New Diabetes Drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Helps In Weight Loss. Mechanism Of Action.

Eli Lilly & Company’s new drug for treating Type-2 Diabetes is in the trend nowadays. FDA on May 13th approved the use of Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) injections for treating diabetes. But in new analyses, Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) led to significantly greater weight loss compared to injectable semaglutide (Wegovy) 1 mg in adults with type 2 diabetes. If you also want to know the mechanism of action of Mounjaro and its other aspects like cost, side effects,  dosage, clinical trials, and all other details about this new diabetes drug that helps in weight loss also.

What Is Mounjaro?

If I try to define what Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is in simple words then I would say that in medical language Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medicine. Which is used to treat and improve blood sugar levels in adult people with T-2 Diabetes. It is the first and only GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults.

Mounjaro is used along with diet and exercise to improve its results. It is not for people with Type-1 Diabetes. And Mounjaro is not clinically tested yet to treat diabetes for people below 18. It is not known yet whether people who have had pancreatitis can use the medicine or not.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) For Weight Loss

After completing its clinical trials and getting approval from the FDA Mounjaro has become the competitor of Wegovy for weight loss. In the 3rd phase of the clinical trial, Eli Lilly & Company’s Mounjaro which has a generic name of Terzapatide successfully met the primary criteria of helping patients with significant percentages of change in body weight from baseline as well as helping a large percentage of patients hit at least 5% body weight reduction.

The results of the trials were presented at American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) annual 82nd Scientific Sessions meeting in New Orleans.

The test results further showed that a patient on a 5 MGs Mounjaro saw an average weight loss of 16% at the end of clinical trials. The patients who were on a higher dose of 10 MGs of Tizepatide(Mounjaro) saw an increase in their body weight reduction. For them, it was an average weight loss of around 21.4% and in pounds, the weight loss was around 49 pounds. And there was the other set of patients with had a higher dosage of Mounjaro of 15 MGs. This set patient saw an average weight loss of 22.5% and in pounds, it was around 52 pounds average weight loss.

How Mounjaro Helps In Weight Loss

Mounjaro is a medicine from the drug class Antidiabetics, Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptides also known as Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP) & Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1). Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide is a natural hormone produced by the small intestine after you eat food. GIP hormone’s main function is to promote the release of insulin in the bloodstream to control blood sugar levels. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonist is also released in response to our food intake. The combination of these both GIP & GLP-1 not only helps in controlling blood sugar levels but also helps in reducing food intake and burning more calories. Thus, Mounjaro helps in weight loss.

Mounjaro Mechanism Of Action

GIP & GLP-1 are both hormones that belong to incretins. Incretins are a group of hormones that helps in controlling and lowering blood glucose levels. These incretins hormones are released in our bloodstream after food intake. Releasing these hormones is a glucose-dependent mechanism that enhances the production of insulin secreted by the group of pancreatic cells which is known as the Islets Of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptides & Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 together secrets around 70% of insulin after food intake. Treating Type-2 diabetes is about controlling and lowering blood sugar levels. GIP & GLP-1 helps in the same functioning of lowering blood sugar levels. And Mounjaro is a single molecule that activates the body’s receptors for GIP & GLP-1 hormones.

The results of Phase-1 of the Mechanism Of Action study were presented on 6th June 2022. These were the results of 28-week studies. The trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Mounjaro 15 mg compared to placebo and to injectable semaglutide 1 mg. The results of this Mechanism Of Action study are given below.

Weight Loss:

Fat Mass Reduction: 

Who Should Not Use Mounjaro

This new diabetes drug for weight loss is not advised for some people to use. The list of people who should avoid using Mounjaro is given below.

Consult With Your Healthcare Provider

There are some circumstances & situations where you are not totally forbidden from using Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) but you have to consult with your doctor first before starting to use.

Disclaimer: In all these situations you should consult with your doctor first before starting the use of Mounjaro. In fact, It is strictly recommended for anyone who is thinking to start this prescription medicine is strictly advised to consult with their doctor first before starting for their own safety.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Side Effects

Any modern-day medication may have some adverse effects on some people’s health. Mounjaro can also cause some serious side effects. The side effects of Tizepatide have been divided into 2 different sections. One is the list of most common side effects and the other is the list of some not so common & some serious side effects.

Mounjaro Common Side Effects

If you are facing any common or serious health issues after using Mounjaro then you are advised to instantly contact your healthcare provider before your side effects increases. And you can also report side effects directly to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Dosage

These are the dosage for Type-2 Diabetes adults.

It is once a week medication. You can take it with or without the food at any time of the day. An adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Storage Of Mounjaro

Mounjaro Tirzepatide has specific storage requirements.

Mounjaro Ingredients

There are two types of ingredients used in creating Mounjaro medicine.

How To Inject Mounjaro?

Your healthcare provider will help you with this. Do as per the guidance. Here are something you should know about injecting Mounjaro. Before injecting Mounjaro you have to keep some things in your mind first like the pen should not be in a frozen state, not a cloudy, must be colourless or slightly yellowish, and must not have particles in it. Wash your hand first and then follow the steps below.

How To Dispose of Used Pens?

Just right after using your pen put it into the FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Do not throw it away. If you don’t have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container then use a household container made of heavy-duty plastic which can be closed with a tight-fitting & puncture-resistant lid so the sharp object can’t come out. The container leak resistance. And it must be labelled to warn of hazardous waste. When your container reaches its limit and becomes full then you should follow your community guidelines or your local law about how to throw this type of waste container. For more information about hazardous waste disposal, you can check out the FDA guidelines for how to dispose of sharps.

Cost Of Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is an FDA-approved drug. And on the price side, Mounjaro is more expensive than other weight loss medicines like Wegovy(Semaglutaide) and Saxenda. From Today’s price list on the GoodRx.com website, Mounjaro will cost you from $1942 to $2019 from different medicine sellers.

Medical Disclaimer: Hello, dear Reader. This post is just for informational purposes and not medical advice. You are strictly advised to consult with your doctor before starting any medication. Take the guidance and then start this will be good for your own health. Best of luck Pal.