Key takeaways
- Mounjaro is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It also contains other inactive ingredients that make the medication more stable or adjust its acidity.
- There are no natural versions of Mounjaro, but you can try diet, exercise, and some supplements to support your treatment.
- Mounjaro is considered safe and effective in managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used off-label for weight management.
Mounjaro is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, among other ingredients. It is approved to help manage blood sugar levels, alongside exercise and a balanced diet, in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Mounjaro may also be prescribed to treat obesity, although this indication hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so this use is considered off-label.
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Mounjaro belongs to a group of medications called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, although you may hear it simply referred to as “a GLP-1.”
Active ingredient
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. In Mounjaro’s case, tirzepatide
It also increases a hormone called adiponectin, which is involved in glucose regulation and can improve glucose sensitivity.
The amount of tirzepatide found in Mounjaro will depend on the dose. Per 0.5 milliliter (mL) vial of Mounjaro, the injection may contain the following amounts of tirzepatide:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg)
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
Other ingredients
Alongside the active ingredient, most drugs also contain other ingredients that have other purposes, and Mounjaro is no exception.
According to Mounjaro’s prescribing information, the drug also contains:
- Sodium chloride: This ingredient helps to make injections less painful, maintains the stability of the medication, and prolongs its shelf life. Mounjaro injections contain 4.1 mg of sodium chloride.
- Sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate: This ingredient is known as a buffer solution that helps to maintain the stability of Mounjaro. Mounjaro contains 0.7 mg of this ingredient.
- Water: Water helps to carry the other ingredients into your body when it’s injected.
To adjust its acidity, Mounjaro may also have hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, or both added to it.
Mounjaro doesn’t contain any preservatives, which is why it comes in single-use pens that must be thrown away after use.
There are no direct natural substitutes for Mounjaro. However, there are some natural and home remedies that may be able to support Mounjaro treatment if you have T2D.
For example, Mounjaro is often prescribed alongside a balanced diet and exercise. These factors can help manage your blood sugar levels and maintain a moderate body weight.
Doctors might also recommend some dietary supplements:
- Berberine: Berberine is a natural supplement that can improve glucose regulation and fat metabolism, meaning it can be beneficial in people with T2D and obesity.
- Apple cider vinegar: Some research suggests that apple cider vinegar may improve blood sugar levels and fat metabolism in adults with T2D. Alongside medications, it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these people.
Ozempic is a very similar medication to Mounjaro. Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and it’s often also referred to as “a GLP-1”. Like Mounjaro, Ozempic is approved to improve blood sugar regulation in adults with T2D, and it may also be used off-label to manage weight in people with obesity.
Despite their similarities, Mounjaro and Ozempic are two different medications that may have different indications, benefits, and risks.
For example, unlike Mounjaro, Ozempic is also FDA approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and worsening kidney disease in people with T2D.
The active ingredient in Ozempic is called semaglutide. The inactive ingredients in Ozempic are disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, and water.
Both medications are considered generally safe and effective for their approved indications, although a 2021 trial suggested that tirzepatide (Mounjaro) may be slightly more effective at reducing blood sugar levels and associated with more weight loss than semaglutide (Ozempic).
Both medications are associated with side effects, and most commonly gastrointestinal (stomach-related) side effects, and the percentage of people who experience side effects appears to be similar for both medications.
Mounjaro is considered safe and effective if used correctly under the supervision of a healthcare professional. If you think Mounjaro may be right for you, reach out to a healthcare professional. After a careful medical review, they can decide whether to prescribe you the medication.
Always make sure you use Mounjaro with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, and buy it from reputable sources like registered pharmacies.
Mounjaro is a type of medication called a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. It’s made of an active ingredient called tirzepatide, and it also contains other inactive ingredients like water and sodium chloride.
Mounjaro is considered safe and effective to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, and it’s usually prescribed alongside recommendations of exercise and a balanced diet.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.