Mounjaro Maintenance Dose for Weight Management Long Term

Mounjaro is a popular and effective once-weekly weight loss injection. It contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which at the highest dose can help you lose up to 22.5% of your initial body weight after 72 weeks. Mounjaro and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist injections work by:

• increasing the production of insulin to manage blood sugar levels
• lowering your appetite
• slowing digestion

This can stop you from eating too many calories, which can lead to weight gain.

Once you have reached your target weight, your Mounjaro journey does not have to end, especially as coming off Mounjaro could lead to weight gain. That’s why you may want to stay on a Mounjaro maintenance dose, so you can get the most out of your treatment and, importantly, keep the weight off.

The Mounjaro maintenance dose is the dose that helps you maintain the weight you have lost during your Mounjaro journey. It’s the dose you can remain on after reaching your target weight and is usually between 10 and 15mg per week, depending on how your body responds to the medication. Some people may choose to continue on a lower weekly dose if this suits them well.

It is not meant to help you lose more weight, but can support you to stay at your goal weight until you’re ready to come off it. In the meantime, you should still be following healthy lifestyle changes so you will feel more confident in maintaining your weight without Mounjaro in the future.

When you first start weight loss treatment, you’ll follow a dosing schedule that starts at a low dose and gradually increases until you reach the maximum maintenance dose or the dose that works best for you without causing side effects.

When you have reached your target weight or are close to it, your doctor will discuss the best maintenance dose for you if you want to stay on weight loss treatment. This will be based on how you respond to the medication, any side effects you may be getting, and your goals moving forward.

The most common Mounjaro maintenance doses for weight maintenance are:

• 5mg
• 10mg
• 15mg

➤ See our weight loss maintenance hub for more information about weight maintenance treatment.

There are several doses that make up the Mounjaro dosage schedule, but the maintenance phase typically starts once you’ve reached your goal weight or are getting very close to doing so.

There is no set time frame for when you should transition to the maintenance phase, but there are several things a doctor will consider before prescribing a maintenance dose, such as:

• your diet and exercise routine – how well you’re sticking to healthy lifestyle habits alongside treatment
• how well your body responds to the medication – whether you’re experiencing any side effects at your current dose
• weight stability – if you have reached your target weight and are maintaining your results
• appetite control – how well Mounjaro is managing cravings, hunger cues, and food noise
• long-term treatment goals – whether you want to continue Mounjaro for ongoing support or would prefer to stop
• your overall health and medical history – including any other conditions or medications that may affect your ongoing dose

Your doctor will work with you to find the dose that maintains your results safely and sustainably, while minimising side effects.

There is no set amount of time that you should remain on the maintenance dose – your weight loss journey is personal to you. Once you have found a suitable dose, you will continue to take it for the duration of your treatment plan. Your doctor will continue to monitor you to make sure the dose is working for you, you are not getting ongoing or severe side effects, and you are not losing more weight.

Although Mounjaro is a long-term treatment, you do not need to take it for the rest of your life – how long you will need to take it for will depend on your circumstances.

Can you take a lower dose for maintenance?

Yes, 15mg is the maximum Mounjaro maintenance dose, but it can also lead to the most weight loss, so you may find a lower dose is better for maintaining your weight. You’re also more likely to get stronger side effects at higher doses. If you do, your doctor will recommend a lower dose of Mounjaro for maintenance.

Can you stop taking Mounjaro once you’ve reached your weight loss goal?

Yes, you can stop taking Mounjaro once you’ve reached your target weight – you do not have to stay on a maintenance dose if you want to try maintaining your weight by yourself, but you should speak to your doctor before stopping. Many people transition to a lower, long-term maintenance dose to help maintain their results, because coming off Mounjaro completely can lead to weight gain.

It’s safe to stop Mounjaro without taking a maintenance dose or lowering your dose and your doctor may recommend stopping Mounjaro if your BMI drops below a certain level.

Once you reach the Mounjaro maintenance dose, side effects often become milder or less frequent. This is because your body has had time to adjust to tirzepatide during your weight loss journey. However, some people may still get side effects with the maintenance dose, especially if they are on a higher dose, like 10 or 15mg.

Some of the common side effects during the maintenance phase may include:

• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• heartburn
• indigestion
• upset stomach

These side effects are usually temporary and tend to improve as your body adjusts to your dose. However, there are things you can do to manage the side effects at home, such as:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large portions
• avoid rich, greasy, or spicy foods, which can make symptoms like nausea worse
• stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day
• limit alcohol and caffeine intake, which can irritate your stomach
• get some rest if you’re feeling more tired than usual or if you feel unwell

If side effects persist, get worse, or impact your daily routine, speak to your doctor. They may recommend lowering your dose or offer further advice on managing symptoms. In some cases, they may recommend stopping Mounjaro.

The 10mg and 15mg Mounjaro doses are commonly prescribed for maintenance and can help you maintain your weight loss progress once you’ve reached your target weight. The right dose for you will depend on how well you respond to treatment and how your body copes with the medication.

Both the 10 and 15mg doses can support ongoing weight management. The 15mg dose is the maximum maintenance strength available for Mounjaro and is the most effective. However, the higher the dose, the greater the chance of side effects, such as feeling or being sick.

How the Mounjaro maintenance doses compare to Wegovy’s maintenance dose

Wegovy is available in a maintenance dose of 2.4mg, but it’s possible to use lower doses of Wegovy as maintenance doses if you prefer. Mounjaro can offer greater flexibility with 5, 10, or 15mg maintenance doses. They are available at different dose strengths because they contain different active ingredients and clinical studies have found those to be the best doses for weight loss and safety.

Both medications work in a similar way to control your appetite and support long-term weight loss, but Mounjaro binds to the receptors of 2 hormones rather than 1, which may explain why it’s more effective in some people.

➤ Learn more about the differences between semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide (the daily weight loss injection).

Reaching the Mounjaro maintenance phase is a major milestone and a sign that you have already made great progress. The next step is to focus on sustaining your results and supporting your overall health with consistent habits and regular check-ins with your doctor. Here are some of the ways you can build on your weight loss success with Mounjaro:

Prioritise balanced nutrition

Mounjaro does not work on its own, and following a nutrient-rich, balanced diet that includes lean proteins, plenty of vegetables, wholegrains, and healthy fats is essential. Avoid skipping meals, which can lead to energy dips and food cravings later in the day, and swap high-fat and sugar snacks for nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated while on Mounjaro is essential to make sure the medication works properly by helping your body absorb it, reducing common side effects, and regulating your appetite. Aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day and swap caffeinated drinks, such as tea and coffee, for decaffeinated options or herbal teas, such as peppermint, chamomile, and ginger, which can also help relieve side effects like nausea.

Stay active and maintain a consistent routine

Exercise plays an important role in long-term weight maintenance. It’s important to focus on consistency rather than intensity, so aim to complete 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, like walking, swimming, or cycling if you are able to.

You should also add in some strength training to preserve muscle mass and boost your metabolism. Small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the lift, or taking a short walk after a meal, can also make a big difference over time. As you get more used to exercise, start increasing the intensity, add more reps, or work out for longer – this will help you to keep burning calories and maintain your weight.

Monitor your progress and check in with your doctor

Your doctor will continue to monitor your progress throughout the maintenance phase, including any side effects you’re having, how you’re feeling, and your weight. However, you should contact your doctor if:

• your weight starts to go up again
• you get side effects that do not improve with time, or any severe symptoms
• you notice changes in your appetite or “food noise”
• you’re thinking of stopping or adjusting your Mounjaro dose

Regular reviews with your doctor are important so they can check your treatment remains safe, effective, and in line with your long-term goals.

Is the maintenance dose permanent?

No, the Mounjaro maintenance dose does not need to be permanent, but many people remain on it long-term to avoid regaining the weight they have lost or to manage underlying conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will discuss how long you may need to remain on the maintenance dose, based on your weight loss progress and how well you respond to treatment.

Do you still lose weight after reaching the maintenance dose of Mounjaro?

The main goal of the maintenance dose is to stabilise and maintain the weight you have already lost, rather than help you continue losing weight. However, a couple of pounds increase or decrease is normal. If you’re still losing weight, speak to your doctor as you may need a lower maintenance dose.

Can you switch to Wegovy during the maintenance phase?

Yes, it may be possible to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy during the maintenance phase, but this must be done under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare professional. They will assess if it’s safe and suitable to switch at this time. You will need to have a 7-day break between your last dose of Mounjaro and your first Wegovy dose.

Can you switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro at a maintenance dose?

Yes, if you’re currently taking either the 2.4mg dose of Wegovy, you can usually switch to Mounjaro 5mg, the lowest maintenance dose. Because Mounjaro mimics the effects of 2 hormones compared to Wegovy, which binds to the receptors of 1 hormone, it’s believed to be more potent, so your body needs to get used to the new medication. For this reason, it’s not safe to start Mounjaro on a higher dose.

How often do you take the maintenance dose of Mounjaro?

Similar to other Mounjaro doses, the maintenance dose is taken once per week. It should be injected on the same day each week to remain at consistent levels in the body and prevent weight gain.