Mounjaro: Is It Effective and Safe for Weight Loss
Written by Courtney McMahan, RD
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a drug that is FDA approved for lowering blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is administered once per week through injection. Mounjaro falls into the same category as the other GLP-1 receptor agonists, Wegovy and Ozempic. However, Mounjaro is slightly different in that it acts simultaneously on two types of insulin-regulating hormone receptors instead of just one.
Mounjaro has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss, but clinical trials have found that, in addition to its A1C and blood sugar lowering effects, it also holds promise for assisting with weight loss, so much so that the FDA gave the drug a “fast track” to expedite the review of its efficacy in the treatment of obesity.
How Can it Help with Weight Loss?
One clinical trial showed that patients on 5, 10, or 15mg of Mounjaro saw substantial and sustained weight loss after 72 weeks compared with a placebo group. And 57 percent of participants on the 10mg and 15mg doses lost twenty percent or more of their body weight.
It works by slowing down food as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract, which makes you feel fuller for longer, leading to significant reductions in caloric intake. It has also been shown to increase energy expenditure, potentially leading to more calories burned.
What are the Downsides?
Due to the effects this type of drug has on the digestive tract, many users report uncomfortable digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, due to this being a newer drug, not much is known about the long term sustainability of the weight that is lost using Mounjaro. However, one study found that participants who took Semaglutide (a similar Type 2 diabetes drug) for 68 weeks lost an average of 17.3% of their body weight, but when they withdrew for one year, they regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost within that time frame. As with all drugs that purport to be a magic pill for weight loss, it is highly unlikely that users will be able to keep the weight off unless they are combining the drug with diet and exercise changes.
Conclusion
If you and your doctor determine that the potential benefits of Mounjaro outweigh the risks, this drug could be used as a jumpstart to your weight loss journey in combination with the proper diet and lifestyle changes. It is certainly a better firstline option for weight loss than something more invasive like gastric bypass surgery.
However, it is important to make an informed decision when deciding to go on this medication. Consider the impacts it may have on appetite and digestion, and ensure that you have a sustainable long-term plan in place that will allow you to keep the weight off for good. It is better to first try to make diet and lifestyle changes alone before introducing a drug that may cause negative side effects that impact your digestion and quality of life.