Mounjaro

Why Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a medication used for diabetes-2 but which also causes weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition.

Mounjaro versus other GLP-1 medications:

Compared to other GLP-1 medications, Mounjaro has been shown to be more effective in promoting weight loss. In clinical trials, patients taking Mounjaro lost significantly more weight compared to those taking a placebo or other weight loss medications.

How Mounjaro works:

Mounjaro and Ozempic are both in the class of drugs known as incretin mimetics but have some differences. Mounjaro acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while Ozempic acts only on GLP-1 receptors; however, both drugs are effective treatments for type 2 diabetes

How to take Mounjaro:

Mounjaro works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. By activating these receptors in the brain, your body can reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, leading to decreased calorie intake and weight loss.

Weekly dosing schedule:

Mounjaro is taken once a week as a subcutaneous injection. The recommended starting dose is 0.25 mg per week for the first four weeks, followed by an increase to 0.5 mg per week for the next four weeks, and then 1 mg per week thereafter.

Weight loss benefits by taking Mounjaro:

The weight loss benefits of taking Mounjaro are significant. In clinical trials, patients taking Mounjaro lost an average of 15% of their initial body weight, compared to 2-4% for those taking a placebo or other weight loss medications.

What are the side effects of Mounjaro?

Side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These side effects are typically mild and improve over time. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as pancreatitis or thyroid tumors may occur.

Functional medicine support including supplements and IV drips may help address potential side effects of Mounjaro. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements or alternative therapies.

To manage side effects, consider the following functional medicine approaches:

Hydration: Ensuring adequate fluid intake can help alleviate gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Ginger: Ginger supplements or tea may help reduce nausea.
Probiotics: Probiotic supplements can help restore gut balance and alleviate gastrointestinal side effects.
Slow dose escalation: Gradually increasing the dose of Wegovy, as recommended by your healthcare provider, can help reduce the severity of side effects as the body adjusts to the medication.
Dietary adjustments: Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding high-fat or spicy foods can help manage gastrointestinal side effects.
Electrolyte supplementation: Replenishing electrolytes, particularly if experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, can help. Recommend stop by the office and have a Vitamin IV Drip.
If nothing works call the office and make an appointment in person or by Tele-medicine to discuss this with a physician. They will advise you on next seps.
Doctor visit and Support supplements: Make an appointment to see the doctor. Have the doctor recommend a package of supplements to be taken daily which has been specially formulated to support patients on Ozempic.

Which is more expensive, Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Ozempic costs about $900 to $1,250 per month. Mounjaro costs about $1,000 per month to treat type 2 diabetes, but its cost as a potential obesity drug if approved by the FDA for that use could go even higher, following the strategy of Wegovy.

How long to losing weight on Mounjaro?

When compared to some other diabetes treatments, studies have shown that it can take 8 weeks to reach an A1C target of ≤7% and 12 weeks to reach an A1C ≤6.5% with Mounjaro. Significant weight loss can occur as early as 28-weeks.

How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) .While not approved for weight loss, participants treated with Mounjaro in studies lost between 5.5 kg (12 lbs.) to 11 kg (25 lbs.) on average.

How long does it take for Mounjaro to work?

Median time to achieve ≥5% weight reduction: 12 weeks (Mounjaro 10 mg and 15 mg), 16 weeks (Mounjaro 5 mg), 24 weeks (injectable semaglutide 1 mg)

Who should not take Mounjaro?

The drug is not approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes. Do not take Mounjaro treatment if you currently have pancreatitis or who have had this condition in the past.

Why is Mounjaro not covered by some insurance for diabetes?

For coverage, insurance companies have been requiring that patients have a documented diagnosis of diabetes and have had an inadequate response or intolerable side effects from 3 or 4 other medications.

How to get best results with Mounjaro?

The best weight loss results are seen when weight loss medications are combined with intensive lifestyle modification and calorie restriction. The major benefit of weight loss is improvement comorbidities of obesity such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids and heart disease which can be seen with as little as 5% weight loss.

Remember, Tirzepatide or any other weight loss medication is not a magic bullet but simply a tool to lower appetite for sustained calorie reduction. There is no perfect medication for obesity. A medication that may work for a family member or a friend may not be the ideal medication for you. Treating obesity can be complicated so it is best to work with a knowledgeable health care professional who is dedicated to working with you over the long term.

READY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

At Patients Medical, our goal is to offer a variety of programs and treatments that can help you lose weight quickly and safely. Our physicians will create a customized plan for you that may include a combination of prescription, conventional and holistic medicine, and recommend dietary and lifestyle changes.