How to use Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection
05 June, 2024 | Holy Winter - Healthcare Writer
Important information you need to know before injecting Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection.
Read this Instructions for Use and the package leaflet before you start injecting Mounjaro and each time you get another new pen. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about your medical condition or treatment.
- Mounjaro is a disposable multi-dose single-patient-use pre-filled pen. The pen contains 4 fixed doses, one dose taken weekly. Inject 0.6 ml in a single weekly injection, under the skin (subcutaneously).
- After 4 doses, dispose of the pen.
- Do not share your Mounjaro with other people, even if the pen needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
- People who are blind or have vision problems should not use the pen without help from a person trained to use the pen.
Parts of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection
Supplies needed to give your injection
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection
- Compatible needle
- Swab
- Gauze or cotton ball
- Sharps disposal container or household container
Preparing to inject Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Step 1:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Step 2:
- Pull the pen cap straight off.
- Inspect the pen and label. Do not use if:
- The medication name or dose strength does not match your prescription.
- The pen is expired (EXP) or looks damaged.
- The medication has been frozen, has particles, is cloudy, or is discoloured. Mounjaro should be colourless to slightly yellow.
Step 3:
- Wipe the red inner seal with a swab.
Step 4:
- Select a new pen needle. Always use a new pen needle for each injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles.
- Pull off the paper tab from the outer needle shield
Step 5:
- Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist the pen needle on until it is tight.
Step 6:
- Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it. This will be reused
- Pull off the inner needle shield. Put it in your household bin.
Step 7:
- Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position. It can be corrected by turning the dose knob in either direction until the prime position lines up to the dose indicator.
Step 8:
- Hold your pen with the needle pointing up.
- Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top
Step 9:
- Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The icon must be shown in the dose window. Do not inject into your body.
Priming removes air from the cartridge and makes sure that your pen is working correctly. Your pen has been primed if a small amount of medicine comes out of the tip of the pen needle
- If you do not see medicine, repeat steps 7-9, no more than 2 additional times.
- If you still do not see medicine, then change the pen needle and repeat steps 7-9, no more than 1 additional time.
- If you still do not see medicine, contact your local Lilly affiliate
Step 10:
- Choose an injection site
- You or another person can inject the medicine in your thigh or stomach (abdomen) at least 5 centimetres from the belly button
- Another person should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm.
- Change (rotate) your injection site each week. You may use the same area of your body but be sure to choose a different injection site in that area
Step 11:
- Turn the dose knob until it stops and the icon is shown in the dose window. The icon is equal to a full 0.6 ml dose
Step 12:
- Insert the needle into your skin
- Inject the medicine by pushing the dose knob in until it stops then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The icon must be shown in the dose window before removing the needle.
Step 13:
- Pull the needle out of your skin. A drop of medicine on the needle tip is normal. It will not affect your dose
- Confirm the icon is in the dose window.
If you see the icon in the window, you
have received the full dose.
If you do not see the icon in the dose
window, insert the needle back into your skin
and finish your injection. Do not redial the
dose. If you still do not think you received the full
dose, do not start over or repeat the injection.
Contact your local Lilly affiliate if you have
any questions or problems with Mounjaro Injection
Step 14:
- If you see blood after you pull the needle out of your skin, lightly press the injection site with gauze or a cotton ball. Do not rub the injection site
Step 15:
- Carefully replace the outer needle shield.
Step 16:
- Unscrew the capped needle and put the needle in a sharps container (see “Disposing of Mounjaro Pen and needles” section). Do not store the pen with the needle attached to prevent leaking, blocking the needle, and air from entering the pen
Step 17:
- Replace the pen cap. Do not store the pen without the pen cap attached
Storing your Mounjaro Pen
Unused pens:
- Store unused pens in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C.
- Unused pens may be used until the expiration date printed on the label if the pen has been kept in the refrigerator.
- Do not freeze your pen. Throw away (discard) the pen if it has been frozen.
Unused pens:
- You may store your used pen at room temperature up to 30°C after your injection.
- Keep away from heat.
- Keep your pen and needles out of the sight and reach of children.
- Dispose of the pen 30 days after first use.
- Dispose of the pen after receiving 4 weekly doses.
Disposing of Mounjaro Pen and Pen Needles
- Dispose of your used pen needles in a sharps disposal container right away after use, do not dispose of loose pen needles in your household waste.
- Dispose of the used pen in your household bin or sharps disposal container after you have removed the needle.
- Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.
- Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.
Troubleshooting
- If you cannot remove the pen cap, gently twist the pen cap back and forth, and then pull the pen cap straight off.
- If the dose knob is hard to push:
- Pushing the dose knob more slowly will make it easier to inject.
- Your needle may be blocked. Put on a new pen needle and prime the pen.
- You may have dust, food, or liquid inside the pen. Throw the pen away and get a new pen.
Reviewed By
Omar El-Gohary
The superintendent and lead pharmacist - registration number 2059792.
Omar is passionate about developing healthcare technology to empower our patients.
