Mounjaro and weight loss: how it works

Sarah

Licensed doctor at Recetas Medicas

Losing weight can be a challenge, especially on your own. For some, prescription drugs like Mounjaro can be an effective support, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. Mounjaro works via GLP-1 and GIP, two hormones that affect appetite and metabolism. Studies show up to 22.5% weight loss.

Key points

• Mounjaro contains tirzepatide (tirzepatide) and acts as a GLP-1 analog and GIP agonist
• Up to 22.5% weight loss (more effective than Ozempic and Wegovy)
• Approved for the treatment of obesity (BMI +30) and for those who are overweight (BMI 27-30) in combination with weight-related disease such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids or sleep apnea
• The medicine is subject to prescription and is not covered by the high-cost protection
• Mounjaro is taken weekly by injection

What is Mounjaro and how does it work?

Mounjaro is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. It contains the active substance tirzepatide, which works by affecting two different hormone receptors, namely GLP-1 and GIP. This dual action differs from other weight loss drugs that only affect GLP-1, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

This is how Mounjaro (tirzepatid) works:

• Reduces appetite and sweet tooth
• Delays gastric emptying so you feel full for longer
• Improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar through increased insulin secretion

Since Mounjaro affects both GLP-1 and GIP, this means that:

• Two hormonal signaling pathways are activated instead of one
• Appetite regulation and blood sugar control are further enhanced
• Users achieve greater weight loss than with GLP-1 drugs alone

How much weight can you lose with Mounjaro?

The effect of tirzepatid (the active substance in Mounjaro) has shown in clinical studies a very good effect on weight loss:

• Up to 22.5% weight loss with the highest dose.
• Clear effects already after 8–12 weeks, especially when the treatment is combined with good eating and exercise habits.
• The effect is dose-dependent, higher dose results in greater weight loss.

Source: NEJM (The New England Journal of Medicine)

More and more people are now treated with Mounjaro via Recetas Medicas, and our own data shows that the effect together with our treatment model gives good results for our patients.

Who can get Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is approved for the treatment of adults with obesity or overweight combined with weight-related health problems. It is a prescription drug and requires medical assessment by a doctor. The treatment is intended for people who have not achieved sufficient effect with dietary and lifestyle changes alone.

Want to know if Mounjaro is right for you? Our doctors at Recetas Medicas make an individual assessment, completely digitally. Get started by filling out our health form.

Mounjaro weight loss – with Recetas Medicas

At Recetas Medicas, you can get help with prescriptions for Mounjaro - quickly, easily and completely digitally. You start by filling out a health form and a doctor makes a medical assessment and prescribes samples. You will then start your weight loss treatment.

Recetas Medicas offers:

• Regular follow-up
• Advice on diet, exercise and management of possible side effects
• Customized treatment
• 24/7 access to your doctor
• Prescription and prescription renewal
• Continuous follow-up

Mounjaro vs Wegovy and Ozempic - what's the difference?

Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic are all drugs used in obesity treatment, but they differ in composition, mechanism of action and effect. Mounjaro stands out due to its dual effect via both GLP-1 and GIP, which provides slightly more weight loss compared to semaglutide-based alternatives.

Active substance and mechanism of action:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) acts via two hormone receptors: GLP-1 and GIP. The dual mechanism of action reduces appetite and further regulates blood sugar levels.
• Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) affect the GLP-1 receptor. This provides effective appetite regulation.

Effectiveness according to studies:

Studies show that Mounjaro (tirzepatid) provides greater weight loss than Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide):

• Tirzepatid (SURMOUNT-1 study): up to 22.5% weight loss.
• Semaglutide (STEP-1 trial): about 15–17% weight loss.

Sources: NEJM (The New England Journal of Medicine), NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Side effects and tolerance:

All three drugs can cause similar side effects because they affect the appetite and digestive system. For those patients who experience side effects, they are usually transient. Common side effects include:

• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhea

Dosage and treatment – ​​that's how it works

Treatment with Mounjaro for weight loss takes place in stages to allow the body to get used to the drug and minimize side effects. A gradual escalation is particularly important for the tolerance to be good and the effect to be optimal. Stepping up to the highest dose is not always necessary, you stay at the dose that gives a good effect.

Mounjaro dosage – step by step:

• Starting dose: 2.5 mg per week for four weeks.
• Escalation: the dose can be increased every four weeks to 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and finally 15 mg per week, if a lower dose does not already provide a sufficiently good effect.
• Maintenance dose: is individual for each patient and is determined together with your doctor.

How to use Mounjaro:

• The injections are taken once a week
• Injected into the subcutaneous fat, usually in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm
• The medicine comes in pre-filled disposable injection pens

Common side effects

Like other medicines, Mounjaro can cause side effects. Most are mild and occur mainly at the beginning of treatment, when the body adapts to the drug. The side effects can be easily alleviated and are usually temporary.

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or bloating

Tips for alleviating side effects

• Eat small, easily digestible meals
• Avoid fatty or strongly spiced food
• Drink plenty of water
• Increase the dose according to the doctor's prescription - not faster
• Move regularly

We at Recetas Medicas give you advice and follow-up to manage any side effects and ensure that the treatment works optimally for you.

Availability, price and prescription in Sweden

Mounjaro is a prescription medicine and can only be prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of obesity or overweight in combination with a weight-related disease. We at Recetas Medicas help you with a medical assessment and treatment. We also follow up the treatment with regular checks of weight, side effects and goal achievement.

How much does Mounjaro cost?

Mounjaro is not included in the high-cost protection for medicines and is therefore not subsidized in Sweden.

• Price: approximately SEK 2,000–3,000/month depending on the dose and arrangement of medication 2.5 mg costs SEK 2,000 5 mg costs SEK 2,723 7.5 mg costs SEK 3,800 10 mg costs SEK 3,800 12.5 mg costs SEK 4,700 15 mg costs SEK 4,700
• 2.5 mg costs SEK 2,000
• 5 mg costs SEK 2,723
• 7.5 mg costs SEK 3,800
• 10 mg costs SEK 3,800
• 12.5 mg costs SEK 4,700
• 15 mg costs SEK 4,700

Frequently asked questions and answers about Mounjaro

How much weight can you lose with Mounjaro? In clinical studies, participants have lost up to 22.5% of their body weight, depending on the dose.

How quickly does Mounjaro start working? Most people experience decreased appetite after 2-4 weeks. Noticeable weight loss is often seen after 6-10 weeks.

What happens if you stop taking Mounjaro? Appetite may increase and there is a risk of weight gain, especially if lifestyle changes are not established. Therefore, it is important that you do this in consultation with your doctor.

Is Mounjaro better than Wegovy? Studies show that Mounjaro provides greater weight loss (up to 22.5%) than Wegovy (15–17%).

Is Mounjaro approved in Sweden? Yes, Mounjaro is approved for the treatment of people with obesity (BMI over 30) or overweight (BMI 27-30) in combination with weight-related diseases.

Weight loss with Mounjaro - an effective supplement to a healthy lifestyle

Thinking about whether Mounjaro might be an option for you? Fill out our health form and get a medical assessment and affordable treatment by a doctor - quickly and easily.