Mounjaro

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro, also known by its generic name tirzepatide, is a once-weekly injectable medication developed for the management of type 2 diabetes and chronic weight-related conditions. It’s a prescription-only medicine, meaning you’ll need an Aussie-registered doctor to assess your suitability and issue a script.

Approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Mounjaro is currently under enhanced monitoring. That means any side effects or unexpected results should be reported to your healthcare provider or directly via the TGA website (www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems) — keeping tabs on safety helps everyone.

Mounjaro was approved by the TGA in December 2022 for treating type 2 diabetes and in September 2024 for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. The medication is also in phase II development for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.[1]

Mounjaro’s Mechanism of Action and Effect

Mounjaro works by mimicking two natural hormones: GIP and GLP-1. These hormones play a role in managing insulin and glucose levels, and the dual-action of tirzepatide gives it an edge.

Here’s what it does:

Increases insulin release when blood sugar is high
Improves how your body responds to insulin
Lowers glucagon levels (a hormone that raises blood sugar)
Slows stomach emptying, helping you feel full for longer

The combined effect supports better blood sugar control, reduced appetite, and often — significant weight loss. Think of it as a weight-loss aid, not a miracle cure for shedding excess weight.

Buying Mounjaro in Australia Legally

You can’t just walk into a shop and grab Mounjaro off the shelf. Here’s how it works down under:

Steps to Access Mounjaro:

Initial Health Check
Complete an online or in-person medical assessment. This includes your history, BMI, current medications, and treatment goals.[2] Note that this stage is not obligatory. You can go straight to the doctor, online or in person, and get assessed on the spot. The “initial health check” is just a convenience feature, not a regulatory requirement.
Consult a Doctor
A registered Aussie doctor will evaluate your situation and determine if Mounjaro is appropriate. They’ll answer any questions and ensure it aligns with your health profile.
Get a Script
If you’re approved, your doctor will provide:
- A prescription (paper or eScript)
- Clear instructions for use
- Follow-up plans to track results

Important Notes:

You must have a valid Australian prescription.
Not available over-the-counter or without medical clearance.
If using an online pharmacy, upload your eScript and confirm identity.

As the old saying goes, “Don’t go off half-cocked” — always follow the proper channels with prescription meds.

Price of the Medication

As of July 2025, Mounjaro is available at selected Chemist Warehouse locations. Here is the example for the starting dosage.

Mounjaro Kwikpen 2.5mg/0.6ml (4 doses)

Price: $279.99
Availability: In-store only
Online: Currently unavailable

SCRIPT REQUIRED – The pharmacist will verify it before dispensing.

This pricing is for the starter dose (2.5 mg). Higher doses — when prescribed — may differ in cost. Some private health funds may offer partial rebates. It’s worth checking your policy to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Online at Chemist Warehouse

Many Aussies wonder if they can buy Mounjaro online. Here’s the lay of the land:

Chemist Warehouse does NOT sell Mounjaro online as of now.
You can browse product details online, but the medicine is dispensed in-store only.
You must bring your Australian script or arrange for your doctor to send it via eScript.

What You Can Do Online:

Use the store locator to find a Chemist Warehouse near you
Contact the pharmacy team ahead of your visit
Check prices for different dosage options

Chemist Warehouse is known for its competitive pricing — a bit of a household name across the country. Unfortunately, it cannot offer telemedicine services for Mounjaro prescriptions.

How to Use Mounjaro Correctly?

Using Mounjaro isn’t complicated, but it’s important to do it right. Even a small mistake can cause discomfort, such as a painful sensation in the injection area. Your healthcare provider will talk you through the process. You can also always find videos by trusted doctors on how to inject Mounjaro. One of them is provided below:

In addition, always read the CMI leaflet.

Dosage and Administration

Frequency	Once a week (doesn’t matter what time of the day)
Route	Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
Injection site	Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
Rotation	Change injection sites weekly to avoid irritation, bruises, pain etc.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Don’t adjust the dose or schedule on your own.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic

Feature	Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)	Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Manufacturer	Eli Lilly	Novo Nordisk
TGA Approval (Australia)	✅ Type 2 Diabetes (2022) ✅ Weight loss (2024) ✅ Sleep apnoea (2025)	✅ Type 2 Diabetes (2019) ❌ Not approved for weight loss in Ozempic form
Weight Loss Use	✅ Approved & widely prescribed	⚠️ Off-label only (for Wegovy when available)
Mechanism of Action	Dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist only
Average Weight Loss	~15–22% body weight (at higher doses)	~10–15% body weight
Dosing	Weekly injection (2.5 to 15 mg)	Weekly injection (0.25 to 2 mg)
Available Forms (AU)	KwikPen (2024), vials limited the discontinued	Prefilled pens
Cost	More expensive	Cheaper
PBS Coverage	❌ No	✅ For type 2 diabetes (specific criteria)
Side Effects	Nausea, constipation, fatigue, GI upset	Nausea, vomiting, GI upset
Popularity in AU (2025)	Rapidly increasing, overtaking Ozempic	Still widely used, esp. for diabetes
Supply Issues	✅ KwikPens are available, past shortages of vials	⚠️ Past shortages, mostly resolved

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects include:

nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
constipation
low blood sugar
injection-site reactions

To minimise the risk of local reactions it would be good to alternate injection sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm).

Mounjaro is contraindicated in people with a personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2 syndrome. It hasn’t been established as safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Hence contraception is advised for women of reproductive potential.

FAQ

No, this is impossible, at least legally. Other private individuals cannot give or sell you the medication. Companies offering Indian Mounjaro substitutes are operating fraudulently.

Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Avoid using fridges that may stop working or function with temperature fluctuations. Don’t freeze the medication and don’t store it in or near the freezer section.

If necessary, you may store:

up to a total of 21 days at room temperature (< 30 °C) for unopened vials, or
a total of 30 days for KwikPens

For transporting injections, keep in original packaging, protect from heat/light, and have a medical document for carrying injecting devices. To ensure the correct temperature is maintained, use a cool bag. If you are travelling by plane, keep the pen in your hand luggage.[3]

This weight-loss jab was approved to treat common sleep disorder – obstructive sleep apnoea. Australia is a pioneer in extending the conditions for which Mounjaro can be prescribed to include this health condition. So now it can be used for moderate-to-severe OSA in people suffering from obesity (BMI over 30). The medication’s role is weight reduction resulting in decreasing pressure on abdominal area and chest, as well as reducing excess fat around the throat and neck.[4]

Initially, yes. Vials were the only option available early on, which led to supply issues[5] and caused a great deal of frustration. However, KwikPens are now widely supplied.

All Mounjaro vials were discontinued due commercial reasons in June 2025. However, KwikPen pre‑filled pens are available in all strengths with no current supply issues. But, if you have a prescription for vials, it cannot be used for buying KwikPens. Obtaining a new script is necessary.

No. Due to safety concerns, Australia banned compounded or copycat versions of Mounjaro (and similar drugs like Ozempic) in 2024.[6] Only regulated, TGA-approved brand products should be used. The Health Minister said that this decision will “save lives”.

Reddit users report the needle is very small and barely felt. However, some users suffer from painful sensations each time they make an injection[7] (this situation is rare).

Mounjaro has shown sustained effectiveness and tolerability for up to 72 weeks in trials. However, long-term safety beyond 2 years is still being studied. Australian doctors recommend:

Regular liver, kidney, and blood sugar checks
Monitoring thyroid health and stomach-related symptoms
Periodic assessment of whether continued use is still appropriate

Patients are typically advised to remain on the drug as long as the benefits outweigh risks, especially if stopping leads to weight regain (“rollback effect”) or worsening of comorbid conditions like SOA.

According to well-known website drugs.com, the medicine has a rating 8.8 out of 10 for obesity treatment.[8] This is a pretty good indicator meaning that most users are satisfied with the use of medication. Other review websites[9] also feature good reviews.

Mounjaro

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro’s Mechanism of Action and Effect