In case you missed it, more and more of the general public are turning towards GLP-1 medications as a seemingly quick and easy way of losing weight.
Despite the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro both primarily being used as treatments for type 2 diabetes, it was quickly discovered by celebrities such as Jeremy Clarkson and Amy Schumer that they're pretty effective at helping people lose weight as well.
The drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, with users reporting rapid weight loss as their desire to eat is significantly suppressed.
Naturally, the general public caught on quickly and despite Mounjaro only recently being rolled out by the NHS, people are finding other ways to get their hand on the drug, which is perhaps unsurprising when you realise the disturbing number of content creators advertising it on social media.
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However, as with most medications, they come with a wide range of side effects which can lead to long-term issues. There have also been doctors who have raised concerns about the issues that arrive with coming off the drug.
Once users stop taking Mounjaro, their appetite is no longer suppressed, and there's a decent chance that they will revert back to old eating habits and put the weight back on, but there are also users who are reporting mental health issues after moving away from the GLP-1 medication.
One user on Reddit posted: "I started Mounjaro about four months ago and had to stop because of a combination of stomach problems as well as supply shortage. I lost 54 pounds which is nice and all, however what was the tradeoff? I noticed within a week after I stopped, my mood started to change.
"I was easily annoyed, my OCD was in high gear, I was constantly anxious, and my depression became an all-time low. It progressively got worse as the month went on that I knew something was wrong. I haven't felt that way in such a long time, almost as if I came off all my current meds cold turkey and I was going through withdrawal."
Indeed, some are claiming that side effects may actually be even worse when coming off the medication than while they are on it, despite the nausea, indigestion and other stomach issues associated with taking it.
Another in the comments agreed, writing: "Week two of the medicine wearing off I was in the worst mood. Everything was making me mad and irritable. And mostly I felt gross. Physically gross."
Other than the increased appetite and weight gain, side effects from stopping the drug also include digestive issues, fatigue, or low energy, mood swings and gastrointestinal issues such as cramps or diarrhoea.
However, it's not all negative, as one man was able to successfully wean himself off the drug after remarkably losing nine stone in just 10 months.
Mounjaro's manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, previously told LADbible: "Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is authorised to be used for weight management ‘as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults’ (i.e. it must be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity).
"Mounjaro should only be used when prescribed by a healthcare professional and prescriptions should be fulfilled and supplied by registered pharmacies and providers.
"It is important for patients to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity to support overall health."
LADBible has contacted Eli Lilly for further comment.
Topics: Mental Health, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Health, NHS
James Moorhouse