Preparing for your first Mounjaro appointment in Dubai

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection treatment in Dubai and across the UAE starts with a medical assessment. Mounjaro is a once-weekly prescription medication used in medical weight management.

Knowing what the doctor will ask, and why, can make that first appointment more useful. A little preparation also helps the doctor assess whether the treatment is appropriate for you.

Your weight history and goals

Your doctor will begin by asking about your weight history, previous attempts at weight loss and what you would like to achieve. It can help to note your highest adult weight, any treatments you have tried and how your weight has changed in recent years. A record of recent weight or waist measurements can also be useful.

Weight loss medication is generally an option for adults whose body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. Adults with a BMI of 27 or above may also be considered. This applies when they have a condition linked to weight, for example high blood pressure, sleep apnoea or type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is approved for adults only.

Your medical history and current medications

Your doctor will ask about current and past medical conditions, as several of them affect whether Mounjaro is appropriate or how it is used. The US prescribing information does not recommend Mounjaro in severe gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach empties very slowly.

A history of pancreatitis or gallstones is also important to mention. Guidance from the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that very rapid weight loss may increase the likelihood of gallstones.

A complete list of your medications, including supplements, will help the doctor check for interactions. Patients with type 2 diabetes who use insulin or a sulfonylurea may need their treatment adjusted, because adding a GLP-1 medication may make low blood sugar more likely.

If you have surgery or another procedure planned, mention it at the appointment. The prescribing information asks patients to let their doctors know about any planned procedure in advance. This is because of a risk of aspiration under anaesthesia, which means stomach contents entering the lungs.

Pregnancy plans and contraception

Women planning a pregnancy should raise this at the first appointment. The UK National Health Service (NHS) advises stopping tirzepatide at least four weeks before trying to conceive.

Mounjaro can also affect how well oral contraceptives work. The US prescribing information advises using a non-oral or barrier method of contraception for four weeks after starting Mounjaro, and for four weeks after each dose increase.

Blood tests and body composition

Your doctor will often review recent blood test results before prescribing, and may arrange new tests if your results are out of date. Blood tests can identify conditions such as thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can affect weight and may need treatment in their own right.

A body composition analysis may also form part of the first visit. The analysis provides estimates of body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeat measurements at later visits help track how these change during treatment.

What the Mounjaro dose plan will look like

Most patients start Mounjaro at 2.5 mg once a week. This first dose is for starting treatment and is not a maintenance dose. The dose can then increase in steps through 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg and 12.5 mg, up to 15 mg.

There is no automatic increase after four weeks. Your doctor will decide each step with you, taking into account your weight loss response and any side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved maintenance doses of 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg once weekly.

The prescribing information allows a missed weekly dose to be taken within four days, as long as the next dose is at least three days later. Your doctor will explain what to do if a dose is delayed.

How Mounjaro is injected

Mounjaro is injected under the skin once a week. The exact technique depends on the type of pen. The instructions supplied with your prescribed pen are the ones to follow.

What results to discuss with your doctor

In SURMOUNT-1, a Phase 3 clinical trial that enrolled 2,539 adults with obesity or overweight, participants taking the highest dose of Mounjaro had an average weight loss of around 20%. The average was measured after 72 weeks of treatment. Individual results vary with starting weight, dose, side effects and lifestyle.

Mounjaro works alongside nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress management. It is not a replacement for them.

Follow-up, cost and insurance

Follow-up appointments, often around every four weeks, allow your doctor to check how you are progressing, review any side effects and adjust the dose if needed. Weight is only one measure at these visits. Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood test results and body composition can show changes that the number on the scale does not.

Cost is a reasonable topic to raise at the first appointment. Medication prices in the UAE are the official pharmacy prices, and they vary with the dose prescribed. Insurance coverage for weight loss treatment varies by policy and is often limited. Checking your coverage in advance is advisable.

Questions worth asking at the first appointment

Useful questions to ask include:

• How the dose will be increased, and how often
• Which side effects to expect and how to manage them
• What to do if a dose is missed
• How progress will be measured beyond the number on the scale
• How often follow-up appointments will take place
• What the plan will be when it is time to stop treatment

Your doctor can tailor the answers to your individual assessment.

Starting a GLP-1 medication is a medical decision and should not be made by a patient alone. A doctor needs to review each case to judge whether treatment is safe and appropriate.