After being granted a fast-tracked designation by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2022 for treating adults with obesity or overweight, the diabetes drug Mounjaro is expected to be approved for weight loss this year after showing promising results in clinical trials.
What Is Mounjaro?
Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, is an injectable medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. It may start working to lower blood sugar from the first dose. Mounjaro is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes, and it is unknown if it is safe and effective for children under 18.
What Is Mounjaro Used For?
Mounjaro is used along with exercise and a well-balanced diet to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient helps the body regulate blood sugar and decrease how much food you eat.
Is Mounjaro Used For Weight Loss?
Mounjaro is not approved for use as a weight-loss medication. However, the drug, manufactured by Eli Lilly, has gained popularity for its weight-loss benefits, and the hashtag #mounjaro has received hundreds of millions of views on social media.
During a 72-week trial, participants saw a “substantial and sustained reduction in body weight” by taking 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg of tirzepatide once weekly.
What Are The Side Effects of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro, like most drugs, can cause mild to severe side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach (abdominal) pain. Although most nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting typically occur when the dosage is increased, it usually settles over time, according to Eli Lilly.
Severe allergic reactions, low blood sugar, pancreatic inflammation, kidney problems, and kidney failure are all severe side effects of Mounjaro. People with a history of kidney disease may become dehydrated due to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which can exacerbate kidney problems. To avoid dehydration, Eli Lilly recommends drinking fluids.
Mounjaro may also cause thyroid tumors or cancer. If a patient has a family history of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if they have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), Eli Lilly advises not taking the medication.
Serious side effects of Mounjaro that have been reported include:
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Serious allergic reactions
- Kidney problems (kidney failure)
- Severe stomach problems
- Changes in vision
- Gallbladder problems
