What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (active ingredient tirzepatide) is an FDA approved medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It received FDA approval in 2022. It has an excellent track record of lowering hemoglobin A1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients.
Mounjaro is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. This means that it mimics the activity of these two hormones and leads to improved blood sugar control. It also promotes significant weight loss.
In fact, to date, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is the most effective weight loss medication available in the United States.
Mounjaro is not yet FDA approved for weight loss but it likely will be within a few months.
How Does Mounjaro Work?
Mounjaro is a new drug class. It contains two active molecules (GLP-1 and GIP agonists) that act on two specific receptors in the body.
Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) contains one active molecule which acts on the GLP-1 receptor.
So, instead of being a “single-receptor agonist,” like semaglutide, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a “dual-agonist” medication.
This double agonist mechanism is likely why patients taking Mounjaro lose more weight than those on semaglutide.
How Does Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Help With Weight Loss?
Mounjaro activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptors which increases the hormones that control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) makes you feel fuller, and it suppresses your appetite. It improves insulin production and blood sugar control. It slows down the rate at which your stomach empties. So after you eat, your stomach stays full longer. This decreases your desire to eat for hours after meals.
**In the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Shea Aesthetic Clinic offers Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Mounjaro may be obtained at Shea Aesthetic Clinic in Oak Ridge, or by mail. To receive this medication for weight loss, call (865) 294-4114 or text (865) 217-5000 to set up a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass. Let Dr. Bass and the highly rated medical weight loss team at Shea help you on our journey to fitness and health.
**Outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be obtained through Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s telemedicine weight loss program. You’ll receive a weight loss consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass, access to nutrition and fitness coaching, recipes, and healthy menu options, and access to Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s weight loss team by phone, email, and text. The medication can be mailed to people who want Mounjaro outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be available as quickly as 1-2 business days after ordering
Are Mounjaro, Semaglutide, Wegovy, and Ozempic the Same Drugs?
No. Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names for semaglutide.
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide.
They are made by different drug companies but have similar ingredients.
Both drugs work by reducing appetite.
Semaglutide has one active ingredient that promotes weight loss.
Mounjaro has two active ingredients that work synergistically to improve weight loss which is why Mounjaro is more effective for weight loss than semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy).
How Is Mounjaro Different from Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy)?
Both Mounjaro and semaglutide have GLP-1 activity. This activity promotes satiety which is a feeling of being satisfied without hunger or cravings.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) also has GIP activity. GIP acts synergistically to enhance the activity of GLP-1. This increases the weight loss benefit of this medication.
GIP also decreases the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
So, the addition of GIP in Mounjaro may help improve the gastrointestinal side effects that are common with Semaglutide. Compared to semaglutide, Mounjaro will be the drug of choice in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn).
Does Mounjaro Work Better for Weight Loss Than the Other Popular New Weight Loss Drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy?
The short answer is “yes,” but the FDA has not yet approved Mounjaro for weight loss. That approval is expected to come later this year.
Recent studies found that people who took Mounjaro lost an average of 26% of their body weight over 84 weeks.
Studies of semaglutide demonstrated that patients lost 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
This is equivalent to Mounjaro (tirzepatide) providing about 45% more weight loss per week than semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy).
The average weight loss with the maximum recommended dose of Mounjaro resulted in patients losing about 12 pounds more than those taking semaglutide.
How Much Weight Do People Lose with Mounjaro?
The weight loss data from the Mounjaro clinical trials showed that people lost as much as 21 to 26% of their body weight. This occurred during 84-week and 88-week trials of patients receiving the highest dose of Mounjaro, 15 mg weekly.
The amount of weight loss with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is unprecedented. It’s similar to what patients see with bariatric/weight loss surgeries.
Are Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy Better Treatments Than Surgery?
Not necessarily. Possibly. If you are struggling with being overweight or obese speak with your doctor. Your physician will evaluate your situation and help you find the best option.
Taking Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Wegovy seems less expensive than weight loss surgery. However, the problem with the medications is that you need to keep taking them.
It’s certainly less invasive to take a medication than to have surgery.
If you choose weight loss surgery, be sure to find a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. To earn this distinction, weight loss surgery centers must prove the following:
- Low complication rates
- Presence of an extensive support team
- Consistent, excellent, documented patient results
Weight loss surgery research shows that patients often gain weight back just like people who stop taking Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Wegovy… if they don’t change their behavior.
How Do I Get Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is available only with a prescription. You can speak with a doctor in person, online, or via telehealth to receive the medication.
A doctor should prescribe Mounjaro only if it is medically appropriate. This includes people with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or overweight.
Where Can I Get Mounjaro?
People can get Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from a pharmacy if they have a prescription. People can get a prescription by visiting a doctor’s office or using a telehealth medical weight loss program.
**In the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Shea Aesthetic Clinic offers Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Mounjaro may be obtained at Shea Aesthetic Clinic in Oak Ridge, or by mail. To receive this medication for weight loss, call (865) 294-4114 or text (865) 217-5000 to set up a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass. Let Dr. Bass and the highly rated medical weight loss team at Shea help you on our journey to fitness and health.
**Outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be obtained through Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s telemedicine weight loss program. You’ll receive a weight loss consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass, access to nutrition and fitness coaching, recipes, and healthy menu options, and access to Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s weight loss team by phone, email, and text. The medication can be mailed to people who want Mounjaro outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be available as quickly as 1-2 business days after ordering.
Can Children or Adolescents Take Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss?
Yes. In January 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children ages 12 and older should receive treatments for obesity. This recommendation included medical and surgical treatment for overweight and obese children.
Why would the AAP recommend medical and surgical treatment for obese children and adolescents?
It’s because the prior plan of only providing education about nutrition and exercise was ineffective.
Obese children become more obese adults. They subsequently develop type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke much too early in life.
The AAP wants pediatricians to actively treat obesity in children so that these sad consequences can be avoided.
Who Treats Obesity in Children and Adolescents?
Find a board-certified pediatrician or family practice physician that specializes in treating obese children.
For weight loss in children to be effective, the parent(s) need to commit to the same healthy life-style choices that will be asked of their child.
For those who live in the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas Shea Aesthetic Clinic offers weight loss services for children.
Dr. Kirk Bass is a double board-certified physician. One of his board certifications is in pediatrics.
Dr. Bass is one of the only board-certified pediatricians with a weight loss program in East Tennessee.
The weight loss program for children involves one on one consultations with Dr. Bass; weight loss medications (Semaglutide and Mounjaro); nutrition and exercise counseling/coaching; weekly monitoring of weight, percent body fat, and muscle mass in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Dr. Bass has offered medical weight loss services in East Tennessee for over 5 years.
Call (865) 294-4114 or text (877) 585-0091 to set up a consultation for your child with Dr. Bass today.
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor Before Starting Mounjaro for Weight Loss
Discussing your medical history and health goals with your doctor will help them determine if Mounjaro is right for you.
Discuss the following with your doctor:
- Current health conditions, especially regarding the pancreas, kidneys, and stomach
- Any problems digesting food
- History of gastroparesis
- Current diabetes medications
- History of diabetic retinopathy (eye disease)
- Current or planned future pregnancy
- Current or future plans for breast feeding
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
Does Mounjaro Decrease the Effectiveness of Oral Contraceptive Pills?
Yes, it does. This effect is most prominent during the initial few months of taking Mounjaro.
Oral birth control pill effectiveness is decreased for about 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro. It is also decreased for several weeks after increases in dosage.
So, women taking oral contraceptive pills are advised to switch to a non-oral birth control method for at least four weeks after starting the drug and four weeks after each dose increase.
Non-oral birth control options to consider:
- Long-acting methods: copper IUD (ParaGard), the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, others) and the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon).
- Short-acting method: vaginal ring (NuvaRing), skin patch (Xulane) and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera).
- Spermacide: Vaginal pH regulator gel (Phexxi) stops sperm activity (applied in the vagina right before sex).
Is Mounjaro Covered by Insurance?
Most insurance companies only cover Mounjaro if you have type 2 diabetes.
Insurance providers usually require prior authorization for Mounjaro. This means a physician tells a person’s insurance company that Mounjaro is medically necessary. Then the insurance company tells the physician whether they’ll pay for the medication. This approval process takes several days.
Insurance companies don’t cover the medication for the purpose of weight loss.
To know for sure, contact your insurance provider to see whether your plan covers Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
Is it Difficult to Get Mounjaro for Weight Loss?
Yes, it is often difficult to obtain Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss.
Why is it difficult? Insurance companies don’t pay for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for people that don’t have diabetes.
Mounjaro is not covered for weight loss. Why not? Because Mounjaro is not yet FDA approved for weight loss.
Interestingly, Wegovy is often not covered by insurance either and it is FDA approved for weight loss in patients without diabetes.
Many insurance plans don’t cover medications, or any therapy, for increased body weight.
If they do, it’s often covered at such low rates that the medication is still too expensive for most people.
If you want to take Mounjaro (tirzepatide), call and ask if your insurance provider covers it. If they do, ask about the copay. Is the copay within your budget?
Additionally, due to the popularity of the drug, shortages and restrictions are common.
So, another question to consider: Does your pharmacy regularly keep Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in stock?
**In the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Shea Aesthetic Clinic offers Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Mounjaro may be obtained at Shea Aesthetic Clinic in Oak Ridge, or by mail. To receive this medication for weight loss, call (865) 294-4114 or text (877) 585-0091 to set up a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass. Let Dr. Bass and the highly rated medical weight loss team at Shea help you on our journey to fitness and health.
**Outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be obtained through Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s telemedicine weight loss program. You’ll receive a weight loss consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass, access to nutrition and fitness coaching, recipes, and healthy menu options, and access to Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s weight loss team by phone, email, and text. The medication can be mailed to people who want Mounjaro outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be available as quickly as 1-2 business days after ordering.
What Dose is Required for Maximal Weight Loss?
The medication acts differently in each person. So, the dose needed for weight loss varies in each person as well.
Some people have excellent weight loss at the lowest doses (2.5 or 5 mg) of Mounjaro.
Others require mid-range doses (7.5 or 10 mg), or higher doses (12.5 or 15 mg) to see meaningful results.
Each dose is continued for 4 weeks before increasing to a higher dose is considered.
What Can I Do to Maximize Weight Loss with Mounjaro?
To maximize weight loss with Mounjaro: Eat a healthy, balanced diet and increase physical activity. Focus on muscle building and strength training activities. This will help prevent muscle loss as you lose weight.
It’s possible to lose weight without exercise while taking Mounjaro or Semaglutide. However, without exercise it’s impossible to maintain your weight after stopping or tapering the medications.
Does Everyone Who Uses Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy Experience Nausea, Vomiting, and other Gastrointestinal Side Effects?
Gastrointestinal problems are common with Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy. They occur about 50-75% of the time.
Though common, the GI side effects are typically mild to moderate and mainly occur during the dose-escalation period.
Because Mounjaro (tirzepatide) contains GIP it may cause less gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn) symptoms compared to semaglutide.
Most people grow accustomed to the side effects of these medications and tolerate them well.
What Can Be Done to Minimize or Improve the Gastrointestinal Side Effects?
The best way to minimize these symptoms is to follow FDA dosing recommendations. The medication is started at a low dose and increased gradually (if needed) over 4-5 months to the maximum dose. This allows your body to gradually get used to the medication.
Another suggestion to decrease the gastrointestinal side effects is to pay close attention to when you start feeling full. Make sure to stop eating at that point. Overeating makes the gastrointestinal side effects worse.
Foods that are rich in fat tend to worsen the gastrointestinal side effects as well.
What are the Long-term Effects of Taking Mounjaro?
We don’t know the answer to this question. Time will tell whether Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Semaglutide have long-term complications.
How will Mounjaro (or Semaglutide) change our biology after taking it for a time, then stopping it? We don’t know.
Will the use of Mounjaro (or Semaglutide) make it more difficult to lose weight in the future without a medication? Again, we don’t know.
There is evidence that taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide) leads to the development of antibodies against our own natural GLP-1 and GIP hormones. Antibodies against these hormones could make them less effective in their natural roles to control out blood sugar and appetite. This could lead to worsened problems with weight gain and obesity after taking the medication.
Are There Reasons Why One Should Be Cautious About Taking Mounjaro?
- Mounjaro is new, so we don’t know anything about long-term effects of the medication.
- Just like Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), Mounjaro is designed to be taken chronically. When people stop taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the weight typically comes back. So you may need to take it for years, perhaps permanently.
- So far, Mounjaro is only FDA approved for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Mounjaro is expensive and can be difficult to obtain.
- Like Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), Mounjaro frequently causes gastrointestinal side effects.
- There are uncommon complications including, pancreatitis, gallstones/gall bladder disease, kidney injury, rapid heart rate, and allergic reactions.
What are the Pros and Cons of Taking Mounjaro for Weight Loss?
The biggest benefit of Mounjaro is that it works for weight loss in nearly every patient.
It is the most effective medication for weight loss in the United States today.
The cons are similar to those of Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy):
- High cost (more expensive than semaglutide)
- Unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects
- Insurance companies often deny coverage
- Difficulty obtaining the medication
Mounjaro caused thyroid cancer in rats. However, to date, federal health experts have not seen an increase in thyroid cancer in people taking Mounjaro (or Semaglutide).
Do You Have to Keep Taking Mounjaro to Keep the Weight Off?
Yes. Medical studies show that people who lose weight with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Semaglutide must keep taking these medications for the rest of their lives if they want to keep the weight off.
If you stop taking these medications, and don’t change your behaviors, the weight will gradually come back.
How Do Patients Take Mounjaro?
Like Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), Mounjaro is a medication that is injected weekly.
Who Should Not Take Mounjaro?
The following individuals should not take Mounjaro:
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- Those allergic to any of the ingredients of Mounjaro
- Anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Anyone who is breastfeeding
Is it Necessary to Take a Weight Loss Medication to Lose Weight?
No. A well-balanced, healthy diet combined with regular exercise is sufficient to lose weight.
To lose weight, daily caloric intake must be less than the number of calories burned by your body each day.
When people eat a few less calories than they consume every day, they will lose weight with time.
Weight loss is accelerated by exercise that not only burns calories, but also leads to increased muscle mass.
So, can you lose weight without a medication? Yes, you can. You just need the right food (nutrition knowledge), the proper amounts of food, and exercise.
Why Shouldn’t I Take a Weight Loss Medication?
The long-term effects of Mounjaro and Semaglutide are unknown because the medications have only been in use since 2022 and 2018 respectively.
Would you take these medications if you knew they may permanently affect your digestion or your kidney health?
What will you do to maintain your weight when you stop taking the medication?
What is stopping you from losing weight naturally with exercise and nutrition?
What led you to gain weight in the first place?
These are questions to consider prior to making the decision to use a medication to help you lose weight.
What’s the Take-Home Message About Mounjaro and Other Diabetes Medications for Weight Loss?
For people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity, these medications are game changers!
For people who are overweight or obese but are otherwise healthy, drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy will help them lose weight.
These medications provide the jump start, or the boost, people need to start them on their weight loss journey.
However, these medications come with side effects and complications that must be considered prior to their use.
If you have any questions about Mounjaro (tirzepatide), please call (865) 294-4114 or text (865) 217-5000 to set up a consultation with Dr. Bass today.
**In the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Shea Aesthetic Clinic offers Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Mounjaro may be obtained at Shea Aesthetic Clinic in Oak Ridge, or by mail. To receive this medication for weight loss, call (865) 294-4114 or text (877) 585-0091 to set up a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass. Let Dr. Bass and the highly rated medical weight loss team at Shea help you on our journey to fitness and health.
**Outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be obtained through Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s telemedicine weight loss program. You’ll receive a weight loss consultation with Dr. Kirk Bass, access to nutrition and fitness coaching, recipes, and healthy menu options, and access to Shea Aesthetic Clinic’s weight loss team by phone, email, and text. The medication can be mailed to people who want Mounjaro outside of the Oak Ridge and Knoxville areas. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can be available as quickly as 1-2 business days after ordering.
