Should You Inject Mounjaro With Food? (Plus, 5 More Pharmacist-Backed Mounjaro Tips)

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable medication for adults living with Type 2 diabetes. It was the first FDA-approved treatment in a new class of medications called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. And it’s only injected once a week, making it a potentially convenient treatment option for many people.

When used alongside a diabetes-friendly diet and regular exercise, Mounjaro can help balance blood sugar (glucose) and promote weight loss. If you’re starting treatment with this medication, it’s normal to want to find out more about it and the best way to take it. Below, you’ll find six pharmacist-backed Mounjaro tips and tricks.

1. You can inject Mounjaro with or without food

You don’t need to inject Mounjaro with food. Food doesn’t affect how the medication is absorbed or how it works in the body. So you don’t have to worry about injecting Mounjaro around mealtime. But for many people, taking medication with a meal is a good way to remember doses.

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2. The best time to take Mounjaro is when you’re most likely to remember it

While Mounjaro is a once-a-week injection, people often wonder if there’s a best time of day to take it. The good news is that you can inject it any time of day. But it’s important to inject it on the same day each week.

If you’re having trouble remembering which day is your injection day, try marking it on a calendar. As mentioned above, injecting Mounjaro with the same meal can also help keep you on schedule. You can also try setting reminder alarms on your phone or downloading a free medication reminder app.

3. You can switch the day you inject Mounjaro if needed

You can switch the day you inject Mounjaro if you need to. But there are certain instructions you should follow to do so safely.

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It’s safe to switch your injection day if it’s been at least 3 days (72 hours) since your last injection. For example, if your current injection day is Monday, you can switch it to Thursday or another day later in the week.

If you’re unsure about how to change your injection day, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They can walk you through how to do it safely.

4. There are things you can do to help ease nausea, diarrhea, or upset stomach caused by Mounjaro

Nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach are a few of the most common side effects of Mounjaro. You’re more likely to experience these side effects when you’re first starting Mounjaro or shortly after raising your dose. These side effects are also more common with higher doses (10 mg or higher).

While potentially unpleasant, digestive-related side effects usually go away as your body adjusts to Mounjaro. Your prescriber should start you with the lowest dose (2.5 mg), which is then raised slowly over a period of several weeks. This allows your body to gradually adjust to the medication. You can also try avoiding fried or spicy foods and eating smaller meals to limit nausea and vomiting.

Some people, however, experience digestive-related side effects despite these measures. In this case, it’s a good idea to speak with your prescriber. They may suggest slowing down your initial dosage schedule to give your body more time to adjust. They can also provide more recommendations to help manage these side effects.

If you experience severe nausea and vomiting or stomach pain at any point, seek medical help right away. These can be symptoms of a more serious Mounjaro side effect, like pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) or gallbladder problems. These complications require treatment in a hospital.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Tips for successful injections: It can be tricky to use injectable medications when you first get started. Read here for a step-by-step guide on how to inject Mounjaro (tirzepatide), plus tips for a successful injection.

• What it feels like: Three people share their experiences with Mounjaro, which can be beneficial for many people living with Type 2 diabetes.

• Possible side effects: Learn about Mounjaro side effects — from diarrhea to hair loss — and how to manage them.

5. It’s ideal to store Mounjaro in the fridge

Mounjaro comes as single-dose vials or a pack of four single-use pens. Store unopened pens and vials in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F) until you’re ready to use them. When stored in the fridge, Mounjaro is good until the expiration date listed on the vials and pens. You may also keep Mounjaro at room temperature (up to 86°F), if needed, for up to 21 days (3 weeks).

Don’t freeze Mounjaro. If the medication has frozen, throw away the vial or pen and use a new one. Be sure to store the medication in its original packaging. The box helps protect the vials and pens from light, which can damage the medication over time.

6. There are 3 areas where you can inject Mounjaro

You can inject Mounjaro under the skin of one of three areas of your body:

• Stomach: Inject at least 2 inches away from the belly button. Avoid injecting the medication around your waistline or near the hip bones.

• Thigh: Aim for your outer thigh. Don’t inject Mounjaro in or around the inner thigh area.

• Back of the upper arm: Inject at least 3 inches above your elbow and below your shoulder. Most people have a tricky time injecting Mounjaro in this area on their own. If you want to inject here, it can help to have someone administer it for you.

Make sure you rotate your injection site with each Mounjaro dose. For instance, if you inject in the right thigh for one dose, switch to the left thigh for the next one. And if you’re using the stomach area as an injection site, use different locations with each dose.

Changing locations from dose to dose helps lower the risk of injection site reactions. It also raises the likelihood of you receiving the full dose of Mounjaro.

How to save on Mounjaro

There are ways to save on Mounjaro, which is only available as a brand-name medication. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 per prescription through the manufacturer’s copay savings program.

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Written by:

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, MBA, MHA

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, MBA, MHA, has over 25 years of experience working in healthcare. She is registered as a licensed pharmacist in Georgia, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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