mounjaro for weight loss: Is It effective And Safe?

You may have tried workouts, long runs, exercises, and different supplements to lose weight but still notice little change. Though some of these medications have had some positive effects, many of them do not work. With the introduction of Mounjaro for weight loss by Eli Lilly and Company, the issue of being overweight or obese has seen prominent resolutions. But is Mounjaro Effective, and safe?

Mounjaro is a type 2 diabetes medication that is used to manage blood sugar levels and has recently been proven to be effective for weight loss. This newly found function has made it a unique option for patients suffering from obesity.

However, before you jump on this wagon in pursuit of healthy weight loss, it is important to take note of some key details concerning Mounjaro, how it is used, and what to avoid when using it. This article will explore Mounjaro and how to use it to lose weight effectively.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a subcutaneous liquid injection owned and licensed by Eli Lilly and Company. Mounjaro is a medication that is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults [1]. Its primary function is to decrease blood sugar levels in patients. The medication is administered alongside exercising and diet.

The primary ingredient used in the making of Mounjaro is tirzepatide. Mounjaro comes in different doses/strengths. These include.

• 2.5 mg
• 5 mg
• 7.5 mg
• 10 mg
• 12.5 mg
• 15 mg per 0.5 mL.

The prefilled injection pen is often injected under the skin of a patient’s stomach area, upper arm, or thigh.

Mounjaro has been said to produce effects different from other medications. It is different because it directly activates Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-like Polypeptide (GLP-1) receptors to help regulate blood sugar.

It has also been discovered that Mounjaro can help aid weight loss. 

Is Mounjaro Effective For weight loss?

Since its initial design for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro has been discovered to aid weight loss. Mounjaro works by slowing down food as it passes through the human body, making patients less hungry. The less the patients feel hungry, the less they want to eat. This constant process helps reduce natural body fat. 

The research proved that when Mounjaro is given to those seeking weight loss, their appetite for food is reduced due to the feeling of being full they experienced caused by the delay in food movement around the passage. Over time, they begin to lose weight as a person does when there is a drop in caloric intake.

Tirzepatide works by signaling to the brain region called the hypothalamus (which is also responsible for the feeling of hunger). The hypothalamus sends the signal to other brain parts, making a person feel full [2].

Though there are still some debates on the efficiency of the tirzepatide drug, the UK’s Medicines Regulation Authority (MHRA) has authorized [3] its use for weight loss treatments. It is still to be used alongside diets and exercise. The drug is only permitted for use in weight loss for adults who are obese or overweight and in patients suffering from weight-related problems like prediabetes.

There are still debates on the FDA’s research for the approval of Mounjaro as a weight loss treatment.

How does Mounjaro help with weight loss?

Mounjaro decreases a patient’s food intake by slowing down the digestive process of food taken in. That evokes a feeling of fullness in patients, and they can stay extra hours away from food because of its effect[4].

Mounjaro activates GLP and GLP-1 in the body. GLP is responsible for slowing down food movement in the body and increasing energy levels to cause rapid weight loss. Mixed with GLP-1 receptor agonists, it will have a much more significant effect on the body’s blood sugar and, ultimately, body weight.

Mounjaro helps in reducing body weight by;

• Sending signals to the pancreas for more insulin release after a meal.
• Reducing or stopping the production of glycogen in the liver.
• Making the body much more sensitive to insulin.

How do you use Mounjaro?

The first important thing is that Mounjaro should only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. Medically trained experts must approve it before a person can use it. You should visit the doctor’s office before taking any steps.

Mounjaro is a brand-name liquid injection in a prefilled pen. On the label should be the directions for usage already spelled out by your doctor. 

The injection should always be taken once a week and subcutaneously, so you should inject it under your skin. It is mainly administered on the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. The injection can be taken any time of the day and does not require you to have had any meal.

When do you use Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is to be administered once every week and at any time during the day.

To help the drug maintain effectiveness in the body, patients should inject it on the same day as the previous week. 

In any case, where a patient wishes to change the day of use to later the same week, such a person would have to wait for at least 72 hours (3 days) before using the medication again. Never take any dose before the three-day warning; do not take it more than twice a week.

What if you forget to take a dose?

Often, we can miss a dose due to a hectic schedule or a forgetful mind. However, when this happens, you can take the dose as quickly as possible within 3 days of missed doses. If not, don’t bother retaking the dosage. You should wait until the next dosage comes.

To prevent missing doses, try to set an alarm for your weekly dosage to remind yourself of the need to take your dose that day.

Mounjaro dosage

Mounjaro is a medication designed for long-term treatment. As mentioned earlier, the injection should be administered once every week, but what about the dosage?

We have established that Mounjaro has different strengths, from as low as 2.5mg to as high as 15mg. Which of these to use is wholly determined medically. The patient must agree with the doctor on what dosage to use. This is mainly because the human body responds to medications differently.

Doctors often start patients with the 2.5mg dose to see how the patient’s body takes it. That may also include separating dosages by long periods just to be sure of any effects it can have on the patient. From there, if there is a need to administer a higher dose, it will still be on the doctor’s instructions.

NOTE: Only increase your dosage after informing your doctor and seeking proper medical advice.

Does Mounjaro have side effects?

Like any other medication, Mounjaro can come with some side effects over time or as you begin treatment. There are mild effects and severe effects of using Mounjaro. The list of either impact does not cover every possible side effect patient may experience during treatment.

Mild effects

• Mild effects often appear on the part where Mounjaro is constantly injected. This is mostly common in the abdominal area. A few impacts it can have on the stomach include:
• Abdominal pain
• Injection Site Reaction
• Digestive issues like reduced appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and so on.

The mild effects should last up to a week or two. However, seek immediate medical attention when it becomes unbearable or extends a week.

Serious effects

Though the severe side effects of using Mounjaro are unfamiliar, it is necessary to know that some of these effects can play out. In any case, contact your doctor immediately or call for an ambulance if it gets life-threatening.

Here are some severe side effects that can be encountered while using the Mounjaro treatment.

• That may lead to Thyroid C-cell tumors, especially in people with a family history of thyroid cancer.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Low blood sugar or Hyperglycemia.
• It could lead to severe digestive problems, including kidney issues.
• Severe allergic reactions.

Conclusion

With the recent approval of Mounjaro by the UK’s medicines regulation authority, we can be sure that this medication is effective in weight loss. For pregnant women, it is important to seek the doctor’s counsel before embarking on this treatment. It is also not safe for children to use, as the transformative process has only been proven in adults. Once you have read all of the information here, you are sure to be ready for a healthy journey to losing excess weight in the body.

References

1.FDA.Drug Trials Snapshots: MOUNJARO. Link

2.NIH. Weight loss efficiency and safety of tirzepatide. Link

3. Gov.UK. MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro. Link

4.NCBI. Perspectives on weight control in diabetes. Link

Medical Discalimer: The information provided here On Geeks Health website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Reliance on any information in this response is solely at your own risk.