How do you inject Mounjaro (tirzepatide)?

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the FDA to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is also prescribed for weight loss. We asked Dr. Felix Gussone, MD about how to inject Mounjaro. 

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the FDA to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Healthcare providers can also prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss, which is an off-label use.

Each dose of Mounjaro comes in a single-dose pen, which contains one dose of the medication. That means a month’s supply of Mounjaro comes in a box with four pens. Your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to give yourself injections of Mounjaro, but here is a general overview of what you can expect. 

Step 1: Choose your injection site 

Mounjaro is given right under the skin (a subcutaneous injection) in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. It’s important to change your injection site each week, rotating through the different areas of the body. If you want to continue injecting in the same area, you can, but don’t inject Mounjaro in the exact same spot. 

Step 2: Pull off the base cap 

Ensuring the pen is locked, pull the gray base cap off the pen and dispose of it. 

Step 3: Position the pen flush with the injection site 

Place the clear base of the pen so it lies flat against the skin of your injection site. Then, unlock the pen by turning the lock ring.

Step 4: Inject Mounjaro 

Press the injection button and hold for 10 seconds. You will hear two clicks. The first click indicates that the injection has started, while the second click indicates that it is complete. 

The best place to inject Mounjaro comes down to your own preference. Some people prefer to inject the medication in a less visible area such as the upper thigh or belly area, while other people may find that the upper arm is a better injection site. The thigh is a popular spot because it’s easier to give yourself a shot there, whereas you might want someone else to give you a shot if you prefer your upper arm.

Whichever site you pick, rotating injection sites each week is an important way to prevent complications like reactions or infections. In general, Mounjaro injections aren’t painful because the injection pen has a tiny needle that goes just below the surface of the skin. 

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Current version

November 16, 2023

Written by

Felix Gussone, MD

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.