{"id":626734,"date":"2024-02-14T09:30:59","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T14:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626734"},"modified":"2026-02-03T11:15:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T16:15:55","slug":"how-long-does-mounjaro-take-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-mounjaro-take-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take for Mounjaro to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the primary goal of <\/span>diabetes medications<\/span><\/a> is to regulate blood sugar levels, some have the added benefit of helping with weight loss. One such medication is <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide), a <\/span>GIP\/GLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/a> manufactured by Eli Lilly. It stimulates insulin production, decreases appetite, and slows digestion. In addition to improved glucose control, it commonly helps patients reduce their food intake. That\u2019s why even though the medication is only approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Type 2 diabetes, it\u2019s also used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> as a weight-loss drug.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro starts working quickly. You may notice decreases in appetite almost immediately and improvements in blood sugar and weight within a few days to several weeks, though the rate of weight loss varies by person. Keep reading to learn what to expect if you\u2019re prescribed this medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Save up to 80% on Mounjaro with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tMounjaro 5 mg\/0.5 mL (4 pens)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Mounjaro prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

How fast does Mounjaro work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll notice decreased hunger and food cravings almost immediately after you take Mounjaro, says <\/span>Alexander Nathanson, MD<\/span><\/a>, an obesity medicine physician at NYC Health + Hospitals\/South Brooklyn Health in New York. For example, you may notice that you\u2019re unable to finish the same portion sizes you used to. However, it may take several days or weeks after starting Mounjaro to notice changes in your blood sugar control and weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood sugar<\/span><\/h3>\n

Patients using Mounjaro for diabetes should notice some improvement in their blood sugar control within days of starting treatment. \u201cMounjaro allows the pancreas to produce insulin in a more efficient or \u2018dose-dependent\u2019 manner in response to food, a process that\u2019s often impaired in those with Type 2 diabetes,\u201c Dr. Nathanson says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sustained changes in blood glucose levels are likely within one to two weeks of starting Mounjaro, says <\/span>Kevin Codorniz, MD<\/span><\/a>, the division chief of endocrinology at Loma Linda University Health in California. However, s<\/span>ome patients may have a delayed response or require a higher dose of Mounjaro to achieve significant effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>SURPASS-5 clinical trial, after 40 weeks on varying doses of tirzepatide, participants experienced an average<\/span><\/a> reduction in A1C of 2% with the 5 mg dose, 2.4% with the 10 mg dose, and 2.34% with the 15 mg dose.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to save on Mounjaro<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Weight loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cAfter the first dose of tirzepatide, patients may already experience a decrease in appetite,\u201d Dr. Codorniz says. And while every individual is different, many patients will start to see some weight loss within the first four weeks of starting tirzepatide, he says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro mimics the actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP; also called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), two naturally occurring gut hormones. Within minutes of eating, GLP-1 and GIP are naturally secreted in the intestines, stimulating the release of insulin and<\/span> signaling<\/span><\/a> satiety (reducing \u201cfood noise\u201d) in the brain. The hormones also delay stomach emptying by slowing down gastrointestinal transit time, Dr. Nathanson says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people start to lose weight fast, others start out with a more gradual loss and see more benefits as the dose is increased over several months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>SURMOUNT-1<\/span><\/a> trial, published in the <\/span>New England Journal of Medicine<\/span><\/i>, examined the effects of tirzepatide in patients with obesity. Along with lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise and a healthy diet, study participants received weekly single-dose subcutaneous injections of 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, or placebo (an inactive medicine). After 72 weeks, people who received inactive medication lost only 3.1% of their body weight, while those who received Mounjaro lost up to 21%, depending on the dosage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Mounjaro is used off-label for weight loss, <\/span>Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide), also manufactured by Eli Lilly, is <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> for weight management as well as moderate to severe <\/span>obstructive sleep apnea<\/span><\/a> in adults with obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weight loss timeline<\/span><\/h4>\n

Initial results vary, with some experiencing rapid weight loss and others taking longer to see results. After 40 weeks, <\/span>clinical trials<\/span><\/a> showed the following weight loss by dosage:<\/span><\/p>\n