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Injecting Mounjaro: how to do it

Watch the video and follow the steps for your injection.

You inject Mounjaro (tirzepatide) once a week under the skin with the KwikPen. One pen contains 4 doses, enough for 4 weeks. Before your first injection, watch the video and read below on how to prepare, inject, and store the pen.

Mounjaro Instruction Video

Healthcare professional explains how to use an insulin pen to a patient during a consultation.
Mounjaro Injection Instruction Video
Seven clear bottles with colorful labels and purple liquid stand on a light brown shelf.

Always check your medication

Check if you have received the correct pen and strength and if the pen is still valid and undamaged. The liquid should be clear and colorless to light yellow. If the liquid is cloudy, discolored, has been frozen, or if you see particles, do not use the pen and contact us.

Small box and a pen-like device on a minimalist light brown surface.

Always perform an air shot first

Wash your hands, disinfect the rubber stopper, and attach a new needle to the pen. Turn the dose knob 2 clicks, hold the pen with the needle pointing up, and tap any air bubbles upwards. Press the button all the way in and slowly count to 5. Do not inject into your body during this step.

Perform the air shot before each dose, even with a pen you've already used. If no liquid comes out of the needle, consult the instructions for use or contact us.

A person holds an insulin pen, preparing to self-inject into their abdomen.

Injecting

Turn the dose knob until it stops and you see a 1 in the window. Inject the needle into your abdomen (at least 5 cm from your navel) or thigh, press the button until it stops, and slowly count to 5. Do you see a 0 in the window? Then you have received your full dose. If you do not see a 0, inject again to complete the injection and do not set a new dose.

Then replace the outer needle cap, twist off the needle, and dispose of it in your sharps container. Never store the pen with the needle attached.

These instructions are general information and do not replace personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's instructions and read the package leaflet and instructions for use. If you have doubts or experience symptoms, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your Injection Time and Dose Build-up

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Once a Week
You inject Mounjaro once a week, on a fixed day. You choose the time yourself, and you can use it with or without food. Do you want a different injection day? That's allowed, as long as there are at least 3 days between two doses.
Maag-darmkanaal: langer vol gevoel door vertraagde maaglediging bij medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic
Where to Inject?
In your abdomen (at least 5 cm from your navel) or your thigh. If someone else is injecting you, the back of your upper arm can also be used. Change the injection site each week.
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Build-up
You start with 2.5 mg per week. After 4 weeks, you will increase to 5 mg per week. After that, your doctor can increase the dose by 2.5 mg at a time, each time after a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg per week. Never increase or decrease your dose yourself.
Brein en medisch afvallen: vermindert de eetlust en versterkt het verzadigingsgevoel bij The Body Clinic
Missed a Dose?
Have 4 days or less passed? Inject as soon as possible. Has it been longer than 4 days? Skip the dose and inject on your regular day. Never take a double dose.

Storing medication and traveling

Store a new pen in the refrigerator (2-8 °C), but not in or against the freezer compartment, as a pen that has been frozen should no longer be used. After the first use, store the pen outside the refrigerator, below 30 °C and with the cap on. Discard the pen after 4 doses or 30 days after the first use, even if there is still liquid in it.

Are you traveling? Take your pens with you in your hand luggage, as they can freeze in the aircraft's cargo hold. A cool bag helps, but do not let the pen lie directly against a cooling element. Ask your pharmacy for an English-language medication passport.

Bright yellow cylindrical container with a matching lid on a minimalist beige shelf.

Responsible disposal of your waste medication

You can dispose of an empty pen with general waste. If there is still medication in it, it is small chemical waste (KCA): hand in the pen at the recycling center, pharmacy, or your municipality's KCA depot. Always put used needles in a yellow sharps container, never loose with household waste. You hand those in to your municipality and can order new ones via The Body Clinic.

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Side effects: what can you expect?

Especially in the first few weeks and after increasing your dose, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. Abdominal pain, reduced appetite, fatigue, or redness at the injection site are also common. For most people, these symptoms subside after a few days to weeks. The following can help:

  • Eat smaller portions, eat slowly, and stop as soon as you are full
  • Limit fatty, fried, and very sweet foods
  • Drink plenty of water, especially with diarrhea or vomiting
  • For constipation, fiber, sufficient fluids, and exercise can help
  • Experiencing redness or itching at the injection site? Always change locations
Intake gesprek met arts: telefonisch consult voor persoonlijke begeleiding bij medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic

Contact a doctor immediately

In case of: severe, persistent abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting; severe pain in the upper right abdomen; persistent vomiting or diarrhea with little urination; a fast resting heart rate that does not subside.

Call 112 in case of swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or shortness of breath.

Outside our opening hours, you can contact the out-of-hours GP service, or visit our page Medical emergencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Contact us straight away, or the out-of-hours GP service if it’s outside opening hours.

  • A small drop is normal. Next time, keep the needle in your skin a little longer, as stated in the patient information leaflet. If this happens more often or if you see a lot of fluid, please contact us.

  • Do not use the pen and contact us.

  • An empty pen (with no medication left inside) can be disposed of with your normal household waste.

  • In that case, the pen is classified as small chemical waste (KCA). Please take it to your local recycling centre or your local authority’s KCA collection point, and do not put it in the general waste.

  • After use, place the needles in a yellow needle container. You should hand this container in to your local council (often via the recycling centre or a chemist’s, depending on local regulations).

  • No, this is not permitted. Needles must always be placed in a needle container to prevent injuries and the risk of infection.

  • You can order a new needle container via our online shop.