Is Generic Mounjaro Available Yet?

In the ever-evolving landscape of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, breakthrough innovations often emerge as a beacon of hope for millions of individuals struggling with chronic diseases like diabetes. 

One such groundbreaking development has been the creation of Mounjaro, a remarkable medication that can transform the lives of people with diabetes and obesity. This drug is from diligent research and development by Lilly Corporation, a global leader in the healthcare industry. 

While the generic drug for Mounjaro is not yet available in the marketplace, its active ingredient, tirzepatide, is used to redefine the treatment for type 2 diabetes. In this article, we delve into the depths of Mounjaro's significance, unraveling its promise for adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro, the brand-name drug for tirzepatide, is an injectable drug that helps adults with type 2 diabetes improve their blood sugar levels. The anti-diabetic drug is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. 

Tirzepatide is a peptide consisting of 39 amino acids. These amino acids have been altered to include a C20 fatty acid component, allowing it to bind to albumin and extend its duration in the body. This active drug augments the secretion of both initial and subsequent phases of insulin while decreasing glucagon levels to normal levels. It then brings down blood sugar levels, both before and after meals, curbs appetite, and leads to weight loss in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.¹

In a 2019 clinical trial involving adults with type 2 diabetes above 18 years of age, tirzepatide showcased significant reductions in HbA1c levels (a measure of blood glucose control) compared to placebo in placebo-controlled trials.² These findings highlight the promising potential of tirzepatide as a valuable addition to the array of treatments available for managing type 2 diabetes. This drug offered improved outcomes for patients living with type 2 diabetes by improving their glycemic control.

In the last two years, Moonjaro has joined a rapidly advancing class of obesity medications known to target specific hormonal receptors in the body. Initially, this drug was developed by Eli Lilly to enhance glycemic control and improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes adults. However, Mounjaro is now used with diet and exercise to treat obese patients.

Has Mounjaro Been Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

FDA-approved drugs are favored in the market due to their legality, and they're tested to ensure their effectiveness in managing a medical condition. Therefore, the Eli Lilly company aims to have Mounjaro approved for two things, type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Let's analyze each FDA status below.

Mounjaro's Approval Status for Type 2 Diabetes

Mounjaro was approved for use by the FDA in May 2022 as a drug that can be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.³ After many rigorous studies on the drug's effectiveness, the FDA found that Mounjaro effectively improved blood sugar levels and outperformed other existing diabetes treatments.

Mounjaro's Approval Status for Weight Loss

Several trials have been done to check the effectiveness of Mounjaro on overweight and obese individuals. Results have been commendable, with people losing up to 20.9% of their body weight in 72 weeks.⁴ However, the FDA hasn't approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as a weight loss solution. They presented the Eli Lilly company with a fast-track designation that signifies that Mounjaro is undergoing accelerated review for potential use in weight management.⁵

In a subsequent clinical trial (SURMOUNT-4), participants with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 experienced substantial weight loss when taking tirzepatide.⁶ With the results yet to be published, some achieved a remarkable 26% reduction in body weight on average. These findings suggest that tirzepatide may be among the most potent weight-loss medications on the market.

Mounjaro Price

The list price of Mounjaro is $1,023.04 per fill depending on where you buy the drug and the amount you pay also varies by insurance coverage. Luckily, as a diabetes drug, many insurance companies will cover Mounjaro. Contact your insurance company to confirm this coverage. Patients with an insurance plan can get the drug for as little as $25 for a full month's supply of medication.⁷

Mounjaro Dosage Instructions

Mounjaro is a single-dose pen containing a liquid solution of the substance tirzepatide that should be administered via subcutaneous injection once a week. The brand-name medication dosage regimen typically starts at 2.5 mg per week. It can be slowly increased in increments of 2.5 mg after at least four weeks on your current dosage, based on how your body responds to the drug. Some may find 5 mg effective for blood sugar control, while higher doses may be administered to weight loss patients. The maximum dosage is capped at 15 mg once a week.⁸

Important Administration Instructions

Before initiation, your healthcare provider should train you on proper tirzepatide injection techniques and other vital procedures, such as how to rotate injection sites with each dose and inspect the drug virtually before use. Patients are advised to always inspect the pen before use and dispose of it if yellow or any particulates are observed in the vial.⁸

How Often Should You Take Your Medication?

You should use Mounjaro once a week at any time of the day. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it within four days after the missed dose. However, if more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Don't inject two doses within three days of each other. 

Call the poison control helpline at 1-(800) 222-1222 or call emergency services at 911 in case of an overdose.⁹

How Long Does It Take Before Mounjaro Starts Working?

Mounjaro starts working after you have your first dose. However, it may take several weeks or months to see the drug's full impact on your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose of Mounjaro until they find the right amount for you.¹⁰

Mounjaro Drug Interactions

A drug interaction is when a foreign substance influences how a drug works. This interaction often leads to alterations of its effectiveness, or even generating a novel effect not seen with either substance on its own. Such interactions can arise accidentally or due to insufficient understanding of the active components in them.

Mounjaro with Insulin

Taking Mounjaro and insulin simultaneously increases the risk of hypoglycemia, translating to a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL.¹¹ It's imperative to exercise caution while taking these two drugs and always look out for hypoglycemic symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, and accelerated heartbeats.⁹ Your healthcare provider can reduce your insulin dosage when starting Mounjaro to mitigate risk. Your healthcare provider will advise on how to take your insulin when starting Mounjaro, to mitigate risk.

Mounjaro with Oral Birth Control

Mounjaro works by delaying gastric emptying, meaning the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestines.¹² The delay in gastric emptying may cause subsequent delays in the absorption of medications such as contraceptive pills.¹³ Additionally, as later mentioned, Mounjaro may cause stomach-related issues like vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience severe vomiting a few minutes after taking birth control pills, there’s a chance the pills won’t have absorbed. Check to see if you can spot the pills in the vomit. 

You may inquire from your health provider if alternative contraception methods like patches and rings would be more reliable during your Mounjaro journey.

When to Avoid Taking Mounjaro

The FDA has a box warning on the major risk of getting thyroid cancer or tumors when taking Mounjaro.⁹ Therefore, make sure you openly tell your healthcare provider about any severe medical conditions that you or a family member may have so they can give the correct medical advice.

If a family member has multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) conditions, your doctor should advise against taking Mounjaro.⁹ This is because the condition causes thyroid C-cell tumors. Secondly, if you have an allergic reaction to any substances in Mounjaro, you shouldn't take the drug. You may not be aware of the allergies beforehand, but if you take the drug and start swelling and itching, immediately visit your healthcare provider before administering the next dose.⁹

Finally, avoid taking Mounjaro – or any diabetes medications – when there's an absence of warnings on the kit or when the drug doesn't come in its original carton.

Common Side Effects of Mounjaro

Like other medications, Mounjaro may lead to adverse effects. A few reported side effects include severe digestive issues resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, acute kidney injury, gallbladder problems, acute pancreatitis, an increased risk of thyroid cancer, and the possibility of a severe allergic reaction. If you experience any of these severe side effects, promptly visit your healthcare provider. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you suspect a medical emergency, seek immediate assistance by calling 911 or your local emergency number.⁹

What Are the Alternatives to Mounjaro?

While searching for Mounjaro alternatives, note that only Mounjaro falls under the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists class, which better regulates blood sugar.

Four popular alternatives to Mounjaro for either obesity or diabetes management include:

Ozempic

Similarly to Mounjaro, Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication administered once a week. It effectively manages blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It provides additional benefits by lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, or mortality, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The FDA approved in 2017 Ozempic for use in adults with type 2 diabetes.¹⁴

As demonstrated in comparative studies, Mounjaro appears to have certain advantages over Ozempic. In a direct comparison, all three Mounjaro dosages (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) showed superior performance to the 1mg dosage of Ozempic. Mounjaro achieved better blood sugar control, leading to more substantial medical weight loss than Ozempic. For example, people with obesity taking the 15 mg dose of Mounjaro lost nearly twice as much body weight as those on Ozempic.¹⁵ However, it's worth noting that Ozempic users experienced fewer gastrointestinal side effects, whereas Mounjaro users were more prone to serious side effects like hypoglycemia.⁹ ¹⁴

Insurance companies can cover both Mounjaro and Ozempic when prescribed for type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy

Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy is FDA-approved for managing weight.¹⁶ Mounjaro is primarily a diabetic medication and is often covered by insurance companies. Not all insurance companies cover weight loss medications like Wegovy, making the latter potentially more expensive.

In a study comparing their highest doses (Mounjaro at 15 mg and Wegovy at 2.4 mg), Mounjaro was more effective in weight loss and blood sugar control. About 75% of patients experienced weight loss of at least 10% with Wegovy, and at least 15% with Mounjaro within the same timeframe.¹⁵

Both drugs have common gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea. However, Wegovy users may be more susceptible to additional side effects such as headaches, fatigue, bloating, burping, flatulence, acid reflux, and, for adults with type 2 diabetes, possible hypoglycemia.¹⁷

Metformin

Metformin operates by reducing glucose absorption from the intestines, decreasing glucose production by the liver, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.¹⁸ Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and metformin are FDA-approved treatments for type 2 diabetes, but they offer distinct advantages.

Metformin is an oral medication, while Mounjaro is an injectable. While it may not offer the same blood glucose control and weight loss results as Mounjaro, metformin is often more cost-effective, making it a possible choice for people with diabetes. It's important to note that Mounjaro and metformin share common stomach-related side effects like nausea and diarrhea.¹⁸ Inquire from your insurance provider if they cover metformin.

Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounding pharmacies refer to the customization of a medication, where mainly the active substance is used to modify the brand-name drug. Compounding pharmaceuticals is done to meet the specific needs of patients. While it's a workable route to acquiring better results, there have been reports of issues with some compounded drugs and pharmacies. Hence, always ensure you're getting your drug compounded by facilities that are approved by the FDA and the state Boards of Pharmacy.¹⁹ Henry Meds uses these pharmacies to ensure the safety and quality of the compounded medications.

Why Patients May Consider Compounding Tirzepatide

Among other reasons, patients mainly have pharmaceuticals compounded due to drug shortages or allergies. For example, if Mounjaro is in shortage, pharmacies can get tirzepatide and formulate a different version of Mounjaro that helps with diabetes or obesity.

Henry Meds will provide you with Compounded Tirzepatide that has the active ingredient to help you with your weight management goals. You’ll experience a consistent treatment source that you can count on, which will benefit you as your body will not be subject to treatment interruptions due to supply issues. Stability is key on your path to a healthier weight, and we will help get you there! 

Embark on a Journey Towards a Healthier Life with Compounded Tirzepatide Today

Determining the most suitable weight loss and type 2 diabetes recovery strategy requires consultation with a licensed healthcare professional who can evaluate your needs. At Henry Meds, we offer compounded tirzepatide at an affordable price to help you achieve your healthcare goals.

Are you ready to kickstart your diabetes or weight management journey but don't know where to start? Hop on a Henry Meds weight management program and get all the assistance you need from licensed compounding pharmacists. Talk to Henry Meds today for a personalized weight management plan to help you achieve your weight-loss goals.

To help you trust the information we provide, every article written by Henry relies on peer-reviewed studies and medically-reviewed facts. We ensure that data, ideas, and figures cited are reliable, current, and accurate. Our team of medical reviewers aim to help you cut through the noise with clear and authoritative primary and secondary sources.

Nothing in this article is intended to be prescriptive or medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting a new diet and exercise plan. Information presented is about our medically supervised weight management programs and is not an advertisement for a specific drug.