Treatment guidance

What happens if…

Practical answers to the questions most people have before and during Tirzepatide treatment. No marketing, just the information you need.

Common side effects
  • Nausea — very common in the first 1–2 weeks, usually settles as your body adjusts
  • Reduced appetite — expected and part of how the medication works
  • Injection site reactions — mild redness or itching at the injection site, temporary
  • Constipation or diarrhoea — may occur early in treatment, typically improves with time
What to do

Report any side effects through your patient dashboard or via WhatsApp. Your care team responds within 4 hours during support hours (10 AM – 4 PM WAT, Monday – Friday).

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, signs of allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing), or severe vomiting that will not stop. Call 112 or go to your nearest hospital. Second Cure is not an emergency medical service.

Source: Eli Lilly — Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information

  • Less than 4 days late: take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then resume your normal weekly schedule
  • More than 4 days late: skip the missed dose entirely and take the next one on your regular day
  • Do not double up: never take two doses to make up for a missed one

If you are unsure what to do, message your care team before taking your next dose.

Source: Eli Lilly — Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information

Storage requirements
  • Tirzepatide must be stored at 2–8°C (refrigerator temperature) under normal conditions
  • For travel, use an insulated cool bag with ice packs and keep the pen out of direct sunlight
  • The pen can be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C) for a maximum of 21 days if needed
  • After 21 days at room temperature, the pen must be discarded even if medication remains
Planning around travel

Plan your injection schedule around your travel dates. If your injection day falls during travel, you may shift it by a day or two without issue. Message your care team for travel-specific guidance, especially for longer trips.

Source: Eli Lilly — Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information

  • Plateaus are normal and expected, particularly around weeks 8–12 of treatment
  • A plateau does not necessarily mean the medication has stopped working — your body may be adjusting to a new set point
  • Your care team reviews your progress regularly and may discuss a dose adjustment if appropriate
  • Nutrition, physical activity, sleep quality, and stress levels all influence results alongside the medication

Do not increase your dose without care team review. Dose changes are only made after a structured assessment of your response and tolerance.

  • Contact support at least 7 days before your next billing date to pause
  • There is no long-term lock-in — treatment is month to month
  • Treatment can resume whenever you are ready
  • If you pause for an extended period, restarting may require beginning at a lower dose — your care team advises on the appropriate re-entry dose

No pause fees. No penalties. You are in control of your treatment timeline.

  • You can stop treatment at any time
  • Some weight regain is possible after discontinuation — this is normal with GLP-1 receptor agonist medications and is well-documented in published trial data
  • Before stopping, your care team can discuss a maintenance plan to help sustain your results
  • There are no cancellation fees

Source: SURMOUNT-4 trial data (Aronne et al., 2024) — documented weight regain after tirzepatide discontinuation

  • You receive a full refund within 3–5 business days
  • Your care team explains the reason for the decision where possible
  • You may be able to reapply if your circumstances change
Common reasons for non-approval
  • BMI below the eligibility threshold
  • Absolute contraindications (e.g., personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN2, history of pancreatitis)
  • Medication conflicts that make GLP-1 treatment unsuitable
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy

If you are unsure whether you would qualify, the 5-question eligibility check gives you a preliminary indication before you commit to the full assessment.

Stop taking Tirzepatide immediately and contact your doctor.

  • Tirzepatide should not be used during pregnancy or while planning pregnancy
  • Inform your care team so they can update your record and pause your treatment
  • Eli Lilly recommends stopping Tirzepatide at least 2 months before planned conception, due to the medication's extended half-life

If you are of childbearing age and not using contraception, discuss this with your own doctor before starting treatment.

Source: Eli Lilly — Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information

Still have questions?

Our care team is available via WhatsApp or your patient dashboard during support hours. Or start the assessment to see if treatment is right for you.

Start your assessment → Not sure yet? Take the 5-question eligibility check