Everything you need to know about Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a clinically proven prescription treatment for weight loss and weight management.
It is manufactured by Eli Lilly and was approved for treatment in Europe by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in September 2022. It is available in 6 doses.
The drug contains tirzepatide, a substance that reduces appetite and slows digestion, increasing feelings of fullness. When combined with a healthy diet and physical activity, it helps with gradual weight loss.
Mounjaro can also be prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes because it helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro contains the active substance tirzepatide, which is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Mounjaro binds to GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the pancreas.
This stimulates the production of insulin and glucagon, hormones that play a vital role in metabolism.
It also regulates appetite and energy metabolism, which helps burn more calories and improve metabolism.
This regulation also helps control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.
Mounjaro slows down digestion, increasing the feeling of fullness and decreasing the feeling of hunger.
The combination of these effects results in reduced calorie intake and gradual weight loss.

Mounjaro is an effective weight loss treatment and provides several benefits compared to other treatments.
Significant weight loss - according to a recent clinical study, patients lost an average of 50 pounds after taking Mounjaro for 72 weeks. This number is significantly higher when compared to the number of patients treated with Wegovy, who lost an average of 15 kg.
Once-weekly administration - The medication only needs to be administered once a week, while other weight loss treatments need to be administered daily.
Regulates blood sugar levels - Mounjaro stimulates GIP receptors, which help improve insulin sensitivity and enhance the body's insulin utilization. Studies have shown that patients taking Mounjaro saw a reduction of over 2% in blood sugar levels.*
Sustainable and gradual weight loss - as part of the treatment plan, the patient is encouraged to create healthy habits with the help of Mounjaro, so that at the end of the treatment these habits continue to be implemented.
Dosage flexibility - after 4 weeks of treatment, the patient can choose to increase the dose or remain on the same dose if side effects occur. The dose can be reduced at any time.

Mounjaro is indicated for people with a specific body mass index who have been diagnosed with a health problem related to being overweight.

Precautions

Mounjaro may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions, as the risk of developing side effects may be higher.
Consult a doctor if:
have serious problems related to food digestion or if food stays longer than normal in the stomach
have had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe stomach and back pain that doesn't go away)
have eye problems (diabetic retinopathy or macular edema)
are using a sulfonylurea (another diabetes medicine) or insulin for diabetes

Mounjaro can be injected at any time of the day, with or without food.
However, it's best to always take the medication on the same day of the week. It may be helpful to write down the day in a planner so you remember to take it every week.
If necessary, the patient may change the day of the weekly injection, as long as at least three (3) days have passed since the last injection. Thereafter, the patient should continue injecting on that day once a week.

Mounjaro may interact with other medications you're taking. If you're taking other medications, you should tell your doctor before starting Mounjaro.
Mounjaro may affect the absorption of other medications, such as:
warfarin (used to prevent blood clots)
digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
When taken with Mounjaro, these type 2 diabetes medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
insulin
metformin
sulfonylureas (e.g., gliclazide)
gliflozins (e.g. dapagliflozin)
gliptins (e.g., sitagliptin)
acarbose
repaglinide
pioglitazone
Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
You should use a barrier method of birth control (condoms) in addition to the pill, or choose a non-oral method of birth control (e.g., patch or ring) while using Mounjaro.

Patients should adopt a healthy lifestyle while using Mounjaro to make it easier to achieve their goals. Doing so will create healthy lifelong habits that can be maintained even after treatment is completed.

Common side effects

Common and very common side effects occur in 1 to 10 people in 100 who use this medication. These may include:
constipation
diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
dizziness
abdominal discomfort
burps
These side effects tend to dissipate on their own with continuation and as the body gets used to the medication.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects occur in less than 1 in 10 people out of 100. These may include:
gallbladder problems
alteration of the sense of taste

Rare side effects

Rare side effects occur in less than 1 in 10 people out of 1000. These may include:
swelling (angioedema)
hypoglycemia
allergic reactions