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, reduces glucagon output, delays gastric emptying, and lowers appetite and overall energy intake. The formulation is a sterile, clear solution ranging from colorless to slightly yellow, housed in a single-patient-use KwikPen® multi-dose pen with a 2.4 mL total fill volume yielding four 0.6 mL doses.

The excipient list includes benzyl alcohol, glycerin, and phenol, among other components detailed in the full prescribing information; benzyl alcohol is a relevant consideration for the multi-dose pen format. Refrigerate at 2–8°C (36–46°F) and protect from light. The pen may be used after removal from the refrigerator, provided the room temperature does not exceed 30°C (86°F) and the total time outside refrigeration does not exceed 21 days. Do not freeze.

In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, participants receiving the 15mg tirzepatide maintenance dose achieved an average body weight reduction of approximately 21% over 72 weeks. This finding relates exclusively to the 15mg dose and cannot be generalized to the 5mg maintenance dose.

Each MOUNJARO® KwikPen® is factory pre-filled and set to a fixed dose, with no dialing required — the pen is designed to deliver exactly four once-weekly 0.6 mL subcutaneous injections. A fresh needle must be attached immediately before each use; needles should never be reused or shared. Prior to injection, hold the pen up and examine the solution through the viewing window:

• The liquid should be clear, ranging from colorless to slightly yellow.
• Any cloudiness, visible particulates, or unusual discoloration is a reason to withhold the dose and consult the prescribing information.

Select and prepare an appropriate subcutaneous site and rotate to a different location each week:

• Abdomen
• Thigh
• Back of the upper arm

Following each injection, detach the needle and place it in a puncture-resistant sharps disposal container. Both prescribers and patients should review the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use alongside the package leaflet before the first injection is given.

Refrigerate the pen at 2–8°C between uses. If removed from refrigeration, it may be kept at ambient temperatures of up to 30°C for no more than 21 days. Keep the pen away from direct light and never allow it to freeze.