Mounjaro Prescription for Weight Loss

Weight You Lose on Mounjaro | Mounjaro Side Effects | Frequently Asked Question

What is Mounjaro and What is it Prescribed For?

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer, recently secured fast-track approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to study the medication as a weight loss treatment. They are currently conducting multiple clinical trials to study the effectiveness of treating obesity with tirzepatide. While nothing is certain, many observers expect approval sometime in late 2023 or early 2024.

Doctors currently prescribe Mounjaro off-label as an obesity treatment. This common practice allows providers to use medications with clear benefits and safety that have yet to obtain FDA approval.

Patients self-administer the weekly injectable medication using a pre-dosed pen. Generally, doctors only prescribe weight loss medication to patients with BMIs over 30. Patients with lower BMIs may qualify if they experience an obesity-related health condition, like an elevated risk of heart disease.

How Mounjaro Works?

Mounjaro works by mimicking the effects of hormones, called incretins, that the body naturally produces as part of the digestive process. Once you reach a medicated dose, the drug dampens your appetite to reduce caloric intake. Mounjaro differs from other popular weight loss medications because it simulates the effects of two hormones.

The drug is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This classification means it bonds to the areas on cells where these hormones normally attach. As a result, it induces the same effects. GIPs and GLP-1s play a role in insulin production and blood sugar regulation.

These substances treat obesity by slowing digestion. This action leaves the stomach fuller for longer, extending satiety. In addition, the drug also suppresses appetite by interacting with the hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that controls hunger.

While weight loss is complex, it fundamentally requires burning more calories than the body consumes. Mounjaro helps patients achieve the necessary caloric deficit because diminished appetite reduces portion size and meal frequency. When you consume fewer calories, your body must burn fat for the energy needed to function, causing weight loss.

Mounjaro Side Effects

Every treatment carries the risk of side effects. Your unique biochemistry and the dose of Mounjaro you take will influence their development. Some patients experience no side effects, while some develop multiple ones and transition to alternative weight loss medications.

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal because the medication affects the digestive tract. Possible side effects of Mounjaro include:

These are often mild and subside over time. However, you should notify your doctor about them anyway so they can monitor your ongoing response to the medication.

Serious complications are less common but possible. It's critical to contact your doctor and seek care if you experience any of the following:

These effects are more likely in those with pre-existing health conditions, making it critical to discuss your complete health history with the prescribing doctor.