Is Mounjaro Approved For Weight Loss | Weight Loss Clinic LA

Is Mounjaro Approved For Weight Loss - What Weight Loss Doctor Says - Weight Loss Clinic LA
  • Dr. David Nazarian
  • January 30, 2024
  • 0 Comment
  • Weight Loss

Is Mounjaro Approved For Weight Loss? What Weight Loss Doctor Says

Is anyone else exhausted by trendy TikTok diets falling short of actual results? No shade to #smoothiebowl life, but sustainable solutions run deeper. You’ve likely seen wild stories around the new medication Mounjaro going viral for insane weight loss claims. It is almost too good to trust.

But is the hype legit or risky business? What does the science say about approval and safety? Before getting caught up in social media testimonials, let’s unpack facts on how this injection-based treatment works, potential side effects, and what credible doctors advocate as responsible paths towards self-confidence and health goals.

The journey to loving our bodies at every phase deserves empathy first and quick fixes last. Together, we’ll navigate the wellness landscape beyond surface-level sensationalism or cynicism by spotlighting ethical considerations real experts weigh in navigating weight, health, and having hope.

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Is Mounjaro Approved For Weight Loss?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) was approved in May 2022 by the FDA specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medication that mimics the effects of GLP-1 and GIP, two gastrointestinal hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite. Clinical trials showed that Mounjaro used with diet and exercise helped patients with obesity or who were overweight lose significant weight compared to placebo over 20 weeks.

Mounjaro’s weight loss benefits come from its ability to act on receptors in the brain that induce feelings of fullness and satiety, thereby reducing calorie intake.

As an obesity medication, Mounjaro is intended for long-term use alongside lifestyle changes for sustained weight management. However, potential side effects like nausea and diarrhea should be discussed with your doctor.

Overall, Mounjaro’s approval opens up a new class of effective medications now available by prescription, explicitly targeting weight loss for those struggling with obesity.

Does Mounjaro Work?

Yes, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been shown in clinical trials to be effective for weight loss in adults struggling with obesity. Specifically, research has demonstrated that Mounjaro works through the following weight loss mechanisms and effects:

  • Appetite suppression: By activating GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors, Mounjaro suppresses appetite and enhances feelings of fullness after eating. Reduced hunger and calorie intake aids weight loss.
  • Slowed digestion: Mounjaro slows digestion in the stomach, allowing a longer time for food to be metabolized before more is consumed, which supports appetite and weight control.
  • Increased fat burning: Studies observed increased resting energy expenditure, indicating enhanced fat metabolism and burned calories with Mounjaro treatment over 20+ weeks.
  • Glycemic control: By improving glycemic regulation, less glucose seems stored as fat with Mounjaro, while weight loss further controls insulin resistance tied to obesity.
  • Durable results: According to trial extension data, weight loss achieved on Mounjaro was shown to persist for over a year when combined with diet and lifestyle interventions for weight maintenance.

On average, Phase 3 clinical trial participants taking the maximum 15mg dose lost between 12.9% and 22.6% of their initial body weight over 20-68 week timeframes, which exceeds most other obesity medications.

For those meeting the prescribing criteria, Mounjaro offers effective biochemical assistance targeting pounds shed through multiple mechanisms.

Who is Eligible for Mounjaro Treatment?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is suitable for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve blood sugar control, diet, and exercise. It’s not recommended for people with type 1 diabetes, those who have had pancreatitis, or children under 18.

Avoid Mounjaro if you or your family members have had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It’s also not advisable if you’ve had severe allergic reactions to tirzepatide or any Mounjaro ingredients.

Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, especially relating to pancreas, kidney, and stomach issues, diabetic retinopathy, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

You may find the Mounjaro is not working despite having no physical issues. Mounjaro may affect other medications you take, and discussing your current medicines with your healthcare provider is essential.

Is Mounjaro Covered by Insurance?

Insurance coverage for Mounjaro, a medication used for Type 2 diabetes, can vary depending on your insurance plan and the specific conditions covered.

As a newer medication, coverage by commercial insurance plans is not uniform, and it’s less likely that government programs like Medicare and Medicaid will cover it. However, some insurance plans may provide coverage for Mounjaro for treating Type 2 diabetes or, less commonly, for obesity.

The cost of Mounjaro without insurance can be relatively high, averaging around $1,539.54 for a monthly supply of four pen injectors. The exact price can differ based on factors like the pharmacy and prescribed dosage. If you’re uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover Mounjaro, there are several ways to save on your prescription:

Mounjaro Savings Card

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, offers a savings card for eligible patients with commercial prescription drug insurance.

Free Mounjaro Coupons

Free coupons from services like SingleCare can help reduce the cash price of Mounjaro. Prices with SingleCare may vary, so it’s advisable to check for the exact cost.

Price Comparison

Pharmacy prices for the same medication can differ. Comparing prices at different pharmacies can help you find the best deal.

Check Prescription Coverage

The cost you pay for Mounjaro will largely depend on your prescription coverage. It’s recommended to check with your insurance provider about coverage and compare the formulary of several plans during open enrollment periods.

Switch Medications

If Mounjaro is too costly, you might consider switching to a lower-cost alternative. Other medications in the same class as Mounjaro, like Ozempic (semaglutide) or Trulicity (dulaglutide), maybe more affordable or covered by your insurance.

What Are the Side Effects of Mounjaro?

What Are the Side Effects of Mounjaro - Weight Loss Clinic LA

Mounjaro (tirzepatide), used for treating type 2 diabetes, has various side effects. Common issues include

  • Stomach pain
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Skin reactions
  • Swelling of the face or tongue

Less common effects are anxiety, blurred vision, chest tightness, confusion, and seizures. Gastrointestinal problems like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are also reported.

In rare cases, Mounjaro may lead to severe conditions like pancreatitis and thyroid tumors. It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for any concerns about these side effects.

What are the Guidelines for Taking Mounjaro?

Here are the main guidelines for taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss according to the FDA prescribing information and medication label:

Dosage

  • The starting dose is 2.5 mg injected under the skin once a week.
  • The dose can be gradually increased in increments of 2.5 mg up to the recommended maintenance dose of 15 mg once weekly.
  • Dose escalation helps reduce side effects like nausea by allowing the body to adjust slowly.

Administration

  • Mounjaro is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm using a prefilled pen or syringe.
  • Follow the specific instructions provided on proper injection techniques to ensure medication delivery.

Before Initiation

  • Healthcare providers should first evaluate kidney and liver function with bloodwork since impairment may need dose adjustments.
  • Providers also rule out other endocrine disorders or stomach/pancreatic issues that can increase adverse risks.

Monitoring

  • Kidney function tests are repeated periodically while on Mounjaro.
  • Report symptoms like dehydration, heart palpitations, or abdominal pain that may indicate complications.

Guidance

  • Take Mounjaro and maintain the nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes healthcare teams recommend to achieve optimal and durable weight loss results.

Final Words

And there you have it, an evidence-based perspective on Mounjaro’s approval specifically for chronic weight management in adults struggling with obesity.

While TikTok testimonials may showcase astonishing transformations, they maintain realistic expectations grounded in clinical literature and physician guidance.

If considering medication-assisted weight loss, thoroughly discuss risk/benefit tradeoffs suited to your unique health history before deciding if it is rewarding. Implement adjunctive lifestyle changes incrementally, not drastically. Celebrate milestones, however modest. Foster communities that champion self-worth beyond the scale.

No singular solution universally applies among intricate weight loss journeys, but shared truths support us all. Wherever paths lead, may our minds and bodies feel increasingly at home through compassion.

Onward together, step by step!

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