— Frequently asked questions

Good to
know.

Answers to the questions patients ask most often — before, during and after a treatment. Don't see your question? Ask Luna, or get in touch via the contact page — we reply personally within one working day.

— 01 / 06

Before you start.

Signing up, eligibility, and what to expect at a first appointment.

A GLP-1/GIP treatment with Tirzepatide is intended for adults with overweight (BMI ≥ 27 with a health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea) or obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Our GP assesses during intake whether the treatment is safe and suitable for your situation. You can calculate your BMI in advance using our BMI tool.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) acts on two receptors at the same time — GLP-1 and GIP. Wegovy and Ozempic (both Semaglutide) only act on GLP-1. The SURMOUNT-5 trial (2025) showed that Tirzepatide produces an average ~20% weight loss, compared to ~14% for Semaglutide. That's why we choose Tirzepatide as our first option. Read more on the science page.
Through the contact form, or by calling one of our locations directly. Mention your name, date of birth, preferred location and a brief note on why you're interested. We usually respond within one working day to schedule an intake.
The intake is a thorough conversation (about 45–60 minutes) with our GP. We discuss your medical history, current health, medication, previous weight-loss attempts and your goal. A brief physical examination follows (weight, blood pressure, waist circumference). Together we then draw up a treatment plan.
A valid ID, your insurance card, an up-to-date medication list (your pharmacy can provide this) and any recent blood test results or referral letters. It also helps to have your weight, health concerns and what you've tried before written down — that makes the conversation more focused.
— 02 / 06

The treatment.

How it goes — from first pen to taper, and what we do afterwards.

A full treatment usually lasts 9–18 months. We build up the dose carefully (often 12–20 weeks) and then stay on the effective dose until the desired result is reached. This is followed by a gradual taper, with focus on lifestyle and weight maintenance.
During the build-up phase, every 4 weeks — that's also the rhythm of a new treatment cycle. Once stable, we can extend this to 6–8 weeks. In between you can reach us digitally with questions, also outside office hours. For specific issues, we'll schedule a sooner appointment.
Large studies show Tirzepatide produces an average 15–22% weight loss after 72 weeks — depending on dose, lifestyle and starting weight. This varies per person. We discuss realistic goals during intake and adjust them along the way. More about the research on the science page.
About 10–15% of users have a smaller response than expected. We evaluate this after 12 weeks at the effective dose. Possible next steps: increasing the dose further, intensifying lifestyle coaching, or switching to another medication. We always do this in consultation with you.
Without guidance, studies show an average regain of 30–50% of the lost weight in the first year after stopping. That's why we taper the medication gradually and use the treatment phase to build sustainable lifestyle habits — nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management. Our coach remains available during the taper.
— 03 / 06

Medication & use.

Practical things about the KwikPen, dosing, storage and what to do when something goes wrong.

Tirzepatide is a prescription medicine administered weekly via an injection pen under the skin. It mimics the action of two natural gut hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) that regulate hunger, satiety and blood sugar. Mounjaro® is the brand name under which Eli Lilly markets Tirzepatide in the Netherlands.
The KwikPen is a pre-filled injection pen that is set to the correct dose by clicking. One KwikPen provides four weekly doses — the equivalent of one treatment cycle. During an instruction session you'll learn how to prepare the pen, attach the needle and inject. Our patient brochure contains a step-by-step explanation with illustrations.
Unopened pens go in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. An opened pen can stay at room temperature (max 30°C) for up to 21 days — after that, discard it. Always store the pen in its original packaging to protect it from light, and never freeze it.
If you notice within 4 days: still take it, then continue with your regular schedule. If more than 4 days have passed: skip the missed dose and wait for the next scheduled injection. Do not double up. When in doubt, just contact us.
Yes — Tirzepatide is specifically designed for self-injection. At your first appointment we'll guide you through it and do the first injection together. The KwikPen has a very fine needle and the injection is usually painless. Suitable injection sites are the upper thigh, abdomen (away from the navel) or upper arm.
— 04 / 06

Side effects & safety.

What's normal, what isn't, and when to contact us right away. For an in-depth overview — including practical self-help tips — see the Side effects page.

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, reduced appetite, feeling full quickly, sometimes diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal cramps. These mainly occur in the first weeks and at dose increases, and decrease afterwards. Fatigue and headache also occur. That's why we increase the dose slowly.
With severe persistent abdominal pain (possibly pancreatitis), persistent vomiting, sharply reduced urination, or signs of an allergic reaction: stop the injections and contact our GP or the out-of-hours doctor immediately. Outside office hours: call 112 for acute symptoms. Always also report side effects to us via the contact form so we can include them in your treatment plan.
Tirzepatide can interact with other medicines — especially other glucose-lowering drugs (such as insulin or sulfonylureas), with the contraceptive pill (delayed gastric emptying can affect its absorption) and with some blood thinners. During the intake we go through your full medication list and adjust the treatment if needed.
No. Tirzepatide is not considered safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women planning to conceive should stop the medication at least 1–2 months before the planned conception. Note also that Tirzepatide can affect the absorption of the contraceptive pill.
Important: always inform your treating specialist and anaesthetist that you're using Tirzepatide. The medication slows gastric emptying, which increases the risk of aspiration during anaesthesia. Dutch hospitals usually advise stopping the injection 7–10 days before a planned procedure. Our 'Mounjaro and anaesthesia' flyer contains the current guidelines.
— 05 / 06

Pricing & insurance.

What it costs, how you pay, and what your health insurer does or doesn't cover.

The price depends on the dose. Per 4 weeks (one pen) it ranges from approximately €420 to €690, including medical guidance, check-ups and digital availability. The full price list is on our Pricing page. The first intake is billed separately.
Always check with your own health insurer about reimbursement. If you qualify for cover, you can usually be treated by your GP or diabetes specialist through an insurer-funded route. Lunaris Clinics does not provide treatment for insurance-funded trajectories — we exclusively offer private, self-funded Tirzepatide treatments. If your insurer does not cover it, you are very welcome with us.
We bill per treatment cycle (one cycle = 4 weeks), so the costs are spread out automatically. Long-term payment plans aren't generally possible, but if there are financial barriers please discuss this during the intake — we're happy to think along.
Of course — you receive a proper invoice after every treatment. In some cases you can offset the cost of medical treatment in your tax return. Ask your tax advisor about the possibilities.
— 06 / 06

Practical.

Holidays, alcohol, sport, allergic reactions — and the rest of daily life.

In moderation, yes — but Tirzepatide can lower alcohol tolerance and many people notice that one or two drinks already feel stronger than usual. Alcohol also stresses the pancreas, which is an organ Tirzepatide acts on. Our advice: drink moderately and listen to your body. Avoid alcohol in the first week after a dose increase.
Yes, with a few precautions. Always carry the pen in a cooled bag (cool pack) and keep it in the cabin of the plane — not in the hold. Take a doctor's letter with you (we provide one in NL and EN on request) stating you carry medication and needles. Avoid direct sunlight and temperatures above 30°C.
It's actually recommended. Strength training and cardio help preserve muscle mass — which deserves extra attention during rapid weight loss. Our coach gives tailored advice. One thing to know: during the build-up phase, nausea in the first days after an injection can make heavy training uncomfortable. Plan that lighter.
For mild reactions (local redness, brief itching), changing the injection site is usually enough. For more severe reactions — body-wide rash, breathing problems, swollen face — this is a medical emergency: stop the injections and call 112. Always report it to us so we can record it and adjust the plan.
Yes. During your treatment you can reach us digitally via email or the contact form — also outside office hours. For general questions you can ask Luna, our digital assistant. We want your treatment to be effective, but also personal and manageable.
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