Tirzepatide—also known under the brand name Mounjaro—is an FDA-approved injectable medicine that can help patients lose weight and maintain their weight. Most patients learn to inject the medication on their own, but this can be understandably daunting for patients who have never given themselves an injection. A spouse or housemate can also perform the injections for patients. To better understand Mounjaro and how to inject it, let’s look at what Mounjaro is and the best places to inject Mounjaro for weight loss.
Table of Contents
What Is Mounjaro?
Tirzepatide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1s). These medications mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which is responsible for helping to regulate hunger, digestion, and insulin release from the pancreas. Mounjaro—unlike other GLP-1s—uses a dual-hormone effect. This means that it also targets another appetite hormone known as GIP.
When injected, the body recognizes Mounjaro as the aforementioned hormones and makes the body feel less hungry and more full. This promotes weight loss and a healthier diet overall. Unlike the natural hormones, the synthetic version in Mounjaro lasts longer in the body than the natural hormone. This lengthens and improves the effectiveness of the hormone’s effects.
Outside of the biological effects, one of the primary benefits of Mounjaro is that it allows patients to curate a better diet and exercise routine gradually. Instead of trying to make major lifestyle changes all at once, Mounjaro gives patients the luxury of incorporating changes slowly without losing progress.
Injecting Mounjaro
Mounjaro is injected once a week on the same day of the week. It is generally injected into areas that naturally carry significant fatty tissue. This helps prevent injecting too deep or hitting other structures. After identifying the injection site, patients should use alcohol wipes to disinfect the area. Then, inject the needle just below the skin and then press down to release the medication.
The injections take only a few minutes to administer. While they are easy and fairly painless, patients can come into the Allure Esthetic office to have their injections performed. However, it is important to note that this is only offered to patients who can routinely get to the office every week.
Best Places To Inject Mounjaro
There are three places generally recommended for injection of Mounjaro: stomach, thigh, and upper arm. These are considered the best places to inject Mounjaro, though occasionally other injection sites may be warranted. Overall, most medical providers advise patients to rotate between these three injection sites to prevent skin irritation or infections.
#1: Stomach
The stomach—in particular a couple of inches on either side of the belly button—is an ideal injection site. It can easily reach vascularized fatty tissue and spread through the body.
#2: Thigh
The thigh is another great injection site for Mounjaro weight loss injections. The injections are usually given on the front of the thigh and the inner thigh should be avoided. This can usually be done easily on your own.
#3: Upper Arm
The upper arm may require help from a loved one (though many can do it on their own with some practice) because the injections should be given in the back of the upper arm. Other areas of the arm may not have enough fat to accommodate subcutaneous injections.
Possible Alternative Injection Sites
In rare cases, a patient may not be able to inject into one of the three recommended injection sites. This can be due to injury, major scarring, other medical conditions, or simply the patient’s body structure. In these cases, a patient’s medical provider may recommend one or two alternative injection sites.
- Hips: If there is enough fat in the hip area, this may be able to serve as an alternative injection site.
- Buttocks: While it can be difficult to inject Mounjaro into the buttocks on your own, it can be a viable alternative injection site.
- Back: Certain regions of the back may carry enough fat to support subcutaneous injections of Mounjaro.
It is important not to inject in alternative areas until consulting with your medical provider. Stick to the ideal sites: the thigh, stomach, and upper arm. If you must deviate from these areas, reach out to your provider first to discuss the best injection site for Mounjaro.
The Best Mounjaro Weight Loss Program In Seattle
Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery is a leading medical spa and plastic surgery practice. Headed by plastic surgeons and featuring highly qualified medical providers with a passion for aesthetic medicine and helping patients reach their goals, patients can find the best Mounjaro weight loss program in Seattle at Allure Esthetic.
Patients can choose to have their Seattle weight loss treatment done completely remotely, hybrid, or fully in-person. You will need to have an initial consultation and then the medication can be shipped to your home. Patients will also have monthly check-in appointments to discuss how the medication is working for them and other aspects of their weight management program.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-209-0988. Patients can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.