Despite bringing benefits, medications can have possible side effects. With Mounjaro, from the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, it is no different. With use approved by Anvisa in 2023, the medicine, whose active ingredient is tizerpatide, has not yet arrived in Brazil, but is already on sale in the USA. Here in Brazil, for now, we only know the price
And, based on clinical studies carried out before approval and reports from those who already use the medicine in other countries, its Side effects cause a lot of discomfort in some people. O Chalk Brazil list the main ones below.
Directly into the gastrointestinal system
In general, tizerpatide works to stimulate the production of insulin, with the aim of reducing blood sugar levels after a meal. Furthermore, the medicine also slows down the speed of digestion, aspects directly related to the gastrointestinal system.
Therefore, the main side effect of Mounjaro is related to this part of the organism, which includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, rectum and anus.
According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, which is equivalent to Anvisa in the USA), the most common reports point to nausea as a consequence of taking the medicine. In clinical trials of the drug, 18% of patients who took the highest dose of Mounjaro (15 milligrams injected once a week) reported feeling sick.
However, both the manufacturer and experts point out that this side effect occurs while the body adapts to tizerpatide, or when the dose is increased. In addition to nausea, Mounjaro side effects also include:
- Abdominal pain;
- Cold;
- Decreased appetite;
- Diarrhea;
- Excessive burping;
- Flatulence;
- Heartburn or acid reflux.
As it is applied by injection, the medicine can also cause reactions at the site of the bite. This usually happens on the belly, upper arm or thigh.
According to FDA data, 3.2% of people who used Mounjaro pens in clinical trials reported injection site reactions. In these cases, the person feels itching, redness and sensitivity, but the person may also experience pain, rashes and nodules.
A recent study also suggested that the medication causes a decrease in arterial blood pressure. In addition to the side effects of Mounjaro already mentioned, the list also includes others that are rarer. For example:
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Accelerated heartbeat;
- Sensation of pressure in the abdomen;
- Hair loss;
- Urticaria;
- Loss of fat in the face;
- Muscle weakness;
- Recurrent fever;
- Swelling in the face, throat or tongue;
- Tingling in the hands or feet;
- Tiredness or fatigue.
Is there a rebound effect?
A study published in the journal JAMA tested this hypothesis. The research followed overweight or obese people who took tirzepatide for 36 weeks and then switched to a placebo.
In total, participants regained 14% of their body weight over the following year. In contrast, those who remained on tirzepatide lost an additional 5.5% of their weight during this period.
This is because the medication is designed for long-term use and the decision to stop taking it must be accompanied by other measures, with professional monitoring.
Medical follow-up
As one of its effects is to delay stomach emptying, Mounjaro may interfere with the absorption of other medications and supplements. For example, the effectiveness of oral contraceptives may decrease.
Furthermore, by lowering blood sugar levels, tizerpatide can also have an enhanced effect when taken together with other medicines with the same function, such as insulin. Therefore, there is a risk of hypoglycemia.
There are also serious side effects of tizerpatide, which are rare but should be anticipated in certain cases. For example, Mounjaro can contribute to kidney failure if the patient already has chronic kidney disease and goes through an episode of dehydration.
Other rare but serious side effects include diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, stomach paralysis, and emotional changes.
Therefore, it is important to follow professional supervision when taking Mounjaro. Only a doctor who knows a patient’s clinical condition, routine and needs can advise whether it is necessary and the best way to take tizerpatide.
