With constant advancements in medical science, new medications are always coming out, while new uses are being found for existing medications. In the case of the FDA-approved diabetes drug Mounjaro, it can now be used off-label to help people lose weight. Today, we are going to look at what Mounjaro is, how it is used, whether or not it can indeed help people lose weight, and how effective it is at aiding weight loss. Keep reading to learn more about this unexpected weight loss medication option.
What is Mounjaro, and how does it help you lose weight?
Mounjaro is the brand name form of a drug known as tirzepatide. This drug is an injectable medication that helps to control the body’s appetite, digestion, and glucose production. Mounjaro is in a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have been used for several years in the weight management of type 2 diabetes patients.
Though the drug was originally only used to help patients with diabetes, a new study shows that Mounjaro has the potential to help non-diabetes patients to lose weight and keep the weight off1.
During the study, participants were given three different dosages of the medication. They showed significant weight loss, with the amount of weight loss increasing with the dosage amount compared to the placebo group. All participants had BMIs over 30, and the median weight loss was around 18% for the trial. Similar results in other trials have played a large part in why the drug is now being prescribed as a standalone medication for weight management.
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Studies have found that Mounjaro is quite effective at helping patients lose weight and keep it off. This study showed that, on average, patients lost between 16% and 22.5% of their body weight. The lowest amount of weight loss among patients was 5%2.
However, despite the effectiveness of the medication on its own, much like other similar medications, it is most effective when paired with other weight loss treatment options.
As such, Mounjaro should be used in conjunction with things like proper diet and regular exercise to achieve maximum results.
How does Mounjaro compare to other weight loss drugs?
Mounjaro is part of the latest generation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist drugs to be considered for weight loss. Some of these drugs have been around for longer and have a proven track record of supporting weight loss. However, with the recent findings, Mounjaro has been shown to perform just as well, if not better, than other drugs in the same category.
Some of the other drugs in the category include the brand names:
- Wegovy
- Ozempic
- Rybelsus
Each of these three drugs contains the same generic drug, Semaglutide. Among those listed here, the most commonly used in weight loss management are Wegovy and Ozempic. These two drugs are part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist group and have become widely used to help patients with a body mass index of 30 or higher lose weight and keep it off.
When compared directly in a clinical trial , Mounjaro performed an average of 10% better than its Semaglutide counterparts3. The test was a controlled experiment with groups of people receiving three different dosages of both Mounjaro and Semaglutide and a control group that received only a placebo.
The tests showed measurable weight loss in all three test groups, and Mounjaro outperformed its counterpart in each dosage category. This is not to say that the other drugs were ineffective at helping patients lose weight, just that Mounjaro had a slightly greater effect.
However, it is important to note that the dosage difference between the standard Semaglutide dose and the Mounjaro (tirzepatide) dose is significant and has led some researchers to wonder if the results would be as noticeable if the dosage amounts were equal. There has been no current study indicating whether or not a higher base dosage of Semaglutide would have the same weight loss effect as Mounjaro, so at present, it is only speculation.
One other important factor to note about the study is that Mounjaro is currently the only drug in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class that is also a GIP receptor agonist. This means that the drug can greatly regulate bodily functions that control insulin production, hunger, digestion, and other natural functions that may have diminished over time. It also helps to regulate metabolic health, which is a key factor in the number of calories taken in versus the number of calories burned.
Maximizing the effects of Mounjaro with medical weight loss
To understand how to maximize the results of Mounjaro treatment, it’s important to understand how medical weight loss works.
Medical weight loss is not just about losing weight by taking medication; medical weight loss is about losing weight and controlling weight gain with the help of a medical professional.
Medical weight loss does not refer to surgeries or procedures that remove body fat from the body, such as liposuction. This type of procedure is considered a cosmetic treatment. Medical weight loss is concerned with programs and treatments that help the body naturally lose weight, not artificially removing fat from the body.
All medical weight loss begins in a doctor’s office. There, the doctor will discuss with you the state of your health, any issues that you may have preventing you from losing weight and keeping it off, and how best to implement changes to improve your ability to lose and keep it off. Working with a weight loss professional will improve your diet, switch to healthier foods, lower your overall calorie intake, and adjust what you eat based on your health needs.
Behavior modification is another significant part of the weight loss process. The goal is to change negative behaviors, such as overeating at meal times or stress eating, into positive ones that improve your health. This typically involves identifying problem behaviors and learning new coping mechanisms to deal with day-to-day stresses and other triggers that might otherwise lead to poor health choices.
It’s also important to implement regular exercise. The amount and type of exercise you get will be determined by your weight loss professional and your health and fitness goals.
A medical weight loss professional may also work with you to find ways to change your environment. Sometimes, your eating and lifestyle choices are impacted by the people and places in your daily life. You can improve your lifestyle and habits by being aware of these impacts and making adjustments where necessary.
Prescription weight loss medication may also be used to support your weight loss journey. These medications are not meant to be the core of your weight loss program; they are meant to support what you are already doing under the direction of a weight loss professional. By combining all of these different aspects of medical weight loss with Mounjaro treatment, you can maximize the results of the medication, which will improve your overall weight loss and help you maintain your desired results.
Last words
Mounjaro is a GLP-1 GIP receptor agonist medication used to help patients with type 2 diabetes. Thanks to the results of recent clinical trials, it has now joined medications like Wegovy and Ozempic to help people lose weight. It is highly effective, but research has also shown that it may outperform many of its counterparts.
It’s important to remember that Mounjaro is a weight loss medication intended to be used along with a healthy weight loss routine that includes diet and exercise for maximum effect. Weight loss is not simply about fighting obesity; it is about empowering a person to become a healthier and more fit version of themselves through medical support and key improvements in day-to-day life.
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