{"id":18270,"date":"2024-02-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/?p=18270"},"modified":"2024-02-16T12:56:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T20:56:20","slug":"how-does-mounjaro-work-for-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/post\/how-does-mounjaro-work-for-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"How does Mounjaro work for weight loss? A complete guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Prescription medication is a popular option for weight loss<\/a> when dieting and\/or exercise fails. 2 weight loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, became so popular that they\u2019ve become hard to find. A new alternative, Zepbound hit the market in November 2023. But it was available sooner in an identical medication sold by a different name, Mounjaro. But how does Mounjaro work for weight loss?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This guide gives you a detailed look at Mounjaro\u2019s mechanism, efficacy, potential side effects, and how it compares with other prescription weight loss medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mounjaro is a brand-name injectable medication approved by the FDA in May 2022 to treat type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is tirzepatide, which works by mimicking two of the body’s natural hormones: glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, known as GLP-1 agonist receptor medications, mimic GLP-1 to work for weight loss<\/a> and promoting satiety (a feeling of fullness after you eats). It also helps people with type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Ozempic and Mounjaro were both approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, it was discovered they also help people lose weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By mimicking both GIP and GLP-1, Moujaro regulates blood sugar levels, promotes satiety, and<\/em> impedes the brain\u2019s hunger signals to suppress appetite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight loss on Mounjaro was so significant in patients with type 2 diabetes, that the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, received FDA approval to market it specifically for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound. Zepbound is identical to Mounjaro except for the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s examine how tirzepatide in Mounjaro and Zepbound works for weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in both Zepbound and Mounjaro, mimics GLP-1 and GIP to target your metabolism, the way your body processes food. It increases feelings of fullness, so you eat less. And it slows down the rate at which food leaves your stomach (gastric emptying) to further promote how full you feel. You eat less, which helps with ongoing weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n GIP works by stimulating the release of insulin, particularly in response to food intake, which helps with glucose (blood sugar) control. When blood sugar is high, people feel hungrier and are prone to overeat. By controlling blood sugar and keeping it under control, GIP in tirzepatide staves off hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an added weight loss benefit, GIP also stimulates lipolysis, which is a fancy word for burning fat. Mounjaro is particularly effective at burning visceral fat, which is fat deep in the belly and around internal organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive spikes in blood sugar after meals can also increase the risk of diabetes and negatively impact the control of type 2 diabetes, which is why Mounjaro benefits individuals with type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GLP-1 receptor agonist in Mounjaro and other GLP-1 agonists stimulates the body\u2019s receptor for GLP-1 to increase insulin production and satiety. This lowers appetite by telling your brain that you\u2019re full, so you want to eat less. The combined effect is to help with weight loss because you\u2019re satisfied eating fewer calories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By targeting these key aspects of metabolism, Mounjaro and other weight loss injections<\/a> contribute to sustained weight reduction, offering individuals a unique, science-backed solution on their journey to achieving a healthier weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While Mounjaro presents a good opportunity to control blood sugar and help with weight loss, it has potential side effects<\/a>. Common side effects associated with Mounjaro include gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea and diarrhea, which are more likely during the initial phase of treatment but often decrease or stop with time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In some cases, more serious side effects have occurred including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to monitor for signs of pancreatitis, such as persistent abdominal pain, as well as potential kidney-related issues, including changes in urine color or frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is also an FDA black box warning for an increased risk of thyroid cancer with tirzepatide. As with any prescription medication, talking to a healthcare professional before taking any new medication is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While most people take Mounjaro with no or only mild side effects, understanding potential side effects can help you make an educated decision about your weight loss journey and communicate with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clinical trials have shown that people who are overweight or obese can lose up to 26.6% of their body weight on Mounjaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An early clinical trial<\/a> presented at the American Diabetes Association\u2019s 2022 Symposium showed that people who were overweight or obese without type 2 diabetes lost as much as 22.5% of their body weight in 72 weeks on tirzepatide. On average, study participants on the higher doses of 15 milligrams a week, lost 52 pounds. And even those on lower doses of 5 or 10 milligrams lost between 35 and 49 pounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A later trial<\/a> published in Nature Medicine<\/em> showed participants who combined tirzepatide with intense lifestyle changes lost up to 26.6% body weight. Participants spent 12 weeks making lifestyle changes only and then followed with 72 additional weeks of lifestyle changes combined with tirzepatide. Participants who made lifestyle changes but didn\u2019t take tirzepatide had only a 3.8% reduction in weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These results are significant compared to Ozempic and Wegovy, which have become so popular that the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is struggling to keep them in stock<\/a>. Average body weight loss on Wegovy was just 14.9% of initial body weight in one clinical trial<\/a> as reported in The New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>. For a 250-pound person, that\u2019s the difference between a potential weight loss of 66.5 pounds on Mounjaro compared to 37.25 pounds on Wegovy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the studies cited above span 18 months, weight loss on Mounjaro starts soon after treatment and more quickly than on Wegovy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Randomized trials found that patients with type 2 diabetes started losing weight<\/a> on Mounjaro right away. And in one month, they had lost an average of 2% of their body weight. In 2 months, they had lost 4%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The previously mentioned trial published in Nature Medicine<\/em> found sustained weight reduction of up to 6.9% after 12 weeks on Mounjaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These studies show Mounjaro’s ability to help people lose weight and maintain significant weight loss. In these studies, participants weren\u2019t restricted as to what diets to follow, and even though some of those who took Mounjaro may not have followed ideal weight-loss diets, they were still able to lose a significant amount of weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To optimize the benefits of Mounjaro, following the instructions on the prescription is critical. But eating some foods and following some practices can help you maximize weight loss while taking Mounjaro or any other weight loss medication, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study<\/a> in The Journal of the American Medical Association<\/em> per CNN suggests a gradual return to baseline weight over several weeks after stopping Mounjaro. Patients who stayed on Zepbound continued to lose about an additional 6% of their body weight. Their loss did eventually plateau. People who stopped Zepbound maintained about 80% of their original weight loss, regaining the other 20% over a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Transitioning to a healthy lifestyle during and after taking Mounjaro is crucial to maximize results and minimize the chance of regaining the weight you lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comparison between Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy<\/a> involves individual factors, and effectiveness varies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also weight loss pills<\/a>, including Rybelsus, an oral version of semaglutide<\/a>, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consultation with a healthcare provider about medically supervised weight loss<\/a> is essential to determine the most suitable medication for weight management based on your personal health needs and goals. Get tips on how to ask your doctor for weight loss pills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Mounjaro isn\u2019t right for you or your healthcare provider recommends a different option, here\u2019s a quick comparison of alternative weight-loss medications, some intended for type 2 diabetes, but sometimes used off-label<\/a> for weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The table includes drug names, administration methods, dosing information, and approval for weight loss or other benefits of weight loss as well as weight loss potential. Most medications included here result in a greater than 5% weight loss in the studies. Mounjaro is included for comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Mounjaro?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does Mounjaro work for weight loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How GIP works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How GLP-1 works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What does Mounjaro do to your body?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How much weight can you lose with Mounjaro?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How long does Mounjaro take to work for weight loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do you maximize weight loss on Mounjaro?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What happens if you stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic or Wegovy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Other alternatives: a comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n