Mounjaro is an injectable medication which has previously shown to be effective for diabetes and recently approved for weight management.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, a dual-action medication that mimics the actions of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucose-like peptide) hormones. These are naturally secreted by the gut when you eat food and they both help to increase insulin levels in response to blood sugar. This helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin production and reducing sugar release from the liver.
Due to its dual action, Mounjaro had shown potential for weight loss and weight management in adults and thus was recently approved by the TGA for this reason. The medication works by regulating appetite, promoting a feeling of fullness, reducing hunger, and decreasing cravings. It is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight loss.
Mounjaro for weight loss
Mounjaro works on dual hormones, GIP and GLP-1. These hormones naturally occur in the body and play roles in managing blood sugar and insulin production and regulate appetite. It works at different sites in the body:
Brain
Mounjaro allows for appetite suppression by influencing the brain’s hunger center. This allows for increased feelings of fullness and overall reduced appetite, contributing to weight loss.
Stomach
Mounjaro slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach hence allowing the feeling of fullness. The delay in gastric emptying reduces the urge to frequently eat or consume large portions allowing for calorie reduction.
Pancreas
The pancreas is critical in managing blood sugar levels. Mounjaro increases the production of insulin in response to food intake. The enhanced insulin helps to regulate glucose and reduce fat thus supporting weight loss.
Liver
Mounjaro reduces the liver’s production of glucose thus lowering sugar in the bloodstream which helps prevent excessive fat storage and promote weight loss.
Fat tissue
Through increasing Insulin sensitivity, Mounjaro allows for more efficient fat metabolism. By improving how the body uses insulin, it can shift the balance from fat storage to fat breakdown, aiding in weight reduction. The lower blood sugar levels reduce the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Is Mounjaro beneficial for Weight loss?
Mounjaro has shown to be beneficial for weight loss when used as intended. Internationally, in the USA market, it had shown benefits not only in treating type 2 diabetes but also in promoting weight loss. In a 72-week clinical trial involving overweight participants who received weekly injections, significant improvements in weight management were observed.
Furthermore, clinical trials sponsored by Eli Lilly revealed that obese patients lost up to 20 percent of their body weight at the highest doses of the drug. Participants in the study experienced weight loss with weekly doses of 15 mg and 10 mg.
It is now officially registered for weight loss in Australia. Mounjaro mechanisms are known to suppress appetite and create a prolonged feeling of fullness. By reducing food intake and slowing digestion, it may aid in weight management, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
How to get Mounjaro in Australia?
As of August 2024, the Mounjaro Kwikpen has been released in Australia and as of September 2024, the TGA has approved it for weight loss.
Mounjaro will be a prescription only medicine. It can be prescribed by any registered doctor to those who fit the prescribing criteria. You can be assessed by an Australian doctor in person or online by completing an online health assessment followed by a video or phone consultation.
