Mounjaro pen dosing
The single-dose pen and the four-dose KwikPen: how each delivers a dose, in which strengths, and what happens at each step up.
Key facts
- The single-dose pen holds one fixed dose (0.5 mL); it injects automatically and is thrown away after use.
- The KwikPen holds four weekly doses of one strength (0.6 mL each) and needs a new pen needle each week.
- Both come in all six strengths, 2.5 to 15 mg. Neither is used with a syringe or dosed in units.
- A higher dose means a new pen in that strength; you cannot dial a different dose.
Mounjaro single-dose pen and KwikPen
| Mounjaro presentation | Holds | Each dose | How the dose is given |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-dose pen | 1 dose | 0.5 mL | Automatic: press against the skin; no syringe, no dialling |
| Single-dose vial | 1 dose | 0.5 mL | Drawn with a syringe: 50 units on a U-100 syringe |
| Multi-dose vial | 4 doses, 2.4 mL | 0.6 mL | Drawn with a syringe: 60 units on a U-100 syringe |
| KwikPen | 4 doses, 2.4 mL | 0.6 mL | Dialled on the pen with a new pen needle each time; no syringe |
Mounjaro pen strengths
| Weekly dose | Single-dose pen | KwikPen label |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 2.5 mg / 0.5 mL | 10 mg / 2.4 mL |
| 5 mg | 5 mg / 0.5 mL | 20 mg / 2.4 mL |
| 7.5 mg | 7.5 mg / 0.5 mL | 30 mg / 2.4 mL |
| 10 mg | 10 mg / 0.5 mL | 40 mg / 2.4 mL |
| 12.5 mg | 12.5 mg / 0.5 mL | 50 mg / 2.4 mL |
| 15 mg | 15 mg / 0.5 mL | 60 mg / 2.4 mL |
The maximum is 15 mg a week in adults and 10 mg in children aged 10 and over. See Mounjaro dosing for when the dose changes.
Using each pen
Single-dose pen
It comes ready with a hidden needle. You uncap it, place it flat on the skin, unlock and press; it delivers the whole dose. Nothing is set or primed.
KwikPen
Attach a new pen needle, prime before every weekly dose, then turn the knob until it stops to set the full dose. The pen locks after the fourth dose.
Changing your Mounjaro dose
Mounjaro starts at 2.5 mg and rises by 2.5 mg, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if more blood sugar control is needed. Each step is a new pen in the new strength, prescribed for that dose.
Where to inject
Inject under the skin of the abdomen, at least 2 inches (5 cm) from the belly button, or the front of the thigh. The back of the upper arm is for when someone else gives the injection. Use a different spot each week; the same area is fine, the same spot is not.
Common pen mistakes
- Counting clicks to set the dose. Turn the knob until it stops; clicks only mark the prime position on the KwikPen.
- Skipping the prime. The KwikPen is primed before every weekly dose, not only the first.
- Storing the pen with the needle on. Remove and discard the needle after each injection and put the cap back on.
- Sharing a pen, even with a new needle. Never.
- Drawing leftover liquid into a syringe after the fourth dose. It gives an incomplete, unknown dose.
Mounjaro pens for children
Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes in children aged 10 and over, at a maximum of 10 mg a week, so the 12.5 and 15 mg pens are for adults only. The approval rests on a 30-week trial in 99 young people on 5 or 10 mg, where vomiting, abdominal pain and low blood sugar were more common than in adults.
Missed a dose
Storing Mounjaro pens
| Presentation | In the fridge (2–8 °C / 36–46 °F) | Out of the fridge (up to 30 °C / 86 °F) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-dose pen or vial | Until the expiry date | Up to 21 days in total, then throw it away |
| Multi-dose vial or KwikPen, unopened | Until the expiry date | Throw away after 30 days |
| Multi-dose vial or KwikPen, in use | Fridge or room temperature; throw away 30 days after first use or after 4 doses, even if medicine is left | |
Getting tirzepatide prescribed
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Mounjaro KwikPen last?
Four weekly doses. Once used, throw it away after 30 days or after the fourth dose, whichever comes first.
Can a Mounjaro single-dose pen be reused?
No. It delivers one dose and is then thrown away in a sharps container.
Is Mounjaro insulin?
No. Mounjaro is tirzepatide, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It helps the body release its own insulin when blood sugar is high, but it is not insulin, and it can raise the risk of low blood sugar when taken with insulin.
Where do you inject Mounjaro?
Under the skin of the abdomen, at least 2 inches from the belly button, or the thigh; the back of the upper arm if someone else injects. Use a different spot each week.
Is there a Mounjaro KwikPen?
Yes. The label lists a single-patient-use KwikPen holding four weekly doses of one strength, alongside the single-dose pen and vials.
How many doses are in a Mounjaro pen?
The single-dose pen holds one dose. The Mounjaro KwikPen holds four weekly doses of one strength.
Can you adjust the dose on a Mounjaro pen?
No. Each pen delivers one strength. A different dose needs a pen in that strength.
Is the Mounjaro pen dosed in units?
No. Pens deliver the dose in milligrams by themselves; units only apply to vials drawn with a syringe.
What strengths does the Mounjaro pen come in?
2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg per dose, for both the single-dose pen and the KwikPen.