Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide): A Step-By-Step Guide to Smart, Safe Use

If you’re considering Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) as part of your weight management journey, it’s important to know how it works, what to expect, and how to use it correctly. This guide is designed to keep your treatment safe, effective, and supported.

1. Cleanliness Is Essential

• Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water to help prevent infection.

2. Inspect the Pen

• Remove the pen cap. Check the pen to ensure that:

• The medication name and dose match your prescription.

• The expiry date has not passed.

• The pen is undamaged.

• The solution appears colourless to slightly yellow, with no cloudiness, freezing, or particles visible.

3. Prepare the Seal

• Wipe the red inner seal of the pen with an alcohol swab.

4. Attach a New Needle

• Always use a brand-new pen needle for each injection to reduce infection risk and ensure proper flow.

• Remove the paper tab from the outer needle shield.

• Push the capped needle straight onto the pen and twist until it’s tightly secured.

5. Remove Needle Shields

• Remove the outer needle shield—keep it to cover the needle later.

• Remove and safely dispose of the inner needle shield in your household bin.

6. Prime the Pen

1. Dial to the prime position

   Gently turn the dose knob back and forth until you hear two clicks and the extended line appears in the dose window—this indicates the “prime” position. You can adjust in either direction to align it precisely.

2. Position the pen upright & release air

   Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward. Tap the cartridge holder lightly to encourage any air bubbles to rise toward the top.

3. Push and hold to prime

   Press the dose knob all the way in until it stops, and then slowly count to five while continuing to hold it down. This action expels a small drop of medication into the air, confirming that the pen is primed—but do not inject at this stage.

4. Check for the ‘0’ icon and a drop

   Confirm that the “0” icon is displayed in the dose window and that you see a tiny drop of medicine at the needle tip—this confirms successful priming.

5. Repeat if necessary—but not endlessly

   If you don’t see a drop or the “0” icon, repeat steps 1–4 up to two more times. If it still doesn’t work, change the pen needle and attempt again one more time. Still unsuccessful? Contact your healthcare provider or Lilly for assistance.

   
   

Why This Matters

Priming your pen removes trapped air and ensures the delivery system is clear and functional. It guarantees that when you inject, you’ll receive the full dose as intended—without air pockets or partial delivery.

7. Choose Your Injection Site

• For self‑injection: use your thigh or stomach, maintaining at least 5 cm (about 2 inches) away from the belly button.

• If someone is assisting you: the back of the upper arm is recommended.

• Rotate injection sites each week to prevent skin irritation.

8. Set Your Dose

• Turn the dose knob until it stops at the ‘1’ icon, which ensures you’re administering a full 0.6 ml dose.

9. Inject the Dose

• Insert the needle into the chosen site.

• Push the dose knob all the way in and count to five while holding it.

• Check that the ‘0’ icon is visible in the dose window before removing the needle.

10. Post‑Injection Check

• Remove the needle. Some residue on the tip may be normal.

• If the ‘0’ isn’t visible in the dose window, do not redial or repeat the dose—contact us if you have concerns.

11. After‑Injection Care

• Place the needle into the outer needle cap on a flat surface without touching the needle. Once it’s covered, push the cap fully on.

• Unscrew and dispose of the needle in your sharps bin. Never reattach the inner cap—this risks injury.

• Always remove the needle after each injection to avoid blockages, contamination, or dosing errors.

• Replace the pen cap to protect the medication from light.

Summary table

1	Clean hands
2	Inspect pen & medication
3	Wipe seal
4	Attach new needle
5	Remove shields
6	Prime pen
7	Choose injection site
8	Set dose
9	Inject, count to five
10	Check dose completed
11	Dispose safely & store pen