Mounjaro is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity with people with a BMI of 30 or above. In this blog, we discuss the suitability and requirements needed to be prescribed Mounjaro.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro® has been authorised for weight management use in the UK. The approval for weight management also comes from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as well as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is an injectable prescription medicine that is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a dual-acting incretin mimetic that works by mimicking the effects of two natural hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GIP and GLP-1 help to control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing glucagon secretion.
This class of medications includes other weight loss drugs such as Wegovy® (semaglutide), Saxenda® (liraglutide) and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). Each of these medications will vary in the efficacy of the individual.
How does Mounjaro work?
Mounjaro® works by mimicking the effects of two natural hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These hormones help to control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing glucagon secretion.
- Increasing insulin secretion: Mounjaro® stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, which helps to lower blood sugar levels.
- Slowing gastric emptying: Mounjaro® slows down the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which helps you feel full for longer and eat less.
- Suppressing glucagon secretion: Mounjaro® reduces the release of glucagon from the pancreas, which helps to prevent the liver from releasing too much sugar into the bloodstream.
Who should use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro® is licensed for treatment of type 2 diabetes as well as obesity and obesity related medical conditions. Obesity related conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, high cholesterol etc. are some of the conditions which can be treated with the use of Mounjaro®.
Mounjaro® should only be purchased from a licensed pharmacy and prescribed by a specialist. You should not try to buy this medication without being approved for it as it could lead to you having serious side effects.
What are the requirements for the medication?
The person should undergo a health screening or a consultation from a specialist to see if they can be approved for the medication.
To qualify for Mounjaro® for type 2 diabetes, you must:
- Be an adult (18 years of age or older).
- Have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
- Not have had any serious allergic reactions to Mounjaro® or its ingredients.
To qualify for Mounjaro® for weight management, you must:
- Be an adult (18 years of age or older).
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
- Have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.
- Not have had any serious allergic reactions to Mounjaro® or its ingredients.
If unsure if Mounjaro® is suitable for you, always consult with a doctor to make sure you are fine to take the medicine.
It is also important to read the patient information leaflet provided with Mounjaro so that you are aware of what not to do when taking the medication as well as understanding the potential side effects of the medication.
Could a person not be suitable for Mounjaro?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to take Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). Some reasons why you may not be approved for Mounjaro® could be related to your current medications, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or issues with your kidney function.
It is very important to undergo a medical assessment to make sure you will be 100% safe when taking Mounjaro so that you don’t suffer from any serious side effects or cause any damage to your health.
