What is Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)?
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, which is a medication, i.e., dual agonist of two hormones called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). So, these hormones help you regulate blood sugar, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite as well.
It was initially approved for the management of type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise. Also, clinical trials displayed considerable effects on weight management, which gained interest for its utilization in obesity or weight management.
FDA & Regulatory Status: India and Globally
❖ In the US, Mounjaro is accepted by the U.S. FDA for type 2 diabetes. It is not officially FDA-approved for weight loss under the name “Mounjaro.” A separate brand, Zepbound, contains the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) and is approved in the US specifically for chronic weight management.
❖ In Europe, EMA documents state that Mounjaro may be used together with diet/exercise for weight loss in adults who are obese (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) and have weight-related health issues.
❖ In India, the drug regulator has approved Mounjaro. Initially, it was launched in vial form (2.5 mg and 5 mg doses), and more recently, a pen format (the “KwikPen”) has been approved. Both formulations are for use in diabetes, and obesity (weight management) is among the intended applications.
Also of note: The WHO (World Health Organization) recently added weight-loss medications, including tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro), to its Essential Medicines List (EML). This signals recognition of its importance in obesity/weight-related health globally.
Dosage Guidelines
Here’s how the dosage schedule generally works based on clinical trials, FDA label, and expert summaries:
Stage |
Dose |
When to Increase / Maximum |
|
Initiation |
2.5 mg once weekly, subcutaneous (under the skin) |
Maintain this for 4 weeks |
|
After 4 weeks |
Increase to 5.0 mg once weekly |
If more glycemic control (or further effect) is needed, the dose may be increased in increments of 2.5 mg every 4 weeks |
|
Maintenance / Adjustment |
5 mg → 7.5 mg → 10 mg → 12.5 mg → up to 15 mg once weekly |
The maximum approved dose is 15 mg weekly |
The 5 mg Dose: What It Means
❖ The 5 mg once weekly dose is a “maintenance” or early effective dose.
❖ After four weeks on 2.5 mg (initiation dose), if tolerated and if a greater effect is needed (on blood sugar or weight), doctors typically increase to 5 mg.
❖ Many patients see improvements in glycemic control and weight at the 5 mg dose, though higher doses (7.5-15 mg) may yield a greater effect, balanced against side effects.
Price of Mounjaro in India (Latest as of Mid-2025)
Here’s a summary of the Indian pricing landscape for Mounjaro:
The Bottom Line:
Mounjaro is one of the most significant advancements in the healthcare sector, which is aiding consumers in multiple ways. Since the drug is available both in vial and prefilled pen formats, there exist some pricing variations. Besides the benefits of Mounjaro are evidently visible, the caution is that it must be administered under the guidelines of a healthcare professional.