Do you also have Type 2 Diabetes? Then you probably know how challenging it is to control blood sugar levels. Sometimes, no matter how much we control our diet and exercise, it is difficult to reduce blood sugar levels. It is at times like these that the doctor prescribes us medication. Today we are going to talk about a recently introduced diabetes medicine called Mounjaro, which is being talked about by many people.
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What exactly is Mounjaro?
Simply put, Mounjaro is a medication that is used, along with diet and exercise, to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is a relatively new drug that was approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) in 2022.
The active ingredient in this is (tirzepatide). There is another drug that contains this same ingredient called Zepbound, which is mainly used for weight loss. However, it is important to remember that Mounjaro is approved for diabetes management .
How does Mounjaro affect the body?
Mounjaro acts like two natural hormones in our body. Those two hormones are GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). By acting in this way, Mounjaro does several things in our body. Let's see what they are.
| Functionality | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Increasing insulin production | When your blood sugar levels rise, your body responds by stimulating the production of the hormone insulin. Insulin is what takes the sugar from the blood into your cells. |
| Controlling the release of sugar from the liver | It prevents the sugar (glucose) stored in our liver from being absorbed into the blood. This helps control blood sugar levels even when fasting. |
| Slowing down the speed of food movement | It slows down the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. This helps you feel full and controls the sudden spike in blood sugar after eating. |
In all three ways, Mounjaro helps control your blood sugar levels and manage diabetes.
How to use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a subcutaneous injection given once a week. You can do this yourself at home.
How do you get the injection?
- Once a week: You can choose the same day of the week (e.g. every Sunday). But if you forget, it's okay to change the day as long as it's at least 3 days (72 hours) until your next dose.
- Time doesn't matter: you can practice this at any time of the day.
- Rotate the injection site: This injection can be given under the skin of the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. It is important to rotate the injection site rather than the same site every week. This will reduce pain, swelling, and skin problems in those areas.
Mounjaro comes in a single-use, disposable pen. This means that even if there is medicine left in it after one dose, it should be thrown away without further use. It is best to ask your doctor for instructions on how to use it properly before using it for the first time.
What are the results and benefits of Mounjaro?
Before Mounjaro was released to the market, long-term studies were conducted to confirm its efficacy and safety. The results from these studies are very encouraging.
They mainly looked at how HbA1c (a test that shows average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months) and Fasting Blood Glucose (a blood sugar level measured after fasting for about 8 hours) decreased.
| Advantage | Result |
|---|---|
| Controlling sugar levels | Those who used Mounjaro saw their HbA1c levels drop from 1.7% to 2.4%, and more than 75% of them achieved HbA1c levels below 7%. |
| Weight loss | Although this is not a weight loss pill, people who have used Mounjaro have lost a significant amount of weight (on average, 5 to 11 kg). Losing weight is also very important for managing diabetes. |
Side effects and how to deal with them
Like any medicine, Mounjaro can cause minor side effects. The most common is stomach upset.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These side effects are more common when starting the medication and when the dose is increased, but they often decrease over time as the body gets used to the medication.
These things will help if side effects occur.
- Don't eat a lot at once, eat small amounts several times a day.
- Reduce oily, spicy, and fried foods as much as possible.
- Eat non-spicy, low-fat foods like crackers, bread, and rice.
- Drink plenty of fluids like water and juice.
Very important warning: If you experience severe stomach pain that is unbearable and radiates to your back, along with vomiting, stop taking Mounjaro immediately and see your doctor. This could be a sign of a serious condition called pancreatitis.
Can there be problems with other medications?
Yes, you need to be careful with other medications when taking Mounjaro.
- Other diabetes medications: If you take insulin or sulfonylurea-type diabetes medications, taking them with Mounjaro may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of these medications.
- Birth control pills: Because Mounjaro slows down the rate of digestion, it may change the way your body absorbs oral medications. If you are taking birth control pills, it is safe to use another form of birth control, such as condoms, for the first 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for the first 4 weeks after increasing your dose.
It is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Never stop taking Mounjaro without consulting your doctor. Even if your blood sugar levels are well controlled, stopping the medication may cause your blood sugar levels to rise again.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Mounjaro is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection for the management of type 2 diabetes.
- This can help control blood sugar and also help with weight loss.
- Start with a low dose first. The dose is increased based on the doctor's advice.
- Side effects such as stomach upset may occur initially, but they usually subside over time.
- If you experience severe stomach pain, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never stop taking your medicine without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
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