Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a prescription medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide works by stimulating the release of insulin and reducing the release of glucagon, both of which help to regulate blood sugar levels.
However, recent clinical trials have also revealed that Mounjaro is a promising treatment for weight loss. Mounjaro is in the same class of drugs as the drug semaglutide (brand name Wegovy). Wegovy was approved by the FDA for weight loss in June 2021.
Mounjaro was approved by the FDA in May 2022 for treatments for diabetes. Then, in the fall of 2022, Mounjaro was granted a “fast track” designation for approval for weight loss and obesity. Many studies have concluded that Mounjaro is going to build on what Wegovy started with even better weight loss results.
For those interested in Mounjaro for weight loss, you might be wondering how does Mounjaro cause weight loss? Keep reading to learn more about how Mounjaro works for weight loss and more!
Weight loss drugs were all the rage in the early 2000s, but a combination of scams and unforeseen consequences left most consumers wary. Wegovy was the first weight loss drug approved by the FDA since 2014.
Mounjaro is an injectable drug created to help people with type 2 diabetes. When combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine, it can improve glycemic control by simultaneously stimulating insulin and reducing glucagon. The treatment requires a weekly dose injected beneath the skin’s surface on the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
It’s important to know that Mounjaro is still under investigation for usage as a weight loss drug. That may raise some red flags for some people, but the fact that a similar drug is already working wonders for weight loss may take a weight off your mind.
Let’s dive deeper into the science and studies that answer the question, how does Mounjaro cause weight loss?
Mounjaro belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1s mimic a naturally occurring hormone in the body, which makes us feel full.
Many studies have revealed that GLP-1s curb hunger and slow down the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. The slow movement of food through the digestive system helps people feel full longer after a meal and reduces the urge to eat.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that has been FDA-approved for weight loss. Weekly injections of Wegovy start at .25mg and increase to 2.4mg over the course of your treatment. On average, patients who had Wegovy injections saw a 15% reduction in body weight.
Wegovy opened the door for Mounjaro to seek FDA approval as a weight loss drug. Mounjaro is not only a GLP-1 but is also a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor.
Experts weren’t sure that the addition of GIP would influence results, but further study revealed that GIP and GLP-1 complement each other well when it comes to weight loss. They act in unison to mimic your body’s natural hormones and boost weight loss effects.
In a 72-week trial on the effects of tirzepatide on participants with obesity, results showed weekly dosages of Mounjaro provided substantial and sustained reductions in body weight. A majority of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight during the year and half long trial. For those participants who took 15 mg of Mounjaro weekly, 20% body weight loss was the average!
Of course, Mounjaro is still waiting for FDA approval but the results of clinical trials show many promising weight loss benefits.
During clinical trials, the most common side effects of Mounjaro are minor to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort. Participants experienced nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, indigestion, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain. Mounjaro may also increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
Gastrointestinal side effects are most common when you first start taking Mounjaro and after you increase your dosage. Most providers slowly increase your dose over time to reduce the negative effects on your digestion.
You can also mitigate the negative gastrointestinal effects by eating a healthy diet. People who take Mounjaro should avoid greasy, fried, and processed foods as they can upset their digestive system and cause nausea. You should also limit foods high in unhealthy fats or sugar while taking Mounjaro.
Mounjaro affects how your body processes food and changes your appetite. Contact your doctor if you have any side effects from Mounjaro.
Most of the trials for Mounjaro – including the 72-week trial from 2022 – were done on people who were either overweight or obese. On average, participants had a BMI of 30, or 27 or more with one weight-related complication.
Those participants who took 15 mg of Mounjaro weekly lost an average of 20% of their body weight. Results may vary, but Mounjaro is quickly starting to overtake other weight-loss injectables like Wegovy. In fact, FDA regulators found that Mounjaro helped people lose an average of 12 pounds or more than those who used semaglutide (Wegovy).
Your provider will figure out the best dosage for you and may increase that dosage over time to improve your results.
Mounjaro starts to work after the first injection. However, improvements to your blood sugar levels and any weight loss won’t be obvious until a few weeks or months after you start treatment.
Stadia Med Spa now offers Mounjaro for men and women who want to lose weight and improve their overall body contour. This article explored the answers to the question “How does Mounjaro cause weight loss” based on the information currently available. The FDA is expected to approve Mounjaro for weight loss by the end of 2023.
If you’re interested in Mounjaro and want to learn more, contact Stadia Med Spa for a free consultation!
Call 210-881-6270 today!
