Introduction to Mounjaro and Weight Loss
As of May 2024, at least 64% of UK adults are overweight or obese. Despite their best efforts, many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off. It can be frustrating to see no significant changes after trying hard to change your diet and exercise routine. Luckily, there are various medical treatments to help people struggling with losing weight.
A less invasive option than weight loss surgery, weight loss medication includes tablets like Orlistat and weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Mounjaro was originally used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but was approved for weight loss in the UK in 2023.
Mounjaro works by mimicking two natural incretin hormones found in the body: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This tricks the body into feeling fuller for longer, leading people to eat fewer calories and lose weight. Let's explore how Mounjaro does this in more detail.
How Does Mounjaro Work?
What is the Science Behind Mounjaro?
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is a dual-action weight loss medicine. It's suitable for individuals with a BMI of ≥30, or ≥27 if they health conditions like high cholesterol or heart disease.
Other weight loss injections, such as Wegovy, only work by activating the GLP-1 receptor. Mounjaro goes one step further, additionally targeting the GIP receptor, resulting in:
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Slower emptying of the stomach.
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Longer-lasting feelings of fullness.
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Reduced food intake.
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Improved blood sugar control.
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Increased insulin release and sensitivity.
Together, all these changes in the body lead to a decreased appetite and often significant weight loss.
The active ingredients in both Mounjaro and Wegovy are also used as diabetes medications as they can lower blood sugar levels as well as helping losing fat. Diabetes drugs such as Ozempic and Rybelsus have also previously been used for their role in weight loss.
What Can You Expect from Mounjaro and Weight Loss?
Taking Mounjaro can lead to impressive weight loss results. Clinical trials have found that over 85% of individuals lost 5% or more of their body weight. After 72 weeks, people taking Mounjaro lost 15% or more on average.
Mounjaro may also be more effective than other weight loss treatments. One study found that individuals taking Mounjaro were significantly more likely to lose weight than those taking Wegovy. Study participants taking Mounjaro also lost more weight than those taking Wegovy after 3, 6, and 12 months.
It's common to start losing weight after taking Mounjaro for just a few weeks. But how much weight can you expect to lose? On average, users tend to lose 15-20% of their bodyweight by 72 weeks, depending on the dose they're taking. Of course, each individual is different, and not everyone will experience the same results.
Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Mounjaro?
Are You in a Caloric Deficit?
Like all weight loss drugs, Mounjaro is only effective for weight loss alongside a reduced calorie diet and exercise regime. Losing weight relies on a calorie deficit, which means you need to be using up more calories than you're taking in.
If you're not losing weight, you may be consuming too many calories or using up too few. Generally speaking, diet is a more effective way to achieve a calorie deficit. Exercise has many health benefits and does burn calories, but all the hard work you do during your workout can easily be offset by eating a calorie-dense meal or snack.
Are You Taking the Correct Dosage and Avoiding Missed Doses?
The starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5mg for 4 weeks, which is then increased by 2.5mg every 4 weeks up to a maintenance dose of 5, 10, or 15mg. It's important not to increase the dose any faster than this to avoid experiencing side effects and having to stop the medication altogether.
If you're experiencing side effects, your prescriber may decide to increase the dose more slowly to allow your body time to get used to each increase. Side effects often get better with time.
Studies suggest Mounjaro is more effective at a higher dose, so if you're struggling to lose weight at a lower dose, you should discuss this with your health provider.
It's important to take your dose every week to make sure the drug is working as effectively as possible. A missed dose can be taken up to 4 days after your scheduled time. After this point, you should skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
Regularly missing doses, opting for cheat days and stopping treatment for holidays or events can also significantly impact your results and cause a weight loss plateau.
Do You Have Underlying Medical Conditions?
Some health conditions can make it harder to lose weight, such as an underactive thyroid and other hormonal issues like polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing's syndrome. Other medications can also impact your journey, such as steroids, anti-seizure medications, anti-psychotic medications and more.
If you're concerned that a health condition or medication you're taking may be affecting your ability to lose weight, speak to a healthcare professional for tailored advice.
Are Lifestyle Factors Affecting Your Weight Loss?
Did you know that sleep can affect your weight? Poor sleep can increase the chance of gaining weight as it often leads to increased energy intake in the form of food or high-calorie drinks. Poor sleep may also impact energy balance in the body.
Stress is also known to influence weight, partly due to the effects stress has on sleep. However, stress may also limit weight loss efforts due to using overeating as a coping mechanism, having less mental energy to stick to weight loss goals, and less motivation to exercise. If you're feeling stressed or struggling to sleep, your healthcare professional can help advise you on how to deal with it.
How Can You Maximise Weight Loss with Mounjaro?
What are Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Weight Loss?
A healthy diet, through reducing your calorie intake by 600 calories below the recommended limit for your gender, is a good place to start. A typical woman should aim for 1400 calories a day, whilst a man should aim for 1900. Additionally, the type of foods, specifically those low in carbohydrates, can help regulate blood sugar levels more effectively, which can have a positive impact on weight loss.
When coupled with regular exercise, you can be sure you are doing all you can to maximise your results and avoid a weight loss plateau. Aim for exercise routines including at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise a week - if you can do more, that's even better.
Make sure to eat a balanced diet so that you're getting all the nutrients you need. This means at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein sources. As you'll be eating less than before, it's important to avoid a vitamin deficiency by eating a healthy, varied diet.
For sustainable weight loss and to avoid weight regain, it is important to make realistic, manageable changes to your lifestyle that you know you can stick to long-term. A varied exercise routine alongside meal prep can help you avoid falling back into bad habits.
How to Monitor Your Progress and Make Adjustments?
Tracking your BMI can be helpful for you to see the progress you're making, but remember - BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle. Waist circumference can be a more useful measurement to keep track of. Find out more on how to measure this here.
By tracking your progress, you'll know if your current regime is working or whether some changes are needed. You may also find it easier to keep going and stay motivated. Your weight loss journey is unlikely to be a straight line, so try not to lose heart if things aren't going as well as expected.
If you haven't lost at least 5% of your body weight after taking Mounjaro at the maximum dose for 6 months, talk to your healthcare provider. At this point, it's unlikely the medication will work for you, and you will probably need to try an alternative. They can also help if you want to increase the dose or are suffering from side effects.
How Can Quick Meds Help You on Your Weight Loss Journey?
Quick Meds is a UK-based online pharmacy that stocks a variety of weight loss medications, including Mounjaro.
Already have your Mounjaro prescription? We can deliver your next pen straight to your home without the effort of having to collect it from your local health centre or highstreet pharmacy.
Do you need extra help with your weight loss efforts? Quick Meds offers online weight loss consultations to discuss which medication is most suitable for you. Our prescribing team will review your medical history, discuss your individual needs, and issue a prescription if clinically appropriate. This is then sent discreetly by Royal Mail directly to your door.
Access Mounjaro and other medication from the comfort of your home, with regular updates and reminders when it's time to reorder or up your dose. Start a free online consultation with the team today.
Start your Free Online ConsultationConclusion
Mounjaro is an effective medication, with users losing an average 15% of their bodyweight within the first 72 weeks. However, not everyone's journey is a smooth one, and it may not be effective for everyone. It is important to make the right lifestyle changes alongside treatment to ensure a successful journey and prevent weight gain.
If you're struggling with weight loss after several months or having issues with side effects, contact your healthcare provider for individual advice.