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How to Get a Mounjaro Prescription in New Zealand

  • Writer: Cole Rudolph
    Cole Rudolph
  • Jan 13
  • 4 min read

Updated: 6 days ago


Last updated: February 2026


Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is now officially available in New Zealand for both Type 2 Diabetes and chronic weight management.


After becoming one of the most talked-about weight loss medications internationally, Mounjaro is now accessible in NZ via private prescription — and many people are asking:

How do I get a Mounjaro prescription in New Zealand?


This guide explains:

  • Who is eligible

  • How prescribing works in NZ

  • Official dosing information

  • Costs

  • How to access Mounjaro online

  • Whether switching from Wegovy makes sense


What is Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)?


Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication that works on two hormones involved in appetite and glucose regulation:

  • GLP-1

  • GIP


This dual-receptor action is what differentiates it from semaglutide (Wegovy), which targets GLP-1 only.


According to the official New Zealand Medsafe Data Sheet, tirzepatide improves:

  • Glycaemic control

  • Appetite regulation

  • Insulin sensitivity

  • Body weight


In international clinical trials, patients lost up to 15–22% of body weight, depending on dose and response.


Is Mounjaro Approved in New Zealand?


Yes.


According to the official NZ Data Sheet, Mounjaro is indicated for:


Type 2 Diabetes

  • As monotherapy when metformin is not tolerated

  • Or in addition to other diabetes medications


Chronic Weight Management

Adults with:

  • BMI ≥30 kg/m² OR

  • BMI ≥27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related condition (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes)


Mounjaro is not publicly funded in NZ at this stage, meaning it is available via private prescription only.


What Is the Official NZ Dosing Schedule?


The Medsafe Data Sheet confirms:

  • Starting dose: 2.5mg once weekly

  • After 4 weeks → increase to 5mg once weekly

  • Further increases in 2.5mg increments

  • Maximum dose: 15mg once weekly

  • Recommended maintenance doses: 5mg, 10mg, 15mg

  • 2.5mg, 7.5mg and 12.5mg are not maintenance doses


Dose increases are gradual to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.


Importantly:

  • Co-administration with another GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended

  • Contraception is advised during treatment

  • Oral contraceptive absorption may be reduced during initiation and dose escalation


How Do You Get a Mounjaro Prescription in NZ?


1. Medical Consultation

You must consult a NZ-registered doctor.The doctor will assess:

  • BMI

  • Weight history

  • Medical history

  • Current medications

  • Contraindications


2. Blood Tests (if required)

Baseline blood tests may assess:

  • HbA1c

  • Kidney function

  • Liver function

  • Lipids


3. Eligibility Confirmation

You may be suitable if you:

  • Meet BMI criteria

  • Have attempted lifestyle changes

  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Have no history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2

  • Have no significant uncontrolled pancreatic or severe GI disease


4. Prescription & Monitoring

If appropriate, your GP will prescribe tirzepatide and enrol you in a monitoring plan that includes:

  • Dose titration

  • Side effect review

  • Progress tracking


What Are the Common Side Effects?


Based on the clinical data, the most common side effects include:


Very common:

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhoea

  • Constipation

  • Vomiting


These are typically:

  • Mild to moderate

  • More common during dose escalation

  • Reduced over time


Severe hypoglycaemia risk is low unless combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.


How Much Does Mounjaro Cost in NZ?


Mounjaro is not currently funded by Pharmac and is available via private prescription only.


In New Zealand, medication pricing typically ranges between $429 and $875 per month, depending on dose and pharmacy supply.


Higher strengths (10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg) are generally more expensive than starter doses.


Some providers bundle:

  • GP consultations

  • Blood tests

  • Medication

  • Delivery

  • Ongoing monitoring


This can make pricing more predictable compared to paying separately for each component.


Accessing Mounjaro Through Pocket Lab


At Pocket Lab, our Weight Loss Care Plan is $599 per month.


For Mounjaro, this includes:

  • Unlimited GP video consults

  • Structured clinical check-ins

  • Blood tests

  • Medication (2.5mg or 5mg strengths included)

  • Nationwide delivery (Tuesdays & Fridays)

  • Nutrition guidance


Higher strengths above 5mg may incur additional medication costs.


At Pocket Lab, care is delivered by NZ-registered doctors through structured, ongoing follow-up — not one-off prescriptions.


We’re a Health New Zealand–accredited online GP provider, with a 5.0 rating from 490+ Google reviews.


This is comprehensive, medically supervised weight management designed for safe, sustainable results.


Can I Switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro?


Now that Mounjaro is available in NZ, many patients are considering switching.


Switching may be appropriate if you:

  • Plateaued on Wegovy

  • Experienced side effects

  • Want to trial dual-hormone therapy


Switching requires:

  • Clinical review

  • Appropriate dose transition

  • Avoiding overlapping GLP-1 therapy


Our clinical team is up to date with the latest evidence and NZ guidance on tirzepatide prescribing. We can assess patients already using Wegovy and organise a safe transition if appropriate.


Is Mounjaro Better Than Wegovy?


There is no universal “better” medication.


Mounjaro:

  • Dual GIP + GLP-1 mechanism

  • Greater average weight loss in clinical trials


Wegovy:

  • Longer track record in obesity management

  • Highly effective for many patients


The right choice depends on:

  • Your medical history

  • Your weight loss goals

  • Side effect tolerability

  • Budget considerations


A thorough GP assessment ensures you make the right decision with structured medical support.


Next Steps


If you’re considering Mounjaro in New Zealand:

  1. Complete an eligibility assessment

  2. Book a GP consultation

  3. Review your medical history and options


At Pocket Lab, everything is managed online — from eligibility quiz to prescription to delivery.


Take our free eligibility quiz to see if Mounjaro is right for you.





References

  1. Medsafe New Zealand. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) New Zealand Data Sheet. December 2025. Available at: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/m/mounjaroinj.pdf




 
 
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