Losing weight with Mounjaro: here’s how it works

Mounjarois one of the newestmedicinesused for weight loss.

Losing weight isn’t just about how you look. Less weight means less strain on your heart, joints and metabolism, and a lower risk of various chronic diseases. And most importantly: weight loss goes hand in hand with a better quality of life [2,3].

More than half of adults in the Netherlands are overweight. For people who have already tried everything, Mounjaro offers a new, promising route to a healthier life.

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. This substance was originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes. Because of its positive effect on weight loss, it is now increasingly used by people with obesity or severe overweight.

How Mounjaro works

What makes Mounjaro unique is that it mimics two important hormones at the same time:

• GLP-1.
  This hormone reduces your appetite and makes you feel full sooner.

• GIP
  This hormone keeps your blood sugar stable and strengthens the effect of GLP-1.
  
  

This dual action makes Mounjaro more effective than other medication, such asOzempic,WegovyandSaxenda, which only mimic GLP-1.

Curious whether medication is right for you?Fill in this short questionnaire and find out straight away.

Mounjaro is a game changer. Previously, medicines that delivered 5% weight loss were already considered groundbreaking. Mounjaro goes much, much further.

In the SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT-4 studies (large-scale, long-term trials), participants lost up to 26% of their body weight in less than two years.

In addition, Mounjaro users are [4,5]:

• 2.5 times more likely to lose at least 10% of their body weight.

• 3.2 times more likely to reach the 15% weight loss threshold.

Those aren’t small differences. Those are breakthroughs.

In the table below you can see the results of Mounjaro users. They lost:

• 16% of their starting weight at a dose of 5 mg per week.

• 21.4% of their starting weight at a dose of 10 mg per week.

• 22.5% of their starting weight at a dose of 15 mg per week.

Mounjaro is a medical aid for losing weight. It is a prescription-only medicine, so it has to be prescribed by a doctor.

And a Mounjaro injection is no magic solution either. Ahealthy lifestyleremains the most important thing, both for your weight loss and for your health. Think of a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Also good to know: people who take part in the Mounjaro studies adjust their lifestyle. They always combine the medication with a healthy lifestyle. The study results therefore come from that combination.

In other words, the tirzepatide injection helps, but you do the real work.

Mounjaro is not for ‘the last few kilos’

Mounjaro is not meant for ‘a quick summer body’. The Mounjaro injection is for people with serious health risks.

The guidelines are clear: Mounjaro is intended for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or from 27 with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems or sleep apnoea.

Want to quickly shed your last few kilos before your holiday or a special party? You can’t use Mounjaro for that. If you use the medicine while you aren’t overweight, you put yourself at risk.

For example, you may lose not only fat but also muscle mass. As soon as you stop injecting, the weight comes back, often mainly in the form of fat. Your body gets out of balance, and in the end you’re only worse off.

Like any medicine, Mounjaro can causeside effects. Most are mild and disappear once your body gets used to the treatment. Still, it’s good to know what to expect and what to look out for when losing weight with Mounjaro.

Common side effects

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

Less common side effects

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Blurred vision

Rare but serious side effects

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Gallbladder disorders (gallstones and gallbladder inflammation)

Are you experiencing (severe or prolonged) side effects? Feel free to contact your healthcare provider. Together you can look at adjustments to your dose or lifestyle, so your treatment is as comfortable as possible.

We understand that you want to lose as much weight as possible, as quickly as possible. It’s good to realise that it’s not only important to reach your target weight, but also to maintain it afterwards. Losing weight gradually helps with this, to avoid the yo-yo effect.

That is exactly what happens when using Mounjaro. Most people notice in the first few weeks that their appetite decreases and they feel full sooner. Weight loss often starts subtly, but becomes noticeably stronger the longer you use the medicine.

We give an overview of the progression and dose build-up, but please note: this is an average. Every body is unique, and so is every weight-loss journey.

It may be that you already achieve such good results on 5 mg that further increases aren’t needed. Or that you notice little effect in the first two months and only really start losing weight from month 3.

Month 1 – Starting with 2.5 mg

Your body is getting to know Mounjaro for the first time. This phase is mainly about getting used to it.

• Your appetite starts to decrease, often within a few days.

• Average weight loss is around 2-4%.

• Mild side effects such as nausea, stomach complaints or fatigue are possible, but usually temporary.

Tip: this is a good time to work on your lifestyle: think of eating healthier, more routine and more conscious movement.

Month 2 – Increasing to 5 mg

If you tolerate the starting dose well, you can increase to 5 mg per week. That only happens when you’re ready for it.

• You feel full for longer after a meal and have less need for snacks.

• Weight loss speeds up: on average 6-8% of your starting weight.

• Side effects may briefly return, but often disappear quickly.

Tip: try to pick a fixed weekly injection time; structure helps.

Month 3 – Possible increase to 7.5 mg

You notice that the treatment is now really starting to take effect, both physically and mentally.

• Weight loss often rises to an average of 10%.

• Clothes start to feel looser, your energy level rises.

• Some people experience temporary fatigue or gastrointestinal complaints.

Tip: track your progress in an app or diary; insight gives motivation.

Month 4 – Possible increase to 10 mg

Not everyone needs to go up to 10 mg. But for those who do, the changes are often considerable.

• Your body responds more and more consistently to the medication.

• Total weight loss is then usually between 12-14%.

• Most side effects decrease, although they still vary from person to person.

Tip: pay extra attention to preserving muscle: enoughproteinand exercise make the difference now.

Month 5-6 and beyond – Maintenance dose

You’re now on the dose that works for you. For most people that is between 10 and 15 mg per week.

• With long-term use, weight loss can reach up to 22.5%.

• You feel more energetic and have a better sense of fullness.

• The treatment has become part of your routine.

At Wellis you follow this journey at your own pace. Already seeing good results and feeling good on a lower dose? Then you stay there. It’s about what works for your body and your life.

Mounjaro is a powerful tool, but your lifestyle largely determines your success. The fourfactorswith the most influence on your results.

1. Nutrition

A healthy and varied diet is essential for optimal results. Choose unprocessed, natural products and avoid processed ready-made food. This boosts your weight loss and makes you feel fitter and more energetic.

Drinking enough water helps to control your appetite and prevents unpleasant side effects such as headache or nausea. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

1. Exercise

Exercise is important, and by that we don’t mean you have to be in the gym five times a week.

Choose an exercise routine that suits you and your life. But do try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Think of:

• Walking (at a brisk pace)

• Dancing

• Swimming

• Gardening

Find a routine that suits you and keep it fun.

1. Sleep

Goodsleepis the silent force behind your weight loss. Too little or poor sleep raises the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect your metabolism and cause weight gain. Improve your sleep with:

• A fixed bedtime and wake-up time

• A quiet, tidy and cool bedroom

• No screens for at least 2 hours before bed

1. Stress

Stress works against your weight loss. It raises cortisol, which stimulates fat storage and leads to overeating. Reduce stress, for example, through:

• Yoga

• Meditation

• Regular physical activity

• Recognising stress triggers

Mounjaro offers promising results, but it’s important to see the full picture. It isn’t a quick fix, and there are a few things you should be aware of before you start.

Long-term use

Mounjaro helps you lose weight successfully, but to maintain the results you often need to keep using it long term. If you have reached yourtarget weightand stop taking it, there’s a good chance you’ll regain weight. So it’s a journey that requires commitment and a sustainable lifestyle, alongside the medicine.

High costs

The price of Mounjaro is considerable. It’s important to be aware of this, since you need to use it consistently and for a longer period.

Side effects

Gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain can occur, especially in the initial phase. These can be unpleasant, but usually decrease as your body gets used to the medicine. Keep this in mind and discuss any complaints with your doctor.

New on the market

Although the first clinical results are promising, Mounjaro is a relatively new medicine. There are not yet extensive long-term studies available that can confirm its safety and effectiveness over several years. That means caution is required, and if in doubt or if you have questions, always raise them with your healthcare provider.

You don’t need to see your GP to get Mounjaro; you can do this online. For example, at Wellis you canfill in an online questionnaire, after which a registered doctor handles your request. Is your request approved? Then it will be delivered quickly and discreetly to your home.

Unfortunately, there are also many illegal practices involving weight-loss medication. So always check that you’re ordering from a safe provider. Don’t use medication without a prescription and don’t buy it at a price that’s too low.

Does it sound too good to be true? Then it probably is!

Mounjaro is a new, powerful medicine that contributes to weight loss.

It has a dual action because it mimics two hormones, and can lead to up to 26% weight loss.

Success depends on your lifestyle. It’s important to eat healthily, exercise enough, sleep well and minimise stress.

Curious whether Mounjaro is right for you?Fill in our short questionnaire and find out straight away.

How much weight can I lose with Mounjaro in the first month?

That differs from person to person and depends, among other things, on your diet, physical activity, metabolism, age and how your body responds to the treatment. Research shows that you can lose around 4% of your starting weight in the first month, but it can also be more or less. Don’t worry if the result in the first month is lower; it’s normal for your body to need time to get used to the medicine.

What is the average weight loss per week with Mounjaro?

There is no fixed number of kilos you should lose per week. The rate of weight loss varies greatly from person to person and depends on your lifestyle. Losing weight is also not a linear process, and it’s normal for your weekly weight loss to fluctuate, with weeks in which you lose more or less. In general, 0.5 to 1 kg per week is considered healthy weight loss.

How quickly can you lose weight with Mounjaro?

That differs from person to person. You get the best results by staying consistent with medication, nutrition and exercise.

When does Mounjaro start to work?

You may notice an effect from the very first week, but this differs from person to person. Some people respond well to a low dose (such as 2.5 or 5 mg), while others need a higher one. If you notice no effect after several months and dose increases, talk to your doctor.

How does Mounjaro compare to Ozempic for weight loss?

Both medicines are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and both are prescribed off-label for weight loss. Because Mounjaro has a dual action, its effect is generally more powerful and better results are achieved. However, more research is needed to properly compare the effectiveness of these medicines as weight-loss medication.

Is treatment with Mounjaro for weight loss long term?

In most cases, yes. If you stop the medication there’s a good chance you’ll regain weight, especially if you haven’t made lifestyle changes. Your doctor may therefore advise you to use Mounjaro long term, for example with a maintenance dose, to maintain your weight loss.

What are the side effects of Mounjaro?

Mild side effects can include:

• Heartburn

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Increased heart rate

Mild side effects often go away on their own. Contact your doctor if they persist or get worse.

How do I get Mounjaro prescribed for weight loss?

Through a registered doctor. For example, via your GP, a specialist or a doctor affiliated with an online platform such as Wellis.

How do you use Mounjaro®?

Mounjaro®is administered once a week via an injection under the skin. The dose is increased gradually, depending on your response and tolerance. This dosing schedule minimises side effects and allows the body to adjust steadily.

How often do I use Mounjaro?

You inject once a week, preferably on the same day, at a time that suits you.

Who is Mounjaro prescribed to for weight loss?

A doctor can prescribe Mounjaro off-label to adults with:

• A BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)

• A BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) + at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnoea

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro is a so-called GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist: an injectable medicine that mimics two natural hormones in your body (GIP and GLP-1). Both play a role in your blood sugar, appetite and satiety.

Mounjaro works by:

• Helping your body release less sugar into your blood

• Stimulating the release of insulin when you eat

• Slowing down stomach emptying, so you stay full for longer

• Suppressing your feeling of hunger

Together, this means you eat less, have more stable blood sugar levels and lose weight more easily, especially when you combine this with exercise and healthy eating.

How effective is Mounjaro for weight loss?

Clinical studies show that Mounjaro, combined with healthy eating and exercise, is highly effective for weight loss in people who are overweight or have obesity. Many participants lost on average 15 to 22% of their body weight in 1 to 1.5 years.