Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Expected To Be Approved For Weight Loss Soon: What To Know And How It Compares To Similar Drugs – Forbes
Topline
After being granted a fast-tracked designation for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2022, it’s believed diabetes drug Mounjaro will be approved for weight loss some time this year as it showed promising results in clinical trials.
A person holds a Mounjaro injectible pen.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Key Facts
Mounjaro (known generically as tirzepatide) is a we…….
Topline
After being granted a fast-tracked designation for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2022, it’s believed diabetes drug Mounjaro will be approved for weight loss some time this year as it showed promising results in clinical trials.
A person holds a Mounjaro injectible pen.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Key Facts
Mounjaro (known generically as tirzepatide) is a weekly injection, which works by controlling blood sugar—it was approved for use in type two diabetics by the FDA in May 2022.
Although similar to Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (a type of drug used to treat diabetes and weight loss), it’s also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), a hormone that helps with the release of insulin after food consumption.
The drug, manufactured by Eli Lilly, has gained popularity for its weight loss benefits, and the hashtag #mounjaro has over 330 million views on TikTok.
A study found during a 72-week trial, participants saw a “substantial and sustained reduction in body weight,” by taking Mounjaro, regardless of the drug dosage.
Although it has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss, some doctors prescribe the drug for off-label use for weight loss in patients who don’t have type two diabetes.
On December 15, 2022 the FDA listed Mounjaro as one of almost 200 drugs in a supply shortage, joining Wegovy, Ozempic (semaglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide), Eli Lilly’s other diabetes drug prescribed for off-label weight loss use.
News Peg
Eli Lilly announced it will open a new $1 billion manufacturing plant in Concord, North Carolina. The plant adds to Eli Lilly’s presence in North Carolina. In 2020, the company announced plans to open a $470 million pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the state, and on January 24, it committed an additional $450 million to the site.
Side Effects
Possible side effects while taking Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain and indigestion. Although most nausea, diarrhea and vomiting typically happens when dosage is increased, it usually settles over time, according to Eli Lilly. Severe stomach issues, kidney problems and kidney failure are all severe side effects of Mounjaro. People with prior kidney issues may experience dehydration due to diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, which can worsen kidney problems. To prevent this, Eli Lilly recommends drinking fluids to avoid dehydration. If stomach issues arise, patients should speak to their healthcare providers. Mounjaro may also cause thyroid tumors or cancer. If a patient has a family history of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma, or if they have …….
