Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a prescription only weight loss injectable therapy that is garnering attention all over social media for its effectiveness in promoting weight loss.
Originally developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly as a treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro has shown remarkable impact on weight management, potentially revolutionising the approach to treating obesity.
In fact, some media outlets have been known to call it the ‘King Kong’ of weight loss medication.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the prescription of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), for weight loss and weight management in adults aged 18 and over in November 2023. And in June 2024, the National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that Mounjaro can be used as a treatment for obesity and overweight.
Mounjaro is authorised to be be prescribed to eligible adults with a BMI above 30, as well as those with a BMI between 27-30 who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.
Contact Bodyline today to find out more about our safe and effective weight loss programmes and range of treatment options.
Understanding Mounjaro and its benefits
Mounjaro is an injectable weight loss injection, administered once weekly, containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, and available only through prescription.
Tirzepatide is classified as a ‘dual agonist’, as it is made up of two hormones. This approach causes people who use Mounjaro weekly injections to lose even more weight than those who use a single-agonist medication. The receptors in the body, when stimulated, produce hormones that control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite, triggering weight loss. The receptor agonists are known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Dr Morgan Toerien MBChB is a weight, health, and wellness practitioner with Bodyline Clinic, and explains why Tirzepatide works better for weight loss than any other weight loss medication currently available to treat obesity.
“By combining the two hormones, we can treat a broader base of deficiencies. We’re not just working on one pathway but working on two pathways. Think of it a little bit like trying to fill a paddling pool with one hose or trying to fill it with two hoses. If you’ve got two different hoses, your chances of getting it filled quicker are better.
“With tirzepatide, patients can hedge their bets in terms of whichever one of their hormones is more likely to be deficient or more likely to be resistant to, and one will be in the package. However, the two things together also have a synergistic effect. The effect is magnified, and not just a duplication. It isn’t just that you’ve got two hormones, therefore, you’re twice as likely to lose weight. You’re likely to lose much more than twice as much.”
Clinical trial results for Mounjaro provide incredible evidence that this is the case.
In a meta-analysis of 22 trials, researchers compared Mounjaro with GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide and liraglutide. The findings revealed that tirzepatide (Mounjaro) was superior to both in weight loss and blood sugar control parameters. In one large study, participants experienced an average 20% body weight reduction when pairing Mounjaro with diet and exercise.
Is Mounjaro available on the NHS?
As of July 2024, at time of writing, only the NICE’s draft guidance for the use of Mounjaro has been published, with the full guidance report due to be published around September 2024.
Mounjaro will not be able to be prescribed by your GP on the NHS until three months after the final guidance has been published by NICE.
This means that Mounjaro won’t be available on the NHS likely until the end of the year, but even then, it is not clear what the process will be for those given prescriptions who are looking to lose weight and sustain that weight loss for life.
That is because sustainable weight loss, with or without medication, is only maintained when habits are formed, and a lifestyle is altered to ensure the healthy changes incorporated during a weight loss journey can be kept up.
Otherwise, the weight lost with the help of medications like Mounjaro will creep back on as lifestyle changes are dropped.
The Importance of Medical Supervision
Weight loss medications bring the most optimal results when integrated into a fully supported programme that includes a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and lifestyle modifications.
At Bodyline, we take a comprehensive approach to weight loss, considering each individual’s unique needs and goals. Our healthcare professionals thoroughly assess medical history, current medications, and underlying health conditions to determine the most suitable weight loss medication.
We also provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
We’ve helped over 100,000 people reach their wellness goals, and as new medical weight loss treatments become available in the UK we will be at the forefront of the latest, safest, and most effective options for our clients.
Contact Bodyline to find out more about Mounjaro medical weight health programmes by completing an on-line form or calling our specialist weight health customer services team on 0800 995 6036.
