“Draft Guidance Consultation: Tirzepatide for Managing Overweight and Obesity.” National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. June 2024, www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026/documents/draft-guidance-2.
Wondering what a Mounjaro “maintenance dose” actually is? You’re not alone. If you’ve just started—or are thinking about starting—weight loss injections, you’ve probably seen the term come up. But what does it really mean, and how is your dose decided? Here's what you need to know.
What is the Mounjaro maintenance dose for weight loss?
Firstly, let’s clear something up—the word “maintenance” can be used in different ways, which can sometimes cause confusion. Some people use it to refer to their maximum tolerated dose—the dose they stay on throughout their weight loss journey that balances side effects while supporting continued progress.
At Voy, we define your maintenance dose of Mounjaro weight loss injections a little differently: it’s the dose you’ll transition to after you’ve reached your weight loss goal. This stage is all about protecting the great results you’ve achieved, and reducing the risk of weight regain.
How long can I take weight loss medication for?
You can stay on weight loss medication like Mounjaro for as long as you need, as long as your BMI stays above 19. You can use our BMI calculator to monitor your BMI over time.
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As Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda are relatively new weight loss drugs, we don’t have lots of information on long-term use and risks yet. However, recent studies suggest that people can comfortably take GLP-1 medications long term for weight management.
Finding your Mounjaro maintenance dose
Your maintenance dose of Mounjaro will be decided with your prescriber once you’ve reached your target weight. At Voy, we’ll typically gradually reduce your dose each month, following a similar path to how you increased it on your initial Mounjaro dosage schedule. We’re looking for that sweet spot where your hunger cues and food thoughts return, but feel manageable, and your weight stays stable.
For some people, maintenance may involve staying on a low dose long term to help maintain their results and support lasting success. For others, this means coming off Mounjaro treatment completely. Either way, it’s all about finding what works best for you.
For example, if you’ve reached the maximum Mounjaro dose of 15mg, we’ll usually start by gradually reducing your dose month by month. This gentle approach helps your body adjust as hunger and appetite signals begin to return.
Or, you might choose to remain on a lower dose for a few months before continuing to taper down. This gives your body time to adjust to the return of hunger signals and helps you build confidence in managing them through diet and lifestyle changes. It’s all about finding a pace that feels sustainable and supports your long-term success.
At each step, we’ll be there with you, see how you're feeling, and make sure you’re progressing at a pace that feels right.
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Feel like you’re doing everything right but still not hitting your health goals? Learn more about Mounjaro, an appetite-curbing medication that could help you lose up to 21% of your body weight.
Science backed treatment
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Trusted by 100,000 customers across the UK
What factors determine your maintenance dose?
Your maintenance dose is unique to you, taking into account how you feel, how your body responds, and what helps you stay steady and well. There’s no one-size-fits-all, but here are some of the key factors we consider when working together to find your ideal maintenance dose, once you’ve hit your target weight.
Your ideal maintenance dose is any dose that:
- Manages your “food noise” and appetite
- Keeps your weight stable
- Feels comfortable for the long term
Most people find a lower dose feels better and is more affordable—but it’s completely safe to stay on your current dose if it works for you and you’re no longer losing weight. It’s also safe to stop Mounjaro treatment altogether if preferred.
Potential side effects of maintenance doses on weight loss medicines
Once you reach the Mounjaro maintenance dose stage, the goal is to provide just a gentle level of support—enough to help you stay on track without doing more than your body needs.
If you start to notice Mounjaro side effects at this stage, such as diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, it is usually a sign that your dose is a little too high for maintenance. That’s completely okay, it just means it might be time to reassess.
Don’t hesitate to speak with your prescriber if you’re unsure or need a little guidance. We’re here to make sure your maintenance journey feels right for you.
Your Mounjaro maintenance dose at Voy
Once you’ve reached your target weight on Voy’s science-backed treatment, we’ll begin planning what maintenance after Mounjaro looks like for you.
As you join our maintenance community, our goal is to set you up for long-term success.
We know this will look different for everyone. That’s why we have a flexible, supportive approach to help you achieve weight loss that lasts.
At Voy, you can:
- Stay on treatment as long as your BMI remains above 19.
- Take a break and restart if your BMI is above 22. You don’t need to return to your starting weight to access support.
- Take things at your own pace to make sure you feel confident and in control.
Together, we’ll create a plan that reflects your goals, how you’re feeling, and how confident you are in the lifestyle changes you’ve made while on treatment.
It’s not about the number on the scales: it’s about feeling steady, in control, and supported for the long term.
Want to find out if weight management medication could be a good option for you? Take our weight loss quiz to kickstart your journey.
DisclaimerAt Voy, we ensure that everything you read in our blog is medically reviewed and approved. However, the information provided is not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
References
¹²“How to Use, Dosing & Side Effects | Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide).” Mounjaro.lilly.com, mounjaro.lilly.com/how-to-use-mounjaro. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
³Jastreboff, Ania M., et al. “Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 387, no. 3, 4 June 2022, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038, https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038.
