Tirzepatide

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Mounjaro; Zepbound; Zepbound KwikPen

Brand Names: Canada

Mounjaro; Mounjaro KwikPen; Zepbound KwikPen

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child is allergic to benzyl alcohol. Some products have benzyl alcohol.
• If your child has ever had pancreatitis.
• If your child has a slow-moving bowel tract or other stomach or bowel problems.
• If your child is using another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If your child is using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If your child is old enough to drive, do not let your child drive if their blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of having a crash.
• Have your child follow the diet and exercise plan your child’s doctor told you about.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect your child’s blood sugar.
• Check your child’s blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Do not share with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing your child’s tray or pen may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know your child has.
• If your child cannot drink liquids by mouth or has upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; your child needs to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your child’s doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse kidney problems.
• If your child will be having any surgery or procedure, talk with your child’s doctor. This drug may raise the risk of food getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation. Your child may need to stop this drug before these types of surgery or procedures.
• If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
• Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. If your child takes birth control pills, another type of hormone-based birth control like a vaginal ring may be needed. If another type of hormone-based birth control is not an option, have your child use some other kind of birth control also, like a condom. Do this for 4 weeks after starting this drug and for 4 weeks each time the dose is raised.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy. If you think your child may be pregnant, call the doctor right away.
• Tell the doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about any risks to the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Change in eyesight.
• Feeling anxious or irritable.
• Slurred speech.
• Mood changes.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call the doctor right away if your child has any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include giving your child glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
• Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
• Kidney problems have happened. Sometimes, these may need to be treated in the hospital or with dialysis. Tell the doctor right away if your child has signs of kidney problems like being unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Pain, itching, or other irritation where the injection was given.
• Heartburn.
• Stomach pain.
• Constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, throwing up, and decreased appetite are common with this drug. If these happen, talk with the doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call the doctor right away if any of these effects bother your child, do not get better, or are severe.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.
• Do not give into a muscle or vein.
• If you will be giving your child the shot, your child’s doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
• Give on the same day each week.
• You may change the day of the week that you use this drug if needed. The time between doses of this drug must be at least 72 hours.
• Move site where you give the shot each time.
• Do not give into skin within 2 inches (5 cm) of the belly button.
• Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.
• If your child is also using insulin, you may inject this drug and the insulin in the same area of the body but not right next to each other.
• Do not give into skin that is thickened, or has pits or lumps.
• Do not inject through clothes. Do not give into skin that is irritated, bruised, red, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged.
• Do not rub the site where you give the shot.
• Give this drug with or without food.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Do not use if the solution is leaking or has particles.
• This drug is colorless to a faint yellow. Do not use if the solution changes color.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Vials:

• It is important to have the right syringe to measure your dose. If you do not have the right syringe or you are not sure, talk with your pharmacist.

Single-dose vials:

• Each vial is for 1 use only. Throw away any part of the used vial after the dose is given.

Multi-dose vials:

• Always use a new syringe and needle for each injection.

Prefilled pen:

• Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
• If you drop this drug on a hard surface, do not use it.
• Some of these pens are not for self-injection by children or by people who cannot see well. If the patient is a child or cannot see well, be sure you know if someone else needs to inject this drug.

Single-dose prefilled pen:

• Each pen is for 1 use only. Throw away any part of the used pen after the dose is given.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• If it is within 4 days after the missed dose, have your child take the missed dose and go back to their normal day.
• If it has been more than 4 days since the missed dose, have your child skip the missed dose and go back to their normal day.
• Do not give 2 doses within 3 days of each other.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All products:

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Do not use if it has been frozen.
• Protect from heat.
• Store in the original container to protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Single-dose pens and vials:

• If needed, each pen or vial may be stored at room temperature for up to 21 days. If you store at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 21 days.
• Do not put this drug back in the refrigerator after it has been stored at room temperature.

Multi-dose pens:

• If needed, you may store at room temperature for up to 30 days. Write down the date you take this drug out of the refrigerator. If stored at room temperature and not used within 30 days, throw this drug away.

Multi-dose vials:

• If needed before opening, this drug may be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days. Write down the date you take this drug out of the refrigerator. If stored at room temperature and not used within 30 days, throw this drug away.
• After opening, store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 30 days or after using 4 weekly doses, whichever comes first.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2026-02-11

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