What is Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)? Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects

Editor's Note: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for a doctor's care or medical advice. It is important to consult your doctor for medical advice appropriate to your individual needs.

So you've heard about Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), the newest and currently most effective medication for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

But what exactly is it, and how does it work? And more importantly, should you start considering it as a treatment for yourself or your child?

Mounjaro is a weekly injection that is claimed to stabilize blood sugar, suppress appetite, and contribute to significant weight loss. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is a new medication for type 2 diabetes and obesity that targets specific hormonal receptors in the body.

As a new medication, Tirzepatide is considerably more effective than other medications currently available on the market.

Tirzepatide targets and boosts a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a critical hormone in our bodies that controls weight through the brain and the digestive tract.

Higher GLP-1 levels in the body lead to reduced appetite and a longer sense of fullness, ultimately reducing calorie intake and promoting weight loss. When glucose levels are high, insulin secretion increases. It inhibits glucagon release, thereby reducing the amount of glucose entering the liver, making it an effective medication for type 2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide also targets a second receptor, the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. GIP works by increasing insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent way, enhancing the effects of GLP-1. Additionally, GIP has been demonstrated to enhance fat metabolism and increase energy expenditure, although it does not directly suppress glucagon like GLP-1.

Together, GLP-1 and GIP synergize, amplifying each other’s effects for improved diabetes management and weight loss. This is what Tirzepatide is: a combination of the two.

By combining both GIP and GLP-1 and activating them simultaneously, Tirzepatide enhances insulin secretion, reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves overall blood sugar control, leading to effective diabetes management and weight loss.

Basically, Tirzepatide is an injectable medication that is effective in treating diabetes by improving blood sugar regulation by mimicking natural hormones.

Aside from being one of the most effective diabetes and insulin-related medications currently on the market, Tirzepatide, when used long-term, can even help diabetes patients wean off insulin, which is known to promote weight gain.

As Tirzepatide targets both diabetes and weight loss, it not only helps manage obesity but also improves overall health by reducing the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other related conditions simply by reducing excess weight.

Like most medications, Tirzepatide has its own set of side effects, the most common of which are gastrointestinal in nature. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Although children and teens exhibit the same side effects as adults who take Tirzepatide, they tend to experience them more severely, ranging from more frequent vomiting to increased abdominal pain compared to adults.

On top of this, clinical trials have shown that Tirzepatide can cause specific types of thyroid cancer in rats. Although it is still unclear whether the same is true for humans, it is probably best that no one in your family take it if there is a history of thyroid cancer.

Tirzepatide must be taken long-term. As it is designed to treat chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity, which are long-term and recurring, this drug was created with this in mind. So once you start it, you will likely need to remain on it, provided that it works well for you.

Another major factor you need to consider as a parent is the cost of Tirzepatide. In the Philippines, the average monthly out-of-pocket cost starts at PHP 11,000. And considering it is a long-term treatment that needs to be taken consistently, it might be something you want to think about carefully before a family member starts it.

In the Philippines, Tirzepatide has been FDA-approved as a medication for type 2 diabetes, for obesity, and for other obesity-related medical conditions.

Children with diabetes from the age of 10 can be prescribed Tirzepatide by their pediatrician. Tirzepatide cannot be bought over the counter; it strictly requires a prescription.

Moreover, although adults who suffer from obesity can be prescribed Tirzepatide, it is generally not given to children who do not have diabetes, no matter how overweight or obese they may be.

Tirzepatide is a weekly injection delivered via a pen. One pen of Tirzepatide contains multiple doses and typically lasts about a month.

As Tirzepatide can only be obtained through a doctor’s prescription, the dosage and schedule will be provided by your doctor. Starting doses are usually lower in the first few weeks to allow the body to adjust, then gradually increased until the proper dose is reached.

Tirzepatide is injected under the skin in the abdomen, thigh, or the back of the upper arm. It is advised to change the injection site each week to protect the skin, especially children’s delicate skin. It can also be taken at any time of day and does not have to be taken with a meal.

Tirzepatide has not been proven to be completely safe during pregnancy, but it has also not been proven to pose any risk.

In contrast, obesity and unmanaged glucose levels pose a much higher risk to both conception and the pregnancy itself. There have also been no sufficient studies yet to determine whether it increases the chance of pregnancy-related problems or congenital disabilities.

For breastfeeding, there is currently no available information on Tirzepatide affecting breast milk.

Always talk to your doctor about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and Tirzepatide if you have been prescribed the medication. As a new medication, there is still much that we do not know and have not yet studied about Tirzepatide. Your doctor will be the first to know if there are new findings about the drug and how these may affect your particular case.

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It differs from case to case, but Tirzepatide product labels indicate that it can have an impact on how birth control pills are absorbed in the body.

If you are taking oral contraceptives, you may want to switch to a non-oral method, such as injectables, implants, or barrier methods.

There have also been no studies so far on whether Tirzepatide affects male fertility or if it contributes to an increased risk of pregnancy complications or congenital disabilities.

As with all health issues, medication works best when coupled with a healthy lifestyle. For patients with diabetes and obesity, good nutritional support and a regular exercise regimen will help support and enhance the effects of Tirzepatide.

Here's a story of a child with type 1 diabetes who uses his #type1story to inspire others.