Dr. Ahmed How Quickly Does Mounjaro Start Working? People do ask this question if they are prescribed Mounjaro.
The effectiveness of a newer or more expensive medication isn’t akin to a magical solution.
Additionally, weight loss is a gradual journey that spans months to shed a few pounds.
How Quickly Does Mounjaro Start Working for Diabetes?
If we talk about how quickly Mounjaro starts working for diabetes, it should be remembered that Mounjaro is not like insulin or other drugs where you see the results in minutes or hours.
It is a Twincretin that acts on both GLP-1 and GIP and enhances their action. It does not lower blood sugars directly like insulin.
Rather it enhances the release of insulin from your pancreas as well as delays the stomach emptying resulting in the lowering of blood glucose.
Hence, it takes time for full action to lower blood glucose efficiently.
The peak plasma levels are observed after 8 to 72 hours of injecting Mounjaro. Thus, its glucose-lowering effects are rather rapid.
It is advisable to maintain the dosage of Mounjaro for at least four weeks in order to achieve the maximum glucose-lowering effects at a steady state.
It is worth noting that the initial four weeks of treatment with Mounjaro are not expected to have a significant impact on blood glucose levels.
It may take a minimum of 12 weeks for the A1C levels to decrease. The most significant reduction in A1C levels occurs when the maximum dose is reached and maintained for 12 weeks.
However, since the dosage is increased gradually until the maximum dose is reached, which can take up to 12-24 weeks, it may take longer than 12 weeks to see the full effect of the medication.
Since Mounjaro is initiated in a low dose of 2.5 mg for four weeks, then the dose is gradually increased every four weekly by 2.5 mg until the maximum dose of 15 mg is achieved, it may take up to 24 weeks to see the full effects of the drug at the maximum recommended dose [Ref].
Tirzepatide Dose Titration:
| Starting Dose | 2.5 mg s/c weekly for 4 weeks | After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 5 mg | |
| Dose Titration | 5 mg s/c weekly for 4 weeks | Glycemic Targets Achieved | ⇒ Continue 5 mg |
| Glycemic Targets Not Achieved | ⇒ Increase the dose to 7.5 mg | ||
| 7.5 mg s/c weekly for 4 weeks | Glycemic Targets Achieved | ⇒ Continue 7.5 mg | |
| Glycemic Targets Not Achieved | ⇒ Increase the dose to 10 mg | ||
| 10 mg s/c weekly for 4 weeks | Glycemic Targets Achieved | ⇒ Continue 10 mg | |
| Glycemic Targets Not Achieved | ⇒ Increase the dose to 12.5 mg | ||
| 12.5 mg s/c weekly for 4 weeks | Glycemic Targets Achieved | ⇒ Continue 12.5 mg | |
| Glycemic Targets Not Achieved | ⇒ Increase the dose to 15 mg | ||
| Maximum Dose | 15 mg s/c weekly | Continue 15 mg | |
How Quickly Does Mounjaro Start Working for Weight Loss?
Weight loss, by any means, takes time. Unlike its effects on blood glucose which may take days to weeks, the weight loss effects of Mounjaro may take weeks to months.
Some people may lose weight more rapidly than others. But true weight loss, means fat loss, takes real time.
As people start injecting mo, they start losing their appetite within the first 24 hours. However, some people have great tummies, and the low doses may have only minimal effects on their stomachs and food cravings.
Such people may gradually notice a loss of appetite as their Mounjaro doses are increased after four weeks until the maximum dose of 15 mg is achieved.
Weight loss with Mounjaro can be noticed by some people within the first month of injecting Mounjaro.
These people are more enthusiastic and although Mounjaro does help them lose weight within the early days of using it, their weight loss is primarily because of the exercise routine they start following and calorie restriction.
People who start slow sometimes get disappointed but it is important to know that you need to up-titrate the dose after every 4 weeks until you reach the maximum dose or you are no more tolerating Mounjaro or you start losing sufficient weight.
It may take up to 24 weeks to reach the maximum dose. Therefore, the maximum weight loss effects of Mounjaro may take from 24 to 48 weeks for some people.
However, some people have already lost significant weight at this time and then they just need to maintain their weight after 24 to 48 weeks.
How Quickly Does Mounjaro Start Working? Summarized:
The effects of Mounjaro on blood glucose and weight loss are summarized in the table below:
Parameter | The onset of Action of Mounjaro |
| Diabetes |
|
| Appetite | Within 48 to 72 hours (may take up to 4 weeks for full effect) |
| Weight Loss | Minimal weight loss in the first month; noticeable effects after the first month; maximum weight loss may take up to 24 to 48 weeks. |
For diabetes, the onset of action of Mounjaro is typically within 24 hours, although it may range from 8 to 72 hours.
This means that the effects of Tirzepatide treatment will usually start to be noticeable within a day, although it may take up to three days in some cases.
For appetite, the onset of action is a bit slower, typically taking between 48 and 72 hours for the full effect to be felt.
In some cases, it may take up to four weeks for the medication or treatment to reach its maximum effectiveness in reducing appetite.
For weight loss, the onset of action of Mounjaro is more complex. In the first month, weight loss may be minimal, meaning that a person may not see significant changes in their weight.
However, after the first month, the effects of the treatment may become more noticeable, resulting in weight loss.
It’s important to note that the time it takes for a person to experience maximum weight loss may vary widely, with some people taking up to 24 to 48 weeks to reach their target weight.
Mounjaro with other diabetes and weight loss drugs:
People who are obese or have diabetes often take other medications that can impact the effectiveness of Mounjaro.
Here is a table of drug interactions of Mounjaro with other drugs:
| Mounjaro + Other Diabetes Medications | Effect on Glucose Levels | Effect on weight |
| Insulin | Hypoglycemia | Weight gain |
| Metformin | Neutral | Weight loss |
| Sulfonylureas (Glipizide, Glimepiride, Glyburide) | Hypoglycemia | Weight gain |
| SGLT2 Inhibitors (Jardiance, Farxiga, Invokana) | Neutral effects | Weight Loss |
| DPP-IV inhibitors | Not recommended with Mounjaro | |
| Other GLP-1 analogs (Ozempic, Trulicity, Saxenda/ Victoza) | Not recommended with Mounjaro | |
In addition, most antidepressants will blunt the weight loss effects of Mounjaro. Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Bupropion (Wellbutrin) are excellent alternative antidepressants that may enhance the weight loss effects of Mounjaro.
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