While possible, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) isn’t designed for short-term use. The way Mounjaro works means it’s more effective when it’s used for longer and combined with healthy habits.
Mounjaro is a medication for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking two hormones in the body that help to lower feelings of hunger.
Mounjaro is a long-acting medication, and its hunger-lowering impact can take up to 8 weeks to reach its full effectiveness.
Additionally, the research on Mounjaro has shown that its rate of weight loss is no more than typical weight-loss approaches in the first 3 months.
The real impact of Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections occurs after 3 months when the medication dose increases.
After 3 months, the hunger-lowering effect of Mounjaro will be stable between doses and weight loss continues at a rate of around 1-2 lbs per week.
If you only use it in the short term (less than 6 months), you might not experience the full effect of Mounjaro and experience weight regain when you come off of the medication.
However, we understand that some individuals may only have access to the medication for a limited time due to cost.
So, let’s explore Mounjaro and how it works in more detail so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Understanding how Mounjaro works
Mounjaro is a weight-loss injection that mimics two hormones in the body that are released by the gut in response to food.
These two hormones are GLP-1 and GIP. These hormones:
- Communicate with the brain to lower feelings of hunger and food cravings
- GLP-1 also helps the body manage blood sugar levels
- Lower the feeling of ‘food noise’
Mounjaro takes around 4-8 weeks to reach its ‘steady state’, a level the drug reaches in the body where its effect is consistent.
This 4-8-week timeline isn’t a limitation – it allows your body to adapt while minimising side effects.
The medication works best when given time to:
- Support gradual, healthy weight loss
- Reduce feelings of food noise so you have more willpower for other goals, like building healthy habits
Challenges of short-term use of Mounjaro
While some individuals report success with shorter durations of treatment, using Mounjaro short-term presents several important considerations:
1 – Limited therapeutic benefit
- The medication may not reach full effectiveness within a short timeframe
- Your body needs time to adapt to both starting and stopping treatment
- Weight loss maintenance may be more challenging if you only use the drug for a short time
2 – Impact on habit formation
- Developing sustainable lifestyle changes typically requires several months, or even years
- Quick changes may not translate to long-term habits
- Support systems need time to develop and strengthen
How to maximise weight loss results on Mounjaro
While we’d recommend taking Mounjaro for longer than 6 months to get the full benefits of the medication, if you can only access Mounjaro for a limited time, focus on these key strategies:
1 – Maximise your time on medication
- Work closely with healthcare providers to optimise your treatment plan
- Focus intensively on habit formation from day one
- Learn to recognise and respond to hunger signals
- Use journaling to reflect on your experience
2 – Develop sustainable habits
- Eat a diet based on whole foods and lower in ultra-processed foods
- Eat 3 balanced meals a day rich in protein, fibre, fat, and complex carbohydrates
- Include movement in your day and introduce formal exercise when ready
- Design your environment to make healthy choices easier
- Practise mindful eating techniques, like taking 20 minutes to eat your meal, at a table, without the distraction of technology
3 – Plan for transition
- Work with your prescriber to discuss a plan to come off of the medication slowly
- Identify potential challenges and develop specific strategies
- Consider ongoing support through non-medication programmes
When to seek support
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Difficulty adjusting to the medication
- Concerns about treatment duration
- Questions about transitioning off the medication
- Need for additional support with lifestyle changes
Take home message
While Mounjaro is designed for long-term use, we understand that some people may only have access to it for a limited time due to cost.
The key is to make the most of your treatment period by focusing intensively on building sustainable habits that can support your health journey beyond the medication.
Remember that success with Mounjaro isn’t just about the medication – it’s about the habits, knowledge, and support systems you develop along the way.
Second Nature currently provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other providers assuming you’re eligible?
For peace of mind.
We’ve worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing evidence-based weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Mounjaro programme is private, we maintain the same high standards of scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security that have made us a trusted NHS partner.
Please note: We generally recommend speaking with your GP/doctor before you start taking any new medication like Mounjaro. If you do sign up for Second Nature's Mounjaro programme, then we'll also send your GP a letter to let them know you've started a medication-supported weight-loss journey.