Why do you have to increase your Mounjaro dose gradually?

When you first take Mounjaro, you start off on the lowest strength of the medicine. And you’ll stay on it for at least four weeks, before gradually moving up to higher doses. This is so your body can adjust to the treatment and handle those stronger doses down the line.

But you don’t necessarily *have* to keep moving up—and it’s not always best for everyone. Mounjaro will still work just fine at lower strengths!

Whether you’re new to weight loss medicine or are thinking of trying it out, here’s what you need to know about Mounjaro's dosing schedule.

What is the expected Mounjaro dose each month?

It depends. The aim is for you to reach your maintenance dose, which is the strength of the medicine where it has the effect we want it to without causing unmanageable side effects. And usually, it’s the dose you’ll stay on while taking Mounjaro weight loss injections.

However, that dose can be different from person to person. Mounjaro comes in six strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, or 15mg. Your maintenance dose might be 5mg, 10mg, or even 15mg, for example.

By increasing your Mounjaro dose gradually, your provider can keep an eye on any side effects and determine which strength you should stay on.

Do I have to increase my Mounjaro dose?

Nope. If you’re happy with the dose you’re on and the results you’re getting, there’s no need for you to increase it. 

But because higher doses are more potent, they generally lead to more weight loss. Though that also means that they come with an increased risk of side effects. So, it’s really down to what works best for you.

4 reasons why your Mounjaro dose increases gradually

So why should you increase your dose, then? Here’s four reasons why.

1. To minimise side effects

Starting on the lowest strength of Mounjaro gives your body time to get used to it, which reduces your risk of side effects as you eventually move on to higher doses.

Think of it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t run the full distance right away. Instead, you would start off doing shorter runs and gradually add distance each week, so your body can adjust. Eventually, you would be able to handle 26.2 miles.

2. To help you achieve your goals

Remember when we mentioned that higher strengths of Mounjaro generally lead to more weight loss? That’s one reason why you might choose to move up. However, this needs to be balanced with how well you're tolerating the medication too.

In one clinical trial that lasted 72 weeks, people taking a 15mg dose lost 20.9% of their starting weight on average, compared to 19.5% on 10mg and 15% on 5mg.

3. Because of your individual needs

Another factor is how you personally are responding to the medicine. Depending on your health goals and how Mounjaro is affecting you, your provider might suggest dialling up your dose if they think you would benefit.

4. For long-term weight loss success

When you take a medicine for a long time, it’s possible for your body to develop a tolerance to it. That means that you would need to move up to higher doses to get the same effect. While most people tend to stay on their maintenance dose of Mounjaro, it’s something to bear in mind.

Your weight loss journey

Ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey? We’re glad to hear it—and we know you can do it.

When taken alongside a healthy lifestyle, weight loss medication can help you lose up to 25% of your starting weight. You can get medicines like Mounjaro, plus one-to-one guidance from our team of prescribers and clinicians, through our weight loss treatment plan.

Take our quiz to find out if you’re eligible. Our clinicians will come back to you asap.