You have probably heard the name “Mounjaro” as it has cropped up in the press over recent months with sources labelling it as “the anti-obesity drug”, or “weight-loss jab”.
At Medical Mojo, we’re here to break down everything you need to know about this new weight loss treatment to help you decide if it is the right choice for you.
What is Mounjaro and how does it work?
So, first things first…..what is Mounjaro and how does it work?
Mounjaro is a medication available on prescription in the UK that is designed for adults who have obesity or health issues related to excessive weight, like type 2 diabetes (too much sugar in the blood). Mounjaro contains a substance called tirzepatide, which works in the following ways:
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Tirzepatide helps the body respond better to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to keep the level of sugar in the bloodstream stable. For some people, the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, a term known as insulin resistance, which leads to higher blood sugar levels. These higher levels can suddenly drop, and this causes a spike in hunger and cravings, particularly for sugary foods. But, when blood sugar is stable, it’s easier to avoid cravings and the energy crashes that can lead to overeating.
- Appetite Control: Tirzepatide also affects your appetite. It does this by working on areas in the brain and stomach that signal fullness, helping you feel content with smaller portions. So, in a nutshell, you don’t need as much food, and less food means less calories. This effect makes it much easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.
All-in-all, this makes Mounjaro a really effective tool for weight management.
Can anyone have Mounjaro?
The simple answer to this is no! Mounjaro is approved in the UK for adults over 18 who have either a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, as we have mentioned, but also conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or stroke. BMI is short for body mass index, and it is a measure of weight relative to height. To check your BMI, you need to know your height in metres and your weight in kilogrammes. Check your BMI here.
For anyone who falls into one of these categories and has tried other weight loss methods without success, Mounjaro could be the answer!
How do you use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro comes in a self-injectable pen that’s used once a week. The injection is quick and straightforward and is administered under the skin.
The effectiveness of Mounjaro has been demonstrated in clinical trials, but the best results were seen when it was paired with lifestyle changes, like a balanced diet and regular exercise, with patients achieving sustainable weight loss and long-term health improvements.
How quickly will you lose weight?
Trials have shown a great deal of variability in the speed of weight loss with Mounjaro. Although some people will find that they start losing weight after 1-2 weeks of treatment, significant weight loss is generally apparent after 3-6 months and it takes a year of treatment to see the full effects.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medication, Mounjaro can have side effects. The most common ones include nausea, diarrhoea or constipation, and vomiting, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. These symptoms usually improve over time. Any severe or ongoing side effects must be reported to a doctor.
In rare cases, there’s a risk of more serious side effects, including issues with the liver, kidneys, pancreas or thyroid. It’s important that your GP is aware that you are taking Mounjaro so that routine check-ins to monitor your health can be arranged. If you do decide to go ahead with Mounjaro treatment you must read the safety leaflet and be aware of all of the potential side effects and when to see a doctor.
What are the other health benefits of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro can offer more than just weight loss. Here are just some additional health benefits you may experience:
- By reducing weight, Mounjaro also helps to reduce blood pressure which in turn can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke or heart disease).
- Improved blood sugar control: Mounjaro helps your body use insulin more effectively, which may reduce the need for other diabetes medications and improves energy levels.
Your Mounjaro questions answered
The answer to this is yes. Mounjaro is available to people with a BMI of 30 or more, with or without diabetes.
This is an absolute no! Increasing the dose can lead to side effects so any adjustments must only be made after discussion with a clinician.
There are other options so please don’t despair! Other weight loss medications are available at MedicalMojo.co.uk and in addition you can access the support of our coaches to help you achieve your weight loss goal.
You 100% can! In fact, the combination of coaching with Mounjaro is likely to give you better results as our coaches/coaching resources will help to keep you on track with your healthy lifestyle habits.
Interested in trying Mounjaro?
Visit Medical Mojo to start a weight loss consultation, and to learn more about Mounjaro and other effective weight loss treatments today!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
References:
Al-Horani, R.A. and Chedid, M., 2023. Tirzepatide: A new generation therapeutic for diabetes type 2. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, 23(8), p.1046.
Chavda, V.P., Ajabiya, J., Teli, D., Bojarska, J. and Apostolopoulos, V., 2022. Tirzepatide, a new era of dual-targeted treatment for diabetes and obesity: a mini-review. Molecules, 27(13), p.4315.
Drucker, D.J., 2024. Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. Diabetes Care, p.dci240003.
Jin, T., 2023. Tirzepatide, a new class of incretin-based drug for diabetes. Obesity Medicine, 39, p.100483. Lin, F., Yu, B., Ling, B., Lv, G., Shang
