Mounjaro®.
Mounjaro® carries a boxed warning about possible thyroid tumors. Do not use it if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have MEN 2. Serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and severe allergic reactions.
Boxed warning: possible thyroid tumors.
In studies in rodents, tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors. It is not known whether it causes these tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in people. Tell your clinician right away if you notice a lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness that does not go away.
Who should not use this.
Do not use this medication if you or a family member have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any ingredient in this medication.
Serious risks.
Serious side effects can include severe stomach and intestinal side effects; kidney problems, which can follow dehydration from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; gallbladder problems, including gallstones; inflammation of the pancreas (severe stomach pain that may spread to your back, with or without vomiting); serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; low blood sugar, especially if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea; and worsening diabetic eye disease in people with type 2 diabetes. This medication is not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. Stop using it and get medical help right away if you have signs of pancreatitis or a serious allergic reaction.
Common side effects.
The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain.
Before you start, tell your clinician.
Tell your clinician about all of your medical conditions, including past pancreatitis, gallbladder or kidney problems, slowed stomach emptying, diabetic eye disease, or a serious allergic reaction to another GLP-1 medication. Tell them about every medication you take, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and any other GLP-1 medication; this medication should not be combined with another one. It slows stomach emptying, which can change how medications taken by mouth are absorbed. Before any surgery or procedure that uses anesthesia or deep sedation, tell the care team you take this medication, because food left in the stomach can raise the risk of breathing it into the lungs. Tirzepatide can make birth control pills less effective. If you use them, switch to a non-oral method or add a barrier method for 4 weeks after you start and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
For questions about your treatment, message your care team through your patient portal, or see the Mounjaro® product page. This is not a substitute for the full prescribing information provided with your medication.