November 2, 2022
What's so great about Mounjaro?
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (mown- JAHR-OH) is the latest in a group of new drugs called GLP-1 mimickers (like Ozempic and Wegovy) that is prescribed off-label for weight loss.
It is an injection you give yourself with an auto-injector once a week.
What's so great about Mounjaro?
GLP-1 drugs (Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy) are a group of new drugs that mimic GLP-1, a hormone the body releases after a meal, signaling you are full and lowering appetite naturally. This year, a New England Journal of Medicine article described a study that showed up to 25 lbs of weight loss over 40 weeks!
The first of this group of drugs was liraglutide (Saxenda and Victoza). The next GLP-1 drug that came out was semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). However, Semaglutide caused more significant weight loss than liraglutide. And now Mounjaro (tirzepatide) causes even greater weight loss than the first two drugs!
Mounjaro has only been FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, but studies are ongoing to get it approved for weight loss, and it is expected to be approved sometime in 2023. However, many doctors are now using Mounjaro in what is called off-label use for weight loss, regardless of whether the patient has diabetes. We are also prescribing Mounjaro off-label at Cordova Weight Loss Clinic.
How is it taken?
Mounjaro is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that you give yourself with an auto-injector preloaded with the medication. You give it in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Click here to see how to use the Mounjaro pen.
How is it prescribed?
Come to Cordova Weight Loss for an office visit ($50) to be evaluated by a Nurse Practitioner. If you qualify for Mounjaro the Nurse Practitioner will go over the medication with you in detail, and write you a prescription for 2.5 mg/weekly for 4 doses (a one month supply). After one month, you return for a follow-up visit (also $50) and if needed, we can increase the dose. The dose can be increased every 4 weeks to 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, or 15mg.
So what's the catch?
The biggest catch is the price. The price is WAY up there, just like the other GLP-1 mimickers on the market. If your insurance won't cover it, it costs approximately $1,000 every four weeks. If your insurance covers it, you’re in luck. But if not, the makers of Mounjaro want to help you try it anyway. You can access their coupon on the Mounjaro website under "Savings & Resources" which can reduce your cost for a 4-week prescription down to $25 if you qualify. Check the terms and conditions for the savings card on the Mounjaro website to see if you qualify. Unfortunately, now Medicare and Medicaid patients don’t have any assistance offered.
Click here to get the savings card on the Mounjaro website.
If you’d like to try Mounjaro, read the medication guide on the Mounjaro website and come and see us. We’ll be happy to help!
Resources
Mounjaro Medication Guide (please read before being prescribed Mounjaro)
Injector Pen Instructions for use (full instructions to read before using Mounjaro pen)
Mounjaro Savings Card (link to Mounjaro website to download savings card)
How to use Mounjaro (video)
Written by: John Bills Jr., M.D. and JoAnna Lagownik