A nurse has warned about a common Mounjaro ‘mistake’ that can increase people’s risk of deadly organ damage.
This comes as the drug is rolled out on the NHS for weight loss treatment. Similar to the likes of Wegovy and Ozempic, Mounjaro has become more and more a forefront of health conversations recently despite having been widely used in celebrity circles over recent years.
It’s common for the injection to have side effects like nausea, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea. But experts have been warning those using it of the rare yet serious side effects the medication can have.
And while some warn against the mistake of trying a ‘golden dose’ of Mounjaro, this nurse is warning people who decide not to have a simple blood test before using it.
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What is Mounjaro?
Typically designed for treating Type-2 diabetes, the injectable contains Tirzepatide, mimicking the actions of the GLP-1 and GIP hormones that the body typically releases after eating.
Mounjaro therefore makes users feel fuller for longer as well as reducing their appetite which combined with a healthy, reduced food intake and exercise is able to help them lose weight.
How is it accessible in UK?
The NHS has now begun its roll out of Mounjaro with UK doctors now able to prescribed the drug for weight loss treatment.
Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or over, or 37.5 if they come from a minority ethnic background, to satisfy the requirements for the prescription.
They must also be suffering from four out of the five following conditions: Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Online pharmacies also supply the drug on prescription with validation methods in place.
What is the nurse’s warning?
The nurse and chief clinical officer at private healthcare provider SheMed, Rachel Joy, told the Daily Mail that the serious side effect of pancreatitis could be avoided with a blood test.
“The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening,” she explained. “These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable.”
She explained that one of the things the blood tests can check for is high levels of triglycerides in the blood.
A type of blood fat, they are essential for good health but too high a level can raise the risk of heart disease and can cause pancreatitis.
“If someone has really high triglycerides, they may be at higher risk of pancreatitis,” Joy added.
The NHS explains that acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time and that most will start to feel better within about a week. However, some can go on to develop serious complications. And chronic pancreatitis sees the pancreas become permanently damaged from inflammation and stop working properly.
You should always speak with a GP or healthcare professional before using medications like Mounjaro.
The manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company told LADbible in a statement: "Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Adverse events should be reported under the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, but may be caused by other factors, including pre-existing conditions.
"The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) is an uncommon side effect (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people). It also advises patients to talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional before using Mounjaro if they have ever had pancreatitis.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
Jess Battison