We’ve all experienced a time when our body aches and the couch becomes our best friend. Sometimes, the body and muscle aches result from the dreaded flu virus, while on other occasions, they’re due to DOMs, or delayed-onset muscle soreness, after a heavy workout. You know this happens on leg days, which is why we skip it! But to further complicate things, there could be another culprit responsible for the muscle soreness: Mounjaro. This blog will explore the connection between Mounjaro and body aches.
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Mounjaro 15mg Injection£229.99 – £899.99 -
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What is Mounjaro?
I am sure you know about Mounjaro, the blockbuster weight loss drug taking the world by storm. No? Where have you been? So, to ensure we are all on the same page, let’s have a quick recap.
Mounjaro is the brand name for a new class of weight loss drugs that mimic the actions of peptides in the body released in response to food. The active drug in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, combines two of these peptides, GLP-1 and GIP [1].
Tirzepatide is the generic name for Mounjaro. It was originally designed to treat diabetes because these peptides stimulate insulin release from the pancreas.
The funny thing was that researchers started to notice that the diabetics who were taking the tirzepatide were losing weight. Researchers then shifted their attention to this potential weight loss goldmine.
It was already known that GLP-1 caused weight loss, leading to the development of Ozempic and Wegovy. Both of these drugs contained a chemically modified version of GLP-1.
GLP-1 and GIP belong to a class of peptides called incretins because they “increase” insulin release from the pancreas.
Two is better than one
When researchers started to investigate tirzepatide, they found that combining GLP-1 and GIP produced a more significant weight loss than when GLP-1 was used independently [2]. This led to tirzepatide being known as “twincretin” [1].
How does Mounjaro cause weight loss?
Mounjaro mimics two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which help to cause weight loss by:
Can Mounjaro cause muscle pain?
Although muscle pain is not listed muscle directly as a side effect of Mounjaro, it doesn’t mean that it’s not responsible for the aches you are feeling.
Let’s explore how Mounjaro can cause these muscle and body aches.
It all comes down to Mounjaro’s effect on your appetite, which causes you to eat less and, as a consequence, induces that much-coveted weight loss. However, consuming fewer calories could inadvertently deprive your body of essential nutrients and electrolytes. With regard to muscle aches, the mineral we had in mind was magnesium.
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What does magnesium do?
Magnesium is the unsung mineral in the body, quietly going about its role. It doesn’t have the high-profile status of Vitamin Ds or Vitamin C, but gradually, more and more people are finding out just how essential magnesium is.
Magnesium activates more than 300 enzymes in the body, helping to maintain muscle and nerve function [3].
People with magnesium deficiency are always tired, irritable, and nervous. They find concentrating difficult and have stiffness and muscle aches [3].
Researchers have discovered that magnesium deficiency is responsible for back, neck, and joint pain. They also found that those who used magnesium to correct their deficiency experienced a massive improvement of 49% in their lower back pain [3].
Other causes of Mounjaro body aches
In addition to the muscle aches and stiffness caused by a magnesium deficiency, injection site reactions are also likely culprits.
This is more likely if your aching feeling is localised to where you inject the Mounjaro. Mild pain or swelling in these injection areas is not uncommon.
In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trials [4], injection site reactions were recorded as follows:
- Placebo: 2 events
- Tirzepatide 5mg: 175 events
- Tirzepatide 10mg: 229 events
- Tirzepatide 15mg: 223 events
In the patient information leaflet for Mounjaro injection site reactions are listed as a common side effect.
How to reduce Mounjaro injection site reactions
To reduce the likelihood of getting injection site reactions, it’s a good idea to rotate your injection sites. It’s also good practice to pinch the subcutaneous fat while you inject.
You can learn more about correct injection procedures in our blog: How to inject Mounjaro?
How to treat Mounjaro body aches and pains
Before we accuse Mounjaro of being responsible for the cause of your body aches, try to rule out the other usual suspects, such as:
- Injection site reactions
- Poor sleep
- Stress
- DOMs
Whether Mounjaro is the cause of your aches and pains, the following advice should help you find relief.
Why stretching helps muscle aches
Stretching helps alleviate muscle aches by improving flexibility and increasing blood flow to the affected areas.
Stretching helps relax tense muscles, reduce stiffness, and prevent injuries. It also promotes circulation, which delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, aiding repair and recovery.
This can lead to quicker relief from soreness and an overall improvement in muscle function.
Hot and cold therapy for muscle aches
Hot and cold therapy is an effective method for relieving muscle aches. Heat therapy, such as using a warm towel or heating pad, helps increase blood flow to the muscles, reducing stiffness and promoting relaxation. It is especially beneficial for chronic aches.
On the other hand, cold therapy, like ice packs, reduces inflammation and numbs the area, which is helpful for acute injuries or recent muscle strain.
Alternating between hot and cold therapy can enhance recovery by combining the benefits of both, soothing pain while reducing swelling and promoting healing.
Proper nutrition and supplements
When starting Mounjaro, adopt a balanced, nutritious diet. Increase your protein intake carefully so that your body is encouraged to break down fat rather than muscle for fuel.
We have mentioned magnesium as an essential supplement; others we recommend include vitamin D3, K2, and Coenzyme Q10.
Stay hydrated
When people start to diet, they usually experience rapid weight loss due to water loss from their bodies.
When you start reducing your food intake, the liver starts releasing glucose into the bloodstream from its store of glycogen. This is done to keep blood sugar levels stable.
However, every gram of glycogen holds onto 3 grams of water, so much of the initial weight loss is water weight [5].
Other side effects of Mounjaro
The ten most common side effects people experienced in the SURMOUNT 1 trial were:
10. Eructation…the posh word for burping
9. Dizziness
8. Alopecia or hair loss
7. Abdominal pain
6. Headache
5. Vomiting
4. Dyspepsia or indigestion
3. Constipation
2. Diarrhoea
1. Nausea
Read our blog about Mounjaro’s side effects to learn more about these adverse effects and how to minimise them.
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Mounjaro 12.5mg Injection£229.99 – £899.99 -
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Mounjaro 2.5mg Injection£145.99 – £565.99
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
References:
- Sinha R, Papamargaritis D, Sargeant JA, Davies MJ. Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide in Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Management. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2023 Mar 30;32(1):25-45.
- Coskun, T., et al. (2018). Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, induces significant weight loss in patients with obesity. Diabetes Care, 41(10), 2100–2108.
- Faryadi, Q., 2012. The magnificent effect of magnesium to human health: a critical review. International Journal of Applied, 2(3), pp.118-126.
- ClinicalTrials.gov. (2021). SURMOUNT-1: Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Non-Diabetic Obese Individuals
- Olsson, K. E., & Saltin, B. (1970). Variation in total body water with muscle glycogen changes in man. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 80(1), 11–18. doi:10.1111/j.1748-1716.
