Contents of Mounjaro: What Is in the Box and the Pen (October 2026)

01 · The short answer

What is in a Mounjaro box?

A Mounjaro box holds the medicine itself, supplied as a pre-filled KwikPen, together with the printed patient information leaflet. Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine made by Eli Lilly. In the UK it is licensed for weight management in adults and for type 2 diabetes. It comes as a pre-filled multi-dose pen (KwikPen) in six strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg.¹

The strength is printed on the carton and on the pen label. The strength tells you how much tirzepatide is delivered with each weekly dose, not how many injections are in the pen.

For the full list of inactive ingredients, the authoritative document is the patient information leaflet, which sits inside every box and is also published online.¹³

If you want a shorter companion guide, our page on what's in Mounjaro covers the ingredient question, and our guide to the Mounjaro box covers the packaging. Questions about pen counts per carton are answered in how many Mounjaro pens come in a box.

02 · Your next step

Is this relevant to you, and what next?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only medicine, supplied only after an online consultation reviewed by a GPhC-registered prescriber. It is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Individual results vary.

If you are weighing up private treatment, the starting 2.5mg pen costs £169.99 at the standard price, and your first 2.5mg pen costs £129.99 with code FIRST40. Every later order is £25 off the standard price. All six doses are in stock. You can see the current options on the Mounjaro pen page, or read about our wider weight loss clinic service.

When your box arrives, do three simple checks before you inject. Confirm the strength matches your prescription. Confirm the printed expiry date has not passed. Confirm the pen looks as described in the leaflet. If anything looks wrong, do not use it; contact our support team on Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by email at support@everydaymeds.co.uk, through the account portal chat, or on 0333 207 0413.

Dispensed prescription medicines cannot be returned except where an item is faulty, damaged or wrong, and in those cases you should contact us within 3 days of delivery.

03 · The active ingredient

The active ingredient: tirzepatide

The only active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. That is the generic, or non-brand, name, and it is the name that appears on the prescription label and in the patient leaflet. Mounjaro is the brand name used by Eli Lilly.¹ If you see a box labelled tirzepatide with no brand name, it is describing the same active substance, though you should only ever use the product your prescriber has supplied.

People often ask what the generic name for Mounjaro is, and the short answer is tirzepatide. This matters because some people confuse similar-sounding names. Ozempic and Wegovy are not tirzepatide. They contain semaglutide, a different active ingredient from a different manufacturer. Mounjaro is sometimes misspelled as manjaro or mounjero, but these all refer to the same tirzepatide pen.

Tirzepatide is the first treatment of its kind to activate two natural gut-hormone receptors at once: GIP and GLP-1. Together these help regulate appetite, slow how quickly the stomach empties, and improve the way the body responds to insulin.¹

Strength is not the same as volume

The numbers on the box (2.5mg to 15mg) refer to the dose of tirzepatide in each weekly injection. They are not a measure of how strong the pen feels or how much liquid you inject. The pen is designed so that each click-and-inject delivers the labelled dose. You do not need to measure anything, draw up liquid or calculate a dose yourself, which is one reason pre-filled pens are widely used for once-weekly medicines.

Why you should read the leaflet for the rest

Besides the active ingredient, every injectable medicine contains inactive ingredients that keep it stable and suitable for injection. The complete, accurate list is printed in the patient information leaflet in every carton, and it is the place to check if you have a known allergy to any component.¹³ If you have previously reacted badly to an injectable medicine, mention it during your consultation so the prescriber can consider it.

Not a supplement, not a generic

Mounjaro is a licensed prescription medicine with a defined composition and a regulated manufacturing process. That is very different from products sold online as natural alternatives, where dosing is not standardised and there is no clinical oversight. If someone offers you tirzepatide without a consultation or prescription, treat it as a warning sign. Our own Mounjaro is supplied through official LillyDirect supply, direct from Eli Lilly's UK distribution, as genuine KwikPens.

You can check our pharmacy on the GPhC register under registration number 9012878.¹² The register is the quickest way to confirm that a seller is a real, regulated UK pharmacy before you hand over any payment details or health information.

04 · The KwikPen itself

The KwikPen: what the pen contains

The KwikPen is a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen, so the medicine is already inside it when it reaches you. You do not load a vial, and you do not mix anything. The pen is built for self-injection under the skin once a week.¹ The leaflet in the box contains step-by-step instructions for use, with pictures, and you should follow those exactly for your own pen.

Because the pen is multi-dose, one pen supplies the weekly doses for a course at that strength rather than a single injection. If you want the detail, our guides on how many Mounjaro pens in a box and the related pens per carton question explain what to expect.

What you will see on the pen

The pen carries a label showing the product name, the strength, the batch and the expiry date. The strength is the single most important thing to read. During titration you may move up through strengths, so the pen you hold may not be the same strength as the one you used before. Before each injection, read the strength and confirm it is the one your prescriber told you to use at that stage.

The injection needle

A pen needs a needle attached for each injection. Needles, a sharps bin and injection guidance are included with every order from us, so you do not have to source them separately. Always use a fresh needle for each injection as the leaflet describes, and place used needles straight into the sharps bin. Never put loose needles in household bins.

Many people feel nervous about the first injection. The pen is designed to be simple, and the leaflet walks you through it. If you want to rehearse the steps without injecting, read the instructions for use through while holding the pen, then ask your prescribing team if anything is unclear.

Where the injection goes

Mounjaro is injected under the skin, and the leaflet describes the permitted sites and advises rotating them.¹³ Preparation questions such as skin cleaning come up often; our short guide to swabs for Mounjaro explains what people commonly use and why.

Following the pen's instructions

Pen mechanics, including how long to hold the pen against the skin and how to tell the dose is complete, are described in the instructions for use. Follow the pen's instructions rather than relying on general advice from elsewhere. If you think a dose was not delivered properly, do not simply inject again; contact your prescriber for advice on what to do.

05 · What else is in the carton

The carton and leaflet: what else to expect

Beyond the pen, the carton is there to protect it and to carry the information you need to use it safely. The most important piece of paper in the box is the patient information leaflet, which explains what the medicine is for, who should not use it, how to inject it and what side effects to look out for.¹³ Keep it, even after the first week. People often discard packaging early and then wish they had kept the leaflet when a question comes up months later.

Why the label details matter

The carton shows the product name, the active substance, the strength, the batch number and the expiry date. These details help in three situations. First, they confirm that you have been given the right strength for your stage of treatment. Second, they let the pharmacy trace a batch if a problem is reported. Third, they help you report a suspected side effect accurately through the Yellow Card scheme.¹⁹

What arrives with an EverydayMeds order

Our orders arrive by free next-day tracked delivery from DPD, in temperature-controlled, discreet packaging. Same-day dispatch applies when you order by 3pm. Saturday delivery is available for £14.99. Inside the parcel you will find your dispensed Mounjaro pen, needles, a sharps bin and injection guidance. The order is dispensed by our registered pharmacy after a GPhC-registered prescriber has reviewed your consultation.

Checking a delivery

When the parcel arrives, open it promptly and put the pen into the fridge unless you are about to use it. Check the strength against your prescription and look at the pen as the leaflet describes. If the packaging looks tampered with, the pen appears damaged or something is missing, contact us straight away. Faulty, damaged or wrong items can be dealt with if you contact us within 3 days.

A note on counterfeit products

Counterfeit weight-loss injections have been the subject of MHRA alerts.⁷ The safest protection is to buy only from a regulated UK pharmacy that you can find on the GPhC register, where a prescriber reviews your consultation first. Be wary of anyone offering to supply without a consultation or prescription, of unbranded pens, and of sellers who cannot show a pharmacy registration. A box that does not match the leaflet description, or has unusual labelling, should not be used.

Disposal

Used needles go in the sharps bin. When the sharps bin is full, ask your pharmacy or local council how to return it. Empty pens and cartons can be disposed of as the leaflet advises.

06 · What it does in the body

How the contents work in the body

Mounjaro works by acting on two hormone pathways involved in appetite and blood sugar at the same time. Tirzepatide is the first treatment of its kind to activate two natural gut-hormone receptors at once: GIP and GLP-1. Together these help regulate appetite, slow how quickly the stomach empties, and improve the way the body responds to insulin.¹ In practice, most people feel fuller sooner and less hungry between meals, which supports a reduced-calorie diet.

This dual action is what distinguishes Mounjaro from single-action GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic). Ozempic is not a tirzepatide product.

What the trial evidence says

The headline weight-management evidence comes from the SURMOUNT-1 trial. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial of 2,539 adults, people taking tirzepatide alongside diet and exercise lost on average 15% of their body weight on 5mg, 19.5% on 10mg and 20.9% on 15mg over 72 weeks, compared with 3.1% with lifestyle changes alone.² These are trial averages, and individual results vary. Treatment works alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not instead of them.

At 72 weeks, 85% of participants on 5mg, 89% on 10mg and 91% on 15mg had lost at least 5% of their body weight. Half of participants on 10mg and 57% on 15mg lost at least 20% of their body weight.²

For a worked example, someone starting at 100 kg who matched the 15mg average of 20.9% would lose about 21 kg. That is straight arithmetic on a trial average, not a forecast, and trial averages do not predict your own result.

Why the pen is dosed in steps

Treatment starts at the lowest strength and moves upward in steps rather than beginning at a high dose. Your prescribing team decides when to move up, stay put or settle on a maintenance dose, based on how you are doing and how you tolerate treatment.

Clearance after the last dose

Tirzepatide has a half-life of about five days, so after a final dose it takes roughly 4–5 weeks to clear the system — there is no way to speed this up, and nothing needs doing while it clears.¹

That is why effects, including side effects, do not stop abruptly on the day you decide to stop. It also explains why a missed week is not a crisis: if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can within 4 days (96 hours) of the scheduled time; if more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next one on your normal day, never taking two doses within 3 days of each other.

07 · Storage and handling

Storing the contents correctly

Unopened Mounjaro pens belong in the fridge, at 2–8°C, until first use, and they keep until the printed expiry date.¹³ Once you start using a pen, the UK KwikPen can be kept out of the fridge for up to 30 days (not above 30°C) in use.¹ Write the date you first used the pen on the carton so you can keep track.

Everyday storage tips

Keep the pen in its carton so it is protected from light and from accidental damage. Do not leave it in a hot car, next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. Do not use a pen that has been frozen, and do not use a pen past its expiry date. If a pen has been left somewhere unsuitable, do not guess. Read the leaflet and ask the pharmacy.

Unopened pens out of the fridge

For an unopened pen that has been out of the fridge, check with the pharmacy before using it. The patient information leaflet is the right reference, and our pharmacy team can advise if you contact us. Sterility and potency are no longer assured once a pen has been outside the tested window, so when in doubt, do not use it.

Travelling with your pen

Plan ahead for trips. Keep the pen in its carton, carry it in hand luggage rather than in a hold where temperatures vary, and use a small insulated bag if you will be travelling for a long time. Carry the pharmacy label or your prescription so you can explain what the medicine is if asked.

Delivery and the cold chain

Our delivery uses temperature-controlled packaging to protect the pen during transit. When it arrives, move it to the fridge promptly. If the parcel has been left outside for a long time in hot or freezing weather, tell us before you use it.

Children and pets

Keep pens, needles and the sharps bin out of sight and reach of children and pets. The leaflet gives general guidance on safe storage.

Sharing pens

Never share a pen with anyone else, even if you change the needle. A pen is dispensed for one named patient, and the leaflet states it should not be shared.

08 · Safety and side effects

Safety: what the contents mean for side effects

Side effects with Mounjaro are mostly digestive, and they are usually most noticeable when you start or step up a dose. The most common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal discomfort. The full list is in the patient information leaflet.¹³ If you are worried about a particular symptom, speak to your prescriber.

Common questions about long-term effects

The SURMOUNT-1 trial ran for 72 weeks, and the SmPC and leaflet describe what is known.¹ Our monthly clinical reviews exist so that someone on the prescribing team can look at how you are doing over time, and you can raise any concern between reviews.

Pancreatitis and other warnings

There is no proven way to prevent pancreatitis or gallbladder problems while taking Mounjaro. Before you start, tell your prescriber if you have ever had pancreatitis, gallstones or gallbladder disease, or severe problems with your digestion. Severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to the back, with or without being sick, could be pancreatitis: stop using Mounjaro and get medical help straight away. Pain in the upper right of the abdomen, fever or yellowing of the skin or eyes could be a gallbladder problem: get medical help straight away.

Gagging, nausea and injecting

Some people find the early weeks unsettling, including feelings of nausea or gagging. We cover this in more detail in our guide on gagging on Mounjaro. Tell your prescriber if symptoms are persistent or severe.

Other medicines

Mounjaro can reduce absorption of oral contraceptives because stomach emptying slows, so the MHRA guidance on contraception is worth reading.⁷ The SmPC advises switching to a non-oral method, or adding a barrier method (such as condoms), for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.¹ If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, doses may need adjusting because of the risk of low blood sugar, so tell your prescriber about all your medicines. Questions about other treatments, for example erectile dysfunction medicines, are covered in our guide to Cialis and Mounjaro.

Reporting a side effect

If you think a medicine has caused a problem, report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.¹⁹ Reports are most useful when you include the batch number printed on the carton, which is another reason to keep the box.

New symptoms

A symptom that is not on the leaflet's list is not a listed side effect. Discuss any new symptom with your prescriber and report it through Yellow Card.

09 · Diet and eating

Eating while using Mounjaro

Mounjaro is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not instead of them.² In practice, most people feel fuller sooner and less hungry between meals, which makes a reduced-calorie diet easier to follow. That is the role of the medicine: it supports changes in eating, and does not replace them.

What not to eat on Mounjaro

No food is banned on Mounjaro, including bananas. Many people find that rich, greasy or very large meals sit badly while the stomach empties more slowly, and smaller, simpler meals are often more comfortable. Your prescriber or a registered dietitian can advise on your own situation, especially if you have other health conditions.

The best foods to eat during Mounjaro

Because treatment is paired with a reduced-calorie diet, the practical aim is to make smaller portions count. Meals built around protein, vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and plenty of fluids are a sensible starting point for most adults, and they fit well with feeling full sooner. For personalised advice, ask your prescribing team or a dietitian rather than relying on generic internet lists.

Eating when appetite is low

It is possible to under-eat when your appetite falls. If you struggle to eat enough or drink enough, tell your prescriber. That matters particularly if you are being sick or have diarrhoea, because fluid loss can become a problem.

Physical activity

In SURMOUNT-1, results were achieved with lifestyle changes alongside the medicine, and the comparison group did lifestyle changes alone and lost far less.² Regular activity is part of the treatment plan, and it is worth building a routine you can sustain.

Keeping weight off after stopping

People ask whether you can keep weight off after stopping Mounjaro. Mounjaro manages weight; it does not cure the biology behind it. In SURMOUNT-4, people who stopped tirzepatide after 36 weeks regained on average 14% of body weight over the following year, while those who continued treatment lost a further 5.5% on average. Plan the end of treatment with your prescriber before you stop, rather than stopping suddenly. Remember that the medicine takes a while to clear the system after the last dose.

Tracking your journey

Our free GLPTrackr companion app, on iOS and Android, helps you track doses, symptoms and progress, which makes review conversations more productive.

10 · Serious side effects

Serious side effects: when to get help straight away

Serious side effects are uncommon but need urgent attention. Seek immediate medical help for: severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to your back, with or without vomiting (possible pancreatitis); pain in the upper right abdomen, fever or yellowing of skin/eyes (possible gallbladder problems); or signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat and difficulty breathing. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea alongside Mounjaro, watch for low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion) — your prescriber may need to adjust those medicines.¹

11 · NHS and private routes

NHS and private routes to the same pen

Mounjaro is available on the NHS, but access is being phased in over several years. NICE recommends it for adults with a BMI of at least 35 plus at least one weight-related condition, and the NHS primary-care rollout began in June 2025 with the highest-need groups first (initially BMI 40+ with four or more qualifying conditions).⁴ Full rollout is expected to take years, which is why many people who meet the licensed criteria choose regulated private treatment rather than waiting.⁶

The pen you receive does not depend on the route. Whether it comes from an NHS prescription or a private pharmacy, the active ingredient and the pen design are the same. What differs is how you access it and who pays. NHS prescriptions in England carry the standard prescription charge of £9.90 where it applies, whereas NHS weight-management injections are supplied through specific services, so your GP is the person to ask.

How private ordering works with us

The process has four steps. You complete a free online consultation, which is a short health questionnaire with no charge and no obligation. Payment is taken when you place the order; if the prescriber decides the treatment is not suitable, the order is refunded automatically in full. Our registered pharmacy then dispenses and dispatches, with same-day dispatch when you order by 3pm. Finally, delivery is free next-day tracked, discreet and temperature controlled.

What it costs

The consultation is free, and the price shown is the price paid, with no hidden fees. The standard price of one 2.5mg pen is £169.99, and your first 2.5mg pen costs £129.99 with code FIRST40. A new customer gets £40 off their first order at any dose, including people switching to us at a higher dose, and every later order is £25 off the standard price (code DOSE25). If you step up after 4 weeks on each dose, your first four pens (2.5mg to 10mg) cost £959.96 at standard prices. At standard prices, a first year costs £2,711.88 if you stay on 5mg after your 2.5mg starting pen, up to £3,599.88 if you step up through every dose to 15mg. Prices were checked 11 October 2026.

Ongoing support

Our team provides ongoing monthly reviews, dose-titration and follow-up assessments, plus side-effect support. Repeat orders re-check suitability, and there is no auto-shipping. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard, Klarna, or pay-monthly options, and there are no subscriptions.

Who the licence covers

Mounjaro is licensed for weight management in adults and for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is not suitable for everyone. You should not take it if you are allergic to tirzepatide or any of its ingredients, and it should not be used during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. Your prescriber will take extra care, or may recommend against treatment, if you have a history of pancreatitis, severe gut or digestive disease, diabetic retinopathy, or gallbladder problems. Always share your full medical history and medicine list during consultation. Mounjaro must not be used during pregnancy, and it should be stopped at least one month before trying to conceive. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop the medicine and tell your prescriber promptly. The decision on whether it suits you sits with a prescriber who has read your history, which is why we do not publish a self-assessment shortcut.