Currently we only prescribe Mounjaro for people with Type 2 Diabetes and for a select group with Obesity who have multiple related health conditions. We are currently able to recruit patients from Group 1 and 2 as per the criteria on this page. There are special considerations for women using Contraception and/or HRT, please see the information on this lower down the page.
How to use the Mounjaro Kwikpen
We would recommend watching the video below to see how to use the pen device. Remember the following key points:
- Keep in the fridge until the pen is in use
- Once in use it can then be kept at 2-30 degrees centigrade for up to 30 days
- Do an “air shot” to prime the needle before each dose
- Count to 5 before removing the needle after a dose has been given
- Each pen contains four doses
You can watch this Youtube Mounjaro Kwikpen demonstration: https://youtu.be/R-U2GI1DxhY
Women of Childbearing age
If you are using Mounjaro (or other GLP1 injections) it is really important that you check what impact this might have on contraception that you might be using. Please read this document from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare on this subject.
The key points are
- If you are using Mounjaro you should use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) in addition to your pill for four weeks after starting the medication, and for four weeks after any increase in dose.
- We don’t know yet if oral emergency contraception is affected by GLP-1 agonists.
- GLP1 medications should not be taken when pregnant. You should stop them before getting pregnant and the recommended duration of stopping before getting pregnant varies depending on the type of GLP1 you are using. For more details read this document.
- If you are switching to Mounjaro from any other GLP-1 agonist then you should use a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom) for four weeks after the switch, and for four weeks after any increases in dose, while also continuing your oral contraception.
Women on HRT
One of the ways GLP1 medications work is by slowing down the emptying of your stomach (called delayed gastric emptying). That helps you feel fuller for longer but can also mean any medication you swallow—including oral HRT tablets—may not be absorbed properly.
Progesterone plays a vital role in protecting your womb lining (endometrium) if you’re taking oestrogen. If the progesterone isn’t properly absorbed, your womb lining could build up, putting you at risk of heavy bleeding, abnormal bleeding, or even endometrial cancer.
The British Menopause Society has published guidance on this issue.
The key points are:
- You may need to switch your oral oestrogen to a transdermal route (patch or gel)
- You may need to switch to a non-oral form of progesterone
- If you stay on oral progesterone (like Utrogestan®) you may need to temporarily increase your progesterone dose.
If you are being started on a GLP1 injection and are on HRT make sure to discuss these issues with your clinician.
Diet Advice
Diet is still really important when using GLP1 injections. As you are eating less it is really important that what you are eating contains lots of nutrients.
We have had lots of success with people losing and maintaining weight by reducing their Carbohydrate intake.
You can find more information on this here.
It is also really important to do some resistance exercise to help reduce muscle loss. You can find
some exercises here.
Peer Support
If you are using GLP1 injections on the NHS or privately we have peer support sessions you can access provided by New Forest PCN. These are monthly sessions on Zoom. For more information
click here.
