NAVIGATING MOUNJARO: UNDERSTANDING ITS USES, EFFECTS, AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP

WHAT IS MOUNJARO?

Mounjaro (generic name tirzepatide) is a prescription drug used to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. While not specifically approved for weight loss yet, tirzepatide can help people lose weight effectively. That’s why healthcare providers can prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss if they believe it is an appropriate course of treatment. When it comes to shedding pounds, Mounjaro is most effective when coupled with exercise and a low-calorie diet.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Mounjaro in May 2022. Mounjaro is considered a first-in-class drug because it activates glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, hormones responsible for controlling blood sugar and regulating appetite.

Mounjaro works by improving insulin sensitivity and secretion from the pancreas, which allows the body to use blood sugar more effectively. Because Mounjaro also slows down the digestion process, it makes you feel full longer and decreases food intake, resulting in the added benefit of weight loss in some people.

It’s different from other injectable diabetes treatments like Ozempic (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) because it acts on two receptors. This is why it’s referred to as a dual agonist or combination drug. Mounjaro is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once weekly. Dosages start at 2.5 mg and are slowly increased as needed to a maximum dosage of 15 mg.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

Potential side effects of Mounjaro include:

Abdominal pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Nausea and vomiting
Reduced appetite

Early research shows Mounjaro to be more effective for weight loss than other diabetes treatments including Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide). One study showed that on the highest dose of Mounjaro, over half of the patients in the trial lost more than 20% of their body weight in 1 year. Mounjaro was combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

4 THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU STOP TAKING MOUNJARO

Because Mounjaro is so new, there’s not a lot of research yet on what happens if you stop taking it. It can take four weeks or more to see the health benefits of Mounjaro, so it’s advisable to stick with it before quitting.

Increased Appetite: Part of the reason Mounjaro works for weight loss is because it reduces appetite. Therefore, when you stop Mounjaro, your appetite will likely return. Keeping healthy snacks on hand or allowing yourself smaller, more frequent meals can help keep you satiated without regaining weight.
Weight Gain: Stopping Mounjaro means there’s a risk for you to regain back the pounds you lost on it. This is why it’s crucial to couple diabetes treatments with healthy habits like a low-calorie, nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise.
Blood Sugar Spikes: Mounjaro acts on GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which helps your body manage glucose more efficiently. Stopping Mounjaro carries the risk of glucose levels spiking back to their original levels.
No More Side Effects: If you do experience any unpleasant side effects on Mounjaro, one bonus of stopping the medication is those will disappear.

KEEPING WEIGHT OFF AFTER MOUNJARO

As is the case with stopping any weight loss medication, a proper diet and exercise routine are critical to maintaining weight loss. Even on Mounjaro, it’s most effective in tandem with these two things.

Depending on why you stopped taking Mounjaro, another option is trying a different weight-loss drug. Not all have the same side effects and you may succeed with alternatives like Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, and more.

DO THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MOUNJARO GO AWAY AFTER STOPPING?

Unlike certain oral medications, there’s no way to taper off injectable drugs like Mounjaro. Your body will naturally filter out the drug over time. How long it takes for side effects to disappear depends on the dosage and your unique biology.

WHEN SHOULD YOU STOP MOUNJARO?

Stopping Mounjaro without speaking to a healthcare professional first is not recommended. However, there are some cases where stopping immediately is warranted.

CALL TO ACTION

At Aktwisted Wellness, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate your health journey with confidence. If you have any questions or need personalized advice about Mounjaro or other diabetes treatments, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about managing your diabetes and achieving your health goals.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2022). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement_1), S1-S264.
Drucker, D. J., Habener, J. F., & Holst, J. J. (2017). Discovery, characterization, and clinical development of the glucagon-like peptides. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 127(11), 4217-4227.
Garber, A. J., Handelsman, Y., Grunberger, G., Einhorn, D., Abrahamson, M. J., Barzilay, J. I., … & Zonszein, J. (2020). Consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology on the comprehensive type 2 diabetes management algorithm—2020 executive summary. Endocrine Practice, 26(1), 107-139.
Nauck, M. A., Quast, D. R., Wefers, J., & Meier, J. J. (2021). GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes–state-of-the-art. Molecular Metabolism, 46, 101102.
Rosenstock, J., Wysham, C., Frías, J. P., Kaneko, S., Lee, C. J., Cheng, J., … & Benson, C. (2021). Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in people with type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk (SURPASS-4): a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial. The Lancet, 398(10313), 1811-1824