Mounjaro Before and After: Weight Loss Results by Week and Dose
Mounjaro was mainly tested for its effect on blood sugar. In SURMOUNT-1, which tested Zepbound, the same medicine at a higher dose, people on tirzepatide 15 mg weekly lost 20.9% on average over 72 weeks, against 3.1% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 20.9%
- On placebo
- 3.1%
- Trial length
- 72 weeks
- Trial
- SURMOUNT-1
Mounjaro in brief
Its half-life is about 5 days: after 5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (25 d).
In SURPASS-1, people with type 2 diabetes lost 7.8 kg over 40 weeks, compared with 1 kg on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include the list price and self-pay offers. Each one comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, pricinginfo.lilly.com.
Mounjaro before and after: the numbers first
Mounjaro was mainly tested for its effect on blood sugar. The weight trials shown here used Zepbound. This is the same medicine at a higher dose.
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SURMOUNT-1 | Tirzepatide 5 mg weekly | 15% | 3.1% | 72 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-1 | Tirzepatide 10 mg weekly | 19.5% | 3.1% | 72 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-1 | Tirzepatide 15 mg weekly | 20.9% | 3.1% | 72 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-2 | Tirzepatide 10 mg weekly | 12.8% | 3.2% | 72 | Adults who had obesity or overweight, along with type 2 diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-2 | Tirzepatide 15 mg weekly | 14.7% | 3.2% | 72 | Adults who had obesity or overweight, along with type 2 diabetes |
Source: SURMOUNT-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-2 (PubMed).
Mounjaro before and after: the numbers first
The 20.9% trial average includes three starting weights. This is arithmetic, not a prediction for any one person. Some people lose more, while others lose less.
| Starting weight | Average loss on tirzepatide 15 mg weekly | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 38 lb | about 6 lb |
| 220 lb | about 46 lb | about 7 lb |
| 260 lb | about 54 lb | about 8 lb |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Week by week
- During the early weeks, stomach side effects occur most often when the dose is low and still rising. After each dose increase, they often come back for a few days.
- At Week 72, SURMOUNT-1 ended, and the average loss reported earlier was measured.
Why it stalls and what helps
- See which dose step you have reached. Every trial listed above found less weight loss at the lower doses.
- During the past month, count any doses you missed or took late.
- Record what you eat and drink for a few days. As your portions shrink, calories from drinks and grazing start to add up.
- Ask your prescriber about a thyroid test or blood sugar check. If progress has stalled for months, ask about switching medicines.