You might wonder what’s next once you reach your Wegovy or Mounjaro maintenance dose. Losing weight is one challenge, but maintaining your weight loss is just as important—the last thing you want to do is undo all your hard work!
Maintenance dosing for Wegovy and Mounjaro is usually the highest dose of the medication you will take but this is not always the case. You will normally remain on this dose for the rest of your treatment, even after reaching a healthy weight but this depends on how well your dose is working to help maintain your weight.
Your maintenance dose or long-term treatment plan is essential for helping you adhere to a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
We will unpack everything you need to know about your maintenance dose, whether using Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Maintenance dosing for weight loss injections: key information
What is maintenance dosing for Wegovy?
If you currently use Wegovy to help you with your weight loss journey, you should know that reaching your maintenance dose might take some time. Losing weight with Wegovy is a gradual process.
From your fifth month onwards, you may be prescribed your maintenance dose of the medication. However, getting your maintenance dose takes as long as it needs to. Remember, your weight loss journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
Your maintenance dose can be anywhere between 1mg and 2.4mg for Wegovy, but your prescriber will work with you to decide what dose is correct for you.
What is maintenance dosing for Mounjaro?
When it comes to Mounjaro, your maintenance dose will depend on several factors. Your prescriber will assess how much weight you have lost so far, how much your appetite has been suppressed and whether you are experiencing any side effects. These will help decide your maintenance dose.
Not everyone will end up on the same maintenance dose of Mounjaro. Remember, your weight loss journey is individual.
You will remain on a dose of anywhere between 5mg-15mg of Mounjaro for the long term.
Do you still lose weight on a maintenance dose?
If you continue to eat in a calorie deficit and exercise regularly, you may still lose weight on your maintenance dose. However, the idea of your maintenance dose is to stop you from regaining the weight that you have lost.
Your weight loss will likely stop once you start the maintenance dose of your injection. This is nothing to worry about. After all, your maintenance dose aims to help you maintain your current weight.
Is my maintenance dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro always the highest?
The maintenance dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro you are prescribed is unique to you, so you won’t necessarily be put on the highest dose for maintenance. If you are happy with your results or experience side effects, remaining on a lower dose might be best.
If you have been placed on a higher dose of your weight loss injection but continue to lose weight to the point where it becomes unhealthy, you will need to lower your dose. However, continuing to lose a small amount of weight is completely normal.
Wegovy
The maximum dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg, but that doesn’t mean you will be prescribed the highest dose. Staying on a lower dose of Wegovy might be right for you, especially if you are experiencing side effects but are still losing weight.
Studies have shown that 2.4mg of Wegovy can help patients sustain a mean weight loss of 15% over two years. [1]
Mounjaro
If you have been placed on the highest dose of Mounjaro (15mg), this is the maximum amount you can take each week. Do not take any more than 15mg per week, as this can lead to unwanted side effects.
The highest dose of Mounjaro is usually considered for individuals who have responded well to treatment. However, if you see results on a lower dose, then your prescriber might decide to keep you on that dose.
What if the highest dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro doesn’t work for me?
If you reach the highest dose of your weight loss injection and are not seeing results, you should reconsider a few things.
Firstly, are you still eating healthily? Even mindless snacking between meals can take you out of a calorie deficit. Swap your snacks for healthier ones like fruit or yoghurts. You can also write a food diary to hold yourself accountable for what you are eating.
Although you might be on the highest dose, this doesn’t mean your exercise should stop, either. You should still be as active as you were when you started your weight loss journey.
If you have addressed potential lifestyle factors, ask your prescriber why the highest dose isn’t effective.
Can my maintenance dose of Mounjaro or Wegovy be changed?
You must speak to your healthcare provider if you think your maintenance dose is unsuitable.
If you are experiencing side effects, you may need to lower the dosage of your weight loss injection to reduce them. Your dosage might also be lowered if you continue to lose weight while on your maintenance dose. This is to prevent you from losing too much weight.
How do I know when I’ve reached my maintenance dose for Wegovy or Mounjaro?
You will gradually increase your dosage of Wegovy or Mounjaro, following what is known as the titration path. Slowly increasing your dose helps prevent severe side effects. It also means that your body will be able to tolerate the medication more easily, especially when you reach the higher doses.
Usually, when you have reached your weight loss goal, you will be put on the maintenance dose of your medication. You might also be put on a maintenance dose if you are well on track to hit your target weight.
With Mounjaro, you will increase your dosage every 4 weeks by 2.5mg until you hit your maintenance dose. Your prescriber will tell you when you have reached your maintenance dose, and they will continue to monitor you while you carry on with your treatment.
Wegovy and Mounjaro maintenance dose after goal weight
Weight loss medication is recommended long-term, even after you have lost weight. This is because there is a biological tendency to regain the weight you have lost.
You might remain on your maintenance dose long-term, provided there are no unwanted side effects and you are no longer losing weight. Continuing your weight loss injection will help keep you at a healthy weight. You can talk to your prescriber to decide how long you will stay on your maintenance dose.
Studies have shown that taking Wegovy long-term could sustain weight loss over 4 years. [2]
Do I need to keep using Wegovy or Mounjaro forever to maintain my weight?
Although it is recommended that you remain on your weight loss treatment long-term, that doesn’t mean you will need to stay on it for the rest of your life to maintain your weight. This will depend on your circumstances.
Some healthcare experts have suggested that weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy are long-term or life-long treatments. Everyone’s treatment of obesity will need to be tailored to them to suit their needs and any underlying situations.
Can I stop using Wegovy or Mounjaro after reaching my goal?
Yes – you may discontinue weight loss medication once you reach your goal. If you wish to stop your weight loss medication, for whatever reason, you must talk to your prescriber first.
When you start your weight loss journey, you will have set your target weight with your prescriber. However, they might recommend stopping your treatment once you reach your target.
Is it possible to maintain my weight loss without Wegovy or Mounjaro?
If you continue with the healthy habits you have developed while taking your weight loss medication, you will be able to maintain your weight. Even once you stop your treatment.
Stick to a well-balanced, nutritious diet and practice mindful eating to prevent weight gain. Continued exercise will also be beneficial. A healthy diet and physical activity will ensure you stay at your target weight.
Sometimes, when you stop your treatment, you will likely regain some weight. However, those who have a healthy lifestyle will have better long-term weight loss success.
Stopping Wegovy or Mounjaro
You may wish to stop your Wegovy or Mounjaro treatment for several reasons. Some people will choose to stop their treatment due to the side effects, the cost or because they have hit their weight loss goal.
Your prescriber will be able to assess your situation and discuss why you wish to stop taking the medication. They can advise whether or not stopping your weight loss treatment is the best option for you.
What happens if I stop Wegovy or Mounjaro before I’ve reached my weight loss goal?
If you stop taking Wegovy or Mounjaro before you reach your weight loss goal, this could lead to regaining any weight you have previously lost from your weight loss treatment.
There is no evidence suggesting you will regain all the weight you have lost. However, you are at an increased risk of gaining weight if you don’t continue to practice the healthy lifestyle habits you have adopted while on your weight loss journey.
Can I start Wegovy or Mounjaro again after stopping?
If you stop taking Wegovy or Mounjaro, you may eventually decide to restart your weight loss treatment. It is safe to restart your injections, but you need to consider some things.
Sometimes, people who restart their injections discover that their bodies don’t tolerate them as well as they did the first time. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.
Will I go back to the same dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro after stopping
If you want to start your weight loss treatment again, you will need to start on the lowest dose. This applies to both Wegovy and Mounjaro. You will need to follow the titration path again to prevent severe side effects and to allow your body to adjust to the medication.
You must restart your Wegovy treatment from the beginning if you miss more than two weeks. If you miss more than three weeks of Mounjaro, then you will need to restart your treatment. Remember, your weight loss is an incredible achievement, but it is equally important to maintain it. After all, you have put in the hard work to get to where you are.
Your weight loss journey is personal to you, so don’t worry about comparing it to someone else’s. You will be put on your maintenance dose when the time is right for you.
